They ditched the eyetoys for the courts. Is that a good choice?
Introduction
Oh Sega Superstars Tennis. What can I say about this game? It's the second one in the Sega Superstars series where all of your favorite Sega icons like Sonic, Nights, Aiai, Samba, and more gather together for another awesome crossover game. Similar to Nintendo's Smash Bros. But Superstars tackles numerous genres. Last time, it tackled a collection of games for the PS2. It took creative use of the eyetoy. Now they are back and are taking it to the courts. That's right, we get to see the blue blur play tennis this time. This is Sega Superstars Tennis.
SuperStardom
This game is made on the Virtua Tennis 3 engine and developed by Sumo Digital. The people behind Virtua Tennis 3. So you already know this game is not that bad. The main thing you'll be doing in the game is alot of unlocking. And you unlock by playing Superstar Mode. You select a series and play missions based on the series. Like for the Sonic missions, you'll be playing the Sonic mini game and playing tennis in the Sonic courts like Green Hill zone. You can unlock characters, mini games, and courts through this mode.
This mode is a nice way to unlock stuff. But it can get real repetitive with the mini game missions. In series that have a mini game, you'll be playing at least twenty missions on them. Instead of some tennis. I like the mini games, but I don't want over 50% of the game to be mini games. I want it to be half tennis and half games. Tennis barely gets a part in Superstar mode. I wished they came up with a better like a story mode though. Would've been nice to to see the Sega stars interact through story. Maybe we will in the next Sega Superstars game.
The Tennis
This is what the game is all about. The tennis. It's pretty similar to Virtua Tennis 3. Which is good. But they decided to make it easier and simpler for the casual audience. Nothing wrong with that. There are four control schemes. But why no GameCube option? Aww. The best control is probably the Wii Remote and Nunchuck. It's alot like Wii Sports' tennis but you can move. Which is great. And also a little tiny bit more difficult. Also, they were bound to add this. A special power. When your star on the bottom of you character is shining, you can activate the Superstar power. When using it, it has a special effect to your opponent when you hit it to your opponent. For example, Shadow's transports your opponent to a different spot with chaos control when your opponent hits the ball back. Confusing him/her.
All superstars power are fairly similar and different. They don't have as much effect that you'd think they'd have on the game, which is good. But they still are useful. The tennis is average at best. It adds really nothing new to the tennis formula. But it does get the job done. Pitting Sega characters in the tennis court. That's all this game merely is.
The Games
The game does excel in something. There are mini games in the game that combine tennis with elements from Sega games like Sonic The Hedgehog and Jet Set Radio. For example, in the Sonic game, you collect rings and avoid the spiky electrified filled balls thrown by the robots on the other side of the other court. Another game in the Super Monkey Ball game. Where you have to hit the monkey balls into the goals seen in the Super Monkey Ball games using tennis balls.
The mini games are quite fun. They take some great use of tennis normal elements with elements from the Sega games and combine them perfectly. The only great part of the game. But they do get repetitive if played too much. Especially in Superstar Mode. So make sure to not play them too much. It may really frustrate you with its difficult tennis aiming strategies in alot of games.
Graphics
The graphics are quite sharp. I don't think I can notice many differences with this version compared to the 360 version. That's great. It's about time the Wii version is not really dumbed down from the 360/PS3 version. Of course, 360 version is better in terms of graphics. The models and courts are designed very colorfully and nicely. The menus are great too.
Sound
The background music for menus and courts are excellent. Alot of the tracks are used from the games that are supported in this title. All in one great package. There are even multiple songs you can use for each stage. The sound effects are good too and get the job done. Voices aren't too major here. There are only little bits of them in here so they don't get in the way.
Replay Value
The game doesn't offer that much replayability if you don't have a group of friends to tell the truth. This is the weakest point of the game. You won't be coming back to play the game. There's just not much to do other that Superstar Mode. That mode can get a little repetitive too. If they only added a funner way to unlock stuff and more content. Sixteen characters just doesn't seem enough from the large roster of Sega characters. Why ain't Knuckles and Billy Hatcher in there? Also, where's online for the Wii version? It could've really saved it.
Buy or Rent?
Is this game a buyer or a renter? I can't believe it, but I'm saying a renter. Why? Replay value is why. You won't be coming back for more. But I may not be the best critic for such a game because I really don't like tennis games so much. The mini games made me buy it though. If you liked Virtua Tennis 3, you'll defiantly like this and it's worth a buy. If this game only had online play for the Wii version. The mini games are worth checking out for the Wii version however.