Top Spin 1 for the original XBOX was probably the game that I played the most, more than Halo 2 even. Top Spin got boring after a while because the customization of players in career midewas too simple with only 4 categories with 14 possible stars to max out and 4 special shots. Now, Top Spin 2 has 11 categories with 60 stars possible to max out and then to upgrade (granted you get stars easier so this doesn't take forever). You also learn "special shots" as the career progresses.

Graphics:

- probably the weakest point of the game. They don't maximize the potential of the 360 and aren't a huge step from Top Spin 1, but they are effective.

-the courts look very nice and react as they should to certain shots

-Only 2 camera angles which is disappointing. The cool mega-close-up angle from Top Spin 1 was also removed so now you have "zoom" and a far camera angle. I suggest using zoom because with the other angle, you move to the other side of the court and the controls are upside down (to make a shot go short, you press forward on the control stick which is the opposite on the other side of the court). Unfortunately, zoom angle isn't available for doubles which is a shame.

-When creating players, it is difficult to make your player look normal if you customize him yourself. Better to select a DNA and make minor changes.

Sound

-Players grunt and you can even customize when they grunt when creating a character

Gameplay

-Some groundstrokes look awkward like one where the player stands in open stance and kind of slaps at the ball

-Even with the vollie skill maxed, players miss extremely easy vollies and overheads. There really isn't a huge advantage to maxing out vollie because, as far as I can tell, have a 10 vollie player is only a little better than a 5 star vollie player. It's a bad idea to sacrifice other important skills for vollie skills

-AI is rather weak all around. I have no problem winning every match without much difficulty except when playing Guillermo Coria (he is kind of like the Michael Chang of this version, but not as bad)

-ability to sim is VERY important so you don't have to waste 15 minutes beating some minor tournament when trying to improve your ranking. Don't, under any circumstance, try to simulate games vs. your rival (some guy from your country who messages you occasionally and makes stupid remarks when you win) because you will lose most of the time. The game doesn't think highly of you vs. most players so you should win a game or two and then simulate the rest of the match once you have "proved your dominance".

-One way to gain stars it to train. It costs money and you get to do mini-games. For instance, you have to hit 3 big balls with shots and try to get them to cross the base line. A problem is presented when one of the big balls bounces funny and is stuck way up front, so you can't really hit it with any shot except for a drop shot. This gets annoying.

-Another problem with the training system is that you HAVE to take the stars rewarded to you when you complete an exercise. For instance, I wanted to add stamina, forehand, and backhand stars to one of my guys. I had him complete the exercise that works on forehand, backhand, and spins. I maxed out my forehand and backhand at 10, but the game made me use the extra stars from the exercise on spins, even though I didn't want to. The only way to prevent this, that I know of, is to purposely fail the exercise so you only get 1 star, and repeat. This makes you lose lots of money though

I feel like I am ragging too much. This really is a terrific game and is very immersive. You will have a great time progressing through your career and making unique players who specialize in different things. I have created 4 players, all very different, and all very fun to play with.

Don't forget, you can play on Live too, singles and doubles!
Top Spin 1 for the original XBOX was probably the game that I played the most, more than Halo 2 even. Top Spin got boring after a while because the customization of players in career midewas too simple with only 4 categories with 14 possible stars to max out and 4 special shots. Now, Top Spin 2 has 11 categories with 60 stars possible to max out and then to upgrade (granted you get stars easier so this doesn't take forever). You also learn "special shots" as the career progresses. Graphics:

- probably the weakest point of the game. They don't maximize the potential of the 360 and aren't a huge step from Top Spin 1, but they are effective. -the courts look very nice and react as they should to certain shots

-Only 2 camera angles which is disappointing. The cool mega-close-up angle from Top Spin 1 was also removed so now you have "zoom" and a far camera angle. I suggest using zoom because with the other angle, you move to the other side of the court and the controls are upside down (to make a shot go short, you press forward on the control stick which is the opposite on the other side of the court). Unfortunately, zoom angle isn't available for doubles which is a shame. -When creating players, it is difficult to make your player look normal if you customize him yourself. Better to select a DNA and make minor changes. Sound

-Players grunt and you can even customize when they grunt when creating a character

Gameplay

-Some groundstrokes look awkward like one where the player stands in open stance and kind of slaps at the ball

-Even with the vollie skill maxed, players miss extremely easy vollies and overheads. There really isn't a huge advantage to maxing out vollie because, as far as I can tell, have a 10 vollie player is only a little better than a 5 star vollie player. It's a bad idea to sacrifice other important skills for vollie skills

-AI is rather weak all around. I have no problem winning every match without much difficulty except when playing Guillermo Coria (he is kind of like the Michael Chang of this version, but not as bad)

-ability to sim is VERY important so you don't have to waste 15 minutes beating some minor tournament when trying to improve your ranking. Don't, under any circumstance, try to simulate games vs. your rival (some guy from your country who messages you occasionally and makes stupid remarks when you win) because you will lose most of the time. The game doesn't think highly of you vs. most players so you should win a game or two and then simulate the rest of the match once you have "proved your dominance". -One way to gain stars it to train. It costs money and you get to do mini-games. For instance, you have to hit 3 big balls with shots and try to get them to cross the base line. A problem is presented when one of the big balls bounces funny and is stuck way up front, so you can't really hit it with any shot except for a drop shot. This gets annoying. -Another problem with the training system is that you HAVE to take the stars rewarded to you when you complete an exercise. For instance, I wanted to add stamina, forehand, and backhand stars to one of my guys. I had him complete the exercise that works on forehand, backhand, and spins. I maxed out my forehand and backhand at 10, but the game made me use the extra stars from the exercise on spins, even though I didn't want to. The only way to prevent this, that I know of, is to purposely fail the exercise so you only get 1 star, and repeat. This makes you lose lots of money though

I feel like I am ragging too much. This really is a terrific game and is very immersive. You will have a great time progressing through your career and making unique players who specialize in different things. I have created 4 players, all very different, and all very fun to play with. Don't forget, you can play on Live too, singles and doubles!