Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis

[image:519 align=left hspace=5 size=medium]So was walking through the mall with my girlfriend and spotted one of those game displays at FYE, featuring the one and only Table Tennis for Xbox 360. I would never ordinarily review a game like that, but I really felt it managed to capture the feeling of, "Wow...as mind-numbingly dull as this game is...I AM LOVING IT!"

Well first thing first. This game is mind numbingly simple, a button masher of sorts where instead of beating the stuffing out of someone with your fists you are whacking a little white ball around with paddles. Someone who has never touched a video game in their entire life (no joke) can easily hold their own in this game, as hitting A five times a second will still only make you swing your paddle once... oddly enough at the exact time needed to hit the ball expertly back. It all comes down to four types of hit (and you have four buttons for them!) and the length of time you hold them down for. You can also hit multiple buttons for COMBO moves. And although there are a variety of serves and responses, the novelty of the game quickly wears off.

That said, there are some very positive features to the game. The characters look incredible, and have very realistic and advanced expressions. As time goes on, the players even appear more sweaty and focused. The visuals are incredible, and when you really get a good volley going after 200 or so hits, you might just find your heartbeat thumping in rhythm with the clicks of the hits.

Okay, realistically this game has two practical situations when it could be great: when trying to break a non-gamer in and get them comfortable with a controller in their hands, and when you have not slept on 20 or so hours. Otherwise...you had better be a hardcore tennis enthusiast to pick this title up.