Virtua Tennis 4 (Kinect compatible) Xbox 360

Released on 27/04/2011

• Kinect storms past the 10 million mark

  Wow. Everybody suspected that Microsoft's Kinect add-on, a camera peripheral that allows players to interact with their Xbox 360 without a controller, was going to be big, but who knew how big? The platform holder's just announced that 10 million Kinects have been sold around the world.

  That's not bad going at all, and according to Eurogamer, it gets better, as Guinness has just awarded Microsoft the title of astest selling consumer electronics device ever

  Apparently, Kinect sold an average of 133,333 units each day for the first 60 days it was available. "The sales figures here speak for themselves," said Gaz Deaves, who is the gaming editor for Guinness World Records. "According to independent research, no other consumer electronics device sold faster within a 60-day time span, which is an incredible achievement considering the strength of the sector."

  What about the games? With Kinect Adventures as a pack-in, and the likes of Kinect Sports and Dance Central providing all your goal-scoring and dancing needs, you're pretty well catered for. Things get really exciting later this year, though, when the beautiful Kinect shooter Child of Eden arrives.

• Kinect hack helps the blind

  You're probably aware that Microsoft's Kinect motion-sensing peripheral is a record-breaking triumph - according to Guinness, it's the fastest-selling peripheral ever - but did you know it might be able to help the blind?

  That's according to a Eurogamer report that suggests smart coders have created a software mod for the camera which helps partially-sighted and blind people navigate better.

  Originally uncovered by SlashGear, the mod's called NAVI (Navigational Aids for the Visually Impaired), and it was created by two university grad students named Michael Zollner and Stephan Huber. The gadget works by connecting a Kinect to a helmet, and plugging in into a laptop. The laptop in turn is connected to a Bluetooth headset and a ibratactilebelt.

  This means that the Kinect camera will be able to offer verbal and tactile warnings when the user comes up against an obstacle. A bit more clever coding sees the unit reading signs and offering directions. Not bad.

  It's a project in a university lab at the moment, but it's still nice to know that videogame technology can be useful as well as brilliant fun. Nice job!

• Virtua Tennis 4 Review

  Smash Hit?

  For 12 years Sega has dominated arcades with its Virtua Tennis series. Developed by one of its premier arcade development divisions (Sega AM3), the company delivered a smash hit on its first service with the original Virtua Tennis in 1999, wowing arcade-goers with a breezy, engaging, simple-to-pick-up approximation of the sport. The game was so competent, in fact, that Sega has struggled to meaningfully update the series as the years have gone by, instead settling upon some straightforward iterations with each sequel - tweaks that freshen the formula without threatening to upset it.
  

  So it is with Virtua Tennis 4, a title that relies on the gimmicks of motion control and 3D TV support to add new value, leaving the core tennis game that lies at the heart of the experience untouched. That no great shame, mind you, as Virtua Tennis 4 plays a mean game of tennis. The controls are effortlessly simple, with one button for lobs, one for slices, and one for strokes. These simple actions are modified with the control stick, which directs the ball and adds top or backspin. As with previous games in the series, player positioning is of paramount importance. To deliver the fastest, most accurate return youl need to maneuver your character into place in good time.
  

  The core game may lack the intricacies of the simulation-approach taken in Top Spin 4, but the easy-going arcade heritage can be seen everywhere in the game. While welcoming to newcomers, there sufficient depth here to ensure that matches between veterans remain lively and exciting.
  

  The only addition to the core game comes from the introduction of Super Shots. Characters are each given a preferred tyleof play, such as being strong when playing at the net. As you complete shots in their preferred style, so you fill a gauge at the top of the screen which allows your character to execute a slow motion Super Shot when full - an extremely fast, accurate shot that hard to return. While you cannot control when this shot triggers, it a welcome addition to the core mechanics, adding spice and interest.

  Line Judge

  One of the key selling points of this year edition of Virtua Tennis is motion control support for both Xbox 360 and PS3. A bespoke Motion Control Mode, designed specifically for the task, is present in both versions of the game although the execution is a bit of a disappointment. The game auto-directs your character around the court in familiar Wii Sports-style, relegating the interactivity to merely swinging your empty hand around in order to return balls.
  

  The problem lies with the camera, which switches from first to third-person perspective between each individual shot in a rally - resulting in a disorientating, even nauseating, feel.
  

  In the Kinect version of the game the camera fails to match your wrist motions with a sufficient degree of accuracy, while the PlayStation Move controller fares only slightly better by virtue of having something in your hand that is at least racquet-like for the camera to track. Neither version is particularly enjoyable and motion control support will likely remain little more than a five-minute curiosity, before you return to playing with a standard controller.
  

  Finish the Fight

  Fighting games tend to focus on the multiplayer, but as an added incentive for single players Mortal Kombat features a fully fledged Story Mode that takes around seven hours to finish. The plot begins in an apocalyptic future where Raiden has finally lost to Shao Kahn. But before he bows out for good, the Thunder God sends a message back through time in an attempt to change the future. The story of the first three Mortal Kombat games is then relived across a parallel timeline where events transpire differently.
  

  Once youe seen this tale through to its bloody conclusion, it's time to test your skills in Mortal Kombat's Challenge Tower. This marathon is made up of 300 missions that range from battling a hoard of relentless zombies, to breaking boards in the classic Test Your Might mini-game. Clearing challenges is also a good way to earn Kurrency which can be traded in the Krypt for various goodies. These include the standard character art and soundtracks, as well as secondary outfits and hidden Fatalities.
  

  New Balls Please

  The overhaul of the World Tour mode, where you are able to take a character on a journey from newcomer to veteran player in the world tennis circuit, is far stronger. Here you embark upon a series of four tours across different continents of the world, each of which is divided up into nodes much like a board game.
  

  Each city within a region is a tile and they're linked together in a broadly linear fashion. You must spend icketsto travel between them as you progress towards a final tournament at the end of each route. As you move around the board and complete matches, you collect stars which allow you to raise your ranking and also raise your character's stats via mini-games.
  

  There are eight mini-games included in Story Mode, all of which are also accessible in Party Mode, allowing you to compete with friends. In one of these games you must strike playing cards in order to create poker hands. In another, you must run over eggs in order to hatch chicks and lead them back to their coop at either side of the court. These mini-games are fresh and add some interest. While the basic concept has been a Virtua Tennis staple for years now, it adds welcome, arcade-style variety to the main game.
  

  The end result is a game of mixed success. The core game of tennis lacks the realistic bite of Top Spin 4, but is more accessible and immediate than its rival. The motion controls are a bit of a disaster, but the overhauled World Tour mode is well-structured and enjoyable. Online the game fares well, with few of the connection issues that plagued Virtua Tennis 2009. So while there is room for improvement in the overall package, it almost love-all for Virtua Tennis 4.
  

  

  Smash:
  + Sublime game of tennis.
  + Engaging World Tour mode.
  + Much improved online support.

  Crash:
  - Motion controls.
  - Player roster can feel samey.
  - Music.

• Kinect for the Core

  When Kinect was launched with titles such as Kinect Adventures and Kinect Joyride, some thought Microsoft's new motion control technology had abandoned the hardcore gamer, but all along the developers were thinking about you.
  
  There are two types of Kinect games. Some can only use Kinect to work, they are controlled purely by it's motion control and voice recognition interface, and can't use a controller. There are other Xbox 360 games that can use Kinect to enhance the game-play with the additional features that Kinect offers.
  
  Below we have a selection of games that are compatible with Kinect and are excellent examples of how Kinect can improve the world for the Core gamer.

  

  Child of Eden

  
  Offering a magical experience, Child of Eden is a game for the senses . Using elegant game-play mechanics to create a hugely immersive, first-person shooter. When you shoot, the music and the world around you shifts, the whole game ripples with gameplay. More than a game ,Child of Eden is an experience and can be done justice with words, an incredible title that needs to be played to be believed.

  

  Ghost Recon Future Soldier

  
  You are a ghost. The first, first-person shooter that allows you to operate solely with Kinect. Reload, zoom and fire with simple gestures. Bring down your enemies in a hail of bullets with a flick of your hand. Navigate the menu customise your weapons with voice control and hand gestures. Is it perfect? Well, wel let you be the judge of that!

  

  Mass Effect 3

  
  No messing around here this is a definitive hardcore Game. Mass Effect 3 is great example of how Kinect can enhance the gameplay of real games in a way that other consoles can currently compete with. Taking advantage of Kinect advanced voice software you can control your squad in combat with commands, giving yourself that extra edge. When out of combat, the same software allows you to take control in conversations so you need never click for your response again. If you have to save the universe, do it in style,and do it with Kinect.

  

  Forza Motorsport 4

  
  Forza 4 has Kinect integration in almost every area of the game. If you love cars, then the auto vista is for you, exploring every feature of the car with your hands, with Jeremy Clarkson providing a detailed voiceover. When racing, Kinect tracks your movement, enabling you to check your mirrors with a gentle turn of your head. It even allows you to steer the car using Kinect, putting you more firmly in the drivers seat than ever before.

  

  Rise of Nightmares

  
  Created by the guy behind, the classic, House of the Dead, this is clearly not a title for your mum! It gritty, it bloody, it full of zombies and you will die all the time. . . Either by being ripped apart by the hordes of undead or sliced in half by deadly traps, Rise of Nightmares is not a game for the faint hearted. You are the controller, so hold onto your limbs.

  

  UFC Trainer

  UFC Trainer takes fitness games to the next level, there is nothing family friendly about this. Certified by UFC, you know the experience is going to be intense. Build a routine that is right for you, get the benefits and see the results. Using the same techniques as some of the most tough, disciplined men in the world. So if you want to build up your strength, get fit or lose weight, UFC Trainer is the hardcore game for you.

  Final Word

  
  The games on this page are a but a few of the incredible range of games that Kinect can improve. With more coming out all the time, Kinect is soon to become an essential accessory for every gamer.

  Published: 23/11/2011

• Virtua Tennis 4 - Review

  
  

  

  Smash Hit?

  For 12 years Sega has dominated arcades with its Virtua Tennis series. Developed by one of its premier arcade development divisions (Sega AM3), the company delivered a smash hit on its first service with the original Virtua Tennis in 1999, wowing arcade-goers with a breezy, engaging, simple-to-pick-up approximation of the sport. The game was so competent, in fact, that Sega has struggled to meaningfully update the series as the years have gone by, instead settling upon some straightforward iterations with each sequel - tweaks that freshen the formula without threatening to upset it.

  So it is with Virtua Tennis 4, a title that relies on the gimmicks of motion control and 3D TV support to add new value, leaving the core tennis game that lies at the heart of the experience untouched. That no great shame, mind you, as Virtua Tennis 4 plays a mean game of tennis. The controls are effortlessly simple, with one button for lobs, one for slices, and one for strokes. These simple actions are modified with the control stick, which directs the ball and adds top or backspin. As with previous games in the series, player positioning is of paramount importance. To deliver the fastest, most accurate return youl need to maneuver your character into place in good time.

  The core game may lack the intricacies of the simulation-approach taken in Top Spin 4, but the easy-going arcade heritage can be seen everywhere in the game. While welcoming to newcomers, there sufficient depth here to ensure that matches between veterans remain lively and exciting.

  The only addition to the core game comes from the introduction of Super Shots. Characters are each given a preferred tyleof play, such as being strong when playing at the net. As you complete shots in their preferred style, so you fill a gauge at the top of the screen which allows your character to execute a slow motion Super Shot when full - an extremely fast, accurate shot that hard to return. While you cannot control when this shot triggers, it a welcome addition to the core mechanics, adding spice and interest.

  Line Judge

  

  One of the key selling points of this year edition of Virtua Tennis is motion control support for both Xbox 360 and PS3. A bespoke Motion Control Mode, designed specifically for the task, is present in both versions of the game although the execution is a bit of a disappointment. The game auto-directs your character around the court in familiar Wii Sports-style, relegating the interactivity to merely swinging your empty hand around in order to return balls.

  The problem lies with the camera, which switches from first to third-person perspective between each individual shot in a rally - resulting in a disorientating, even nauseating, feel.

  In the Kinect version of the game the camera fails to match your wrist motions with a sufficient degree of accuracy, while the PlayStation Move controller fares only slightly better by virtue of having something in your hand that is at least racquet-like for the camera to track. Neither version is particularly enjoyable and motion control support will likely remain little more than a five-minute curiosity, before you return to playing with a standard controller.

  

  New Balls Please

  The overhaul of the World Tour mode, where you are able to take a character on a journey from newcomer to veteran player in the world tennis circuit, is far stronger. Here you embark upon a series of four tours across different continents of the world, each of which is divided up into nodes much like a board game.

  Each city within a region is a tile and they're linked together in a broadly linear fashion. You must spend icketsto travel between them as you progress towards a final tournament at the end of each route. As you move around the board and complete matches, you collect stars which allow you to raise your ranking and also raise your character's stats via mini-games.

  There are eight mini-games included in Story Mode, all of which are also accessible in Party Mode, allowing you to compete with friends. In one of these games you must strike playing cards in order to create poker hands. In another, you must run over eggs in order to hatch chicks and lead them back to their coop at either side of the court. These mini-games are fresh and add some interest. While the basic concept has been a Virtua Tennis staple for years now, it adds welcome, arcade-style variety to the main game.

  The end result is a game of mixed success. The core game of tennis lacks the realistic bite of Top Spin 4, but is more accessible and immediate than its rival. The motion controls are a bit of a disaster, but the overhauled World Tour mode is well-structured and enjoyable. Online the game fares well, with few of the connection issues that plagued Virtua Tennis 2009. So while there is room for improvement in the overall package, it almost love-all for Virtua Tennis 4.

  GAME's Verdict

  The Good

  • Sublime game of tennis.
  • Engaging World Tour mode.
  • Much improved online support.

  The Bad

  • Motion controls.
  • Player roster can feel samey.
  • Music.

  Published: 04/05/2011

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