Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis

Infobox VG |title= Rockstar Games Table Tennis


developer= Rockstar San Diego
Rockstar Leeds (Wii)
publisher= Rockstar Games
designer= Benjamin Johnson
engine=RAGE
released= Xbox 360Wii
genre=Sports
modes=Single player, multiplayer
ratings=vgratings|ESRB=E|OFLCA=G
platforms=Xbox 360, Wii
media=DVD-DL, Wii Optical Disc
requirements=
input=Gamepad, Wii Remote and Nunchuk

"Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis" (or "Rockstar Table Tennis") is a table tennis simulation video game. The game was initially released on May 26, 2006 for the Xbox 360 with the Wii version being released on October 16, 2007.cite web |title=Rockstar Presents Table Tennis Review |url=http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/827/827565p1.html | date=2007-10-15 | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2007-11-10]

"Rockstar Table Tennis" is the first game to use the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (R.A.G.E),cite web | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1530131/20060503/index.jhtml | title = The First Rule Of Ping-Pong Club: Talk About Rockstar's Table Tennis Game | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | last = Totilo | first = Stephen | date = 2006-05-04 | work = MTV News | publisher = Viacom | quote = The Rockstar reps explained that the game ["Table Tennis"] was running on RAGE, the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine. This is the graphics technology gamers are to expect from future Rockstar games, including the next "GTA."] the game engine Rockstar used in "Grand Theft Auto IV". [cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=24715960 | title = Grand Theft Auto IV powered by Table Tennis engine? | accessdate = 2007-04-10 | last = Thorsen | first = Tor | date = 2006-06-15 | work = GameSpot | publisher = CNET]

Gameplay

"Rockstar Table Tennis" is a realistic simulation of the sport of table tennis. Two players hit a ball back and forth from one another, with the goal of trying to make the opposing player 'miss' the return through the use of various 'spinning' maneuvers. For example, if one's opponent were at the far left of the table, he would 'spin' the ball to the right of the table. The game also features a drop shot, as well as a 'focus shot' where the game goes into slow motion to allow the player return hard-hit balls more accurately.

Reception

The game has been praised [http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/709/709654p1.html IGN: Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis Review ] ] for its simplicity, its 'pick up and play' style and its graphics. The average rating of the game is 83%. [ [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932239.asp Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Reviews ] ] The game also includes numerous unlockable achievements that increase the longevity of the single player game. However, the difficulty of obtaining some of the multiplayer achievements (such as one requiring the maximum TrueSkill rating possible - only achievable by the top few players on the world leaderboard) - was one of the criticisms of the game. Another problem exclusive to the Wii version is the lack of a left-handed player amongst the characters lessening the controllability for left-handed users.

While initially simple, the game grows in complexity. For example, in long rallies (100-200+ exchanges), multiple strategies must be used in order to beat the opponentOr|date=March 2008. While the single player game lacks depth, the multiplayer mode (available through Xbox Live only) allows for exhibition and tournament play with up to 12 other players.

Some reviewers have criticized its lack of features, such as a career mode, the ability create your own player, and other elements available in many other modern sports games. "Table Tennis" features only exhibition and tournament play (for both single and multiplayer). Most reviewers, however, were able to overlook the omission of these features owing to the game's budget price ("Table Tennis" was priced new at $40/£30, $20/£20 cheaper than most Xbox 360 games).

Reception

VG Reviews
1UP =B
EuroG =9/10
GI =8/10
GSpot =8.5/10
IGN =7.8/10|
compilation = yes|
MC = 81%
GR = 83%|

Wii version

A Wii port of Table Tennis was released by Rockstar Games on October 16, 2007. The game fully utilizes the Wii Remote. The Wii version offers 3 different control schemes:
* "Standard" - uses the Wii Remote by itself.
* "Sharp Shooter" - uses the Nunchuk attachment's analog control to place the ball.
* "Control Freak" - uses the Nunchuk's analog stick to control the player's position.

References

External links

* [http://www.rockstargames.com/tabletennis/ Official Table Tennis site]