Based on the Virtua Tennis 3 engine, SST takes a number of the more popular characters from the Sega Universe. Sonic, Monkey Ball, Space Channel 5, Jet Grind Radio are represented well. Alex Kidd, is there, but sadly no Streets of Rage, House of the Dead nor Shinobi characters (though there’s a HotD map).
There are three control styles: wiimote (vertical), wiimote (horizontal) nunchuk and wiimote. The first and third options require swinging the wiimote (with wiimote only, the chacter is moved for you, ala WiiSports Tennis). The nunchuk+wiimote is an amazing combination.
Some of my biggest gripes with Wiisports tennis is the lack of control over your player – you can’t decide whether to do a forehand, backhand, drop, lob or volley shots, and you have to always play doubles. SST solves all that, using the same formula that made Virtua Tennis so freaking addictive. There are a huge amount of unlockables – not just characters, but courts and such. And if you loved the Virtua Tennis minigames, they are here too.
Small gripes: there aren’t many characters from the Sega Universe. Sega opted to use only recent characters (exception: Alex Kidd) Who wants to play with Amy? Or Shadow? These characters tanked miserably, so why do we recognize their existence? Why not Joe Mushashi? Axel? Skate? Ristar? The list goes on. Even though I didn’t unlock any characters (yet), if you go to records, you can see who is there to unlock (way to go, Sega). The voice-overs are a bit repetitive if the game goes on long (but at least they’re memorable). At least on the wii, when playing doubles and everyone activates their super attacks, there’s distinct slowdown (d’oh). Finally, no online play for the Wii (but the 360 and PS3 does?), but the Wii is a social gaming machine, so no major qualms.
That being said, it is a definite buy. And! it’s on sale, new for $20 at all fine gaming boutiques.
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5 Comments
I’ve never heard of any of these characters.
You’ve watched me play so many Sega games that you’ll know OF them, at the very least. In fact, my favorite character is from one of the games you bought me for Christmas (Nights).
Is Psycho Fox in it??!!
Mega points for Ray. That’s a very obscure Sega IP, but no, no Psycho Fox.
That was a cool game. My friend had that back in the day.