Virtua Tennis hit the arcades in 1999, but it was in 2000 that developers Sega AM3 ported it to the Dreamcast console. And owing to the console's capability to run fantastic visuals, it made the made the move without effort. It truly is a joy to play and is still, ten years on, one of the best tennis games available on home games systems, both in looks and playability.
There are 5 courts in all (listed below) and a decent roster of big names on offer. (Keeping in mind the game is a decade old, so its names like Courier, Haas & Henman you will see and not Nadal and Federer.) Players can choose to play either Exhibition matches, where set/duration can be tinkered with, or join the World Circuit in a bid to be ranked number one. There is also a fun Training Mode available, with a wealth of exercises to be challenged with, including ten pin bowling with giant skittles and a tennis ball.
Each court looks great with all the usual tennis sponsors and eager audiences. More importantly the different court surfaces do actually feel and play differently, the hard surface making the ball zip around like a pinball, while clay almost slowing it to a standstill. Personally I found it really satisfying and a splendid game of tennis for home gamers.
One can pick this up for peanuts on auction sites: £3 for (still) one of the best tennis games? That serve is definately IN.
The courts -
Australian Challenge - Hard
French Cup - Clay
US Super Tennis - Hard
The Old England Championships - Grass
Sega Grand Match - Carpet
On 9th September 1999, Sega released a new console to an excited public, the now legendary Dreamcast. Many would argue the first in Next Gen visuals, and online gaming, the Dreamcast was overtaken by Playstation2 but never forgotten. To this day, a decade on, it is still a powerful force in the gaming world. This is my tribute to the console and games, where a poet becomes fanboy.
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