Sega added the game to its already excellent Sega Sports line, and as a result, the gameplay is more of a simulation than the arcadey Virtua Tennis. In addition, there are now sixteen licensed players, from Patrick Rafter to Jelena Dokic. The players look unbelievably realistic, down to the smallest detail. Monica Seles makes her trademark grunts, Tim Henman hitches his shoulders while he serves, Lindsay Davenport has her familiar racket windup, etc etc. It's almost eerie how true to life the players are a vast improvement over the rather grotesque characters from the first game. There are now 28 courts, a HUGE addition over Virtua Tennis, and some of them are just gorgeous. The Rio court at dusk is particularly wonderous, giving the court and players a glow that's magnificent to behold.
The gameplay, while similar to VT, has undergone a few changes, making the game much more challenging. You now have three types of shots: topspin, slice, and lob. There is also much more attention paid to how powerful the shots are in relation to how close the player is to the ball, i.e. if the ball is close to you when you swing, you're not going to hit it very hard. Positioning your player in order to get maximum shot power and control is vital, adding a whole layer of strategy to the game. Thankfully, the too-often diving of the first game has been practically eliminated, as players lunge for balls just out of reach. If you should dive, however, you jump back to your feet in no time a much-welcome improvement. You can also return serves with much more power, if you're in the right place. This makes the game more balanced, as the server was usually victorious in Virtua Tennis. The players have much more range now, which results in longer, more strategic matches. You cannot jump into Tennis 2K2 and expect victory right away if you've mastered VT it's necessary to learn the subtle details all over again. Despite these new complexities, the game still retains the same charm and playability of the original. Credit Sega for not just re-releasing Virtua Tennis with new graphics T2K2 is a much different, but no less enjoyable game. The best thing about the improved gameplay is it gives you more control over your player and his/her shots.
Tournament (arcade) and Exhibition modes are, in fact, set up the same as VT: pick a player (or players) and hit the courts. There is a mixed doubles option, as you cannot play two males against two females. However, the World Circuit Mode has seen some pretty drastic changes. You create a male and female player using rather limited options, and start training in your quest to become #1 in the world (you start ranked at 300th). You follow a 12-month calendar, on which different singles and doubles matches are displayed for you to enter. In between matches, you train your players using different trials, much like the first game, but instead of winning money, you improve your player's statistics in various categories (forehand power, foot speed, serve control, etc.). These training matches have the same unusual charm as VT's: you'll try to knock items off a conveyer belt to improve your serve, try to catch flags while avoiding being hit by balls fired from tennis machines, and even play a strange tennis version of Othello. These quirky minigames are just as wonderful and addictive as before, and Bulls' Eye and Pin Crasher make repeat appearances. It's very necessary to train, as your players begin basically at zero and will lose matches immediately unless you train. When you think you're ready, you can enter a match. If you win, you get money, which you can then spend in the various shops for doubles partners, additional outfits, racket upgrades, and more arenas for Exhibition Mode. You also improve your rank, imperative as you must have a certain rank in order to enter higher tournaments. These changes are, again, intended to make the game more of a simulation than an arcade experience, but it's set up in such an intuitive and compelling way that it's more enjoyable. You'll get attached to your created players quickly, and you can even use them in the game's other modes.
Tennis 2K2 is a gorgeous-to-look-at masterpiece that has even deeper gameplay than the original, and is unmatched as a multiplayer party game and as a single-player experience. It is a must-own classic that is the final hurrah for the dying Dreamcast, and is one of the system's top three games. Enthusiastically recommended!
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If you loved "Virtua Tennis", picking up "Tennis 2K2" is a no-brainer. This sequel is simply more of what made "Virtua Tennis" a surprise hit. If you have not played the original and are not a tennis enthusiast, consider buying the original....Reasons why this game does not deserve five stars:
1) The most popular players (Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova) are still not here and most likely will be appearing in a rival tennis game for PS2 in the future.
2) If you played the original "Virtua Tennis", you already know this game -you will not be getting a substantially different game here.
Reasons why this game deserves better than three stars:
1) Women are here! A not-too-shabby list of women players includes the Williams sisters, Lindsay Davenport, and Monica Seles.
2) Sega still sports the best blend of realism and approachability in a tennis game. Tennis enthusiasts and casual gamers will all enjoy this game.
3) The new create-a-player mode adds a unique RPG element to the game. And if your favorite player is not among the included 16, you can create him or her from scratch.
4) Minor improvements over the original game can be seen throughout this sequel. For example, the graphics are noticeably cleaner (with nice touches such as scuff marks on the court surfaces) and game control now includes slicing.
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I had the Virtua Tennis and played it until my thumb cramped and the tour was comleted. Now I get to see Venus and Serina. The addition of women was a plus. Agassi and Sampras would've been a nice addition but Tommy Haas holds his own on this version as well as the last. Gameplay is great on any level. I play only on the top level and seem to have no problem winning. I do lose more than I win, but it increases your skill and causes you to make better shots......hint: work the angles and keep the other guy guessing your shot.oNe
Honest reviews on Tennis 2K2
Tennis 2K2 has a very similar feel to its predecessor, Virtua Tennis. The gameplay mechanics is virtually identical. The main difference is that 2K2 now has a few new shot selections. The other difference is that 2K2 now includes female players.You get well known tennis gals such as Venus and Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, and Mary Pierce. The men's side features a weak lineup of players(Patrick Rafter is the most well known).
You get Tournament, Exhibition, and World Tour along with training and create-a-player modes. The graphics is smoother and you have a wider selection of courts, which include 'hard', 'clay', 'grass', and 'turf'(there's also a mystery courts you can buy).
For those familiar with Virtua Tennis, this game will feel like a smooth extension with more precise game-play and the ability to choose the women players. One of the best tennis games out there for the Sega Dreamcast.
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