14 DAY TRIAL // Sumo Digital, makers of Virtua Tennis 3, have set out to create a game that's true to their tennis credentials while also appealing to a wider player base. And the result is SEGA Superstar Tennis and it is available in all game stores in North America, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS. Seems like SEGA has all its console basis covered.
The main game mode is the Superstars mode, that's as much about the tennis playing itself, as it is about mini-games tied with each character and each zone they are in. Sonic the Hedgehog-related tasks are all about collecting rings, Monkey Ball tasks you with smashing monkey balls through giant rings, and House of the Dead has you bashing zombies, all while using the tennis rocket and tennis balls. There are enough mini-games to keep players busy for days, especially as there are zones and characters that must be unlocked.
The tennis itself has been dumbed down a little, perhaps in the effort to appeal to more gamers than Virtua Tennis 3. The serve is the same, with a light tap initiating it while the second launches the ball, and there are plenty of moves you can pull on the court. A meter fills up every time you successfully hit the ball and once it's full, you can unleash character-based special moves that can really make a difference. And there are 16 SEGA characters ready to be played, from Sonic to AiAi.
The human vs. human aspect of the game is very important with four players supported online and the availability of both ranked and unranked tournaments. A live coverage feature also lets you be a match spectator in "televised" matches.
SEGA of Europe plans to release the game in Europe on March 20. That's tomorrow, so you'd better have those consoles ready for SEGA Superstar Tennis.