Smash Court Tennis 3?

Originally posted by Slumberland I do want to try the NASCAR.  Can I jump in with you all if and when it ever comes?

Absolutely.

For under $20 this one is not a bad buy.  Just played a bunch of exhibition matches so far.


The pros:

Face buttons (they are interchangeable) as slice shot is default as "A."  The actual swing mechanic is more like VT3.  I got used to the TS3 control and actually liked it.  I can go with either swing mechanic but for me, simple is better in a tennis game.  There are a bunch of special shots in this game but I have yet to get into the mode (tour) where you acquire them.


You are able to hit successful drop shots, I repeat you can hit successful drop shots. It is much easier to perform this standard tennis shot, compared to TS3.  Hit slice shot, hold back on stick, the longer the hold the tighter the drop.

No having to worry about risk shots, double button presses.  You get plenty of unforced errors in this game by holding a direction too long. I seem to have better control of where I can place the ball. With the slice shot you can make better use of the short angle shots. I even prefer net play in this game as it does not feel as slow as TS3.

Computer AI is pretty tough so far, they are monsters at the net, maybe a little too tough. Have not spent a lot of time against this type of player but like every other tennis game on the planet, the lob button is basically a let the CPU smash it back in your face.

Little touches:

You can set the time of day before a match, it gives each court a little extra aesthetic feel being able to play different times a day. The day itself does not forward itself during a match though.

Clouds pass over every court, darkening the court as the go over.

I saw this mentioned at gamefaqs and it happened to me.  I hit the net on a shot and the ball passed over, giving me the point. My player in turn raised his hand up acknowledging the luck that was bestowed upon him (this is tennis ettiquite and there are other little things liek this that other tennis games miss).


The cons:

Graphics are really dated, heavy shimmering and jaggies around net/shadow.

Textures are not very good, especially on clay.

Players models are hit or miss but not horrid by any means.
 

I have yet to enter the tour mode which is the meat and taters of the game. So far I am pretty happy with the purchase.

One thing I forgot is the ability to challenge calls (the CPU can also challenge).  Works well so far.


Just starting career mode myself.  I can give you all the details on it (stuff I found in reviews and from gamefaqs.com).

You have a 4 year career.

There are brand names (Fila, Addidas, etc)

There is a national cup (Similar to the Davis cup)

You obtain sponsorships by doing sponsor challenges (similar to TS2)

More things in the Tour (Training, Fan Mail, Charity events, sponsor stuff) than other games.

I think you can set the length of any tourney to play them as long or short as you want (will verify that tonight).

• Number of Players:

  1-4, 4 Online
  

• Offline Modes: Competitive, Cooperative
  

• Online Modes: Competitive, Cooperative

Gamestop adds:

Online doubles matches let players team up side by side for a long distance match against another pair, bringing the action and interaction alive like never before.

So online it looks like you have to have two people on one console playing another two people on a different consoles.  Seems to be a trend amongst tennis games, instead of having 4 separate XBL accounts play each other.

Hey Brent,