Software:Virtua Tennis 3

From HandWiki
Short description: 2006 sports video game
Virtua Tennis 3
US cover art, featuring Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Venus Williams
Developer(s)Sega AM3 (AC, PS3)
Sumo Digital (X360, PC, PSP)
Publisher(s)Sega
Director(s)Kazuko Noguchi
Producer(s)Mie Kumagai
Designer(s)
  • Nobuyuki Yamashita
  • Norio Furuichi
Programmer(s)Yoshifumi Ishihata
Composer(s)Kentaro Koyama
SeriesVirtua Tennis
Platform(s)Arcade, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: April 25, 2006
  • NA: 2006
PlayStation 3, PSP, Windows, Xbox 360
  • JP: March 8, 2007 (PS3)
  • NA: March 20, 2007
  • EU: March 23, 2007 (PS3, X360)
  • AU: March 23, 2007 (PS3)
  • NA: March 26, 2007 (PSP)
  • AU: March 29, 2007 (PC, PSP, X360)
  • EU: March 30, 2007 (PC, PSP)
Genre(s)Sports game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega Lindbergh

Virtua Tennis 3, known in Japan as Sega Professional Tennis: Power Smash 3, is the second arcade game sequel to Sega's tennis game franchise, Virtua Tennis. The arcade version of Virtua Tennis 3 is powered by the PC-based Sega Lindbergh arcade system board. Ports for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 consoles are also available with a traditional collection of tennis minigames that the home versions of Virtua Tennis are known for. In 2009, Sega updated and re-created Virtua Tennis 3 in Virtua Tennis 2009.

Console versions

Besides having Tournament Mode and Exhibition Mode from the arcade version, the home versions include a World Tour Mode and Court Games mode. These game modes replace the Challenge Mode that was present in the arcade version.

The Xbox 360 version has exclusive Xbox Live online tournaments and modes, whilst the PlayStation 3 version incorporates the option to control the game using the Sixaxis motion-sensitive controller.

Both the 360 and PS3 versions offer native 1080p support.

Game modes

World Tour

This is the main mode of the game. In this mode, the user creates a tennis player (male or female), and enters the SPT World Tour with a ranking position of 300th, and with the goal of becoming the number 1. The player needs to improve his ranking by winning matches and tournaments, as well as his abilities by successfully completing training minigames and academy exercises. This mode also allows the player to interact with the featured professional tennis players.

Tournament

This mode is similar to the arcade version of the game. The user can select either a featured professional player or one of his created players (from the World Tour mode), and must win 5 matches in different surfaces and venues to win the tournament. If the player performs well enough and gets a very good rank (A), he is challenged by Duke, one of the game's bosses. However, if the player performs well in the tournament but achieves a mediocre rank (D), he is challenged by King instead.

Exhibition

This mode allows the user to play single matches with customized options, such as the player, the opponent and the court.

Court Games

This mode features the minigames from the World Tour mode and is dedicated to multiplayer gaming.

Game Content

Playable Characters

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS3PSPXbox 360
4Players85%[5]85%[5]84%[6]90%[5]
EGMN/A7.33/10[8]N/A7.33/10[8]
EurogamerN/AN/AN/A9/10[9]
FamitsuN/A28/40[10]N/AN/A
Game InformerN/A7/10[11]N/A7/10[11]
GameSpotN/A8.2/10[12]7.3/10[13]8.4/10[14]
GameSpyN/AStarStarStarStar[15]StarStarStarStarHalf star[16]StarStarStarStar[15]
GameTrailersN/A8.4/10[17]N/AN/A
IGNN/A(AU) 7.9/10[18]
(UK) 7.8/10[19]
(US) 7.3/10[20]		7.8/10[21]8/10[22]
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/A8.5/10[23]
PC Gamer (UK)83%[24]N/AN/AN/A
Pocket GamerN/AN/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[25]N/A
PSMN/A8.5/10[26]N/AN/A
The Sydney Morning HeraldN/AStarStarStarStar[27]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic78/100[1]80/100[2]79/100[3]80/100[4]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[1][2][3][4] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 3 version a score of 28 out of 40.[10]

GamePro gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions each a score of 4.25 out of 5, with The Watcher calling the former "an outstandingly well-made game. Its technically impressive visuals, easy to learn but hard to master gameplay, and great selection of mini-games makes Virtua Tennis 3 an ace";[28] and Ouroboros later saying of the latter, "Bloated expectations aside, Virtua Tennis is a fan service treat from the moment you open the box, and setting down the controller without blowing hours on end requires considerable willpower, even if it all comes to feel like just a more refined, balanced version of what we already played to death on the Dreamcast."[29] Edge gave the PS3 version a score of eight out of ten, saying, "This new outing for Sega's ever-appealing sports series is a deeper, more serious and demanding beast than before, yet happily manages to retain the series’ lighthearted atmosphere and is, on occasion, utterly bonkers."[30] Retro Gamer gave the PSP version a score of 80%, saying, "Admittedly, it's still a great game, but when you consider that World Tour can now be purchased for just under a tenner (and an absolute bargain it is too), it's very hard to justify shelling out extra money for a near identical experience."[31]

Gabe Boker of GameZone gave the Xbox 360 version a score of 8.2 out of 10, saying, "It provides solid online multiplayer, a career mode bursting with life, and addictive mini-games fans have come to expect."[32] Ronnie Hobbs gave the PS3 version 7.5 out of 10, calling it "A fast, frantic, and high-octane style of tennis. If this sounds like fun then you will feel right at home. Anyone looking for a more realistic approach will want to find another source."[33] Louis Bedigian gave the PSP version eight out of ten, calling it "a content-filled, mini-game-infused joyride that anyone can love."[34]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Virtua Tennis 3 for PC Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/virtua-tennis-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Virtua Tennis 3 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/virtua-tennis-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Virtua Tennis 3 for PSP Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/virtua-tennis-3/critic-reviews/?platform=psp. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Virtua Tennis 3 for Xbox 360 Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/virtua-tennis-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Jörg Luibl (2007-03-22). "Test: Virtua Tennis 3 (PC, PS3, X360)" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PlayStation3/Test/7667/5336/0/Virtua_Tennis_3.html. 
  6. ↑ Jan Wöbbeking (2007-04-08). "Test: Virtua Tennis 3 (PSP)" (in de). 4Players GmbH. https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PSP/Test/7667/5373/0/Virtua_Tennis_3.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Todd Zuniga (2007-07-16). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". G/O Media. https://www.avclub.com/virtua-tennis-3-1798211821. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 EGM staff (April 2007). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (214): 84. 
  9. ↑ Kristan Reed (2007-03-21). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (Xbox 360) [date mislabeled as "March 27, 2007""]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/virtua-tennis-3-review. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "パワースマッシュ3 (PS3)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=611&redirect=no. Retrieved 2023-05-16. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Matthew Kato (May 2007). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". Game Informer (GameStop) (169). http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/0D1DE9E2-72B8-493D-8BCD-CCC33FB71CEA.htm. Retrieved 2023-05-16. 
  12. ↑ Aaron Thomas (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PS3)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtua-tennis-3-review/1900-6167754/. 
  13. ↑ Aaron Thomas (2007-04-03). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PSP)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtua-tennis-3-review/1900-6168548/. 
  14. ↑ Aaron Thomas (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (X360)". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtua-tennis-3-review/1900-6167755/. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Eduardo Vasconcellos (2007-04-02). "GameSpy: Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3, X360)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/virtua-tennis-3/777723p1.html. 
  16. ↑ Gabe Graziani (2007-03-26). "GameSpy: Virtua Tennis 3 (PSP)". IGN Entertainment. http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/virtua-tennis-3/775935p1.html. 
  17. ↑ "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". Viacom. 2007-03-22. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/cbm3sw/virtua-tennis-3-review. 
  18. ↑ Cam Shea (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 AU Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/21/virtua-tennis-3-au-review. 
  19. ↑ Alex Simmons (2007-03-20). "Virtua Tennis 3 UK Review (PS3)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/20/virtua-tennis-3-uk-review. 
  20. ↑ Jeremy Dunham (2007-03-21). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PS3)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/22/virtua-tennis-3-review. 
  21. ↑ Jeremy Dunham (2007-04-03). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (PSP)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/03/virtua-tennis-3-review-3. 
  22. ↑ Douglass C. Perry (2007-03-19). "Virtua Tennis 3 Review (Xbox 360)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/20/virtua-tennis-3-review-2. 
  23. ↑ "Virtua Tennis 3". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 82. May 2007. 
  24. ↑ "Virtua Tennis 3". PC Gamer UK (Future plc): 78. May 2007. 
  25. ↑ Simon Parkin (2007-03-27). "Virtua Tennis 3". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/virtua-tennis-3/virtua-tennis-3/. 
  26. ↑ "Review: Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". PSM (Future US) (122): 76. May 2007. 
  27. ↑ Eliot Fish (2007-04-09). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/technology/virtua-tennis-3-20070409-gdpv8o.html. 
  28. ↑ The Watcher (2007-03-20). "Review: Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/reviews/106968.shtml. Retrieved 2023-05-17. 
  29. ↑ Ouroboros (2007-04-27). "Review: Virtua Tennis 3 (X360)". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/110388.shtml. Retrieved 2023-05-17. 
  30. ↑ Edge staff (April 2007). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PS3)". Edge (Future plc) (174): 84. 
  31. ↑ Darren Jones (2007-06-21). "Virtua Tennis 3 (PSP)". Retro Gamer (Imagine Publishing) (39). 
  32. ↑ Gabe Boker (2007-03-29). "Virtua Tennis 3 – 360 – Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/virtua_tennis_3_360_review/. 
  33. ↑ Ronnie Hobbs (2007-04-02). "Virtua Tennis 3 – PSP – Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/virtua_tennis_3_ps3_review/. 
  34. ↑ Louis Bedigian (2007-04-05). "Virtua Tennis 3 – PSP – Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/virtua_tennis_3_psp_review/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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