Top Spin 3

I have been a huge fan of the Top Spin series and have owned parts 1 and 2. #2 had some issues, but it was still a very good game that had good mechanics and was a blast to play online. Top Spin 3 on the other hand...the mechanics are so God awful, I came closer than ever before to smashing the hell out of my $50 dollar controller...yes its that bad!

Some have mentioned it and some haven't, but I have to say the CONTROLS FOR THIS GAME ARE THE WORST I HAVE EVER PLAYED! I couldn't even get out of the training school for the game! I finally got so frustrated I figured I'd just start the career mode and hope I would figure it out. I COULDN'T EVEN BEAT THE FIRST FRICKIN GUY!!!

Hey, if you figured it out than good for you! I couldn't and I don't know how the majority of people could!!! AVOID THIS GAME! I AM A HUGE FAN OF TOP SPIN 1 & 2 AND I SAY AVOID TOP SPIN 3.

I just thank God I didn't buy it brand new and bought it used from Gamestop. I'm taking this shiz back tomorrow and putting the money down on Fable 2. AVOID PEOPLE!!!

This game's not bad but I find it difficult to do well unless I'm playing on the easiest setting. I play a lot of Xbox sports games and I'm fairly good on most of them, but I've found Top Spin 3 difficult to pick up on. As a result it hasn't been that much fun to play. I'm going to stick it out for a little while then thinking about selling it back.

Like my title says, wait for Smash Court Tennis 3. I played the Japanese version of it last year and was greatly pleased. I didn't try too much of the career mode because the text was all in Japanese.

Back to Top Spin, I was a huge fan of the first one, but both sequels have been total letdowns. The graphics are amazing (a major improvement compared SCT3), though the player models STILL aren't up to par (Fed's face looks like he ate a few Big Macs before the match). The new controller layout and gameplay is going to leave quite a few people miffed before they finish a match. Other little details like: not being able to challenge line calls, poor career mode setup, and players moving akwardly at times (all things SCT3 does better) make this game no more than a rental.

I have played all kinds of tennis games, but this one is the best...almost perfect. Yes the controls are different then previous Top Spin games, so I strongly suggest you go through the "Tennis School" first to learn the controls. Basically, you hold the shot button for power and release the button around the time the ball hit to ground to hit the ball. Timing and position of the player is the key to success (or failure). Your career player will start very "dumb" and slow at first; however, once you give the guy some skill point (i.e. speed, power, forehand, backhand, etc.) as you earn them, your guy will be fine. Here is the downside of the game: Risk Shots. I hate them. I am not "that" good of a multiple-button-pushing-in-right-time-quickly kind of a guy. I just beat the game in hardest career mode without using the risk shot. However, I lose frequently online because pretty much everyone else has mastered the risk shots. Unless you have master the risks shots, your chance of winning during online play is very small, regardless of your tennis skills. If they have just deleted the risk shots from the game, I think everyone would have a chance of competing during online play. One more thing. I think the game would have help a bit more if we did not have to worry too much about the "positioning" of the player while playing. You have to worry about the timing part of the game, but you also have to worry about the positioning of the player. I just wished that the company would have deleted the "positioning" part or have it automatic like TS2. I hope this helps.

Great game. Plays a lot more realistic than just holding the A button and watching your player automatically dart left and hit the shot.

There is a learning curve; like one reviewer (Steve) said, at first you just miss the ball and can't swing. Go to tennis school and the game will teach/tell you how to play. You can't just play the game like TS 2, it's different. After 10 minutes, however, I was able to adjust and hit winners and even get an ace in there.

You shouldn't complain that the hitting system sucks or the style of the game is dumb just because you can't figure it out. The hitting system is fine; if you miss the ball it's your fault for not holding and releasing the swing button at the right time. Just like REAL TENNIS, you have to have good timing and position. Once I realized the game plays different than previous Top Spins, I realized the game is pretty awesome. Only time will tell if the career mode, etc. is good.