Smash Court Tennis 3

Namco's PSP-only tennis game is so-so.
Version
 PSP		Developer
Namco		Publisher
Namco / SCEE		Genre
Sports



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By Ian Dransfield

Well this one caught me off guard - the Smash Court Tennis games (numbers one and two, at least) were longstanding personal favourites, and though ignoring the PS2 titles it was still something of a pleasant surprise to find out about Smash Court Tennis 3 on the PSP.

"It would have been even nicer without Virtua Tennis 3; this falls short of its contemporary in a number of aspects."

It would have been even nicer if Virtua Tennis 3 didn't already exist on the handheld, or in life in general, as without it setting the benchmark for all that is good and great in the (tennis) world this would probably have proved to be a great title. As it stands, however, the former Anna Kournikova advert falls short of its contemporary in a number of aspects. Whilst it is unfair to entirely judge Smash Court against Virtua, I do think it is worth pointing out that the game is not worth picking up over Sega's effort. It's as simple as that.

Those with money to throw around and that are bored of VT3 are presented with a decent enough game, however. SCT3 plays quite a bit less arcadey than other recent tennis titles, and though it would be a mistake to refer to it as a simulation, it is certainly leaning more towards that end of the spectrum. What this means is the game is harder to pick up and play than certain other recent games, and techniques and tactics have to be learned and re-learned for success - the game can be quite difficult at times as it is, and when you're not used to it the computer can punish you something rotten.

"It would be a mistake to refer to it as a simulation, it is certainly leaning more towards that end of the spectrum."

Never good on an easily-thrown-at-the-wall handheld. Learn how to play and you are presented with a solid, if unspectacular tennis game - things play decently enough in general, but the main problem with the whole game is the sluggish nature. Nothing feels fast enough, players don't react quickly enough to the controls and it all bands together to make the game harder than it should be. A fast paced sport should not be the home of a non-reactive control scheme. Again: wall + handheld = too easy.

If enough time is invested the game can be mastered, but it always feels as if the player is fighting a losing battle. The computer has the uncanny knack of always being in the right place - especially on the higher difficulties - and the unresponsive nature of things makes it feel like playing with a constant handicap. Even with the higher-rated players and the characters maxed out in the world tour mode it can still prove unnecessarily hard. It's infuriating. Never good.

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