Top Spin 3

by Take 2

Product Features

• Play against or as more than 20 top ranked players including Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and Monica Seles
• Play on more than 40 prestigious and visually stunning venues from around the world such as Roland Garros in Paris (French Open) and Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne (Australian Open)
• Easy to Pick Up & Play - intuitive controls give you the ability to set your own pace and learn to master the courts, no matter what skill level you are
• Play in 4 different online game modes ranging from quick match to comprehensive World Tours with up to 2 separately connected consoles
• Use a new and innovative Player Creator to customize your own unique tennis stars with free-form body sculpting, makeup and tattoos

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0013FWZGI
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 6.1 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 23, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,889 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360

Top Spin 3 X360

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best tennis sim for consoles, June 26, 2008

By 

concrete_d - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Top Spin 3 (Video Game)

Top Spin 3, the latest in the series started by Top Spin on the original Xbox, revamps the rather simple control system of the first two games into one that is quite a bit more complex and intricate, but eventually more rewarding. Holding the shot button does not automatically move you into position, nor does it guarantee a good shot - now you must watch the ball, manually move into the correct position, and release the button at the correct time in order to hit a decent shot. Being in the wrong position or mistiming the button release leads to weak shots and errors. There is a "Tennis School" section devoted to helping players learn the new system and unlearn habits from the previous games, but only with repeated practice does the system become second nature. When everything starts to click, though, the game becomes very satisfying - you know it was your skill and experience that let you hit that screamer down the line, not the computer's automated hand-holding.

The character and ball movements have been slowed down, putting a greater emphasis on timing and precision. Two buttons have been mapped to have your character quickly run to either the center of the baseline or the net, but at the expense of stamina. This new stamina system ratchets up the tension and realism of the matches. Play well and run your opponent ragged, and he will start making loose errors as his heart rate increases. Likewise, your own timing and concentration must be maintained as your avatar's stamina decreases and his potential for making mistakes becomes greater. This gives a heightened sense of drama to the longer matches that was missing in previous games.

Other high points are a very well-done character customization feature and the usage of fictional characters on the tour (so that one isn't playing an inexplicably unskilled Federer in the first round of some random tournament). Tennis aficionados will appreciate the detailed stat sheets after matches, the increased frequency of aces, and the improved effectiveness of the service game. No longer are serves just a perfunctory start of a point - now it is much easier to hold when serving well, and conversely much more difficult to simply pound returns into corners.

For me, the flaws of this game are a period of frustration when learning the controls, and a rather dull presentation to the career mode, especially compared to the globe interface of Virtua Tennis 3. I don't play online, so I can't comment on that.

In all, this is an excellent game that achieves its goal of being a detailed tennis sim. As long as one is not expecting a pick-up-and-play experience like that of the older games or the Virtua Tennis series, and is willing to put in the effort to learn the new gameplay system, the benefits of the increased complexity quickly pay off.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult but well worth it, January 11, 2009

By 

Ray Schleicher "OutlawPiper" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Top Spin 3 (Video Game)

Everyone is writing how difficult Top Spin 3 is and giving it a low rating because of that fact. I have no argument with the fact that the controls are challenging to master. In fact, I have far from mastered them at this point. However once you are able to nail down the timing on the shots and you start to play by feel, the game is awesome and success is very gratifying.

I'm currently playing through my career on easy mode for the sake a achievements. Occassionally I change to normal mode for more of a challenge. Unlike Top Spin 2, you can't just play the baseline and keep hitting power shots. You need to master drop shots, lobs and net play.

If you want to be able to sit down with the game and master it in 10 minutes, this is NOT the game for you. It is precisely that reason that I really like Top Spin 3. Don't let the mediocre star rating dissuade you. If you like a challenge, you will definitely enjoy this game!

I may as well throw in that the graphics are great and the animations look awesome. The character creator is very thorough as well, although the character weight is generated by how you design his or her physique. I have found their weights seem to be a bit light for how I have designed my characters. This does not affect gameplay, so I don't really care.

Also, Rafael Nadal is not available a character in the game. You should know that going in, so you are not disappointed. From what I understand, it has to do with licensing and Sony exclusivity for the PS3. If you're dying to play as him, you'll need to get the PS3 version.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tennis SIMULATOR, not for kids with ADD, December 1, 2009

By 

Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Top Spin 3 (Video Game)

Don't believe the reviews that the controls are horrible. The layout of the controls couldn't be any better in my opinion to achieve the level of realism Top Spin 3 does. It is very close to playing real tennis in strategy, positioning, and timing of the ball. If you are pushing A for every shot and wondering why you're getting destroyed, this game isn't for you.

Use some tennis knowledge and you'll do much better.
For example:
The best position to get the max power isn't when the ball is as close as possible to your body, but where the arm can be fully extended.
If going cross court, use top spin.
If the ball is coming fast, use backspin to give yourself time to get back in position.
Don't hit backspin forehands if you can help it.
etc.

It's a great game for someone who knows how to play tennis. I recommend it 10 times over the mindless ball bashing games that take no skill whatsoever (Virtua Tennis).

2115|R1HUBJBDMHSCQ2;2115|R1N0RUTXHKVMWR;2115|R2BB40PA3Z2BEU;