Games Console

Perfect Game for Short Play
As many others have mentioned, this game was developed by Rockstar (of GTA fame). I still find that humorous!

I think the biggest issue with this game is that it really requires you to know strategies from real life tennis-like games (squash, tennis, table tennis, etc). If you do not know these, you will not be able to win. I have the pleasure of knowing the game of squash quite well, so i was able to implement the strategies. Here are a few tips:

After every shot, get back to a center.

When making shots, try to lead the other player further and further from center. (do a left side table shot with leftspin, on the return, do a right side table shot with right spin. If they get there quick, switch to left spin focus shot on right side of table, putting it behind them) Mix and match with different depths on the table!

Just like in real life, the player who does not get back to center properly will be the one to lose that point

The graphics, for its time, are really quite nice. Animations are relatively realistic and sound effects are done extremely well. The difficulty is not that bad, but sometimes it seems like your character has a mind of their own. The characters all play extremely differently, and i really appreciate the time put into it. However, unlockables are quite boring. I wish some of the jerzees gave boosts to some stats, or something similar. To be blunt, this is a shallow game, with the exception of center strategy. It wont be a game that will suck you in for hours and hours at a time, but its perfect when you dont have much time and want to play a few matches.

My biggest dig is on the colored markers for the different spins. I am partially color-blind (red/green/brown & blue/purple) and this aspect of the game was literally impossible for me. One of the training challenges has you returning with the same spin as it was sent with. There is absolutely no way for me to see that, especially when it has a bit weaker spin. It is really frustrating, especially since so many games that operate so strongly on color offer a "color-blind" mode. There was obviously no consideration for those like me. Luckily, returning a volley with the same spin really does not affect my ability to win...

I will say that although the game mechanics and timing worked well for me, one of my best friends just could NOT get it. I wont entirely blame the game for it, but it could be indicative of how you and others will be able to play the game.

For the price, it really is a decent buy. Especially if you can get it with free shipping.

As with --ALL-- games, rent before you buy!!!! well, i guess in this case, i was able to purchase it for half of what i would have been able to rent it for... Maybe there is a demo on XBL?

a Five Star ping pong experience
This game simply is what it is, a very basic and VERY WELL DONE game of ping pong. Not many 'bells and whistles' to be found here, but it's very refreshing to see what happens when a praised developer such as Rockstar focuses it's talent and energy into one thing in particular and a superb experience, that anyone can enjoy, is the final result. The price tag just makes it that much more of a great package.

I was skeptical, as I'm not usually a big fan of sports games, let alone tennis of any kind, but this was a very pleasant surprise!

Alot Of Fun I tell you
Good for when you have buddies over and want to challenge each other. I Like to get a group of my friends and play a tournament with each other, it gets really competitive, just make sure everyone is at least familiar with the game, it makes it more fun. Really Crappy for single player. And it can only be one on one when playing multi-player; no two on two.

Over rated
Rockstar Table Tennis is a glaring example of how industry adoration can inflate ratings of otherwise poor games. It is no secret that Rockstar is beloved by many for giving us the GTA series amongst others but it is a puzzle as to why this game had universal praise since it was released.

Just to be clear, Rockstar San Diego developed this title using the RAGE engine which coincidentally powers GTA IV now. It was obviously a test for the developer and the engine. Fine. I would not rate a title poorly simply for this notion alone. It may be simple and far less value than a GTA title for instance but it still has the right to play well and offer a unique experience.
This was possible with Table Tennis, but unfortunately the game suffers from impossible AI and shoddy mechanics.
The single player Tournament mode is where the most obvious of these flaws presents itself. Imagine practicing the 4 various spins in the game along with the timing of shots, placements and almost uselss "focus shots" only to be faced with computer opponents who will volley the impossible. Whats the point you ask? Why does your character miss the ball when you've timed it right and the shot is not a reach? You can time a shot perfectly but for some reason your character will straight up miss the ball. If this was some kind of realistic odds manipulator placed in the game's code I would beleive it. Much of the games mechanics rely on your reactions but if your character's animations fail to reflect your reactions, then you're screwed.
Another bad mark on this games charts is the fact that the computer's AI (especially Jesper) can near impossible even on a Medium setting. This AI will decide when it wants to that it can reach any shot, score any ace and defend against the best shots you can send its way.
Characters are dull and quiet and there is no motivation to unlock any sort of jersey because they all look pretty bland. Yes the characters are unbalanced (Jesper) and you will always get beat by the stronger character.
Multiplayer isnt so plagued with the tyrannical AI but thats ok because the game trades that flaw in for a new one. LAG. lag is great in table tennis. Especially when you see a ball come back at you that nobody hit. nough said?
Finally the AI rubberbanding in this title is unforgiving. This is painfully obvious when you trounce the computer 10-1 only to be beat 11-0 the next time. If you can beat someone 10-1 why wouldnt you be able to score at least 1 or 2 points in the following match? Because the computer has increased it's own abilities mid tournament.
It is not that I want to rate this game as a bad game from start to finish. Its a slap in the face because it really should have been better. It was a arrogant and sloppy job on Rockstar San Diego's behalf and I warn whoever tries to buy this title. Don't.

Real Deal Fun
It plays like real table tennis and has realistic everything about it. Ball action is just as you'd expect from a real game of table tennis. Love the characteristics of each individual player, the different venues are cool and how the players react and sweat etc. Definitely recommend this one for the whole family, something you can't do for alot of games.