FIRST!

It actually looks pretty fun. Might just have to pick this one up!

failure.

*Constructive part*

It's going to suck. Even if it's the best Tennis game ever featuring mascots, well, it's a Tennis game. With Mascots.

Sqweee!!! :] I'll be picking up the DS version first thing, and maybe the Wii one if the reveiws are good.

Jet Set Radio 3 instead plzkthxbai.

It's a good thing that many of Sega's characters are male. I'd hate to see what kind of illegitimate mini-hedgehogs we would have running around with the way Sega whores out characters. What was the last really new IP Sega's delivered? Talking about destroying a brand.

@THQ: BAN!

Sumo Digital are pretty damn good. They're the ones making the new Broken Sword games.

I shall be antecipating this.

Another cheap attempt at a game saving sports title, take a lesson from Mario it dosen't work, please let sonic die he's old and crippled you can never bring back his glory days.

@okenny :): Um, Condemned? The Club? Valkyria Chronicles? Crush?

...people... SEGA IS NOT DEFINED BY SONIC ALONE. Sega has quality as a developer and publisher.

Stop badmouthing Sega. Start badmouthing Sonic Team. (And not Sonic, since he's back on the right track with the Rush games and the new Bioware RPG)

God I hope this means they are planning to bring this franchise back. Seriously, Chu Chu Rocket was crazy fun, and would make a PERFECT XBLA/PSN download.
DO IT SEGA.

@Ashurahori:

Holy crap you have inadvertently blown my mind, if Sumo Digital creates a Crush tennis variant this game will automatically become a must buy.

@THQ: People like you make this place terrible. Leave. Now.

@Heartwork:

While that would be wonderful, I agree, I'm attempting to control my rage at the fact that you said 'plzkthxbai'.

@Moonshadow101: No. you fail.

Its virtua tennis 3 so its going to be a legit good game with tight gameplay. you said:

It's going to suck. Even if it's the best Tennis game ever featuring mascots, well, it's a Tennis game. With Mascots.

lets look at smash bros, and apply that statement to it. its going to suck. even if its the best fighting game ever featuring mascots, well, its a fighting game. With mascots.

well it did pretty well. and seeing sega came up with the whole fighting with their mascot idea first, nintendo can take their mario tennis and stick it.

@Ashurahori: bla bla bla... everyone else is shitting new IPs (let's leave quality out of this discussion) but efing Sega has given me nothing lately... their too busy having sonic give every thing casual a blowjob from here to Nintendo land.
...
Sega, though originally an American company, today thinks like a traditional Japanese game company but they just don't have the portfolio to loose massive amounts of money with that massive arrogance that comes with the territory like Square does so while they have Sonic in a dark corner vomiting semen, Capcom is implementing a dynamic business model, successfully growing new IPs while properly managing the existing ones, and eating Sega's lunch; SF4 will be bigger then VF5 ever wished it could be if it ships bellow projections.
...
I loved the genesis and I think sonic was great once but sega's business model has left the poor guys anus so dilated, of of sega's recent failures, though many, aren't enough to stuff up loose sphincter like the shit titles they are. I hope my words aren't taken out of context, I just wish Sega would clean up its act :(

@Ashurahori:
Oh, they just hear other people talking out of their ass and follow along. Sega gets a lot of hate for the steaming shit Sonic Team cranks out every few months.

@up2nogood316:

Maybe Mario Tennis doesn't tickle everyone's fancy, but you made that post 1% less win by slamming it. Otherwise it woulda been 100% All-International Win.

Now you're going to hell. And what was the Sega fighting game?

@okenny :): Your imagery makes my mind hurt.
I'm okay with Sega atm, because Yakuza 2 comes out this year in the US, and I am importing the PS2 Remake of Nights as soon as its available.

Nothing wrong with seeing Ulala again

@okenny :): I think I'm gonna cry. Though I have to agree with you.

@THQ:
Absolute genius

Chu Chu + XBLA = Profit!

If I could have any two games on XBLA, it'd be old-school NHL 94 and Chu Chu Rocket at #1 and #2. Make one of my dreams happen Sega.

totally off topic and totally gay, i just wanna say that mcwhertor's writing gives me a boner....
sorry if that makes anyone uncomfortable.

Looks like quite a bit of fun, especially since I haven't played a good, arcade-y tennis title in a long time. I might see if I can pick it up, but if the controls blow on Wii, I'll have to get it on 360.

@bkN00b:
wat

Ahhhh choo choo rocket!! Man sega was at the top of its game during the dreamcast days... And then they kind of fell off. Maybe we'll see a comeback?

@ChiltonGaines: Im not slamming it as much as i could have, i was very restrained imo! my point was id take the gameplay of virtua tennis over the gameplay of mario tennis.

oh and the game? Fighters Megamix. The Daytona hornet race car vs Akira? oh yes

I'm hoping (as I'm sure all Sega fans are) that this game is being used as a vehicle to introduce/familiarise people with these games/characters. The Samba de Amigo, House of the Dead 2 & 3 and (rumoured) Space Channel 5 titles on the Wii would go along with that theory.

If you didn't own a Dreamcast back in the day, you'd have no idea who Gum or Beat were, much less be familiar with Chu Chu. It would make sense for this game to serve as that introduction.

I watched an extended play session a few weeks ago which showed all the different games and special modes this game has, and as long as the gameplay is Virtua Tennis solid, this is going to be the best tennis game ever, hands down.

@bkN00b: I got my first McWhertor boner after a saw his avatar image for the first time. He has a rugged jaw and boyish features that makes my anus wet just thinking about it.... that's about the only thinking I can do when he asks for it. In fact, if I can do the thinking for him, I'd think him right into my underpants *sigh*
...
I failed to state this in my last post but Sega will never be an Nintendo so they should spend more money and energy trying to find its own identity (again) than in aping Nintendo's strategy to game design.

@The Cat With Two Heads: i'm weird like that

@okenny :): uhm. ok...?

that looks insanely difficult.

@V1L3: That's not entirely true - Jet Set Radio did appear on the Xbox (and, if memory serves, was a pack-in title for a while) and GBA, and there was a Chu Chu Rocket port for the GBA as well. I'd still agree that Chu Chu Rocket and the Jet Set franchises aren't very well known, but they did branch out a bit from the Dreamcast.

Why does it have to be tennis?! I hate tennis.

I was waiting to see how this comes out...I haven't seen how this looks yet beside the intro which I hate. Right now I can pick up Virtua Tennis from Target for 19.99...The game plays great...but virtual Maria Sharapova just isn't the same as the real thing.

You know guys, it wasn't so long ago that Sega was heralded as one of the most innovative design shops in the industry, back when their divisions were labeled AM 1-8. Their first-party Dreamcast titles were stunning examples of originality and innovative gameplay, pushing boundaries that many other companies didn't dare approach. In fact, even after the Dreamcast's demise, there was much talk and speculation about how Sega could possibly upset EA as the largest and most dominant game developer in the field, combining their creative bent with EA's monetary muscle. We were all giddy with excitement--and then they started churning out shit, mixed in with the occasional diamond-in-the-rough.

Look: we all know Sega's been publishing crap for the past few years, but--historically speaking--they have a great track record, one that's probably only matched by Nintendo's first-party offerings. I'm always willing to give any new Sega game the benefit of the doubt based on this history alone.

All that said, if this plays anything like Virtua Tennis then it should be solid gold. I'm looking forward to it.

@okenny :):
"Makes my anus wet"

That's not supposed to happen. Unless you take a runny shit every time you think of Mcwhertor.

They needed some Shenmue in this game. Ryo & Ren FTW! :)

@JustThisGuy:

I loved the Dreamcast. In fact, I still think it is the best system ever released. Most of my systems get shelved, but the DC has always remained hooked to the TV. That being said, Sega post-DC isn't Sega of old. Sega today is lacking that fire to kick everyone's ass. It seems the only fire they've got is the one that keeps them from going out of business altogether. Where are all the AM superstars? I haven't heard a single name in years when not even more than 5 years ago, everyone still knew who Yu Suzuki was.

Truth be told, the DC failure was a massive blow. No more money means no more innovation. You do something new and pray that it makes money, or you stick to your guns and please the fans that have been blindly following you since the Master System or the Genesis. This was the strategy wholly adopted, if not outright pioneered by Nintendo until now.

They're kinda like the old rock star who puts out an album after 20 years of retirement. You WANT to like it, but it just ain't what it used to be.

@dunetiger : apples are red: Yeah dude, it's all really depressing. In a way, Sega's history mirrors the history of video games, marked by an impressive collection of firsts and innovations. It's a little sad to think that Sega's deathblow as a pioneer might have come from their own little console that almost could.

Ive been looking forward to this game for so long. Firstly the game is being made by the same people who made Virtua Tennis so you know the gameplay will be good. Then the game also features Beat, Gum, Ulala, and Pudding :D. Im also digging the mini games, they seem fun, even though there might only be a few of them but I dont mind. Mario Power Tennis and the ones that came before that never caught my attention, as much as this has. Ive actually never played any of the Mario Tennis games.

Ill be picking this up first day its released.

It's official -- I'm going to get this game.

we need CHU CHU ROCKET on WIIWARE!!

My first, and what I still think is my favorite online game experience ever...

@spiderweb1986: Yeah, whoops... I remembered the Xbox version after I made the post. I guess I found it easy to forget, given I didn't enjoy it half as much as the original...

I did play the GBA version of Chu Chu Rocket, but it was in such short supply, I don't really count it. And no DS version? Crime against humanity.

I have no idea whats going on here. However, Chu Chu Rocket makes this an automatic must-buy.

Thats full of win. Its a semi-SSBB with tennis.

@yashichi8bit: Very true. However, without meaning to slam this title in any way, Ulala is wasted on this game.

Space Channel 5, Part 3. Do it. AT LEAST on the Wii, but I wouldn't complain about multi-console. Spread the love.

Yeah I'm excited for this game purely because it's Sumo Digital. That said, where's my level set in Dobuita with Ryo Hazuki at the net, racket in hand? I can't decide if I'd rather buy this on Wii or 360, it all depends on how they've set the controls up on the Wii. If it plays like a deeper Wii Tennis I'll definitely get the Wii version.

Sega really need to get their mojo back, letting Yu Suzuki out of the shame closet because Shenmue cost a lot would be a good first move.

@okenny :):
Wow, that's brave of you to state so openly and explicitly. Good show.

Man, I was on the fence about this game, but it's now a must-buy. I can't resist that minigame goodness! The only question remains which version to buy... I'm thinking the Wii game will likely be the most fun, but I am used to 360-quality visuals and online play. Guess I'll wait for the reviews.

JUST MAKE DS & XBLA CHU CHU ROCKET ALREADY. *frowns in Sega's direction*

Thats pretty fucking innovative. Got to find out who spear headed this IP.

Agree that Chu Chu needs to show up as a Wii Ware title. That game is one of the reasons I regret giving my DC away to my uncle.
I wasn't all that interested in this game but now I'm changing my mind... will continue to keep an eye on this one.

Sumo Digital is awesome. Their ports of the Outrun games were phenominal.

One of their devs used to post at the Gamefaqs Outrum forum. Awesome guy.

"Outrum"

Typos don't get any better than that.

At least someone has some faith in us :)

We'll have a demo out soon on 360 and PS3, rather than criticise the game after seeing a few odd snippets, grab that and give it a go.

In terms of depth, it's got the same (and probably more) than VT3. In terms of Sega-ness, if you cut it in too, it would dribble blue and white letters everywhere.

We've had a lot of fun making this game - whilst you no doubt expect my view to be biased, I'd argue it's one of the best games we've ever made.

Try it before you dismiss it, you may well be very pleasantly surprised :P

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S0L
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EGM gave it two C's and a B- I think. Shame because it looked great, love the Chu Chu Rocket mini-game!

Not sure why you would list Sumo Digital in the positive column, a company famous for doing a few decent ports and uninspired clones of better games (see Mario Power Tennis) are hardly a seal of quality.

While I appreciate the Sega nostalgia, this game was nothing more than another attempt by Sega to drain the cash cow with no are that it will further destroy any memory of quality from the brand that is Sega.

Even if Sumo came up with the idea (Mario Power Tennis with Sega characters), Sega still said, "yeah why not, it's not like another average game with these characters will lessen the brand".

Sega have no shame anymore and it makes me cry a little inside.

Please Sega stop with the shovelware and bring back the quality, start with Chu Chu Rocket for XBLA and PSP!

recently Sumo Digital have certainly stepped upto the plate in my opinion. I remember everyone questioning them about porting over outrun 2 but they did a fantastic job, and again with coast 2 coast. Virtua tennis 3 was also a great example that these guys seem to know their stuff. If you think Mario Power Tennis is better than virtua tennis 3, please share the name of whatever it is your smoking.

Parabolee, SEGA came up with the mascots in a game thing before nintendo did. Fighters megamix came out in 96 in japan and had tons of sega chars in from loads of different games. Smash brothers was nintendos version (or as you put it 'uninspired clone') of this.

And someone was talking about ryo and a shenmue stage, SURELY thats in there somewhere! id like to think there are huge amounts of stuff to unlock..

Oh god, Sega has turned into Nintendo...
Characters from cool games aren't automatically cool just because they were from those games. Put them into a random sports game and they're just an out of character skin for what is usually a bad game that can't sell without loads of character placement.

Please, Sega, stop killing everything that once made you cool. If they even tried and failed to bring back titles like Jet Set Radio, Chu Chu Rocket, Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5, etc... I couldn't blame them. Sega Rally seemed ok. But it's just gross when a company grabs all their old lead characters and crams them into an unrelated game.