Top Spin 4 (Xbox 360, 2011)

The best tennis game ever in almost everyway. Graphics are fantastic, modes are fabulous and play is very good. Just one point didn´t make me give the five stars. The way that the 'difficulty' selection works, because 'normal difficulty' for me was too easy and 'hard difficulty' was too hard. There´s no medium terms. While on 'normal' the cpu players serve the ball at a speed of 120 km/h (which is ridiculous), I found the same cpu players in the 'hard level' serving at almost 200 km/h. I couldn´t beat any cpu players in this hard level, while in the normal level I won every match with double 6-0. In the hard level, cpu almost never miss a swing or put the ball out. This is insane and makes you want to play online with human players, wich is a good thing because the online mode is awesome.

Top Spin 4 has a good balance of graphics, style, and levels. The career mode has several different styles of games, scoring, and special events. If your player finds himself/herself a little outclassed, you can take a break from the mode and play the other modes with your player. When you go back, your experience points go with you and you can level up. There are also coaches of bronze, silver, and gold levels. Each has challenges that unlock bonus abilities when you hire them. (I also like that if you switch coaches and then go back, those abilities are still unlocked.)

The academy steps you through the large number of shot options. You can get by with one or two types, but can master it with a lot more if you are interested.

It's also great to see Agassi, Venus, Borg, and other former and current players together. Money well spent.

Kids and I tried the demo version and found it was quite interesting, so I ordered the full version. After about a month of playing, I will say this is a fun game. There are some minor things I don't like. The first is that the ladies are almost as good as men. Second one is about the career mode. There are 5 difficulty levels to play with. But, the CPU's serve (~100mph) feels much quicker than human (~120 or higher) already at normal mode (3rd level). And, it's very hard for CPU to make any error.

They just keep getting better! Top Spin 4 is the best tennis game I have ever played to date. The career is by far the best they have done and is very fun to play. The roster is much better than the previous titles in the franchise. The gameplay is excellent! My only complaint is the create a player editor could be better, even with the over the top face editor its hard to make a player look decent.

If you like realistic sports game this is one you need to own! I got it because it got great reviews and all they said were true!