Top Spin: New Screenshots

This super-realistic tennis sim features loads of real tennis players, Xbox Live compatibility, and XSN features. Here are some new screens and details.

Microsoft's in-house developed Top Spin, part of the new XSN Sports brand, is the "complete tennis experience" that allows gamers to define their playing style, take risks, pull off world-class tennis shots, argue calls and work the crowd to develop a unique image on the court. Importantly, it also features the gorgeous model Anna Kournikova, who is also a tennis player apparently, on the box art.

Tennis gamers and sports fans can easily organize tournaments and schedules from a centralized Web site that pulls the information from Xbox Live. In addition, gamers can train with a coach to master shots and playing surfaces, and work their way up the online rankings to become the best in the world.

The game offers players singles or doubles matches with 16 of the world's top professionals, including Anna Kournikova, tennis legend Pete Sampras and one of the world's top players, Lleyton Hewitt.

Top Spin challenges gamers to take risks by trying difficult shots to get into a zone and to use that momentum to improve their play. Gamers can develop a player's image on the court by pumping their fist after a great shot, slamming a racket to the ground or arguing a bad call.

Anna Kournikova will join current number-one ranked Lleyton Hewitt on the cover of Top Spin, which is released around October this year.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com