Grand Slam Tennis (Wii Motion Plus)

[Mr Ono]

Never have I been more undecided about a game. Been backwards and forwards about whether I hate it or like it.

Graphically, it is very nice actually. Rather similar to Team Fortress 2. The characters have a very good likeness and also their actions/styles are well done. Nice and simple menus and loads of other stuff I haven't really had time to explore.

In terms of how it plays, here is where I am just not sure. I do play tennis in real life (quite decent actually) and I was hoping that WMP would give me a good simulation of playing actual shots with the wiimote (& WMP) in the game. It doesn't do it that well. I can play topspins, slice etc, but if you put yourself fully into the game by actually playing these real shots - the Wiimote doesn't register them very well. My biggest issue is that playing a forehand/backhand seems to be hit and miss as your character moves automatically. To add to that, several times I triggered a shot whilst on the backswing - hence missing the ball altogether!

I know the game does not use 1:1 mapping but I find myself having to play it like a videogame (ala Wii Sports Tennis) where I flail the wiimote rather than play "shots" to actually win points. Not what I wanted.

I will persevere and, it is actually a decent workout (as intended with the built in "Calorie counter" calculator in game!) - but as a true simulation of tennis - no. Not really that good.


Wonder what Tiger Woods 2010 is going to be like.

[dvdmike]

I hear it gets super hard

[Mr Ono]

That's the problem. It them becomes a flailing match rather than a "tennis" match.

[dvdmike]

I still like the look of it, less so now I read your impressions.
May get it for M+ and then trade it in for VT2009

[The Mole]

Never have I been more undecided about a game. Been backwards and forwards about whether I hate it or like it.

Graphically, it is very nice actually. Rather similar to Team Fortress 2. The characters have a very good likeness and also their actions/styles are well done. Nice and simple menus and loads of other stuff I haven't really had time to explore.

In terms of how it plays, here is where I am just not sure. I do play tennis in real life (quite decent actually) and I was hoping that WMP would give me a good simulation of playing actual shots with the wiimote (& WMP) in the game. It doesn't do it that well. I can play topspins, slice etc, but if you put yourself fully into the game by actually playing these real shots - the Wiimote doesn't register them very well. My biggest issue is that playing a forehand/backhand seems to be hit and miss as your character moves automatically. To add to that, several times I triggered a shot whilst on the backswing - hence missing the ball altogether!

I know the game does not use 1:1 mapping but I find myself having to play it like a videogame (ala Wii Sports Tennis) where I flail the wiimote rather than play "shots" to actually win points. Not what I wanted.

I will persevere and, it is actually a decent workout (as intended with the built in "Calorie counter" calculator in game!) - but as a true simulation of tennis - no. Not really that good.


Wonder what Tiger Woods 2010 is going to be like.

Tiger Woods is extremely good (the wii motion plus offers unpresidented controls for a golf game), look out for my impressions tomorrow after i have had a chance to play it a bit more.

I was wondering if i should get this or Virtua Tennis, seams like i may give both a miss.

[ezee ryder]

I actually think the game is really good fun. It takes a while to get used to the MotionPlus controls but once they click you have some great fun. It feels amazing when you nail an awesome backhand, forehand or drop shot. I think I actually pumped my fists a few times (Tiger Tim style!), I got well into the game!

At the moment I am just using the Wii remote plus the MotionPlus and that is the "simple" control scheme. Your character moves around automatically and you just have to the do the hitting. You can move forward and back with a simple tap of the d-pad but it is a bit difficult while your trying to concentrate on your shot selection. You can also do drop shots by holding B as you swing and lobs by holding A as you swing.

There is a control scheme where you can attach the nunchuck and full control over your characters movement but that is quite difficult. I think it is best to master/be good at the "simple" control scheme first before you move onto that!

Right now I have just been playing exhibition matches and practicing but there a few different modes. Party mode, workout mode and there is online multiplayer too. A great introduction to the MotionPlus, alot of fun. For people looking for a much more deeper tennis experience than Wii Sports Tennis then I would recommend picking this up.

[dno]

I play a lot of tennis and I was surprised how quickly I was able to start putting top spin forehands straight or cross court etc, I was suitably impressed. However I'm disppointed EA didn't really push it and give us a full-on realistic option which really utilises the Motion+ maybe with a tight in or even first person cam. I also think people blaming things on the hardware might be off, I think it's more a case of EA fudging it to dumb it down a bit. Online is excellent btw.

[Mr Ono]

Starting to grow on me more now. Played Borg vs McEnroe and they have captured Mc's serve and actons really well. Now starting to win more points and games.

Still quite a few hiccups due to the control system but can now sustain exciting rallies.

Haven't played 2-player yet even though I have the extra WMP.

[Salsa Party Animal]

So who sell the games with wii M+
VG+ doesn't sell it as a bundle.

[NemesiS]

I still like the look of it, less so now I read your impressions.
May get it for M+ and then trade it in for VT2009

Don't waste your dough. VT3 is miles better. VT09 seems to have gone backwards in every department. The academy and mini games are now even tougher too, due to there being even less time than there was before to complete challenges. The core gameplay is still there but just doesn't seem as good as in VT3.

Had a feeling Slam Tennis would turn out like Mr Ono said. There are just too many shots in tennis for any kind of sensor control to work accurately enough to portray the shots you think you are making to be displayed on screen.

Wii sports tennis was a joke for this. It was fun but at the end of the day all you were doing was just waggling with absolutely no control over direction whatsoever.

Does the M+ make control any more accurate btw?

[ezee ryder]

Well Mr Ono did say that he is getting on with the game much better now, I think. Once you get to grips with the controls it really is a joy to play.

I usually play two or three matches everyday (offline and online) and enjoy every minute of it. The game isn't perfect as occasionally you can totally miss but the ball but this happens very rarely once you are used to the controls. It just feels so great when you nail an awesome slice shot or drop shot, mainly because you know it was all down to you. I have played both GST and VT2009 using MotionPlus, the former wins hands down.

[NemesiS]

Well Mr Ono did say that he is getting on with the game much better now, I think. Once you get to grips with the controls it really is a joy to play.

I didn't see Mr Ono's second post . Good to see that its not all doom and gloom as i first thought. I was hoping for a half decent tennis game and if it continues to grow as you all get more used to it, i'll probably give it a go.

[Mr Ono]

Certainly growing on me - despite some frustrating glitches in the swing action.

Just had a tough game and done my shoulder in

[ezee ryder]

My arm usually hurts a bit after long sessions.

[Mr Ono]

JUst got the other WMP out and played multiplayer.

Some of the party modes are a bit boring so we stuck to vanilla singles on the split screen.

Runs perfectly well and more than playable on a 40 inch LCD. Very good fun.