Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball

 GameCube
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Aug 12, 2002
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. Nintendophiles
    90
    The amount of fun that it provides is unbelievable, and its simple, arcade-style gameplay is wonderful.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    90
    For all its apparent lack of depth, Beach Spikers is surprisingly addictive and enjoyable on just about any level.
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  3. GameSpy
    89
    Addicting and incredibly fun.
  5. GameCube Europe
    88
    "Virtua Tennis" fans will feel right at home with Beach Spikers and new players will be blown way by its involving gameplay.
  6. netjak
    85
    While the single player aspects were shallow and unrewarding, the multiplayer is a huge success.
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  7. GameNow
    83
    Much like "Virtua Tennis," the game is great because it rewards anticipation. [Oct 2002, p.44]
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  8. Cinescape
    83
    Gameplay wise, the control is excellent.
  9. IGN
    82
    It's no simulation, nor is it the deepest experience to be had, but it is pretty and addictive all the same, particularly as a multiplayer venture.
  10. Nintendo Power
    82
    The wham-bam action is simple but always fun. It's almost like "Mario Tennis" with bikinis. [Aug 2002, p.143]
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  11. Armchair Empire
    82
    A very good game – not explosive, it won’t turn the gaming world on its head. But it is incredibly easy to pick-up and play.
  12. GameSpot
    81
    Consistently avoids any overt lewdness you might expect and rises above it by delivering an all-around excellent game with impressive visuals and tight, intuitive gameplay.
  13. GMR Magazine
    80
    Easy to pick up and easy to play, a la "Virtua Tennis." [Feb 2003, p.96]
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  14. TotalGames.net
    80
    Unfortunately, it’s also in the multiplayer mode that Beach Spikers manages to falter slightly thanks to the rather lacklustre selection of mini-games that have been.
  15. GamerWeb Nintendo
    80
    The play mechanics are rock solid, but the game is definitely lacking variety.
  16. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    80
    The most addictive gameplay this side of "Virtua Tennis." [Oct 2002, p.194]
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  17. Play Magazine
    80
    While it's not all that complex in its makeup (its a fairly simple game), the nuances, coupled with fantastic visual presentation, make it impossible to put down. [Sept 2002, p.72]
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  18. GamePen
    80
    I’ve had a lot of fun with Beach Spikers and if you have 3 friends, you can really have a blast with hot 2-on-2 action, if you know what I mean.
  19. Nintendojo
    77
    No matter how much fun it is to create your own partner and train them up, nothing compares to having a few friends over whom you can swear and throw cushions at when they miss simple balls.
  20. GameZone
    77
    If you have a lot of friends, you'll be pleased with Beach Spikers.
  21. Game Revolution
    75
    While the World Tour is interesting with its virtual pet teammate, it can get old and boring.
  22. XenGamers
    75
    The multiplayer action and graphics are solid, but insanely repetitive gameplay, sluggish controls, and an impractical utilization of unlockable items handicap the title.
  23. Eurogamer
    70
    As a multiplayer game though, Beach Spikers is exceptional – up there with "Virtua Tennis," "Soccer Slam" and "NBA 2K3" in Sega’s hall of fame.
  24. Gamestyle
    70
    Excels in a superb multiplayer mode that will keep your friends glued (or gawking at the screen).
  25. Maxim Online
    70
    The ho-hum game play won’t wow you.
  26. Yahoo!
    70
    Not a bad game, but fans hoping for a successor to the "Virtua Tennis" series will likely be a bit disappointed. This game just isn't as much fun or as well put together as the venerable tennis series.
  27. Gaming Age
    67
    With great visuals and gameplay, enjoyable multi-player modes, and the always fun to watch player reactions, Beach Spikers is worth at least a rental.
  28. Electric Playground
    65
    If only Sega and the IVF could both learn that lesson and promote volleyball on the merits of the game and of the athletes who play it, rather than their femaleness and enforced lack of clothing.
  29. GamePro
    60
    Looks pretty, but the flawed controls prevent it from having the wide appeal a sport featuring toned female athletes in bikinis should have.
  30. G4 TV
    60
    Features an excellent control scheme and upgraded graphics but it still feels shallow. The AI mode definitely could have been deeper and the addition of more extra features would have been a plus.
  31. Game Informer
    50
    There really isn't much here to recommend. The reason? As usual, suspect gameplay and poor camerawork are the culprits. [Sept 2002, p.85]
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  32. All Game Guide
    50
    It’s too simplistic and oftentimes annoying due to a hyperactive camera.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best GameCube Game of 2002
47
#47 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Kazuki
    Mar 17, 2012
    7
    [Spanish] Beach Spikers es un juego que se publicó para la GameCube en 2002, saliendo su versión arcade el año anterior,[Spanish] Beach Spikers es un juego que se publicó para la GameCube en 2002, saliendo su versión arcade el año anterior, es un juego atípico en lo que a juegos deportivos se refiere aunque este juego, no solo tiene chicas guapas, también tiene mucha, muchísima diversión Arcade made in Sega.

    Beach Spikers es una delicia para un entretenimiento sin complicaciones, una vez insertado el disco observamos varias cosas: El juego dispone de la opción de visionado en modo 60 Hz (480i) aunque no dispone de opción de TV Panorámica ni dispone de método de save de replays (Cosas que otros juegos de la época, como Virtua Striker 3, si que tenían) aunque vamos al lio, una vez en el cálido menú tenemos varios modos de juego:

    El Modo Arcade: Empezamos con 10 puntos hasta llegar a 15, aunque esto se puede modificar en el menú de opciones, deberemos elegir una selección de entre las 16 disponibles y superar varios partidos hasta enfrentarnos con quien tenga la mejor puntuación del Ranking.

    El Modo World Tour: Es un modo mas complejo, deberemos crear nuestro equipo, crear 2 jugadoras personalizadas, aunque al contrario que en el modo arcade en el modo World Tour solo manejaremos a una de las jugadoras y a la otra, le iremos subiendo una serie de atributos para mejorar su técnica, disponemos de 10 torneos, entre ellos el de Mikasa, Coca Cola, Sega o Nintendo. Al principio la jugadora de nuestro equipo manejada por la IA tendrá muchos fallos y carencias, una de ellas la     … Full Review »
  2. GamecubeLover
    Jul 25, 2016
    8
    Beach Spikers is entertaining for about 45 minutes cause it is a sports game so not to much variety and replay value but everything else isBeach Spikers is entertaining for about 45 minutes cause it is a sports game so not to much variety and replay value but everything else is good to me.… Full Review »
  3. Neuco
    May 8, 2008
    8
    Being that there aren't that many volleyball games out there, I must say, as a sports title, this game is pretty fun. If you liked any Being that there aren't that many volleyball games out there, I must say, as a sports title, this game is pretty fun. If you liked any of Sega's other Virtua sports series, you'll like this. Sexy girls, simple controls, and arcade style fun wrapped in a nice little package with that special Sega touch. All they need to do now is make a sequel for the Wii and improve on everything that makes it good, as well as include online play.… Full Review »
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