Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis review

Thwacking a plastic ball back and forth has never been so intense

12DOVE Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Deep but inviting gameplay

  • +

    Slick

  • +

    natural player movements

  • +

    That "just one more game" feeling

Cons

  • -

    Characters don't improve over time

  • -

    Silly player reactions

  • -

    Limp techno soundtrack

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No stolen cars. No snuff films. No hot coffee. It's officially time to get over the fact that gaming's most controversial publisher has created a game rated E for Everyone. Instead, look at Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis and ask yourself, "Damn - why hasn't anybody else ever put this much effort into making a killer Ping-Pong game before?" Because for whatever reason you didn't expect it, Table Tennis kicks ass.

To be honest, Table Tennis feels like a proof of concept - before the company starts cranking on big franchises like Grand Theft Auto IV, why not take the 360 out for a test spin with something fairly innocuous? Create two athletes, one tiny plastic ball and pack all the physical realism you possibly can into a game played with bulbous paddles and a wee net. Learn the tools, have some fun, get your bearings, put it out for a very reasonable $40 and then, with some other game, change the world.

Except this is Rockstar, so even the small stuff gets done in a big way. Graphically, there's no doubt Table Tennis is an Xbox 360 game; the detailed player models, subtle lighting effects (get a good rally going and the arena darkens for extra drama) and motion-blur effects put the hardware to impressive yet playful use. And with an easy-to learn, hard-to-master control system that balances force, accuracy and finesse, Table Tennis feels accessible without alienating "serious" sports gamers seeking strategy and depth. Online tournaments and easy pick-up games via Xbox Live will give you plenty of challenge, long after you've learned the weaknesses of all 11 unlockable computer players.

More info

GenreSports
DescriptionGiggle if you must, but Table Tennis on the Wii is legit fun, thanks in no small part to a winning control scheme.
Platform"Wii","Xbox 360"
US censor rating"Everyone","Everyone"
UK censor rating"",""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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