If you own a Wii, chances are you've probably played Wii Sports, and might be looking for something a little more technically challenging than tennis game included.
Electronic Arts and SEGA have identified this apparent hole in the market and have released two admirable titles designed to patch it - the problem is, they've released them both at the same time. With spare cash at an all-time low for most people, the only way to determine where you should spend your money is with a head-to-head comparison. Bring it on!
Presentation
Virtua Tennis 2009: The menus have been specifically designed for the Wii version, differing from the other consoles. But it’s by no means an improvement, just different for the sake of being different.
Grand Slam Tennis: There’s no pointer support in the menu system, which I don’t mind at all. But if you want a certain player or a certain mode to play, then this game will have it.
Control
Virtua Tennis 2009: I found this easier to pick up and play without the MotionPlus peripheral. A handy bar at the bottom of the screen advised when to swing if you wanted to go across-court (swing early) or down the line (swing late). Using MotionPlus made the game more accurate, but the learning curve is a steep one. If you have M+ then use it from the start, because if you learn without it, then start using it then you have to retrain your whole swing and timing. Definitely use the nunchuk for player positioning as letting the AI control it provides many controller-throwing moments.
Grand Slam Tennis: Without M+ I was blurting out profanities like Gordon Ramsay with Tourettes. I just couldn’t get the ball to go where I wanted despite the onscreen guide. Adding the M+ did make a difference, yet some serious practice was required before I could play with any confidence. Tracking isn’t quite 1:1, and you get some inconsistent results, but once mastered the experience is a hugely rewarding one. As above, using the nunchuk isn’t required to play, but I highly recommend it as it aids with court positioning tremendously.
Graphics
Virtua Tennis 2009: You can see why the smart game developers opt for the non-realistic, cartoony option when making Wii games. Virtua Tennis 2009 looks very average indeed as it tries to display the same character models as the more powerful consoles. They look crunchy, with extreme contrast in the lighting making the likes of Roger Federer look like Marcel Marceau. At best, the game looks like a PS2 port, albeit an average one.
Grand Slam Tennis: EA take the bobble-head route here. Sure, you can easily tell who is who in terms of real-world likeness, but the game doesn’t try to achieve something that the console is never going to handle. Realistic visuals are nice, but the success of sports games comes down to gameplay. EA know this fact only too well. The ball is also larger than Sega’s game, which certainly helps with timing your swing.
Extras/Longevity
Virtua Tennis 2009: The lengthy Career mode is thorough and will hold your interest. There’s a heap of varied mini-games just as in the other console versions to provide a distraction to the gruelling season.
Grand Slam Tennis: A good Career mode and great character creation feature. The inclusion of a Party Mode which has a good selection of multiplayer mini-games is a nice touch. Some are hit and miss but others are brilliant fun if you have enough lounge room for 4 players.
Summary
Virtua Tennis 2009 looks like a port from the more powerful consoles and suffers for it. It has framerate issues and feels like Sega made the PS3/360 and PC versions then thought “Oh crap, I suppose we’d better do one for Wii too”, at the last minute. If you don’t have Wii MotionPlus then this is the one to go with as you’ll see results without too much effort.
If you have the time and patience, have the MotionPlus peripheral and are a true tennis fan, then EA’s Grand Slam Tennis is the path to take. It looks good, has decent customisation and multiplayer options.
Looking to the future, I see both games only getting better and learning from their mistakes. The Wii was made for games like this and it’s only a matter of time before someone strikes the perfect balance between graphics, simulation and accessibility. Perhaps it will be up to Nintendo themselves to develop a Tennis sim that doesn’t involve Mii characters, floating limbs and cutsie sound effects – but don’t hold your breath.
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