The Evolution of Pong

Author's Rating:

Pros: Solid Gameplay, Nice Visuals, Authenic Feel

Cons: Not a lot of extras or customization

The Bottom Line: 
This is a game that I would have no problem recommending to causal gamers or ping pong fanatics and the like. 

Author's Review
Rockstar Games: Table Tennis 

I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I heard that the people who brought you Grand Theft Auto had released a Table Tennis game. Since the dawn of video games and the conception of Pong, the evolution of video games has come a long way and Rockstar: Table Tennis shows itself to be a worthy update on a timeless classic. 

There are a lot of Table Tennis games out there, most of which are simple flash or java-based games found over the internet. But for true fans of the sport, after experiencing this game, anything else will seem irrelevant. I chose this game as my first review because I am very excited and extremely anxious to start posting reviews for you guys. I wanted something straightforward and easy to write about. And if any game is straightforward, then it is Rockstar: Table Tennis. There are very little frills in R:TT, but it is that no-nonsense, quality over quantity approach, that makes it such a solid game. 

Upon starting the game, the rather meager list of options available becomes apparent. Game modes include Exhibition, Tournaments, and the all important tutorials. I would highly recommend you take a quick look through the interactive tutorial as it will help ease you in to what seems like it is going to be a slow, monotonous game, but turns out to be an intense, frustrating, joyous outpouring of emotions…Ok maybe that’s a little much, but just do the tutorial ok? It’s effective at what it does and only takes 20-30 minutes to complete all of the training sessions. The Exhibition game mode is pretty self explanatory and there is not a lot to do from the beginning. You are given 3 characters to choose from, each representing a country and with their own set of attributes. The characters are static for the most part, as stats and facial features are non-customizable. Despite the fact that there are not a lot of extra things to do in this game, it does provide for a modest amount of unlockable content to provide some incentive to keep you coming back. However, these unlockables are limited to new wardrobes for players and new arenas to play in. 

The only other way to unlock these items is through the tournament mode, which is the closest thing to a career mode that R:TT has to offer. There are only 3 tournaments, each associated with a skill level and size of the tournament. For example, the easy tournament is just a regional one in which 3 games are all it takes to win the circuit. Where as the National circuit requires a lot more victories. Beating the regional tournament is pretty much a no brainer, but don’t get to cocky – you will soon find out just how bad you are (unless I’m just really bad…) Slamming your way through the first tournament is fine, but as the computer gets better, and you start to play and unlock new characters, a variety of shots are needed from your arsenal to get you through to the next round.  

Graphics are an extremely important component to every game and I was very pleased with what I saw in R:TT. Granted there is not much for the graphics engine to render, but what it does, it does so very well. The character models are fantastic and surprising life like in their movements. Clothes ripple with movement and sweat glistens from foreheads deep into matches. The various arenas look nice, nothing spectacular – just a dimly lit audience that is not seen much and an authentic looking ping pong table in the center of a room. What is more important about the graphical aspect in a game like this however, is the movements of the characters. What probably makes R:TT so presentable are the fluid motions and realistic physics of the players and ball. 

In a similar fashion to the graphics, there aren’t a lot of sounds in the game, but those that are, are very authentic. The crowd is generally quiet, but they do start to rumble a little during long rallies and burst with applause and a variety of “ooooos” and “ahhhhhhs” when they see fit. But the focus that it takes to make sure you win your point, will probably block out most of the ambient noise anyway. 

The game’s controls will feel familiar to anyone who has played a tennis game for a console, though there isn’t much running or diving. Spin is a very important component to Table Tennis, and R:TT addresses the fact effectively. Shots available include the topspin, backspin, rightspin, and leftspin. As your skill level increases you can try a variety of hybrid shots by pressing two of the shot buttons at once. The most unique idea, R:TT brings to the “table” (that pun was terrible…sorry) is the focus shot, which allows you to hit a shot you may not normally be able to pull off or simply hit a shot more effectively. To use this ability, the player must fill up his or her focus meter by charging up to hit shots (but you’ll learn more about that in the tutorial). Hitting shots feel great too. Directing shots is done by the left joystick and your controller vibrates in an increasing fashion if the shot is in danger of missing the table. This creates a “feel” for your shots that is difficult to explain in words.  


Overall, Rockstar: Table Tennis is a solid, fun, family game that can be played single player, multiplayer (only 1v1 though no doubles), or online. Though a bit bare, everything feels well thought out and put together. A nice bonus too, is that the game is cheap and will provide you with plenty of value.
My other reviews at: http://g2reviews.blogspot.com/