Virtua Tennis 3

Last updated
Virtua Tennis 3
Virtuatennis3front-1-.jpg
US cover art, featuring Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Venus Williams
Developer(s) Sega AM3 (AC, PS3)
Sumo Digital (X360, PC, PSP)
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Kazuko Noguchi
Producer(s) Mie Kumagai
Designer(s)
  • Nobuyuki Yamashita
  • Norio Furuichi
Programmer(s) Yoshifumi Ishihata
Composer(s) Kentaro Koyama
Series Virtua Tennis
Platform(s) Arcade, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: April 25, 2006
  • NA: 2006
PlayStation 3, PSP, Windows, Xbox 360
  • JP: March 8, 2007 (PS3)
  • NA: March 20, 2007
  • EU: March 23, 2007 (PS3, X360)
  • AU: March 23, 2007 (PS3)
  • NA: March 26, 2007 (PSP)
  • AU: March 29, 2007 (PC, PSP, X360)
  • EU: March 30, 2007 (PC, PSP)
Genre(s) Sports game
Mode(s)1 to 4 Players
Arcade system Sega Lindbergh

Virtua Tennis 3, known in Japan as Sega Professional Tennis: Power Smash 3, is the second arcade game sequel to Sega's tennis game franchise, Virtua Tennis . The arcade version of Virtua Tennis 3 is powered by the PC-based Sega Lindbergh arcade system board. Ports for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 consoles are also available with a traditional collection of tennis minigames that the home versions of Virtua Tennis are known for. In 2009, Sega updated and re-created Virtua Tennis 3 in Virtua Tennis 2009 .

Contents

Console versions

Besides having Tournament Mode and Exhibition Mode from the arcade version, the home versions include a World Tour Mode and Court Games mode. These game modes replace the Challenge Mode that was present in the arcade version.

The Xbox 360 version has exclusive Xbox Live online tournaments and modes, whilst the PlayStation 3 version incorporates the option to control the game using the Sixaxis motion-sensitive controller.

Both the 360 and PS3 versions offer native 1080p support.

Game modes

World Tour

This is the main mode of the game. In this mode, the user creates a tennis player (male or female), and enters the SPT World Tour with a ranking position of 300th, and with the goal of becoming the number 1. The player needs to improve his ranking by winning matches and tournaments, as well as his abilities by successfully completing training minigames and academy exercises. This mode also allows the player to interact with the featured professional tennis players.

Tournament

This mode is similar to the arcade version of the game. The user can select either a featured professional player or one of his created players (from the World Tour mode), and must win 5 matches in different surfaces and venues to win the tournament. If the player performs well enough and gets a very good rank (A), he is challenged by Duke, one of the game's bosses. However, if the player performs well in the tournament but achieves a mediocre rank (D), he is challenged by King instead.

Exhibition

This mode allows the user to play single matches with customized options, such as the player, the opponent and the court.

Court Games

This mode features the minigames from the World Tour mode and is dedicated to multiplayer gaming.

Game Content

Playable Characters

Reception

The game received "generally favorable reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [1] [2] [3] [4] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 3 version a score of 28 out of 40. [10]

GamePro gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions each a score of 4.25 out of 5, with The Watcher calling the former "an outstandingly well-made game. Its technically impressive visuals, easy to learn but hard to master gameplay, and great selection of mini-games makes Virtua Tennis 3 an ace"; [28] and Ouroboros later saying of the latter, "Bloated expectations aside, Virtua Tennis is a fan service treat from the moment you open the box, and setting down the controller without blowing hours on end requires considerable willpower, even if it all comes to feel like just a more refined, balanced version of what we already played to death on the Dreamcast." [29] Edge gave the PS3 version a score of eight out of ten, saying, "This new outing for Sega's ever-appealing sports series is a deeper, more serious and demanding beast than before, yet happily manages to retain the series’ lighthearted atmosphere and is, on occasion, utterly bonkers." [30] Retro Gamer gave the PSP version a score of 80%, saying, "Admittedly, it's still a great game, but when you consider that World Tour can now be purchased for just under a tenner (and an absolute bargain it is too), it's very hard to justify shelling out extra money for a near identical experience." [31]

Gabe Boker of GameZone gave the Xbox 360 version a score of 8.2 out of 10, saying, "It provides solid online multiplayer, a career mode bursting with life, and addictive mini-games fans have come to expect." [32] Ronnie Hobbs gave the PS3 version 7.5 out of 10, calling it "A fast, frantic, and high-octane style of tennis. If this sounds like fun then you will feel right at home. Anyone looking for a more realistic approach will want to find another source." [33] Louis Bedigian gave the PSP version eight out of ten, calling it "a content-filled, mini-game-infused joyride that anyone can love." [34]

Related Research Articles

<i>Virtua Fighter 5</i> 2006 video game

Virtua Fighter 5 is the fifth installment in Sega's Virtua Fighter series of arcade fighting games. The original version was released in July 2006 on the Sega Lindbergh arcade system board with a number of updates before home ports were released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2007. The first major update was Virtua Fighter 5 R (2008), followed by Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown (2010), with the latter ported to home systems in 2012. A remastered version of Ultimate Showdown was released in 2021 as Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown on PlayStation 4 and as Virtua Fighter esports on Japanese arcades.

<i>The Bigs</i> 2007 video game

The Bigs is an arcade-style baseball video game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii and PlayStation Portable. It was released in June 2007 in North America, and in October in the PAL region. A sequel, The Bigs 2, was released on July 7, 2009.

<i>Sega Superstars Tennis</i> 2008 sports video game

Sega Superstars Tennis is a sports video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. It is the second title in the Sega All-Stars series, preceded by Sega Superstars (2004), and crosses over characters, locations, and soundtracks from several Sega franchises, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Channel 5, and Super Monkey Ball.

<i>Pure</i> (video game) 2008 off-road racing video game

Pure is an off-road, quad-bike trick-racing video game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Black Rock Studio. The game was announced on 14 February 2008. The game incorporates a trick system that rewards the player with speed boosts for successfully pulling off tricks.

<i>1942: Joint Strike</i> 2008 video game

1942: Joint Strike is a video game developed by Backbone Entertainment for Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3 through PlayStation Network. It was released in 2008. It is the remake of the original 1984 video game 1942.

<i>Baja: Edge of Control</i> 2008 video game

Baja: Edge of Control is a 2008 off-road racing video game developed by 2XL Games and published by THQ for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game gets its name from the real life Baja 1000 off-road race in Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico, on which it is based. The game is set on over 95 different tracks, including three different Baja 250 courses, two Baja 500 courses, one Baja 1000 course, and has nine open world environments.

<i>Virtua Tennis 2009</i> 2009 sports video game

Virtua Tennis 2009, known in Japan as Power Smash: Live Match!, is a 2009 video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. It is part of the Virtua Tennis series, following Virtua Tennis 3.

<i>Army of Two: The 40th Day</i> 2010 video game

Army of Two: The 40th Day is a third-person shooter video game developed by EA Montreal and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was also released for PlayStation Portable, which was developed by Buzz Monkey. It is the sequel to Army of Two. Army of Two: The 40th Day was released in 2010 worldwide.

<i>The Bigs 2</i> 2009 video game

The Bigs 2 is a baseball sports video game developed by Blue Castle Games and published by 2K for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, and PlayStation Portable. The game serves as the direct sequel to The Bigs. The first trailer for the game was released revealing players like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Roberto Clemente, and Reggie Jackson and a number of other Hall of Famers. Milwaukee Brewers All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder is the cover athlete chosen by 2K Sports. For the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii editions of the game, the English play-by-play announcer is Damon Bruce while the Japanese announcer is Kasey Ryne Mazak. It was released in 2009. The game was indirectly followed-up by Nicktoons MLB.

<i>MySims SkyHeroes</i> 2010 video game

MySims SkyHeroes is a video game developed by Behaviour Interactive and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sixth and final game in the MySims series. The game was released in 2010 for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360.

<i>Virtua Tennis 4</i> 2011 sports video game

Virtua Tennis 4, known in Japan as Power Smash 4, is the third sequel to Sega's tennis game franchise, Virtua Tennis. It was released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii and PlayStation Vita. This is the first main series Virtua Tennis game to not have an arcade release before the console releases. An arcade version was also released, which is powered by the PC-based Sega RingEdge arcade system. There are two versions of the cabinet: an upright 4-player cabinet, and a deluxe 4-player cabinet.

<i>Apache: Air Assault</i> 2010 video game

Apache: Air Assault is a combat flight simulator video game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was developed by then-Russian developer Gaijin Entertainment, which is most famous for its World War II MMO-game War Thunder and published by Activision.

Battle: Los Angeles is a first-person shooter developed by Saber Interactive and published by Konami for Microsoft Windows (Steam), PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade in 2011. It was released to coincide with the release of the 2011 film of the same name.

<i>Choplifter HD</i> 2012 video game

Choplifter HD is a video game developed by inXile Entertainment and released in 2012-2013. It is a 3D polygonal remake of the 1982 game Choplifter by Dan Gorlin. inXile hired Gorlin to serve as a design consultant for the game. As in the original game, players fly missions in a helicopter, defeating enemies and rescuing people. Originally released for Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the game was subsequently ported to the Ouya as well as Android devices. Choplifter HD was lauded for being true to the original, retaining the gameplay the series was known for, but was criticized for its high level of difficulty.

<i>Burnout Crash!</i> 2011 video game

Burnout Crash! is a downloadable action racing video game in the Burnout series. It is developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS via PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and iTunes App Store.

<i>The Baconing</i> 2011 video game

The Baconing is an action role-playing video game developed by Hothead Games. It was published by Valcon Games on the Xbox 360 and independently on all other platforms. It was released in August 2011 for PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network, for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows via Steam, and for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It is the third game in the DeathSpank series, and follows the character DeathSpank in his quest to defeat the AntiSpank, an evil incarnation of himself.

<i>Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team</i> 2011 video game

Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team is a top-down shooter game with twin-stick control, set in the Warhammer 40,000 future fantasy universe. Players play as Space Marines attempting to halt an Ork invasion spaceship, facing orks and, later, Tyranids. Four Space Marine classes are playable Sternguard Veteran, Techmarine, Vanguard Veteran and Librarian. The first two focusing on Shooting the later two on melee. The game supports single player and same screen multiplayer modes.

<i>Birds of Steel</i> 2012 video game

Birds of Steel is a combat flight simulator video game created by Gaijin Entertainment and published by Konami. It was released in March 2012 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game includes more than one hundred non-fictional planes, twenty historical missions, and hundreds of procedural missions over sixteen different locations, including Pearl Harbor and Wake Island. It has single player, four player cooperative, and online multiplayer modes. Birds of Steel provided the base work for Gaijin Entertainment's MMO game War Thunder. The game consists of three difficulty settings, which change the way planes are flown: Simplified, an arcade play style, Realistic, a mix between an arcade play style and a simulation play style, and lastly Simulator, in which the planes handle as closely to real life as possible. A.I. difficulty is not affected by the selected play style.

<i>Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse</i> (2013 video game) 2013 video game

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is a 2013 2.5D platform game developed by Sega Studios Australia and published by Sega. The game is a remake of the original 1990 Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive video game of the same name, which was the first title in the Illusion series of Mickey Mouse video games. The game was released on PlayStation 3, Windows and Xbox 360, in September 2013, and later for iOS, Windows Phone, Android and OS X.

<i>NBA Unrivaled</i> 2009 basketball video game

NBA Unrivaled is a sports-simulation video game developed by Vancouver-based studio A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games and published by Tecmo.

References

  1. 1 2 "Virtua Tennis 3 for PC Reviews". Metacritic . Fandom . Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  2. 1 2 "Virtua Tennis 3 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
  3. 1 2 "Virtua Tennis 3 for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  4. 1 2 "Virtua Tennis 3 for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  5. 1 2 3 Jörg Luibl (2007-03-22). "Test: Virtua Tennis 3 (PC, PS3, X360)". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  6. ↑ Jan Wöbbeking (2007-04-08). "Test: Virtua Tennis 3 (PSP)". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  7. 1 2 Todd Zuniga (2007-07-16). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". The A.V. Club . G/O Media. Archived from the original on 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  8. 1 2 EGM staff (April 2007). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 214. Ziff Davis. p. 84.
  9. ↑ Kristan Reed (2007-03-21). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (Xbox 360) [date mislabeled as "March 27, 2007"]". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  10. 1 2 "パワースマッシュ3 (PS3)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain . Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  11. 1 2 Matthew Kato (May 2007). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". Game Informer . No. 169. GameStop. Archived from the original on 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  12. ↑ Aaron Thomas (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PS3)". GameSpot . Fandom. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  13. ↑ Aaron Thomas (2007-04-03). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PSP)". GameSpot. Fandom. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  14. ↑ Aaron Thomas (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (X360)". GameSpot. Fandom. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  15. 1 2 Eduardo Vasconcellos (2007-04-02). "GameSpy: Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  16. ↑ Gabe Graziani (2007-03-26). "GameSpy: Virtua Tennis 3 (PSP)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  17. ↑ "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". GameTrailers . Viacom. 2007-03-22. Archived from the original on 2013-04-21. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  18. ↑ Cam Shea (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 AU Review". IGN . Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  19. ↑ Alex Simmons (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 UK Review (PS3)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  20. ↑ Jeremy Dunham (2007-03-21). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PS3)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  21. ↑ Jeremy Dunham (2007-04-03). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PSP)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  22. ↑ Douglass C. Perry (2007-03-19). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (Xbox 360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  23. ↑ "Virtua Tennis 3". Official Xbox Magazine . Future US. May 2007. p. 82.
  24. ↑ "Virtua Tennis 3". PC Gamer UK . Future plc. May 2007. p. 78.
  25. ↑ Simon Parkin (2007-03-27). "Virtua Tennis 3". Pocket Gamer . Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  26. ↑ "Review: Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". PSM . No. 122. Future US. May 2007. p. 76.
  27. ↑ Eliot Fish (2007-04-09). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  28. ↑ The Watcher (2007-03-20). "Review: Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". GamePro . IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-04-04. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  29. ↑ Ouroboros (2007-04-27). "Review: Virtua Tennis 3 (X360)". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  30. ↑ Edge staff (April 2007). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". Edge . No. 174. Future plc. p. 84.
  31. ↑ Darren Jones (2007-06-21). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PSP)". Retro Gamer . No. 39. Imagine Publishing.
  32. ↑ Gabe Boker (2007-03-29). "Virtua Tennis 3 – 360 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  33. ↑ Ronnie Hobbs (2007-04-02). "Virtua Tennis 3 – PSP – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  34. ↑ Louis Bedigian (2007-04-05). "Virtua Tennis 3 – PSP – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.