Top Spin (video game)
Top Spin | |
---|---|
Atari Europe[2](PC) | |
Platform(s) | Xbox Microsoft Windows PlayStation 2 |
Release | |
Sports | |
Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Top Spin is a 2003
Top Spin was developed as a partnership between French company
Upon release, the Xbox version of Top Spin received generally favorable reviews, with praise directed to the game's intuitive and accessible control scheme and graphical fidelity, with some critiques of the limitations of the game's career mode. The PlayStation 2 port of the game received mixed reviews, with attention directed to the reduced quality of the game's graphics. Following release, Top Spin received several sequels, with Top Spin 2 released in 2006.
Gameplay
Top Spin is a simulation tennis game that recreates single and double tennis matches and exhibition tournaments, in which players compete against a computer or other players in either local or online matches. Players can perform several
Top Spin features several game modes. In 'Exhibition' mode, players can create customized matches by selecting one of sixteen playable professional players or a custom character,
Top Spin features local system link play and online multiplayer play for up to four players. The Xbox version of the game featured enhanced online features under
Development
Top Spin was developed by a partnership between French developer
Top Spin was released by
Reception
Aggregator | Score | |
---|---|---|
PS2 | Xbox | |
Metacritic | 67/100[25] | 89/100[26] |
Publication | Score | |
---|---|---|
PS2 | Xbox | |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | N/A | 9/10[12] |
Eurogamer | N/A | 8/10[13] |
Game Informer | 8.75/10[14] | 9/10[15] |
GamePro | N/A | [17] |
GameRevolution | N/A | B+[16] |
GameSpot | 7.2/10[18] | 9.1/10[4] |
GameSpy | [19] | [20] |
GameZone | 8.5/10[21] | 9/10[22] |
IGN | 7.4/10[23] | 9.3/10[3] |
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | [24] | N/A |
According to review aggregator Metacritic, the Xbox version of 'Top Spin received "generally favorable reviews" and the PlayStation 2 version received "mixed or average reviews".[26][25] Several critics praised the Xbox version of the game as the best tennis simulation of its generation and a superior successor to Virtua Tennis,[12][13][17] with GameSpot describing the game as "the most well-rounded, feature-rich game of tennis to be found anywhere, on any system,"[4] and GameSpy assessing the game as the "best arcade tennis game to date".[20]
Reviewers generally praised the game's accessible control scheme and learning curve. Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the game's "easy access", writing that "the game's intuitive controls mean anyone can pick up the controller and play competitively."[12] GameZone found the controls of the game to be accessible and player-friendly, whilst "evolving" in difficulty and presenting a challenge for players of all skill levels.[22] GamePro similarly described the gameplay as "responding intuitively and naturally right from the start", whilst noting the game "has its own quirks", such as power-up shorts and serves being "more challenging than they should be."[17] GameSpy praised the "smooth and accessible" gameplay and "wide variety of shots", but critiqued the game's risk shots as "not implemented well and too difficult to pull off in comparison to normal strokes".[20]
Critics praised the game's visual presentation and animations. Describing the visuals as "eye-catching" and "one of the game's best features", GamePro praised the game's "slick" camera.[17] Game Revolution highlighted the game's graphics, writing that the players "look great and move smoothly and accurately" and commending the realism of the courts and crowd animations.[16] GameSpot wrote that "the look of the game is unmatched", particularly its "realistically rendered" courts, "clean and realistic" lighting and "fluid" player animations.[4] GameSpy similarly praised the game's "sharp-looking courts" and "gorgeous character models".[20] Game Informer expressed that the game's graphics easily surpassed its predecessors in the genre.[15]
Reviewers also praised the inclusion and implementation of online play. GameSpot wrote that the inclusion of
Critics expressed mixed views on the design of the career mode. Assessing that the "career mode could use a bit of beefing up", IGN described the mode as "competent and enjoyable", but lacked the "great mini-games" of Virtua Tennis.[3] Eurogamer noted the career mode "could have been a lot better", citing the limited tournament pool of sixteen players and "lack of real competitions".[13] GamePro commented that the pacing of the career mode was "a bit off as it's easy to train up your player too quickly."[17] Despite finding the career mode to offer a "good amount of entertainment", Game Revolution critiqued the game's skills system and training sessions as not "very thrilling", and the cash system to be "sort of useless" in its use to purchase cosmetic upgrades.[16] Game Informer considered the career mode to have a "distinct lack of star power" due to its the absence of major tennis stars and real-world venues.[15]
The PlayStation 2 port of Top Spin received less favorable reviews due to the reduced graphics. IGN noted that whilst the PlayStation title was "wholly the same" as the Xbox release, "its presence on the PlayStation 2 is marred a bit by the PS2's lesser hardware".[23] GameSpy similarly wrote that the "excellent animation, lively arenas, (and) lighting" on the original release were "not to be found" on the PlayStation 2 version, with the character models being "just not good", the audience animations being "especially horrid", and the "graphics (hurting) the actual play".[19] Describing the game as a "half-hearted translation", GameSpot dismissed the "bland visuals" of the port and "dumbed down" character models, also faulting the game's "slow" transitions between menus and loading times.[18]
Accolades
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences at the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards nominated Top Spin for "Console Sports Simulation Game of the Year", which was ultimately awarded to Madden NFL 2004.[28]
References
- CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "Atari announces Top Spin for the PC". Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Kaiser Hwang (October 29, 2003). "Top Spin (Xbox)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Ryan Davis (October 31, 2003). "Top Spin Review (Xbox)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Top Spin: Game Manual. Microsoft Game Studios. 2003. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Top Spin Q&A". GameSpot. October 27, 2003. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Hong, Quang (August 28, 2003). "Microsoft Debuts XSN Sports". Game Developer. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (March 10, 2003). "Partial Top Spin roster revealed". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ Calvert, Justin (March 11, 2003). "Top Spin gets Lleyton Hewitt". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Federer, Sharapova share Top Spin cover". GameSpot. July 12, 2005. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Jon (November 21, 2003). "Lleyton Hewitt: Top Spin Interview". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ a b c Greg Sewart; Bryan Intihar; Andrew Pfister (December 2003). "Top Spin (Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 173. Ziff Davis. p. 228. Archived from the original on December 5, 2003. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c Ronan Jennings (November 11, 2003). "Top Spin (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ Matt Helgeson (November 2005). "Top Spin (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 151. GameStop. p. 161.
- ^ a b c Matt Helgeson (November 2003). "Top Spin (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 127. GameStop. p. 167. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ CraveOnline. Archivedfrom the original on April 19, 2004. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Air Hendrix (October 30, 2003). "Top Spin Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b Ryan Davis (October 13, 2005). "Top Spin Review (PS2)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ a b Justin Leeper (October 7, 2005). "GameSpy: Top Spin (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 12, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Raymond Padilla (November 1, 2003). "GameSpy: Top Spin (Xbox)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ Angelina Sandoval (October 13, 2005). "Top Spin - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b Michael Lafferty (October 21, 2003). "Top Spin - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b Chris Roper (September 27, 2005). "Top Spin (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "Top Spin". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 100. Ziff Davis. January 2006. p. 91.
- ^ a b "Top Spin for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "Top Spin for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ Shea, Cam (December 2003). "Top Spin". Hyper. No. 122. Next Media. pp. 48–49. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.