The third game in the Top Spin series adds additional features to the concept of the previous two tennis games. The most significant change is that more control is returned to the player, so leveling the challenge. In the last version, the AI controlled time and positioning; players merely needed to press a button for shots, and holding it down for longer made them more challenging. In this edition, the player controls the force of the image, the player’s placement, and the timing required to complete a good swing. When a player must sprint to reach the ball, it will never be as precise or robust as when the player is already in place. These improvements are implemented gradually in tennis schools, where players are instructed to become acquainted with the new controls.
There are roughly twenty professional players, each with their signature style and modeled after their real-life counterparts. Famous players like Roger Federer and Justine Henin are in attendance, and a few luminaries like Boris Becker, Björn Borg, and Monica Seles. Not all legends are accessible simultaneously on all three platforms (including the Wii). An editor is offered to help you create your characters. As the game goes on, the weather changes, and the players’ outfits show traces of grass or dirt. Similarly, the sweaty expressions on the players’ faces indicate that they have been playing for some time.
In addition to regular matches, there is a full career mode in which the player begins with meager statistics. These can be improved by training and playing games, but they can never be fully developed. Instead, players must pick whether to train for specific great talents or to become better all-around players. This is primarily shown in the number of winners based on forehands or backhands, for example.
The world tour is also supported online, in addition to short matches. As in the previous iteration, the world ranking is reset every two weeks rather than indefinitely. The US Open, Australian Open, and Roland Garros are among the tournaments featured, although Wimbledon is not one of them. There are several difficulty levels, six camera options, and more detailed visuals than in earlier editions.
