Anyone playing this game? I'm not a gamer but I have downloaded the demo and it appears kind of fun. I have read a few reviews that have all been positive so I'm about to give it a try. I know you can't play the PS3 version online which as been the only negative I have seen.

If you enjoy arcadey tennis mechanics and some crazy training mini-games, then you should get a lot of mileage out of Virtua Tennis 3, especially if you have some friends for offline multiplayer.

My only issues with the game are that the players dive too often and the difficulty ramps up too unevenly (matches against the computer are usually too easy or too hard, without much space in between). Repeatedly training to get your stats high enough for the hardest matches can also get a little tedious. But overall, this is a fun game that will easily suck 20 to 40 hours out of your life.

- Jer

I have it for the 360, and aside from the musch better online this is one title I like better on the PS3 for some reason. Graphics and mechanics are the same, but for some reason the play seems faster on the PS3.

The game is great fun. It's one of those things you try for the heck of it, and then get quickly addicted to. "One more series...just one more and then I'll cook dinner..."

The play mechanics are probably better on the PS3 because this is one of the few cases where the 360 version is actually a port of the PS3 engine.

Unfortunately the lack of online support really kills it for me. If it had that one little feature I'd be all over it.

I rented this one on a whim back when it first came out. My buddy and I stayed up until 3am playing it! We were seriously addicted. Doubles with a friend is great fun. Online would obviously be tons better, but I wouldn't let that keep you away from this great game.

I agree with the other person's comment: sometimes it's either way too easy or way too hard. The demo is silly easy.

I'm waiting to find it cheap on ebay, then I plan to buy a copy.

This is a good game for the whole family. My 5yr old daughter plays this game alot . She loves the the mini games, especially the bowling mini games. It also can be had for cheap. I believe CC has this for $39.99 new. You can also pick it up used at gamestop for the mid $30.00 range. I can't comment on the levels of play since the whole family plays it...I keep the setting on easy play.

I ended up buying a copy and so far I'm impressed. I really like the 1080p graphics on my eight foot screen. But for the life of me I can't aim any of my shots. I guess you are suppose to hold down one of the directional keys after hitting the ball? For me it does nothing or certainly not enough that I can see it's working. Any suggestions?

I ended up buying a copy and so far I'm impressed. I really like the 1080p graphics on my eight foot screen. But for the life of me I can't aim any of my shots. I guess you are suppose to hold down one of the directional keys after hitting the ball? For me it does nothing or certainly not enough that I can see it's working. Any suggestions?


You'll want to hold down the directional key as your holding the button to swing. The trick to the gameplay is getting into position for the shot as quickly as possible so you have time to wind up. The earlier you can get there to start your swing you'll get more power and better direction.

This is a good game for the whole family. My 5yr old daughter plays this game alot . She loves the the mini games, especially the bowling mini games. It also can be had for cheap. I believe CC has this for $39.99 new. You can also pick it up used at gamestop for the mid $30.00 range. I can't comment on the levels of play since the whole family plays it...I keep the setting on easy play.

my four year old loves playing the demo. i may have to pick up a copy... thanks for the review.

You'll want to hold down the directional key as your holding the button to swing. The trick to the gameplay is getting into position for the shot as quickly as possible so you have time to wind up. The earlier you can get there to start your swing you'll get more power and better direction.Thanks! I knew you wanted to be in position and the sooner you swing the more power. However I didn't see where you needed to hold the directional button as you push the swing button. That explains why once or twice I thought I was aiming a shot... only I didn't know how. :)

I'm glad there isn't online play as these preschool kids would be taking two out of three sets against me for sure.

OK I can now almost aim a shot via the resident professionals here. How about drop shots? Can you only do them at certain times or from anywhere on the court? I know you need to slice and use the directional keys... but no love here. Although Maria and I kicked some butt in doubles last night.

yeah, love the demo too... i finally checked last night and was amazed to know it was 1080p... looks beautiful on the samsung 46 inch lcd... almost like you could jump into it (graphics are like pixar'ish)... demo is so dang easy.... i played the previous version on ps2 and yeah, the difficulty do ramp up almost exponentially... i have a feeling this one will have the same setup...

I've played the demo on the 360 and PS3, I win on the PS3 and lose on the 360. Something about the buttons just don't work well on the 360.

Can anybody do drop shots consistently? Any hints?

Can anybody do drop shots consistently? Any hints?Certainly not me. I haven't been able to do one!

Can anybody do drop shots consistently? Any hints?
You need a fair amount of lead time to make those happen.

- Jer

Finally picked this up today and just got done playing some vs. with a buddy of mine. We had a blast. One thing that we thought was kind of weird though was this bizarre crunching sound effect when we played on grass (turned the music off within 20 seconds of starting the game up). Anybody know what that sound is supposed to be? Was it just a weird glitch? I was so distracted because it didn't sound natural and I couldn't figure out where it was supposed to be coming from.

This is a great game. Beating out King and Duke will be a challenge. The single player is fun as well..

I enjoyed it as well. I rented it, but at the above mentioned prices for used it would be worth it. Fun game and I agree addictive. jhaines in post #2 decribed the negatives about the game perfectly. When your player goes from being able to get any ball and then all of a sudden you have to dive for several shots in a row, feels like you are being screwed with by the AI and it won't let you return without diving and it gets frustrating.

I agree with the other posters. It is a fiun game and worth it. Recommended!

Virtua Tennis 3 for the PS3 is one of those mindless fun games that you know you shouldn't like, but you it love it nonetheless. I am not a sports game fan, but I really enjoy playing this one.

I was always hesitant to buy it, but once it dropped to $40 and knowing how much fun the demo was, I got it. The high praise here didn't hurt either.

It is just mindless fun, but what is so great about it is that it doesn't have to be. When my buddy and I were playing last night we were totally enthralled and felt like we were getting a workout! It really is a great game and I can't wait to see what they do with 4 as far as tweaking some of the AI issues you guys are touching on!