Top Spin 3 [Wii]

Top Spin 3 for the Wii feels like the natural evolution of the gameplay mechanics introduced to the masses in Wii Sports, adding Nunchuk control movement to the natural feel of kinesthetic control using the Remote. Your full range of motion isn't translated on-screen 1:1; after all, you don't want to have to dive off of your couch to make a save on a ball before it flies away from you. You will, however, be swinging your wrist and elbow from side to side very often, so be sure to take a break to avoid an embarrassing videogame-related injury.

The high-definition versions of Top Spin 3 feature in-depth character customization and online features that are missing from the Wii version, but it counters by offering up party game options meant to make this the definitive social multiplayer version.

You can play The Invincible Man mode, which challenges a group to trade off in playing short three-point tie-breakers. The group will trade places until a winner racks up enough of these short-game victories to be declared champion.

Then there are the Keys modes, which challenge you to not only win short games, but to also score well in nine statistical categories. So it's not just the win that's important, but also how well you perform in all aspects of the game. These aren't the kinds of mini-games where you'll be knocking over robots, painting the court, or breaking panes of glass, but even if it's just basic tennis, the games can be plenty entertaining in a group setting.

Singles Action

The more traditional offerings here are the exhibition mode and The Road to Glory, an eleven-stage tournament in which you'll face increasingly challenging competition in a variety of different play formats. There are speedy games, tournaments like the U.S. Open, Roland Garros, and the Australian Open, and a grand finale at The Great League. There's not a great variety to the single-player offerings, but it's worth noting that the Wii version is by far the most accessible version of Top Spin 3 to pop in when you're looking to play some tennis with friends.

Top Spin 3 for the Wii is a great departure from what 2K brought to the high-definition systems. It's accessible and presents just enough of an increase in complexity over Wii Sports Tennis to appeal to those who want just a bit more control. It's not the most visually appealing game, but many will appreciate the more conservative direction taken with implementing the control scheme. It's easy to start up Top Spin 3, pick up the Wii Remote, and within moments play a fun game of tennis. What more could you want?

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