All the groundstrokes project realistic spin whether you are going for a top spin, an underhand or a slice. Serves can be of different forms, and all utilize the power meter. Each stroke and serve has its own strategic purposes. Hitting the ball at the right angle at the right time could make a difference between a good shot and having the advantage point. So timing is everything. Besides the standard groundstrokes that are already included in the game, Top Spin has another feature to make things even more interesting. It is called risk shot.

Pulling the right trigger activates the risk shot meter, which goes up and down fast. Releasing the trigger stops the cursor. The closer the cursor gets to the center of the meter, the more powerful and accurate the shot. The speed of the risk meter is directly proportionate to how wide your "in the zone" meter is, which increases as you make winning shots. Thus, the better you are in the match, the better you are to pull off a successful risk shot.

One aspect of Top Spin that keeps the action on court lifelike is its accurate physic. Players will see significant differences between playing on grass and clay courts. This type of realism forces you to compensate for the variation in shoe grip and ball bounce. As with any other tennis games, Top Spin has a repertoire of modes that will certainly keep you satisfied. It includes your standard exhibition mode, elimination-style match, and a customizable tournament mode. You can set the number of games per set, the number of sets per match, the skill of your opponents, and whether it’s a doubles or singles match.

If you're seeking for the absolute single-player experience, Top Spin has a career mode that will blow you away! It has a robust player creation feature that allows you to make aesthetic changes from the physical structure of your character, including body type, height, and weight, right down to the style and color of the apparels he or she is wearing. You will be able to decide whether your character will be right- or left-handed; a power player or a precision player, or perhaps a combination of the two. You even get to choose as to whether or not his or her backhand is single- or two-handed. Whatever traits you settle on for your character will certainly affect the way he or she plays on the court.

Once you've created your tennis pro, you will travel the world to compete in different tournaments. However, the number of tournaments for which you'll be eligible is limited at first. You can try out for a sponsorship from big name companies such as Reebok and Adidas. It will be your chance to pump up some cash, score fame, and earn some pretty sweet licensed gear. The addition of sponsorship is a brilliant idea because it gives players the feeling that they are actually real-world tennis pros who have more to do than just return balls.

What truly puts Top Spin above the competition is its Xbox Live support. With the Xbox Live option, you can play one of the official matches. Participating in this type of match will affect your worldwide online ranking. Since Top Spin is a part of Microsoft's XSN Sports lineup, you'll be able to create custom online leagues with your buddies--complete with stats tracking and ranking systems. Whether you are playing it online or without the Xbox Live feature, Top Spin’s gameplay is very smooth and responsive, and rewards players for their skills and precision.

Visually, Top Spin is unmatched by any other tennis game before it, displaying a high level of quality in every aspect of its presentation. The courts are realistically captured from public park-style settings to Wimbledon-type arenas, with dust gets dig up all over the surface, and skid marks made by players remain evident. The characters look great, and the fluidity of their movements brings about in-depth representation of how the game is played. The lighting is vivid and realistic with translucent motion-blur that follows the ball after a power shot. There are also split-screen and picture-in-picture replays that depict player reactions up close and personal.

The sound in Top Spin is as good as it graphics. It is some of the best you will find in any tennis game. The sound of the hitting the ball with your racket and the ball bouncing on the court are delivered accurately. The way the player grunts, the way crowd reacts, and the way the announcers take account of the action help bring the experience come to life. In the tennis arena, Top Spin reigns supreme and the deep gameplay is accessible enough that everyone can enjoy. The visual presentation is superb. There are mini games to help improve your swings. Top Spin is just packed with all kinds of cool features, which gives players more to tinker around. This game is definitely a must-have!