Top Spin

Top Spin Description

The virtual tennis game has become one of the industry's most popular genres in the last couple of decades, with releases such as Super Tennis on SNES and the more recent Virtua Tennis games from Sega proving immensely playable and competitive. Perhaps this is because - like the real life sport - tennis games in the virtual world are all about skill. A testament to this is Top Spin for Xbox. Making the most out of an official license, Top Spin plays host to 16 of the game's sporting greats including Pete Sampras, Anna Kournikova and Lleyton Hewitt. All characters look convincing and help to immerse the player in an engrossing game of tennis. In what initially appears to be a simple but solid tennis game, Top Spin employs an ever-popular gameplay mechanic whereby players must aim the ball with the analogue stick and choose their type of shot with single button press. There are also several obligatory game modes, featuring singles and doubles play, and there's even an extensive create-a-player mode to sink your teeth into. But what makes Top Spin special is online play. Via Xbox Live, players can partake in worldwide tournaments and competitions with players from anywhere in the world. You can chat to your opponents when playing, arrange tournaments via the web and even track your progress and rank on a global leader board. It really is a huge incentive to get your Xbox online. This way, games are more competitive, more compelling and more addictive than ever before. One day all games will be made this way...

• XSN Sports. XSN Sports is the first lineup of Xbox games where sports fans compete beyond the game. For the first time ever, gamers can challenge real people, create leagues and build new rivalries. XSN Sports is the breakthrough sports fans have been waiting for
  
• XSNsports.com. XSNsports.com is the web-based service that links a gamer's Xbox console, Xbox Live, PC and cell phone together for the first time ever. "Top Spin" fans will now be able to organize tournaments and schedules from a centralized Web site, and Xbox Live will automatically broadcast up-to-date scores, standings and statistics to any Web-based device
  
• Experience intense action and realism. "Top Spin" delivers all the intensity of professional tennis from cross-court winners and crushing ground strokes to rocket serves. Gamers can master all the shots including slices, lobs, drops, spins and several trick shots, while perfecting their play on surfaces including clay, hard court and grass
  
• Get into the zone. "Top Spin" challenges gamers to take risks by trying difficult shots to get into a zone and to use that momentum to improve their play. Gamers can develop a player's image on the court by pumping their fist after a great shot, slamming a racket to the ground or arguing a bad call
  
• Become the world's best player. Gamers may be No. 1 in their own living room, but Xbox Live gives them a chance to prove it any time and any place on a global scale. Gamers can climb worldwide ladders, play tournaments, take on all challengers in singles matches, or find a skilled partner for doubles play
  
• Create a player. Players can use the highly-detailed player creator (with more than 30 parameters to modify in hundreds of ways).to personalize a player's look, style and personality, and get coaching to perfect their tennis game. They can start at the local playground, rise through the amateur ranks, and play real pros in the top tournaments, while earning endorsements along the way