"Whoa..."

So, I was at the local video game store, looking for something new for my PSP. I'm torn between two games, Infected and Virtua Tennis: World Tour. The tennis game was cheaper, so naturally, I chose that. Since it was real cheap and it was a tennis game, which in the past have dissappointed me, (dont ask me why because I don't know) I just was not expecting much more than a time killer, but I was wrong. Virtua Tennis: World Tour is an awesome game.

Sound:7/10
This is one of the more realistic features for this game. Your player does the, IMO, hilarios moan when he/she hits the ball, your footsteps can be heard while runnig around the court, the ball does that soft "knock" sound when it hits thecourt, and of coarse the pop of your ball sucessfully hitting the raquet all add to the realism of this game. Also notable is the scorekeeper who reminds you the score after every play. None of the sound effects are "award winning" but they do keep me satisfied enough, and probably will anyone else.

Graphics:7/10
Of the games I have, I am sad to say that this has the weakest graphics. Obviously they are not too week, seeing as I awarded them a seven out of ten, but still I was unimpressed. However, it is not that the graphics are bad, just not excellent. The players don't really look all that like their real-life selves. In the graphics defence, when you are in the game, you don't really notice that, because the gameplay graphics are fine, not stupndous, but good. So really, although the graphics aren't mind-blowingly good, they shouldn't affect your decision of whether or not to buy the game.

Controls:9/10
There is not much to say about the controls except they are easy to learn and easy to master. It is as simple as running to the ball and hitting the ball. Of coarse that is what tennis is. I could see why some people may find this game tedious, but in my honest opinion, it is not. The game is not easy. Your computer opponent is not going to just, hit the ball to you everytime, or give you a nice easy to hit serve, he/she will test you run your butt up and down the court.

Game play:9.5/10
Ah..finally the all important gameplay, the part of the review most people will just skip right down to. This is definitely the strongest part of the game. There is three modes of game play: Exhibition, Tourny mode, and World Tour. Exhibition is,.... well and exhibition match. You chose any of the availible male or female pros and then your opponent, if you want you can do a doubles match as well as singles. Set it on any difficulty, and the number of games. Tourny mode is well..... a tournament. Play in a tournament with any of your favorite pros. Then the best of the three, World Tour. In the game type you create a male player, and a female player. Give them a name, an outfit, and stats. Your players will start off being ranked 300 in the world, but, as you train in serving, footwork, volleys, and ground strokes, and play in matches, your player will get better and better, and his/her rank will get higher and higher. I will warn you now, it is not easy to win every match so if you get easily frustrated maybe you should stand clear of this game.

Buy, Rent, or Pass
Buy. However, this game might only attract die-hard tennis fans, but I think most people who pick up this game will enjoy it.

Sound: 7/10
Graphics: 7/10
Controls: 9/10
Game play: 9.5/10
Overall: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/04/06