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Why didn't anyone tell me?

I tend to think I appreciate sports games a bit more than the typical retro-gamer, but I'm far from a sports fan. I can always find interesting aspects when looking at series of sports games and how they've progressed over the years. But ultimately, the bulk of my sports gaming is spent on the only sport I actually care about in real life: basketball. So trust me when I say that I had no real belief that I was going to find much more than twenty minutes of enjoyment with Virtua Tennis. But oh friends, how wrong I was.

I'm trying to really think about any experience I've had with tennis games in the past. I know I found Mario Tennis on Game Boy Color at least slightly amusing. And of course a few drunken rounds of Wii Tennis with the wife can be fun from time to time. But really beyond that, I can't really say I've ever found a tennis game to be any more grabbing than a few minutes with Pong.


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But Virtua Tennis is just this unbelievable blend of realism and arcade simplicity. Because it's controls consist of only two buttons it has this incredible pick-up-and-play quality to it. And yet there's so much detail to the presentation -- from the way the players move to the feel of the courts. And though it's easy to learn, it's far from easy to win. I found myself cursing the AI many times, but it always felt like "okay, one more game!" rather than "y'know what? Fuck this game!" That right there is a clear indication of a great arcade game. It's one that will get you to keep pumping quarters in -- happily.

Outside of the Arcade Mode is a great training route called World Circuit Mode. This offers a sort of sim where you must compete in various matches and mini games (aiming at huge bowling pins or spiking the ball at boxes) in an attempt to raise money and improve your stats and recruit a doubles partner to proceed further in the circuit. It's actually a really great game in itself that really teaches you many strategies that will apply to the main game.


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Ultimately what I think has shocked me so much about Virtua Tennis is that I've been able to spend hours on it and never getting bored. A tennis game you guys... a tennis game is actually addicting. I already can't wait to check out the sequel although I'm far from done enjoying this original installment. So recommended!

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