Multiplayer

• Playing a friend in Table Tennis is fun assuming you are both at a comparable experience level.
• The only downside to playing a two player match on the same Xbox, is that one person will have to play as the character on the “far” side. This is a perspective that you don’t have to play in any other mode so it usually puts that player at a disadvantage.
• Online play though is fun.
• Online play boils down to ranked and unranked matches as well as timed tournaments. 
• Unfortunately it’s hard to find too many players online anymore and the tournaments are almost always empty as it’s hard to get enough players to commit to that mode.
• Online you always have the same perspective, as you do in the single player game.
• One issue with online play is that you don’t get to choose your opponent. 
• If you create a game you wait for someone to join, and you don’t get to see their stats before deciding to play. So you never know if you are out matched or not.
• This means that it’s hard to play a match if you only want to play with a specific friend online.
• You also have to option to be a spectator for a match.
• Other than to get an achievement, there is no real reason to do so. It’s virtually impossible to learn anything about the style of play of another just by watching one match.

Graphics

• Table Tennis is not a graphically demanding game, but what is does have is as close to perfect as you can expect.
• There are several different venues you can play in after unlocking some of them.
• A lot of the extra venues have some interesting external activity.
• The lighting engine is pretty good and does make you feel as if you are in the middle of the spotlight of a big match.
• The real focus is on the character models.
• Each is highly detailed with realistic movements and muscle definition.
• They all show good emotion too, mostly in celebration or defeat of a point though.
• Still, at times they can seem a little robotic.
• Even their shirts become sweat soaked as the match progresses.
• The animation is also top notch.
• Different players hold their paddles in different ways.
• Each has different swing motions, and different ways to lunge after difficult shots.
• This can effect how they recover and set up for their next shot.
• The ultra realistic animation really adds to the experience and puts you in the game.

Sound

• The sound in the game is very realistic sounding.
• Ball and paddle sound effects are well modeled as well as the crowd’s reactions to points.
• The crowd reacts well to points as they are being played. Ooing and ahhing at the right moments as players make great saves or killer slams.
• The crowd will even begin to chant for the leader when it comes time for match point.
• Musically the game doesn’t have much to offer.
• There are a couple different techno theme songs that play in between points or when the game loads and in between matches. They are catchy and pleasant to listen to.
• Other than that, there isn’t much to the music.
• There is a score announcer, but he is straight forward and professional.
• The game has a very authentic and professional feel even in the sound department, so some people may find this to be a bit too dry.

Captivation

• Unless you like to collect achievements, there is not enough depth in the single player game to keep you coming back once you’ve beaten all four tournaments.
• One achievement has you beating the hardest tournament with each of the 11 characters.
• Most of the replayability to the game will come from the online multiplayer component.
• Still, the game is pretty challenging and this will lead to a mild addiction.
• Since there are only four tournaments the difficulty ramps up pretty fast.
• Also each character does have unique strengths and weaknesses which will force you to learn and use different strategies.
• The save system is also a plus in the game.
• The game will automatically save after each tournament win, however, should you loose, you only have to replay that match. You do not have to start the whole tournament over.
• The only way you loose your tournament progress is if you quit the tournament to start another.
• This makes it easier to keep playing the game, as you only have to concentrate on the important matches.
• You are not forced to play through the easy matches just to get back to the main match.
• There are unlockables in the game, but they range from new characters to useless outfits.
• Characters’ abilities also never improve. Their stats are static for the whole game, so new clothes or venues matter not to their play.
• It would have been nice if the game had a little more depth as far as building up your characters.
• Overall, it is the game’s realism, fun gameplay and decent challenge that will keep you coming back for more.

Final Thoughts

• Rockstar’s Table Tennis does one thing very good: simulating a game of table tennis.
• Great graphics and realism in every aspect add to the enjoyment of the game.
• It would have been nice though to have a deeper single player campaign involving maybe seasons, and character development.
• However, it’s one of the 360’s first budget titles at 39.99 and for fans of table tennis, will be well worth it.

Bottom Line

• The best game of table tennis ever made and well worth a rental.