Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 52
  2. Negative: 1 out of 52
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  1. AceGamez
    90
    Top Spin 2 takes everything that was great about the original and enhances it with some simply fantastic next generation visuals, adds even more depth to the gameplay and controls, delivers a comprehensive Career mode complete with sponsorship, trainers and even fully customisable bling and new rackets to buy, and provides a lag free and highly enjoyable (when you're winning!) online experience.
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    90
    An excellent tennis game. There is not much to complain about, except for the bit too steep learning curve. Freeform strike-practice wold not have hurt, either. [Aug 2006, p.46]
  3. Games Master UK
    87
    Racquet-chuckingly frustrating at first, but rewardingly rich after a few plays. [May 2006, p.55]
  4. Game Informer
    85
    Overall, Top Spin 2 gets the job done with an attention to detail that might be a bit offputting to casual fans. [May 2006, p.104]
  5. The character development elements of career mode are well emplaced and coincide nicely with the unique features of training mode and the participation of your player in different regionals, opens, and slams.
  6. A dream title for sports gamers. Not only does it improve upon its forerunner, it completely revamps its gameplay engine making for an absolutely blissful virtual tennis experience.
  7. Top Spin 2 usurps its originator in every regard. The amount of detail is breathtaking at times and the career mode exhibits a vast amount of depth, not to mention the open-ended create-a-player feature.
  8. 83
    2K Games and PAM Development have crafted an immensely satisfying game of tennis that will likely draw in any gamer with the patience and will to make it through the fairly steep learning curve.
  9. It does look sharp, and the idea of making your own player and taking him online for his own Xbox Live career is intriguing. And the offline career mode is much better than the first game.
  10. The gameplay has been sharpened to create an experience that expertly balances technicality and quick, accessible fun. Add to that a first-rate presentation and some solid solo and multiplayer offerings, and you've got a package that any tennis fan would be foolish to pass up.
  11. 81
    While there is little new introduced to the series and the presentational side of the game feels a tad dated with hardly better than average graphics to show, the gameplay remains slick and highly pleasing.
  12. The spotty player movement, slightly difficult-to-control shots and almost too highly skilled A.I. take what could have been a classic and make it into just a great game.
  13. 81
    Graphically, TS2 doesn’t look a heck of a lot prettier than it did on its Xbox debut.
  14. 80
    And even though the character float problem persists, the new tournament save option and improved aesthetics (some really nice lighting work can be seen in some of the outdoor courts) are worth the upgrade.
  15. The career mode is loaded with challenges, the online play is suitable (if a bit average), and the create-a-player mode is off the charts in design features.
  16. Official Xbox Magazine
    80
    On Xbox Live, Top Spin 2 shines just as brightly as its predecessor. There are leaderboards and tiered matchmaking--all of it lag-free. [May 2006, p.81]
  17. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    80
    Top Spin 2 does a fine job of delivering tense smack-the-ball-back-and-forth action. [May 2006, p.88]
  18. They have certainly spent a lot of time tweaking the gameplay mechanics to create something more entertaining and more importantly, fair online, however there are still some minor quibbles that will displease.
  19. Boomtown
    80
    The game looks and sounds delightful, and is every bit as good as you expect.
  20. Even with a number of sloppy audio problems and an overall game that feels strikingly similar to Top Spin on the Xbox, it's still hugely addictive.
  21. Edge Magazine
    80
    Developer PAM has reinvented a game that no longer strives to be a thinking man’s alternative to Virtua, but something altogether superior. [May 2006, p.94]
  22. This game is listed at $39.99 - which is twenty dollars less than most Xbox 360 games. If you are a tennis fan, you have no reason to not pick this game up.
  23. It obviously looks and sounds great being a 360 title, with subtle differences in audio over the different courts most obvious, but you’ll also notice that a little more effort has been made to make the courts more animated than in previous titles.
  24. X-ONE Magazine UK
    80
    Just don't spend much time on your own, as those cheating AI bastards will make your blood boil. [Issue#6, p.98]
  25. The next-gen quotient could have been higher (the online area is fairly weak), as Top Spin 2 sometimes seems like a slightly better version of the original. A bit more thought put into the gameplay definition of “next-gen” would have paid large dividends.
  26. With all the gameplay mechanics still there, and good graphics, PAM have offered a ‘faster’ sequel, and one that should not be passed up.
  27. 78
    It's tougher and has a steeper learning curve than its predecessor and is less pick-up-and-playable than Virtua Tennis, however, so it loses some of that instant charm and quick play that gave both of those titles such light touches.
  28. Perhaps it was my lack of real interest or the length of time since I played the first game, but the challenge level was a little intimidating.
  29. The actual gameplay is pretty polished and the online play makes it easy to keep up a long-term love affair for tennis fans or, I suppose, people who really enjoyed Pong.
  30. It doesn’t look as good as it could quite easily have done, and nowhere near enough progression from the first title has been made to justify it being referred to as a sequel. However, the engine is still solid enough to provide an enjoyable and often blister-inducing game of tennis.
  31. 70
    It has an uncanny appreciation for the nuances of real tennis. It's smart and unforgiving.
  32. Unusually addicting and accessible for a serious sports game, Top Spin 2 offers a lot of gameplay for a very reasonable $40.
  33. Top Spin 2 is a fine tennis title and a game you'll have a lot of fun with off or online, but one that does little to justify its price tag, and is little more than a high def update of the original.
  34. What surprises me about Top Spin 2 is exactly how accurately it resembles a real game of tennis.
  35. Fun and addictive in short bursts with enough depth to sustain your interest to longer sessions.
  36. Play Magazine
    70
    It's all about the career mode in Top Spin 2, where you can build your own superstar through the ranks. [May 2006, p.54]
  37. games(TM)
    70
    Risk shots aside, though, this is a near perfect tennis game, making it even more of a shame that they’re so imperfectly implemented. [May 2006, p.110]
  38. 70
    If you're into tennis games then Top Spin 2 comes highly recommended, just don't expect a completely upgraded game.
  39. Jaw-droppingly beautiful to look at, no worse to play than its excellent originator, but not really that much of a step forward. New balls, please!
  40. Though it's not without its faults, this is still an ace tennis simulation.
  41. Top Spin 2 is the first next-gen tennis game, and that in itself is bound to attract some attention. However, even with all the bells and whistles it still isn't any more fun than Virtua Tennis was so many years ago, and in fact it suffers nnumerous crippling flaws. Only the most devoted tennis fans should really care about this one.
  42. 70
    Not mind-blowing, but it’s worth checking out if you like sports games.
  43. 360 Gamer Magazine UK
    70
    Close, but no Robinson's Barley Water. [Issue #7]
  44. The visuals are lovely, though, and although they're not the most fluid the frame rate is acceptable throughout given the realtime shadows, cloud effects and three-dimensional crowd.
  45. The online mode is very bare bones – there are rankings, but that’s about it.
  46. Its gameplay is genuinely good, particularly in the way it emulates the touch and feel that are such hallmarks of the real sport, but its uninspired delivery and dated Career design leave it a step or two behind the ball.
  47. 65
    Perhaps with a better balanced career mode and some optimized loading times we can finally get the tennis game we have all been dreaming of, for now TS2 will simply have to do.
  48. A bit of a mixed bag. A half-decent tennis sim crocked by middle of the road graphics and an infuriatingly stupid and poorly implemented career mode.
  49. 60
    For a game trying to give a realistic tennis experience, the ranking and simulation system is downright embarassing.
  50. 60
    A decent sequel to the first game that is ultimately mired by an intolerably imbalanced career mode.
  51. Computer Games Magazine
    60
    Top Spin 2 is the most complete tennis experience on any platform to date. [July 2006, p.93]
  52. 40
    Top Spin 2 shares a lot of traits with its predecessor, but they’re overshadowed a bit by the maddening difficulty and A.I. fluctuations and graphics that don’t really scream “next gen.”
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Negative: 7 out of 25
  1. JobAdkins
    Feb 23, 2008
    9
    I absolutely love this game.I've played both this and Virtua tennis 3's game.That game has more of and arcade feel and getsI absolutely love this game.I've played both this and Virtua tennis 3's game.That game has more of and arcade feel and gets extremely frustrating in the world tour late in the game.Top Spin 2 just plays so realistic,I love it.I just wish that there was more mini games like in Virtua Tennis 3 game.But in the game play department This game can not be topped,I hope that in Top Spin 3 there is commentary and a much more variety of mini games.I give this game a 9.2. Full Review »
  2. Aug 6, 2014
    10
    I recently bought this game I knew it was one of the oldest 360 games out there. I love tennis so I had to try it. I have played Top Spin onI recently bought this game I knew it was one of the oldest 360 games out there. I love tennis so I had to try it. I have played Top Spin on Ps2 many times. TS 2 Is better. The movements are improved and the career mode is challenging and has added drama with giving you a rival. The career mode follows the tennis schedule wonderfully. You have to train ferociously to be able to beat the top players in the game with your career player. I played Top Spin 3 on Nintendo Wii it was lacking everything this game has already. I picked this game up for under 8 dollars. Well worth a try for any fan of tenns. Full Review »
  3. ManoloB.
    May 25, 2007
    9
    Someone who ever played real tennis will love this game. Of course it's difficult, but who said real tennis was not. After a few matches Someone who ever played real tennis will love this game. Of course it's difficult, but who said real tennis was not. After a few matches you'll get the controls, and then, the whole experience will make sense. I've played Virtua Tennis 3, and I can say, without being wrong, that the IA in Top Spin 2 is the best of all tennis games ever. If you're looking for an easy path to victory pick up Virtua Tennis 3, but if you really want to know how real tennis looks like, play this game. Full Review »