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preview :: rockstar games presents table tennis
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis
Reviewed on: WiiAvailable on: Wii, Xbox 360
I want exactly what Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis offers - a control system in a racquet based sports game where you actually feel in complete control. Oh, did I mention it’s also a damn fun game.
Players: 1-2 Players
Genre:
Release: 2007-10-19
Genre:
Release: 2007-10-19
Developer: Rockstar Leeds / Rockstar San Diego
Distributor: Rockstar Games
Distributor: Rockstar Games
Games are meant to be fun.
Dictionary.com defines the word fun as ‘something that provides mirth or amusement, enjoyment or playfulness’. I bring this up because every so often I get to a point when I’m playing games where I have to actually wonder if I’m having any fun playing them. Usually halfway through a single player game, or within 5 minutes of playing any online game with people I don’t know, I reach this enlightened state where I can marvel the graphics; appreciate the music; and comprehend the time and effort that went into the making of the game – while at the same time realise that I’m not actually having that much fun playing it.
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis on the Wii is the most fun I’ve had playing a game in a long time. I would go as far to say from my limited play time with it, it will be an absolute MUST HAVE title for the Wii when it is released this week.
I’m getting ahead of myself, let me take a step back and explain where I’m coming from.
I was recently invited to Rockstar Sydney’s offices to preview some of their upcoming titles; Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles. While the latter was impressive enough as you can read, it was table tennis that got a thorough workout.
Who needs Halo when you have all the action you need right here?
Essentially the same game released on the Xbox 360 earlier this year, and frankly if I need to explain how a game of table tennis works you’re reading the wrong website. The immediate differences are the graphics and control scheme. Obviously the Wii isn’t capable of the same intricate level of detail as its competitors, and when compared to those versions it comes up lacking on fancy graphics, but thankfully not on the fluid movement of the characters. Not that any of this matters, because the game is fun, remember that, because it’s a recurring theme here.
The control scheme is setup to accommodate everyone from beginners to experts, with 3 different setups on offer.
The first control scheme has you only using the Wiimote as a paddle where you swing in the direction you want the ball to go, while your character moves on their own, not too far removed from Wii Sports Tennis.
The second scheme has you using the Nunchuck along with the Wiimote, allowing you to place the direction of the ball using the Nunchuck’s joystick while swinging the Wiimote in any direction registers as a ‘hit’.
The third scheme again gives you the Nunchuck and Wiimote, this time giving you full control over your character’s movements with the Nunchuck joystick, while retaining the Wiimote swinging and aiming controls.
I hesitate to compare the game to Wii Sports Tennis however, as there is a lot more going on in Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis, even using this most basic control setup.
Using the first and third control scheme, the way you swing the Wiimote dictates the position on the opponents side the ball will head towards – so if you swing up and to the right, it will head towards that corner of the table. This means that the swinging motion isn’t trying to replicate the motion of hitting itself, but rather creating a new way to play altogether.
At the same time, holding the d-pad left or right puts spin on the ball itself; while the A and B buttons are used to do a focus shot.
The trick to the game is to try and counter your opponents shots ... did he drop it short with backspin? Then you’ll want to counter hard and long. Thankfully shot’s are colour coded with a trail following behind the ball, so it’s easy enough to figure out what kind of shot you’re going to make next.
Seriously, who looks THAT serious when playing ping pong?
You may think the control schemes don’t sound all that easy at all, and on paper you’d be right. However, once I’d had a few rounds playing against the Rockstar boys, I started to feel confident enough in my skills to move up the control level ranks. The feeling of complete control on the Wii, after playing the frustratingly restricted Wii Sports games, is exhilarating.
This is made even more engaging by the power meter that builds up the longer a rally goes on for, eventually having the lights in the room dim around the surrounding players and the focus being on the exceptionally fast back and forth game, interrupted only by the matrix style slow motion power shots.
This is edge of your seat Table Tennis. And it’s fun, really really fun.
I happened to be visiting the Rockstar offices on a Friday afternoon, and after a few drinks the group of us were taking turns in playing the winner of each round, with the more experienced guys getting in some heated rallies upwards of 80 hits back and forth, while one of the guys who will remain nameless that got their asses handed to them in a straight set (no, it wasn’t me).
I simply can’t wait to get my hands on this game and play it with friends. It doesn’t have the pick up and play simplicity of other Wii titles, but frankly, I don’t want that. I’m sick of that. I want exactly what Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis offers – a control system in a racquet based sports game where you actually feel in complete control. Oh, did I mention it’s also a damn fun game?
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis is available to buy on the Wii on the 19th of October
Dictionary.com defines the word fun as ‘something that provides mirth or amusement, enjoyment or playfulness’. I bring this up because every so often I get to a point when I’m playing games where I have to actually wonder if I’m having any fun playing them. Usually halfway through a single player game, or within 5 minutes of playing any online game with people I don’t know, I reach this enlightened state where I can marvel the graphics; appreciate the music; and comprehend the time and effort that went into the making of the game – while at the same time realise that I’m not actually having that much fun playing it.
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis on the Wii is the most fun I’ve had playing a game in a long time. I would go as far to say from my limited play time with it, it will be an absolute MUST HAVE title for the Wii when it is released this week.
I’m getting ahead of myself, let me take a step back and explain where I’m coming from.
I was recently invited to Rockstar Sydney’s offices to preview some of their upcoming titles; Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles. While the latter was impressive enough as you can read, it was table tennis that got a thorough workout.
Who needs Halo when you have all the action you need right here?
Essentially the same game released on the Xbox 360 earlier this year, and frankly if I need to explain how a game of table tennis works you’re reading the wrong website. The immediate differences are the graphics and control scheme. Obviously the Wii isn’t capable of the same intricate level of detail as its competitors, and when compared to those versions it comes up lacking on fancy graphics, but thankfully not on the fluid movement of the characters. Not that any of this matters, because the game is fun, remember that, because it’s a recurring theme here.
The control scheme is setup to accommodate everyone from beginners to experts, with 3 different setups on offer.
The first control scheme has you only using the Wiimote as a paddle where you swing in the direction you want the ball to go, while your character moves on their own, not too far removed from Wii Sports Tennis.
The second scheme has you using the Nunchuck along with the Wiimote, allowing you to place the direction of the ball using the Nunchuck’s joystick while swinging the Wiimote in any direction registers as a ‘hit’.
The third scheme again gives you the Nunchuck and Wiimote, this time giving you full control over your character’s movements with the Nunchuck joystick, while retaining the Wiimote swinging and aiming controls.
I hesitate to compare the game to Wii Sports Tennis however, as there is a lot more going on in Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis, even using this most basic control setup.
Using the first and third control scheme, the way you swing the Wiimote dictates the position on the opponents side the ball will head towards – so if you swing up and to the right, it will head towards that corner of the table. This means that the swinging motion isn’t trying to replicate the motion of hitting itself, but rather creating a new way to play altogether.
At the same time, holding the d-pad left or right puts spin on the ball itself; while the A and B buttons are used to do a focus shot.
The trick to the game is to try and counter your opponents shots ... did he drop it short with backspin? Then you’ll want to counter hard and long. Thankfully shot’s are colour coded with a trail following behind the ball, so it’s easy enough to figure out what kind of shot you’re going to make next.
Seriously, who looks THAT serious when playing ping pong?
You may think the control schemes don’t sound all that easy at all, and on paper you’d be right. However, once I’d had a few rounds playing against the Rockstar boys, I started to feel confident enough in my skills to move up the control level ranks. The feeling of complete control on the Wii, after playing the frustratingly restricted Wii Sports games, is exhilarating.
This is made even more engaging by the power meter that builds up the longer a rally goes on for, eventually having the lights in the room dim around the surrounding players and the focus being on the exceptionally fast back and forth game, interrupted only by the matrix style slow motion power shots.
This is edge of your seat Table Tennis. And it’s fun, really really fun.
I happened to be visiting the Rockstar offices on a Friday afternoon, and after a few drinks the group of us were taking turns in playing the winner of each round, with the more experienced guys getting in some heated rallies upwards of 80 hits back and forth, while one of the guys who will remain nameless that got their asses handed to them in a straight set (no, it wasn’t me).
I simply can’t wait to get my hands on this game and play it with friends. It doesn’t have the pick up and play simplicity of other Wii titles, but frankly, I don’t want that. I’m sick of that. I want exactly what Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis offers – a control system in a racquet based sports game where you actually feel in complete control. Oh, did I mention it’s also a damn fun game?
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis is available to buy on the Wii on the 19th of October