Best Tennis game around (on Xbox)? Help me get over a bad time and back into the game

[Dash Kappei]

Update: bought both Top Spin 2k25 and Tennis Elbow 4! Looking for people to play with online, dm me/add me if you'd like: my GT is dashkap. EU region but play a lot late at night so I'm down to play anytime any region really :)

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• OG post:
With Sinner hitting number 1 and the whole italian movement doing incredible things, and my ankle/foot injury keeping me out of courts for the last 18 months and the uncertainty if I'll ever be able to play again after my scheduled surgery, I REALLY need a great Tennis game to keep me sane and cure this deep sadness.

Tennis was a huge part of my life, been playing since I was 6yo, and for 20 years I trained 4h a day/5 days a week :(

So for starters, yeah, it has to be on Xbox (lil' series S).

What I'm looking for, as a tennis-head, is something where real-to game strategy matters, range in possible approaches, and not relying on samey cheap tactics or one-trick ponies to get through. Great online modes would be a plus (don't have friends who'd be good enough to enjoy playing together), but gameplay is king and having good sp/AI is too.

It seems the names in auge are the new iterations of Tennis Elbow and Top Spin, but also the AO game that I thought were bargain-bin quality but apparently updates made the good?

I hate that there are no demos at this point, or any available on Game Pass.

Please help! Price is a factor in that I don't want to spend 60€ blind not knowing if I'd enjoy it, but not in the way that I'd go for a budget game over full price if there's a distinct gulf in quality (gameplay trumps presentation for me).

Help fellow tennis-lovers, you're my only hope.

 

[Patitoloco]

It's Top Spin 5 easily.
Not the best game ever, but very fun.

If you want super sim, go for Tennis Elbow 4.

 

[happy2501]

It's insane i was just looking for a Tennis game on Xbox ty for this post lol

 

[Tailzo]

I think a real tennis player will judge a Tennis videogame differently than a videogamer that just wants to have fun. I hope a tennis player replies. As for me? Nothing beats Virtua Tennis, even the 360 games.

 

[Wallace]

I'd wait for next month. Tiebreak is actually pretty solid.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woX82-aE2ss&ab_channel=GameTrailers

 

[Dash Kappei]

It's insane i was just looking for a Tennis game on Xbox ty for this post lol

Click to shrink...

haha you and me both, you're welcome sir :D

It's Top Spin 5 easily.
Not the best game ever, but very fun.

If you want super sim, go for Tennis Elbow 4.

Click to shrink...

Super-sim you say? I'm intrigued. What are the differences between the two, how would a "super-sim" tennis game would be?

I was looking at the new Top Spin, impressions seem mixed tho? People saying is like 4, which wasn't that good I've read (never played, just saying what I've read around)

 

[Lumination]

Top Spin 2k25 looked pretty solid if you don't mind the level up aspects.

 

[Dash Kappei]

I think a real tennis player will judge a Tennis videogame differently than a videogamer that just wants to have fun. I hope a tennis player replies. As for me? Nothing beats Virtua Tennis, even the 360 games.

Click to shrink...

It depends. An arcade game can be super fun, and I've played thousands (!) of hours of VT2 on Dreamcast. But the issues was that when you got really good, there were basically just a couple of viable strats and I hated how the ball always (99% of the time) stayed in-court no matter what. That's still the best tennis game I've ever played, since I never had the chance to try a proper Top Spin game besides the one on Wii which was terri-bad, and didn't like VT4 etc.

 

[Ingueferroque]

(Hey Sega, make a new Virtua Tennis)

 

[Bardeh]

Tennis Elbow is generally accepted as the best tennis sim, but the graphics and animations are really janky and meant I couldn't enjoy the game.

Top Spin 2k5 seems very solid.

Matchpoint Tennis Championships is another relatively recent one (and could still be on GamePass, not sure) but it's the definition of mid. Nothing super bad about it, but just very.....meh.

I would give Top Spin a try.

 

[Bill Gaitas]

Xbox in dev mode with flycast and Virtua Tennis 2 lol

Sega pls

 

[Tailzo]

It depends. An arcade game can be super fun, and I've played thousands (!) of hours of VT2 on Dreamcast. But the issues was that when you got really good, there were basically just a couple of viable strats and I hated how the ball always (99% of the time) stayed in-court no matter what. That's still the best tennis game I've ever played, since I never had the chance to try a proper Top Spin game besides the one on Wii which was terri-bad, and didn't like VT4 etc.

Click to shrink...

That's very interesting and surprising. My two favorite Tennis games are Virtua Tennis 1&2 on Dreamcast. I did not like Virtua Tennis 3 or 4 as much. I never expected a Tennis player to agree.

 

[crazillo]

Yeah, Tennis Elbow for the best simulation, Top Spin for the best legacy franchise and most well-respected series, and Tiebreak* will be the official ATP/WTA game out soon.

Also a tennis nerd and player here, I hope we can play some online matches if we can't play on the real court! Hope you recover to be able to play again, OP!

*Edited

 

[Dash Kappei]

So it seems to be betweenTop Spin, Tennis Elbow or Tie Break, however TB is not out yet.

I still don't know what are the keys differences between the 3 of them in gfx and online modes, besides Top Spin showing higher production values/gfx.

I wish there was a demo, maybe I can watch a few more videos but that's not the same

 

[cvbas]

I've been having a lot of fun with TopSpin 2K25, but it's the first tennis game I played in many years so I don't know it compares to some of the other titles mentioned here.

 

[Dash Kappei]

Yeah, Tennis Elbow for the best simulation, Top Spin for the best legacy franchise and most well-respected series, and Matchpoint will be the official ATP/WTA game out soon.

Click to shrink...

I thought Tie Break was the official ATP/WTA game? Is Matchpoint any good?

I mean, I only need ONE game ahah, possibly the best of the bunch. It seems there's no clear "winner" tho.

Also a tennis nerd and player here, I hope we can play some online matches if we can't play on the real court! Hope you recover to be able to play again, OP!

Click to shrink...

Thanks! And that'd be super neat, which one of these games do you own?

 

[Yerffej]

I'd wait for next month. Tiebreak is actually pretty solid.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woX82-aE2ss&ab_channel=GameTrailers

Click to shrink...

This is my last hope on the horizon. 2K25 was such a bummer with that demo. Such sluggish movement.

 

[Dash Kappei]

Maybe I should buy TopSpin AND Tennis Elbow, and then refund one of the two? I need to go read what's the TOS for refunds on Xbox.

I also need to check how's the online population for Elbow (I'd *guess* Top Spin is the safer option) and if there's crossplay for any of these games

This is my last hope on the horizon. 2K25 was such a bummer with that demo. Such sluggish movement.

Click to shrink...

There's a demo?? Where?! Also your "bummer, sluggish" comment is making me reconsider everything lol

 

[DarkManX]

Tie-Break (The WTA/ATP game) is on Early access on PC for some time now.

I don't know the type of situation on the console version, if cames out with the same last update from PC version or it's different. and the thing with this game is the developer, BigAnt... Judging by their past works, my faith on this being a good game gameplay wise are not that much. But who knows.

Some gameplay videos of the Early Acess 6 PC


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Ow0J1M3hg


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUbfSBJ9MHc

 

[Yerffej]

Maybe I should buy TopSpin AND Tennis Elbow, and then refund one of the two? I need to go read what's the TOS for refunds on Xbox.

I also need to check how's the online population for Elbow (I'd *guess* Top Spin is the safer option) and if there's crossplay for any of these games



There's a demo?? Where?! Also your "bummer, sluggish" comment is making me reconsider everything lol

Click to shrink...

Well. there was a demo over a weekend a few weeks back. I'm glad it was there for the taking as I'd had 2K25 on wishlists waiting for a drop. After all this time and that's what it amounts to...

I feel like movement is a crucial aspect these games just don't account for seriously enough to mimic real play. Maybe it's too large of a hurdle or something. Glancing at those Tiebreak vids above already seems a step up. Players move with appropriate speed, even if they don't seemingly have transition animations down pat. Alos, if someone who's tried it can confirm whether those camera zooms can be turned off or not, that would be swell. Because it's not ideal.

 

[crazillo]

I thought Tie Break was the official ATP/WTA game? Is Matchpoint any good?

I mean, I only need ONE game ahah, possibly the best of the bunch. It seems there's no clear "winner" tho.

Thanks! And that'd be super neat, which one of these games do you own?

Click to shrink...

Sorry, yes, TieBreak, so I get confused, too :D I'd wait to see how TieBreak turns out. The dev Big Ant Studios has made a few other tennis games that were not mentioned in here (Tennis World Tour, AO Tennis). They were sort of underwhelming-average but people say Tiebreak is shaping up better. The problem with their games has been the lack of control over movement.I haven't played Tiebreak yet though. It will likely have the biggest player roaster if you care about that. If Tiebreak isn't as good as people hope, I'd go for TopSpin 2K25. That one has a pretty traditional career mode, it is a bit grindy but generally has rewarding progress. Online matches are quite hard and Sharapova was very OP. But if you are a real player, I suspect you'd appreciate a more simulation-type of experience, one that requires timing and also allows you to make Unforced Errors. For realism, I think you'll enjoy Tennis Elbow the most for that reason. There's also a really neat Tennis Elbow Manager game if you're into that sort of thing.

I own Tennis Elbow and TopSpin 2K25 personally, but I've also played Tennis World Tour when it was free for a weekend or something. I consider Tennis Elbow the best tennis game, but I consider TopSpin 2K25 the more modern game, it has real world locations and player licenses. Tennis Elbow is more or less made by a single dev, it's indie in the truest sense of word. There's a lot of modding available though.

Also check if there are any demo versions available on PC. I know Tennis Elbow has a demo there at least. It's not a demanding game for your computer.

Anyway, looking forward to play with you :)

 

[Dash Kappei]

Sorry, yes, TieBreak, so I get confused, too :D I'd wait to see how TieBreak turns out. The dev Big Ant Studios has made a few other tennis games that were not mentioned in here (Tennis World Tour, AO Tennis). They were sort of underwhelming-average but people say Tiebreak is shaping up better. The problem with their games has been the lack of control over movement.I haven't played Tiebreak yet though. It will likely have the biggest player roaster if you care about that. If Tiebreak isn't as good as people hope, I'd go for TopSpin 2K25. That one has a pretty traditional career mode, it is a bit grindy but generally has rewarding progress. Online matches are quite hard and Sharapova was very OP. But if you are a real player, I suspect you'd appreciate a more simulation-type of experience, one that requires timing and also allows you to make Unforced Errors. For realism, I think you'll enjoy Tennis Elbow the most for that reason. There's also a really neat Tennis Elbow Manager game if you're into that sort of thing.

I own Tennis Elbow and TopSpin 2K25 personally, but I've also played Tennis World Tour when it was free for a weekend or something. I consider Tennis Elbow the best tennis game, but I consider TopSpin 2K25 the more modern game, it has real world locations and player licenses. Tennis Elbow is more or less made by a single dev, it's indie in the truest sense of word. There's a lot of modding available though.

Also check if there are any demo versions available on PC. I know Tennis Elbow has a demo there at least. It's not a demanding game for your computer.

Anyway, looking forward to play with you :)

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the informative post! I went with Tennis Elbow 4 because with some credit I had it only costs me 15 euros, downloading as I write.

If I don't enjoy it I'll pivot to Top Spin and/or wait for Tie Break. Roster is not that important but it sucks that TSpin doesn't have Nadal, Novax, and so on. What "scared" me off Top Spin were the "it's sluggish" comments and having to fork 60€ for the digital standard and maybe end up hating it.

I've read Top Spin has full crossplay so that's great, I don't think Tennis Elbow does but if you own it on Xbox I'd love to play you for sure.

Again, I suspect TE4 is probably going to be just the first and will get to at least one more Tennis game really soon ;-)

 

[Daddy JeanPi]

I don't have a suggestion as i am unfamiliar with the genre, but i wanna send good vibes your way.

 

[Zafir]

Is that tiebreak going to have a better career mode?

I don't think the new Top Spin particularly felt bad to play but I was extremely underwhelmed by the career mode.

 

[hutton]

This post made me want to play Virtua Tennis 4, but I just read that its been delisted for years due to a rumored licence expirations.

Does anyone know the actual story behind its disappearance?

 

[DarkManX]

Is that tiebreak going to have a better career mode?

I don't think the new Top Spin particularly felt bad to play but I was extremely underwhelmed by the career mode.

Click to shrink...

View: https://youtu.be/ZuHT3VuFL7k?si=TCKlR-s28RDErJbX

I think this can give you an idea of what to expect.

 

[Ant_17]

Obviously table tennis by rockstar

 

[manutoo]

I've read Top Spin has full crossplay so that's great, I don't think Tennis Elbow does but if you own it on Xbox I'd love to play you for sure.

Click to shrink...

TE4 is cross-play.

If you need help with Modding the game & setting things up, check this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJaeeajQi1M .

This is strongly recommended to complete the tutorial ( = "Tennis School") to get the hang of the game.

Note : I'm the game author. 🙂

 

[wackojackosnose]

Note : I'm the game author. 🙂

Click to shrink...

Hey I'm really enjoying this on the Xbox! :D
Any chance we can use the dpad as an input for the menus though?

 

[Dash Kappei]

LOL I knew it. I also bought Top Spin 2k25 today.
Tennis Elbow 4 and Top Spin serve two different "tennis" needs. Having a blast trying to learn Elbow 4, but yesterday night I also played 2 hours of Top Spin vs my brother in local play on my huge 220" screen and it was great fun!

I kinda hate the "lag" or sluggishness of moving your character around, especially changing direction I know there must be friction or it'd be too easy to hit perfect shots and no risk/reward, but that felt heavy. Is that a thing or is it my projector having bad response time? I can play arcade games in the thing so I'm leaning it's the former option?

Also, we played local vs and the players didn't change court's side every odd numbered game WTF?! Always playing at the top is a disadvantage and every tennis game ever had you change sides for this reason. And couldn't find an option to enable it, please tell me it's there? 🙏🏻

crazillo we gotta play together man! Btw, my gt is dashkap

TE4 is cross-play.

If you need help with Modding the game & setting things up, check this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJaeeajQi1M .

This is strongly recommended to complete the tutorial ( = "Tennis School") to get the hang of the game.

Note : I'm the game author. 🙂

Click to shrink...

Oh wow congrats man, you've made one hell of a game it's unbelievable you're a solo dev, I'm floored. Will definitely ping you once I'm done with the Tennis School and let me say that seeing mod support on console AND crossplay put a huge smile on my face!

I don't have a suggestion as i am unfamiliar with the genre, but i wanna send good vibes your way.

Click to shrink...

it felt good reading that, thanks a lot 🥹

 

[PaulieWalnutsASMR]

Oh man. I haven't thought about video tennis in a long time.

Is there a successor of sorts to Sega Superstars Tennis? Like a more arcadey easy to grasp kind? I played my friend's copy expecting to enjoy it ironically but ended up playing the hell out of it.

 

[Dash Kappei]

Oh man. I haven't thought about video tennis in a long time.

Is there a successor of sorts to Sega Superstars Tennis? Like a more arcadey easy to grasp kind? I played my friend's copy expecting to enjoy it ironically but ended up playing the hell out of it.

Click to shrink...

Depends on the platform. Current ones I guess only Mario Tennis Aces on Switch.

 

[manutoo]

Hey I'm really enjoying this on the Xbox! :D
Any chance we can use the dpad as an input for the menus though?

Click to shrink...

Technically, it'd be easy, but I'd rather not clog anymore the control screen, which is kinda overcrowded already... 😱

Oh wow congrats man, you've made one hell of a game it's unbelievable you're a solo dev, I'm floored.

Click to shrink...

Thanks ! 🙂

 

[FamilyTeam]

I think a real tennis player will judge a Tennis videogame differently than a videogamer that just wants to have fun. I hope a tennis player replies. As for me? Nothing beats Virtua Tennis, even the 360 games.

Click to shrink...

I played Tennis games all my life. My favourite tennis games are still Virtua Tennis 1 and 2. I have many other good Tennis games I'd shout out, but I could live on those two alone for the rest of my life.
As "unrealistic" as both of them are, they frankly convey the "idea" of Tennis much better than most other tennis games ever could hope to, and frankly that's far more important than actual realism imo: it feels how you think tennis should feel. This on top of the fact they're genuinely just incredibly well made games, brimming with detail, extremely fun and highly strategic. I find myself playing both games even if I'm not exactly having a tennis phase at the moment.

 

[Dynamic3]

LOL I knew it. I also bought Top Spin 2k25 today.
Tennis Elbow 4 and Top Spin serve two different "tennis" needs. Having a blast trying to learn Elbow 4, but yesterday night I also played 2 hours of Top Spin vs my brother in local play on my huge 220" screen and it was great fun!

I kinda hate the "lag" or sluggishness of moving your character around, especially changing direction I know there must be friction or it'd be too easy to hit perfect shots and no risk/reward, but that felt heavy. Is that a thing or is it my projector having bad response time? I can play arcade games in the thing so I'm leaning it's the former option?

Also, we played local vs and the players didn't change court's side every odd numbered game WTF?! Always playing at the top is a disadvantage and every tennis game ever had you change sides for this reason. And couldn't find an option to enable it, please tell me it's there? 🙏🏻

crazillo we gotta play together man! Btw, my gt is dashkap



Oh wow congrats man, you've made one hell of a game it's unbelievable you're a solo dev, I'm floored. Will definitely ping you once I'm done with the Tennis School and let me say that seeing mod support on console AND crossplay put a huge smile on my face!



it felt good reading that, thanks a lot 🥹

Click to shrink...

(Also an avid player IRL.)

I agree about the sluggishness, I feel like I can't get to balls that I definitely should.

Also, I probably just suck ass, but I'm having a hard time adjusting to the huge variance in meter speed. Like, I get it, it's supposed to represent your prep time, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it.

This is super pedantic, but how does a "2K5" game have largely prior gen equipment. Gimme that Blade v9 lol.