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Rumor: Virtua Tennis 2009 for Wii to support WiiMotion Plus
Sega may be soon walking onto the court with an extra spring in its step, as TechRadar UK reports that the recently announced Wii version of Virtua Tennis 2009 will ship with support for WiiMotion Plus. Citing an anonymous source, the site writes that the game will be among the first third-party titles to support the new controller tech, which promises to boost the Wii remote's sensitivity to motion. We remain interested in seeing what developers do with WiiMotion Plus once it's introduced, though Sega has yet to announce any plans for supporting the souped-up controls when Virtua Tennis hits a backspin for retail in May.As an aside, the rumor comes just as '80s tennis crybaby John McEnroe celebrates surviving half a century, his ball striking the white line of the Wii's target demographic. If any extra-sensitive waggle does make its way into Virtua Tennis 2009, we advise keeping your distance should McEnroe stop by for a quick tantrum game of doubles.
Jason Dobson02.16.2009Virtua Tennis 2009 also coming to Wii
When Sega announced nine days ago that they'd be releasing another installment in their decade-old tennis franchise, aptly titled Virtua Tennis 2009, we thought they'd made a typo when revealing the systems the game would be gracing. You're telling us that a sport whose main interactive mechanic involves the deft swinging of a handheld object isn't getting the Wii treatment? Sega, are you pot-high?The fog of confusion has apparently lifted -- in a recent press release, Sega revealed that Virtua Tennis 2009 will, in fact, be coming to the Wii, bringing with it the roster and features from the 360, PS3 and PC versions of the title. These features include online play, and casual "Court Games" minigames that should go over swimmingly at Wii-based family functions. It will also share the May release window with the other versions of the game, bringing it to store shelves just in time for tennis season, if such a thing actually exists.
Griffin McElroy02.14.2009Sega serves up Virtua Tennis 2009 this May
Sega has announced a 2009 installment in its Virtua Tennis series ... called Virtua Tennis 2009. We thought it was pretty clever.Set to grace the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this May, Virtua Tennis 2009 offers the expected singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches, along with the series' trademark World Tour mode (now complete with online leaderboards). You can also expect to take several real-life tennis stars through "Court Games," minigames said to feature "crocodiles, fruit and pirates." If that isn't tennis, we don't know what is.
David Hinkle02.05.2009Kate Winslet loves to play Wii with the kids
When she's not busy falling in love with Jack Black or being in another Leonardo DiCaprio movie (when's our chance?) Kate Winslet likes to school chumps her kids in Wii Sports. At least, that's what she recently told the celebrity watchers at E! during the SAG awards. Despite the presence of the more popular bowling minigame, Kate is a big fan of the tennis and boxing bits, calling the overall package "fantastic." Just keep an eye on your kids and pets, Kate. We don't want to read a sad story about your dog or anything.[Via What They Play]
David Hinkle01.28.2009DirecTV provides best HD view of Grand Slam tennis tournaments
We tell ya, DirecTV has the cable carriers at their mercy when it comes to these Mix Channels. For tennis enthusiasts in particular, you'll be hard pressed to find a viewing setup superior to this. Starting on January 18th with the Australian Open, the company will be integrating ESPN2 and Tennis Channel feeds into its six-screens-in-one Mix Channel, and for the first time ever, it will all be in high-definition. Viewers will be able to see the network channel and five court channels on a single screen, with each screen providing its own audio stream. Better still, DirecTV subscribers can expect the same kind of coverage for the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open tournaments later this year. And don't be shocked to hear of something similar for the upcoming golf season -- we get the feeling DirecTV is really going for the jugular here.
Darren Murph01.16.2009Nintendo serves up Mario Tennis trailers
Over at the official site for the Wii de Asobu (Play on Wii, or NEW PLAY CONTROL!) series, there's a pair of Japanese commercials for the Mario Power Tennis remake, as well as a far lengthier gameplay trailer.The adverts we can take or leave, consisting as they do of the usual telegenic Japanese families bouncing around their pristine living rooms. The gameplay clip is worth watching, as it displays the various shots that can be achieved through a well-timed flick of the wrist (top-spin, side-spin, slices, drop shots, etc.). We hope mixing up our shots actually has an effect on the game, because we always found Wii Sports tennis to be not-quite-as-advertised in this respect (though we're willing to accept we just may be rubbish at Wii Sports tennis).Oh yes, and these are non-embeddable, so you'll have to go to the site to watch them. And they call this 2009!Source: TV commercial 1Source: TV commercial 2Source: Gameplay trailer[Via NeoGAF]
Chris Greenhough01.05.2009Mario Tennis: How to Play on Wii
We didn't really need help to figure out that Play on Wii Mario Tennis GC (or Mario Power Tennis, as Camelot's mascot tennis game is known over here) would use Wiimote motion controls, since that is, like one hundred percent of the point of the Play on Wii series (and Wii tennis games, for that matter). But we welcome solid information anyway, which Japanese online retailer Neowing has provided.According to the product description, Mario Tennis GC enables players to wave the Wii Remote to execute forehand and backhand shots and direct the ball toward the left or right side of the court. Motion will also determine the addition of topspin and slice spin. Buttons are still used to deploy each character's unique special moves.If the (possible) second coming of Wii Sports tennis doesn't excite you, hang on to your GameCube version: Play on Wii Mario Tennis GC does not support GameCube controllers.[Via Inside-Games]
JC Fletcher11.18.2008Found Footage: TouchSports Tennis '09
The nonstop action of tennis is what makes it so appealing to legions of fans. Now Handheld Games is bringing that thrill to your iPhone or iPod touch with TouchSports Tennis '09 (click opens iTunes).TouchSports Tennis '09 has incredible 3D graphics, and makes full use of the touch and tilt controls in the iPhone and iPod touch platforms. As you can see in the YouTube video below, you use touch to locate your tennis player and tilt to deliver your shots.There are three levels of difficulty in the game, so you can enjoy playing TouchSports Tennis '09 from the start and take on challenges as your confidence and skills increase. You can play a single game or play a full tournament when time permits.Early reviewers are reporting some app crashes, and the TouchSports support Web page addresses the issue by recommending a quick device restart before starting play. The US$4.99 app entered the App Store on Sunday, November 16. What's your favorite iPhone sports app so far? Leave us a comment below.
Steve Sande11.17.2008Fanswag: Top Spin 3 goes to ...
Sorry it took so long to announce the winners of our latest giveaway, but it's better to be late than never, right? No? Well, while we get our twenty lashes from our bosses, we'll leave you to congratulate the winners. So let's get to it!Our Top Spin 3 winners are: Greg mrshl Better luck next time to those of you who didn't get a copy and thanks for reading Wii Fanboy!%Gallery-24903%
David Hinkle08.25.2008GC 2008: EA looking to start up tennis franchise on Wii
For those of you who're fans of tennis, rejoice. EA is poised to present their own tennis title. And, as if that wasn't enough, it will take advantage of Nintendo's new MotionPlus peripheral, joining Ubisoft in proclaiming it's totally awesome. EA also mentions that this will be the first tennis game to include the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which is where Wimbledon is played.So, how many of you are looking forward to seeing this one? A tennis game that takes advantage of MotionPlus? We're excited![Via Joystiq]
David Hinkle08.20.2008GC 2008: EA to serve up new Wii tennis franchise
With all the recent announcements and pick-ups, you'd think EA would be bursting at the seams with upcoming titles, but it's just crammed one more under its belt: A new tennis franchise that will debut on Wii (though it will later come to other platforms) and take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus accessory.Besides the control gimmick innovation, its other claim to fame is being the only video game that includes the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where Wimbledon is played. So, with tennis added to the list, what's left for EA Sports? Curling? Cup stacking?
Justin McElroy08.20.2008Reminder: We're giving away Top Spin 3
Hey, you there. Yeah, you reading this. Do you like free stuff? We're giving away two copies of Top Spin 3, so head on over to the original contest post and read up on how you can enter. Good luck!%Gallery-24903%
David Hinkle08.15.2008Fanswag: Top Spin 3
It's that time again kiddies. It's time to give you some free swag. Our latest giveaway is highlighting 2K's Top Spin 3 for Wii. We've got two copies (each valued at $50) of the game to give away to a pair of lucky readers, so prepare to get your comment on.How do you enter? Easy, all you have to do is leave a comment telling us who your favorite Tennis player is. Don't have one? Okay, then they can be fake. Is it Mario? That's fine! You can comment once per day and the giveaway will close on Sunday, August 17th at 11:59PM ET. Oh, and you also must be 18 years of age or older and a current and legal resident of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec). Finally, before you enter, make sure you read the official rules.Best of luck to all of you entering and thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for stopping by Wii Fanboy every day.%Gallery-24903%
David Hinkle08.12.2008Wii Fanboy Review: Top Spin 3
The team behind the Wii version of Top Spin 3 was not exactly working in an enviable position. It seems a little funny to call a pack-in game a juggernaut, but that's exactly what Wii Sports is, and any game that sets out to deliver a realistic sports experience to Wii owners is up against that suprisingly excellent set of mini-games. Every tennis game, realistic or not, on the system is going to be compared -- probably unfavorably -- with a game that was free, and that's got to chafe.Unfortunately, it looks like someone was all too aware of that inevitable comparison, and worried besides, as Top Spin 3 tries too hard to be too many things to too many people. Not only did PAM Development and 2K Sports strive to create a top notch tennis simulation, they also tried to make it easy to pick up and play ... and the two don't exactly go hand in hand when it comes to a deep sports game.%Gallery-24903%
Alisha Karabinus07.09.2008Stars Catalogue now offering GBA titles [Update 1]
Two Game Boy Advance games have randomly appeared in the Stars Catalogue, leading us to surmise that Nintendo has been spring-cleaning its warehouses and found a bunch of old, unsold stock. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Mario Power Tennis are both decent purchases, we suppose, even if the price (5000 Stars each) is steep (you'd need to buy at least 20 DS games to amass that many Stars). We're still waiting on the warehouse with all the sealed Super Famicom consoles to get cleared out (it must exist somewhere).Some other new tat has also been added, including a Pokémon sports bag, and three further items that have (inexplicably) sold out: a Raving Rabbids T-shirt, a Pokémon Mystery Dungeon bookmark, and a Brain Training pen. Don't all rush at once, please.[Update 1: And the Kirbster has sold out!]
Chris Greenhough07.02.2008DirecTV keeps multi-screen trend alive with Wimbledon Interactive coverage
If you enjoy juggling six screens at once, you should seriously considering switching to DirecTV or DISH Network. As the back-and-forth action between the two continues, DirecTV is serving up Wimbledon Interactive in order to provide viewers with a multi-screen montage of grass court action. The satcaster is teaming up once again with ESPN2 in order to "provide nearly 200 hours of live interactive coverage of the first five days of the 2008 Wimbledon Championship." The half dozen screens will include live ESPN2 coverage, a Wimbledon Extra for keying in on crucial matches / highlights, and shots from four other courts which can be expanded to full screen at the touch of a button. As you know, the first fuzzy ball flies on June 23rd.
Darren Murph06.17.2008More Top Spin 3 screens, tennis fans clap politely
Thwock goes the tennis ball, and the crowd goes wild! Tennis fans should be automatically impressed with the graphical quality displayed in Top Spin 3 for the DS, if only because some pour souls actually tried their hand at Tennis Masters.Five new screens are ready for action in the gallery, and they certainly hold true to our original positive impression. Here's a tip - open the gallery, put a hat and sunglasses on, then pay some chump five bucks to hold up your monitor while running back in forth in front of you. It's just like being there! The upside of buying Top Spin 3 when it comes out? You'll have no more money left to waste on paying people to do stupid things. %Gallery-21669%[Via press release]
philip larsen06.13.2008Swing those screens, Top Spin 3
The "hitting balls with stuff" genre has really taken off on the Wii. We've enjoyed light entertainment and small-scaled intensity, but now tennis overlord Top Spin 3 is coming out to play. Will it be awesome? The pedigree of Top Spin lends us to think so, but check out these new screens in the gallery and judge for yourself.There's no official listing of the available control options, but a hefty wager can be placed on some kind of swinging motion being included. All bets must be placed before June 20 when the game hits the stores.%Gallery-24903%
philip larsen06.11.2008Spend 2 1/2 $10-dollar bills on Touch Detective, Sega Superstars Tennis
You'll have to forgive our convoluted title -- really, it couldn't be helped. If it's not immediately clear, and we very much doubt that it is, GameStop has two great DS online and in-store deals this week: Touch Detective 2 1/2: $9.99, our review Sega Superstars Tennis: $14.99, metareview Which both add up to $25 (provided that you round up)! See what we did there? Two-and-a-half $10 bills? $25? Come on!
Eric Caoili04.29.2008Top Screens
2K has released the first screens of the DS version of Top Spin 3, and we're pleased to say it looks pretty nice! We always feel surprised when a 3D game on the DS doesn't look awkward and jag-tastic.We aren't sure how much of an audience there is for portable tennis, but with this relatively high-profile release, along with Tennis Elbow and the recently released Sega Superstars Tennis, there seems to be something for everyone (who wants to play tennis on the DS). Top Spin, of course, brings the series' pedigree and a stable of (3D models in the likenesses of) real tennis stars like Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, and Andy Roddick.%Gallery-21669%[Via press release]
JC Fletcher04.28.2008