Advanced Search >
Help Me Search

Games

Sony

PS3 | PSP | PS2 | PS One

Microsoft

Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo

Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64

Other Platforms

PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

Upcoming &
Recent Releases

sort by namesort by score

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Beach Spikers

EMAILPRINTcube

Beach Spikers
76
8.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 31 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 7 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: AM2

Genre(s): Sports

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: August 13, 2002

Summary

Bump! Set! SPIKE! SEGA's Beach Spikers delivers intense beach volleyball action for up to four players and showcases beautiful female athletes as they battle it out under the fierce summer sun. Gamers will have to cooperate and compete as they take control of bikini-clad beauties and go two-on-two at the net.

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

Nintendophiles

The amount of fun that it provides is unbelievable, and its simple, arcade-style gameplay is wonderful.

Read Full Review >
90

Cheat Code Central

For all its apparent lack of depth, Beach Spikers is surprisingly addictive and enjoyable on just about any level.

89

GameSpy

Addicting and incredibly fun.

Read Full Review >
88

GameCube Europe

"Virtua Tennis" fans will feel right at home with Beach Spikers and new players will be blown way by its involving gameplay.

Read Full Review >
85

netjak

While the single player aspects were shallow and unrewarding, the multiplayer is a huge success.

Read Full Review >
83

GameNow

Much like "Virtua Tennis," the game is great because it rewards anticipation. [Oct 2002, p.44]

83

Cinescape

Gameplay wise, the control is excellent.

Read Full Review >
82

Armchair Empire

A very good game – not explosive, it won’t turn the gaming world on its head. But it is incredibly easy to pick-up and play.

Read Full Review >
82

Nintendo Power

The wham-bam action is simple but always fun. It's almost like "Mario Tennis" with bikinis. [Aug 2002, p.143]

82

IGN

It's no simulation, nor is it the deepest experience to be had, but it is pretty and addictive all the same, particularly as a multiplayer venture.

Read Full Review >
81

GameSpot

Consistently avoids any overt lewdness you might expect and rises above it by delivering an all-around excellent game with impressive visuals and tight, intuitive gameplay.

Read Full Review >
80

GMR Magazine

Easy to pick up and easy to play, a la "Virtua Tennis." [Feb 2003, p.96]

80

Electronic Gaming Monthly

The most addictive gameplay this side of "Virtua Tennis." [Oct 2002, p.194]

80

GamePen

I’ve had a lot of fun with Beach Spikers and if you have 3 friends, you can really have a blast with hot 2-on-2 action, if you know what I mean.

Read Full Review >
80

TotalGames.net

Unfortunately, it’s also in the multiplayer mode that Beach Spikers manages to falter slightly thanks to the rather lacklustre selection of mini-games that have been.

Read Full Review >
80

Play Magazine

While it's not all that complex in its makeup (its a fairly simple game), the nuances, coupled with fantastic visual presentation, make it impossible to put down. [Sept 2002, p.72]

80

GamerWeb Nintendo

The play mechanics are rock solid, but the game is definitely lacking variety.

Read Full Review >
77

Nintendojo

No matter how much fun it is to create your own partner and train them up, nothing compares to having a few friends over whom you can swear and throw cushions at when they miss simple balls.

Read Full Review >
77

GameZone

If you have a lot of friends, you'll be pleased with Beach Spikers.

Read Full Review >
75

Game Revolution

While the World Tour is interesting with its virtual pet teammate, it can get old and boring.

Read Full Review >
75

XenGamers

The multiplayer action and graphics are solid, but insanely repetitive gameplay, sluggish controls, and an impractical utilization of unlockable items handicap the title.

Read Full Review >
70

Maxim Online

The ho-hum game play won’t wow you.

Read Full Review >
70

Gamestyle

Excels in a superb multiplayer mode that will keep your friends glued (or gawking at the screen).

Read Full Review >
70

Eurogamer

As a multiplayer game though, Beach Spikers is exceptional – up there with "Virtua Tennis," "Soccer Slam" and "NBA 2K3" in Sega’s hall of fame.

Read Full Review >
70

Yahoo! Games

Not a bad game, but fans hoping for a successor to the "Virtua Tennis" series will likely be a bit disappointed. This game just isn't as much fun or as well put together as the venerable tennis series.

Read Full Review >
67

Gaming Age

With great visuals and gameplay, enjoyable multi-player modes, and the always fun to watch player reactions, Beach Spikers is worth at least a rental.

Read Full Review >
65

Electric Playground

If only Sega and the IVF could both learn that lesson and promote volleyball on the merits of the game and of the athletes who play it, rather than their femaleness and enforced lack of clothing.

Read Full Review >
60

GamePro

Looks pretty, but the flawed controls prevent it from having the wide appeal a sport featuring toned female athletes in bikinis should have.

Read Full Review >
60

G4 TV

Features an excellent control scheme and upgraded graphics but it still feels shallow. The AI mode definitely could have been deeper and the addition of more extra features would have been a plus.

Read Full Review >
50

Game Informer

There really isn't much here to recommend. The reason? As usual, suspect gameplay and poor camerawork are the culprits. [Sept 2002, p.85]

50

All Game Guide

It’s too simplistic and oftentimes annoying due to a hyperactive camera.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Neuco gave it an8:
Being that there aren't that many volleyball games out there, I must say, as a sports title, this game is pretty fun. If you liked any of Sega's other Virtua sports series, you'll like this. Sexy girls, simple controls, and arcade style fun wrapped in a nice little package with that special Sega touch. All they need to do now is make a sequel for the Wii and improve on everything that makes it good, as well as include online play.

[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
TOP Game!

Uter gave it a 4:
I bought it, and was very disappointed. I read that the gameplay was supposed to be good. But you don't even get to control when your player jumps up for the spike (it auto auto jumps). Both the graphics and sound are sub par as well. I'm really surprised Sega is responsible (one of my fav game publishers).

[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
Hot girls.

Matt R. gave it a 9:
Great fun in the Sega arcade tradition. Basically, if you liked Virtua Tennis and its simple to learn, hard to master control, this game is for you. The graphics are good, and the circuit mode has unexpected depth.

Derek N. gave it an 8:
A really fantastic game. Basically perfect graphics, decent sound (though the announcer gets annoying), and a nice variety of play modes. The control seems somewhat unresponsive at first, though they quickly become second nature. Also, the single player gets old fairly fast. The multiplayer is superb though. A must buy if you have a Gamecube and friends.

Popular on CBS sites: SEC Football | NFL | Video Game Cheats | iPhone | Video Game Reviews | Notebooks | Antivirus Software

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy (UPDATED) | Terms of Use