Virtua Tennis 3

Virtua Tennis 3 (SEGA PROFESSIONAL TENNIS Power Smash 3 inJapan) is the second arcade sequel to Sega's tennis game franchise. The arcade version of Virtua Tennis 3 is powered by the PC-based Sega Lindbergh arcade system board. Ports for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 consoles are also available—with a traditional collection of tennis mini-games that the home versions of Virtua Tennis are known for.

Male players

The following players are available in the game, each with different characteristics:

• Roger Federer - All Rounder
• Rafael Nadal - Fast Runner
• Lleyton Hewitt - Counter Shots
• Andy Roddick - Big Server
• Tim Henman - Serve and Volley
• James Blake - Powerful Strokes
• Tommy Haas - All Rounder
• Sébastien Grosjean - Fast Runner
• Mario Ancic - Big Server
• Juan Carlos Ferrero - Strong Forehand
• David Nalbandian - Strong Backhand
• Taylor Dent - Serve and Volley
• Gaël Monfils - Various Shots

Female players

• Maria Sharapova - Hard Hitter
• Venus Williams - Powerful Strokes
• Martina Hingis - Tactical Player
• Lindsay Davenport - Big Server
• Nicole Vaidišová - Strong Forehand
• Daniela Hantuchová - All Around
• Amélie Mauresmo - Various Shots

Hidden Players

• King - all round
• Duke - Serve and Volley

Console versions

Like previous console ports of the series, lob is now a separate button in the conversions as opposed to pressing both topspin and slicespin as in the Lindbergh arcade version.

Besides having Tournament Mode and Exhibition Mode from the arcade version, the home versions include a World Tour Mode and Court Games mode. These game modes replace the Challenge Mode that was present in the arcade version.

The XBOX 360 version has exclusive Xbox Live online tournaments and modes, whilst the PLAYSTATION 3 version incorporates the option to control the game using the SIXAXIS motion-sensitive controller.

Both the 360 and PS3 versions offer native 1080p support. Virtua Tennis 3 is the first native 1080p game on XBOX 360.

A playable game demo of the Xbox 360 version was released on Xbox Live Marketplace on March 16, 2007.

Trivia

• The surnames of Gaël Monfils and Daniela Hantuchová are both pronounced incorrectly in-game. The correct pronunciations are "mon-FEES" and "HAN-too-koh-vuh" respectively.

Reception

Arcade version

• Arcade Belgium 19/20
• insomniac.ac 5/5

PS3 version

• IGN 7.8/10(UK)
• GameBrink 78/100
• Electronic Gaming Monthly 7.33/10
• Play UK 90/100
• Edge 8/10(UK)
• PSM3 85/100
• Pelit 88/100(Finland)
• Pure Magazine 9/10(UK)
• Official UK Playstation Magazine 8/10

Xbox 360 version

• IGN 8.0/10
• Electronic Gaming Monthly 7.33/10
• 360 Gamer Magazine 9/10(UK)
• Official Xbox Magazine 9/10(UK)
• Eurogamer 9/10(UK)
• GameTrailers 8.4/10

Game Rankings currently scores it about 80% for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, and PC.