The Wii Tennis Appreciation Thread

[Millie]

OK, seriously. Best game ever*.

Also, best drinking game ever. (Loser must drink a beer after every losing set and/or match, depending on how quickly you want everyone to get buzzed)

Discuss.





*Well, in all fairness, it could be better in many respects (such as making you actually move toward the ball, rather than having the computer automate it, for instance). But it's still soooooooo fun.

[Lyenae]

It's ok, I think though I've spent 3x as long playing GC games, then Wii games on my console.

[Delenar]

Wii tennis left me unsatisfied, even in a "group of friends" environment.

While it was neat for about 20 seconds, it made me wish for more robust tennis game. Although I will admit it's fun for what it is, a demo of the wii's capabilities.

[Cadrid]

Wii Tennis is certainly one of the most fun experiences I've had with video games. I agree that a more robust tennis game would've been great, but considering it came with the Wii on launch day it's superb.

I assume you just got a Wii, Millie? If so, how are your arms feeling?

[Soygen]

Is Wii Tennis the one on Wii Sports? If so, it's pretty meh.

[Millie]

Originally Posted by Cadrid

Wii Tennis is certainly one of the most fun experiences I've had with video games. I agree that a more robust tennis game would've been great, but considering it came with the Wii on launch day it's superb.

I assume you just got a Wii, Millie? If so, how are your arms feeling?

So far, so good. I was working up a real sweat during my early tennis matches, due to actually running and bouncing around the room chasing shots. I was REALLY getting into it (Monica Seles style grunts included, though mostly for humorous effect). Then I realized: a) you don't have to chase the ball, and b) you don't need to do actual "tennis motions" with the remote; you can just flick your wrist a little.

That said, I still prefer to play as though I'm actually playing tennis. If that means dashing around and following through on my swings like an idiot, then so be it.

I had a sore right arm after Day 1. Today is Day 2, and my arm has returned to normal.

[Duppin]

Originally Posted by Millie

Monica Seles style grunts included

Stop it, you'll get me hot.

[gavinrad]

Jennifer Capriati sounded like she was grinding on the court.

[kegkilla]

wii sports is undeniably a great drinking game but you really gotta watch your dome piece when you've got drunken broads swingin that remote around thinking they're maria sharapova cause odds are they're not. and yeah if you're gonna sit on the couch and flick your wrist you might as well not bother with the game.

side note: what was the name of that movie where the guy auto asphyxiates himself while jerking off to women's tennis?

[Millie]

Quick question: how do I learn to play a better front-court game? My back-court game is solid, but my little front character couldn't really contribute to save her ass.

Also: Totally agreed re: sitting vs standing. As far as I'm concerned, anyone not running around and doing full swings is not enjoying this game the way it was meant to be enjoyed. (Grunts, taunts, and trash talking are optional, but fully encouraged).

[Cadrid]

Originally Posted by Millie

Quick question: how do I learn to play a better front-court game? My back-court game is solid, but my little front character couldn't really contribute to save her ass.

Slicing hard to the opposite side of your front person (swinging early and giving a twist of the Wii-mote) tends to work well. If the opponent is right in front of you be prepared to swing immediately after you swing the first time, because they can return the ball right in your face.

[RiskyChris]

Originally Posted by Millie

Quick question: how do I learn to play a better front-court game? My back-court game is solid, but my little front character couldn't really contribute to save her ass.

Also: Totally agreed re: sitting vs standing. As far as I'm concerned, anyone not running around and doing full swings is not enjoying this game the way it was meant to be enjoyed. (Grunts, taunts, and trash talking are optional, but fully encouraged).

Sometimes you *have* to ignore the volley because the way the swing timing works, the ball travelling past the net will always be hit out when you swing.

[Njorls]

Swing early in the frontcourt, backhand or forehand, provided you won't hit it out. Keeping it away from your opponent's frontcourt person is great in 2+ player but not as important in single player since the computer doesn't use the frontcourt that well.

I never got the hang of using spin. I can hit the ball with no/lots of spin but it doesn't seem to do anything. I've seen the computer hit some crazy spin shots at times though. But ball placement seems to be more important.

Wii Tennis is my favorite Wii sports game, Boxing would be next.

[Millie]

I have big problems hitting the ball out of the court. This is particularly problematic with my backhand, and especially when the ball is hit to the corner of my court, and I have to backhand it back. I'd say I tend to hit these returns out of the lines 75% of the time.

Is there any trick to placing the ball?

[Cadrid]

Originally Posted by Millie

I have big problems hitting the ball out of the court. This is particularly problematic with my backhand, and especially when the ball is hit to the corner of my court, and I have to backhand it back. I'd say I tend to hit these returns out of the lines 75% of the time.

Is there any trick to placing the ball?

It's all about the timing.

For backhands, if you wait until the ball is passing by your Mii then swing you will hook it to the left (assuming you are right-handed). If you hit it really early you'll slice it to the right. If you hit it right next to you it'll go fairly straight.

With a forehand it's the opposite: a late swing sends it to the right, and an early swing sends it to the left. (again, assuming you're right-handed)

Also, the velocity with which you swing the Wiimote (and whether you put twist on it) can affect how much power is behind the ball. A smooth, slower-speed swing will make it "float", and twisting will add a bit of "oomph" to your hit.