Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 52
  2. Negative: 1 out of 52
  1. Top Spin 2 takes everything that was great about the original and enhances it with some simply fantastic next generation visuals, adds even more depth to the gameplay and controls, delivers a comprehensive Career mode complete with sponsorship, trainers and even fully customisable bling and new rackets to buy, and provides a lag free and highly enjoyable (when you're winning!) online experience.
  2. An excellent tennis game. There is not much to complain about, except for the bit too steep learning curve. Freeform strike-practice wold not have hurt, either. [Aug 2006, p.46]
  3. Racquet-chuckingly frustrating at first, but rewardingly rich after a few plays. [May 2006, p.55]
  4. Overall, Top Spin 2 gets the job done with an attention to detail that might be a bit offputting to casual fans. [May 2006, p.104]
  5. The character development elements of career mode are well emplaced and coincide nicely with the unique features of training mode and the participation of your player in different regionals, opens, and slams.
  6. A dream title for sports gamers. Not only does it improve upon its forerunner, it completely revamps its gameplay engine making for an absolutely blissful virtual tennis experience.
  7. Top Spin 2 usurps its originator in every regard. The amount of detail is breathtaking at times and the career mode exhibits a vast amount of depth, not to mention the open-ended create-a-player feature.
  8. It does look sharp, and the idea of making your own player and taking him online for his own Xbox Live career is intriguing. And the offline career mode is much better than the first game.
  9. 83
    2K Games and PAM Development have crafted an immensely satisfying game of tennis that will likely draw in any gamer with the patience and will to make it through the fairly steep learning curve.
  10. The gameplay has been sharpened to create an experience that expertly balances technicality and quick, accessible fun. Add to that a first-rate presentation and some solid solo and multiplayer offerings, and you've got a package that any tennis fan would be foolish to pass up.
  11. The spotty player movement, slightly difficult-to-control shots and almost too highly skilled A.I. take what could have been a classic and make it into just a great game.
  12. 81
    While there is little new introduced to the series and the presentational side of the game feels a tad dated with hardly better than average graphics to show, the gameplay remains slick and highly pleasing.
  13. 81
    Graphically, TS2 doesn't look a heck of a lot prettier than it did on its Xbox debut.
  14. Developer PAM has reinvented a game that no longer strives to be a thinking man's alternative to Virtua, but something altogether superior. [May 2006, p.94]
  15. The game looks and sounds delightful, and is every bit as good as you expect.
  16. It obviously looks and sounds great being a 360 title, with subtle differences in audio over the different courts most obvious, but you'll also notice that a little more effort has been made to make the courts more animated than in previous titles.
  17. Even with a number of sloppy audio problems and an overall game that feels strikingly similar to Top Spin on the Xbox, it's still hugely addictive.
  18. Just don't spend much time on your own, as those cheating AI bastards will make your blood boil. [Issue#6, p.98]
  19. On Xbox Live, Top Spin 2 shines just as brightly as its predecessor. There are leaderboards and tiered matchmaking--all of it lag-free. [May 2006, p.81]
  20. This game is listed at $39.99 - which is twenty dollars less than most Xbox 360 games. If you are a tennis fan, you have no reason to not pick this game up.
  21. Top Spin 2 does a fine job of delivering tense smack-the-ball-back-and-forth action. [May 2006, p.88]
  22. 80
    And even though the character float problem persists, the new tournament save option and improved aesthetics (some really nice lighting work can be seen in some of the outdoor courts) are worth the upgrade.
  23. They have certainly spent a lot of time tweaking the gameplay mechanics to create something more entertaining and more importantly, fair online, however there are still some minor quibbles that will displease.
  24. The career mode is loaded with challenges, the online play is suitable (if a bit average), and the create-a-player mode is off the charts in design features.
  25. The next-gen quotient could have been higher (the online area is fairly weak), as Top Spin 2 sometimes seems like a slightly better version of the original. A bit more thought put into the gameplay definition of "next-gen" would have paid large dividends.
  26. With all the gameplay mechanics still there, and good graphics, PAM have offered a 'faster' sequel, and one that should not be passed up.
  27. 78
    It's tougher and has a steeper learning curve than its predecessor and is less pick-up-and-playable than Virtua Tennis, however, so it loses some of that instant charm and quick play that gave both of those titles such light touches.
  28. Perhaps it was my lack of real interest or the length of time since I played the first game, but the challenge level was a little intimidating.
  29. The actual gameplay is pretty polished and the online play makes it easy to keep up a long-term love affair for tennis fans or, I suppose, people who really enjoyed Pong.
  30. It doesn't look as good as it could quite easily have done, and nowhere near enough progression from the first title has been made to justify it being referred to as a sequel. However, the engine is still solid enough to provide an enjoyable and often blister-inducing game of tennis.
  31. Top Spin 2 is a fine tennis title and a game you'll have a lot of fun with off or online, but one that does little to justify its price tag, and is little more than a high def update of the original.
  32. The visuals are lovely, though, and although they're not the most fluid the frame rate is acceptable throughout given the realtime shadows, cloud effects and three-dimensional crowd.
  33. Risk shots aside, though, this is a near perfect tennis game, making it even more of a shame that they're so imperfectly implemented. [May 2006, p.110]
  34. What surprises me about Top Spin 2 is exactly how accurately it resembles a real game of tennis.
  35. Unusually addicting and accessible for a serious sports game, Top Spin 2 offers a lot of gameplay for a very reasonable $40.
  36. 70
    Not mind-blowing, but it's worth checking out if you like sports games.
  37. Close, but no Robinson's Barley Water. [Issue #7]
  38. Fun and addictive in short bursts with enough depth to sustain your interest to longer sessions.
  39. It's all about the career mode in Top Spin 2, where you can build your own superstar through the ranks. [May 2006, p.54]
  40. 70
    If you're into tennis games then Top Spin 2 comes highly recommended, just don't expect a completely upgraded game.
  41. Jaw-droppingly beautiful to look at, no worse to play than its excellent originator, but not really that much of a step forward. New balls, please!
  42. Top Spin 2 is the first next-gen tennis game, and that in itself is bound to attract some attention. However, even with all the bells and whistles it still isn't any more fun than Virtua Tennis was so many years ago, and in fact it suffers nnumerous crippling flaws. Only the most devoted tennis fans should really care about this one.
  43. It has an uncanny appreciation for the nuances of real tennis. It's smart and unforgiving.
  44. Though it's not without its faults, this is still an ace tennis simulation.
  45. Its gameplay is genuinely good, particularly in the way it emulates the touch and feel that are such hallmarks of the real sport, but its uninspired delivery and dated Career design leave it a step or two behind the ball.
  46. The online mode is very bare bones – there are rankings, but that's about it.
  47. A bit of a mixed bag. A half-decent tennis sim crocked by middle of the road graphics and an infuriatingly stupid and poorly implemented career mode.
  48. Perhaps with a better balanced career mode and some optimized loading times we can finally get the tennis game we have all been dreaming of, for now TS2 will simply have to do.
  49. 60
    For a game trying to give a realistic tennis experience, the ranking and simulation system is downright embarassing.
  50. 60
    A decent sequel to the first game that is ultimately mired by an intolerably imbalanced career mode.
  51. Top Spin 2 is the most complete tennis experience on any platform to date. [July 2006, p.93]
  52. 40
    Top Spin 2 shares a lot of traits with its predecessor, but they're overshadowed a bit by the maddening difficulty and A.I. fluctuations and graphics that don't really scream "next gen."
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. JobAdkins
    9
    I absolutely love this game.I've played both this and Virtua tennis 3's game.That game has more of and arcade feel and gets extremely frustrating in the world tour late in the game.Top Spin 2 just plays so realistic,I love it.I just wish that there was more mini games like in Virtua Tennis 3 game.But in the game play department This game can not be topped,I hope that in Top Spin 3 there is commentary and a much more variety of mini games.I give this game a 9.2. Full Review »
  2. ManoloB.
    9
    Someone who ever played real tennis will love this game. Of course it's difficult, but who said real tennis was not. After a few matches you'll get the controls, and then, the whole experience will make sense. I've played Virtua Tennis 3, and I can say, without being wrong, that the IA in Top Spin 2 is the best of all tennis games ever. If you're looking for an easy path to victory pick up Virtua Tennis 3, but if you really want to know how real tennis looks like, play this game. Full Review »
  3. ApocalypseBrown
    7
    This game is one of the hardest to give a accurate score for. Game play wise it isn't a huge leap ahead of the original Top Spin, but due to the extra in-game features and more recognized players to spa against, it makes it feel more interesting to play. Yeah the players float across the court but the variety of shots are all there, and it feels more authentic to control. Graphics are good but not great. Personally I couldn't give a sh*t as the game play keeps your attention firmly on the court, so it shouldn't matter to most players but it doesn't scream 'next Gen'. like it ought to. Career mode is toilet and online is as shallow as a spit pool. It's so hard not to like it, but I can't help but feel it should be miles better than it is. Full Review »