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Top Spin 3

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8.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 47 critic reviews
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Based on 20 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: 2K Sports

Developer: PAM Development

Genre(s): Sports, Tennis

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: June 23, 2008

Summary

Top Spin 3 immerses players in a visually and physically realistic tennis experience. Using next generation technology, gameplay and graphics, Top Spin 3 is a tennis experience with dynamic weather changes, evolutionary player visuals and comprehensive online offerings. In Top Spin 3, players compete online and offline to rise in the ranks against current top ranked professional players. Adding a unique user-generated component, players can also use new player creator features that include free-form body sculpting, makeup and tattoos. [2K Sports]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Top Spin Top Spin 2

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

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...

Official Xbox Magazine

All of this boils down to gameplay that is slower-paced, more realistic, and lightyears more satisfying than "Top Spin 2's" or anything with "Virtua" in its name. [June 2008, p.74]

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

A more realistic tennis sim you will not find anywhere. Top Spin 3 brings proper simulation to the sport. The arcadey fun play is gone and a serious sporting challenge has emerged from this series to mark it out from the other tennis games available.

Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

A revolution. The controls alone render the competition obsolete. [Aug 2008, p.82]

Games Master UK

A superb sports title that manages to be both accessible and deep. [Aug 2008, p.80]

Pelit (Finland)

Top Spin 3 is much more realistic than the previous games of the series, mostly because of the new control mechanics. It takes more than just slapping the ball around to beat the versatile AI. However, to succeed one does not have to use the whole shot variety, which takes some depth out of the game. [Sept 2008]

Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

Reinforcing its clear contrast with other tennis games, Top Spin 3 is not a title for the simply curious. The gameplay is difficult and complex, but as soon as you get over the learning curve, you gain access to one of the most rewarding and realistic tennis experiences to date. And if you take in account the different game modes, all the real tennis fans will simply love it. [Aug 2008]

Gameplanet

A fast paced, fluid tennis simulation. The steep learning curve will put off those wanting a quick, arcade tennis bash, but if you take the time to learn the game it is a rewarding, fun experience.

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Worth Playing

It doesn't reinvent the genre or bring anything amazingly new to the community, but as Tiger Woods has done for golf titles, Top Spin does for tennis.

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WonderwallWeb

The only thing that would make this game more authentic is Strawberries and Cream and perhaps Cliff Richard singing when it rains.

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Team Xbox

Revamped risk shots pay dividends. Revamped character movements backfire.

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GameFocus

A little too realistic.

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DarkStation

2K Sports has done Top Spin 3 a great service with a lot of the improvements that the game has gotten.

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Cynamite

Concerning the gameplay, the Wii version can’t play in the same league as its next gen colleagues. On next gen the game is definitely brilliant.

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Gamer.nl

The realistic look is one we like. You just want to keep on playing.

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Eurogamer

Yes, the often exhausting depth might prove to be off-putting for those who prefer the more intuitive Virtua Tennis, but that's precisely part of Top Spin 3's more simulation-minded appeal. With fantastic online play and an obsessive career mode to dive into, it's the thinking man's tennis title.

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AceGamez

A lot of work has gone into this title to make it challenging, rewarding and a lot of fun for the casual player (if a bit tough in places).

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X360 Magazine UK

It's just finally captured the skill and fortitude that comes with playing a real game of tennis, an achievement we sense it's always been working towards. [Issue#34, p.90]

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

Superb tennis sim, but where's Wimbledon? [July 2008, p.85]

IGN AU

On the one hand the new gameplay mechanics have been implemented really well, but on the other we just can't believe the team still hasn't got the risk/power shots right. Still, don't let that stop you giving this a try.

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VideoGamer

Top Spin 3 is by far the best tennis sim on the market, but there's still plenty of room for improvement.

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GameZone

While the controls will take a while to get adjusted to, once you get used to them you will find depth and a challenging game that will last for months on end.

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GameSpot

Top Spin 3 is a great tennis game, offering a deep challenge for diehard fans and one of the closest experiences to playing a grand slam.

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Gamervision

Probably the most realistic tennis sim ever created. Whether or not you’ll have any fun playing it is a matter of how willing you are to dedicate some time to mastering the game’s nuances and surprising level of depth.

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Gamer 2.0

When all's said and done, Top Spin 3 is very much the best simulation tennis game out there, though it’s not like there's much competition in that corner of the tennis market.

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XboxAddict

When it all boils down to it, Top Spin 3 is a simulation game that will be perfect for many tennis fans, but will be extremely frustrating for the casual pick up and play gamers.

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Gamers' Temple

Just as in the real sport, it will take you some time, practice, and patience to succeed in Top Spin 3

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Game Informer

With more responsive movement controls and a better transition game Top Spin 3 could have been king of the court, but for now it will have to settle for being tagged as a promising but flawed prospect.

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IGN

It’s in the emotional aspect of the sport that TS3 loses steam. There’s so much more to the present-day brand of tennis than what is represented here.

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Da Gameboyz

I approached Top Spin 3 with open expectations and walked away rather impressed.

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Xbox360Achievements

This game will frustrate a lot of people before they've even made it through the tutorials and the season mode is fairly light too. Worth a play but only if you have the patience to practice, practice and practice some more.

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MS Xbox World

I've enjoyed playing Top Spin 3, but I fear that many first time players won't get to grips with the non accessible control system.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

If you liked the previous Top Spin games, or if you wish to study the grand, majestic sport of professional tennis, then you should definitely buy Top Spin 3. But if you want to play tennis, the game, then you should probably go snag a copy of Virtua Tennis 3 (or even Sega Superstars Tennis) on the cheap right now.

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Gaming Age

Top Spin 3 looks great and offers a deep game for anyone willing to dig into it and learn it. But the incredibly steep expectations at the beginning of the learning experience won't be worth it to those looking for a quick game of video tennis. This is not a pick-up-and-play game.

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PALGN

Top Spin 3 is a decent game with an incredible learning curve. Anyone who has the patience to stick with it will enjoy the game, but anyone who is just a casual fan of tennis games will be put off by the steep learning curve.

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ZTGameDomain

Overall, Top Spin 3 does a great job approximating the real talent it takes to play tennis at a competitive level.

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DailyGame

The changes to Top Spin 3 are only good for hardcore tennis fans. For most gamers, the new animation-dependent learning curve will replace the fun gameplay elements with literal gameplay mechanics.

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GameTrailers

The lack of notable stars, the flat atmosphere, and the by-the-numbers career mode are disappointments. Yet, for better or worse, it's the control scheme that ultimately defines Top Spin 3. Once acclimated, you'll find that it brings you closer to the on-court action than any tennis game before it, but it’s also unforgiving.

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Cheat Code Central

Virtua Tennis fans need not apply; this is tennis done more accurately...for better or worse. The game may not serve up an ace, but it makes for a solid set.

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games(TM)

Upsets the balance between fun and realism maintained by its immediate predecessor. [Aug 2008, p.108]

GameSpy

The learning curve is steep, but those who enjoy a challenge might just end up embracing the greater level of realistic gameplay that only Top Spin 3 can offer.

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Thunderbolt

Top Spin 3 isn’t your friend, it’s not going to hold your hand and take you through the motions.

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Level7.nu

This is definitely not a tennis game you'll master in an afternoon, but once you've invested enough time to come to grips with the gameplay you'll be awarded with a great tennis experience. A nice career mode and an equally nice online mode makes this a great package for all those interested in the genre. If you want an arcade experience, Virtua Tennis is more you cup of tee. If you want a more challenging experience, this is for you.

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Console Monster

Top Spin 3 is actually one of the better tennis games I have played in some time, however its ridiculously weak tutorial system will completely put off the potential gamers before they even have the chance to see the same kind of admiration I have.

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1UP

It's a bit of an awkward comparison, but I see shades of "Ninja Gaiden" here: It's unassailably gratifying when the mechanics finally click and you start slicing and volleying your way to victory, but at the same time, it's prohibitive to folks who don't want to spend hours in the school of hard knocks, pursuing what should be a relatively uncomplicated act of learning the game's basic rules and logic.

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Game Chronicles

Again, I’m just a casual tennis player and not a sim-enthusiast, but as a game, a tennis game, Top Spin 3 is one of the worst I’ve played. Sorry 2K…better luck next year.

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GameDaily

We dig the Career and Tournament modes, and the ability to create your player from the ground up and play online tournaments is cool, but Top Spin 3's inaccessible and sloppy controls killed our high expectations.

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G4 TV

Though it has numerous pros, courts, and options - including a player creation section that would make World Of Warcraft jealous - and looks as good as Wimbledon on NBC, it is ultimately undone by the most obvious of gaming mistakes: bad controls.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes

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

GeEk NeRd gave it a5:
A game for hardcore players only. I wanted a family game to play when friends drop in, but there is no chance of any instant fun since the control scheme is so darn tough. I'm returning my serve to Virtua Tennis 3. I'm really dissapointed that this game is so noob unfriendly. Shame.

Apocalypse Brown gave it a7:
There is actually a very good game here, unfortunately its buried under a mound of difficulty. Take Two have redeemed themselves for the disaster that was TS2, but have forgotten that gamers like a challenge they can achieve in a short space of time. The clunky movement is the worse of the series, with players incapable of quickly switching direction period. That and the infuriating risk shots are looses around the neck for the poor gamer. But the game mechanics and graphics are superb. Characters are now unlockable, and there are a vast range of online and offline modes. And although Wimbledon has been swapped for the 'Irish' open, all the authenticity is present and rocking. It will take around a week of solid play to beat the A.I. on normal, but regular trips to training mode will help a lot. Anyway like I said, TS3 is very good in principle, but just wish the difficulty wasn't so high!

Mark D. gave it a10:
Top Spin 3 is easily the best tennis game ever made. People that give this game a low rating simply do not know how to play it.

Terry C. gave it a6:
Not bad but the control scheme is hard to get used to and the game is a bit dull.

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