Top Spin 4

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 86
  3. Negative: 3 out of 86
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  1. schwellie
    Mar 18, 2011
    8
    I've been playing tennis games for years and years and I must say it's been a long time since I've been this impressed with one. Top Spin 4 offers a realistic tennis experience where you literally have to fight for every point, right down to the last shot.

    I played my first match on "Normal" difficulty and found myself thrashing Wozniacki 6-0 6-0 with Ivanovic. Definitely start on "Hard"    I've been playing tennis games for years and years and I must say it's been a long time since I've been this impressed with one. Top Spin 4 offers a realistic tennis experience where you literally have to fight for every point, right down to the last shot.

    I played my first match on "Normal" difficulty and found myself thrashing Wozniacki 6-0 6-0 with Ivanovic. Definitely start on "Hard" if you've mastered Top Spin 3. My next match was far more intense. I decided to play Williams on Grass on "Hard" and the outcome was far closer - a 7-6(4) 6-3 victory after close to an hour of play. Top Spin 4's gameplay is intense and you really have to work for every single point which is very refreshing especially if you're a tennis game fanatic like myself.

    While Gameplay feels and looks amazing, the sound department definitely could have used a bit more work; audience reactions to points seem a bit premature, the umpires sound as static as in Top Spin 3 and the grunts are horribly mismatched to specific players. Some of the player chants ("come on", "yeah") are so obviously dubbed and sound more like they are coming from someone giving commentary than from someone on the court.

    Something that would have been a nice addition to the Top Spin series that is obviously lacking in the fourth installment is the incorporation of the challenge system used on the real Pro Tennis Tour - something that features in Smash Court Tennis 3 and would have made gameplay even more exciting. I played many points where shots landed right on the line or seemed impossibly in and it would have been a nice touch if your opponent could challenge the calls.

    All this aside, Top Spin 4 can be described as a solid, well rounded tennis simulation game. Gameplay is fast, exciting and intense and this game is hands down the most realistic tennis game ever made. One can only hope that Virtua Tennis 4 and Grand Slam Tennis (from EA) will take notes from this game.    … Expand
  2. Jobadkins
    Mar 23, 2011
    10
    I cant seem to understand certain reviewers on this game.This is the BEST tennis game ever created so why in the original Top Spin still higher rated then 2,3 and now 4.This game is downright amazing in every aspect.Top spin 3 in my opinion was frustrating in the beginning but after a while of getting the controls it was amazing.It was a revolution in the tennis genre.This game isn'tI cant seem to understand certain reviewers on this game.This is the BEST tennis game ever created so why in the original Top Spin still higher rated then 2,3 and now 4.This game is downright amazing in every aspect.Top spin 3 in my opinion was frustrating in the beginning but after a while of getting the controls it was amazing.It was a revolution in the tennis genre.This game isn't frustrating at all but brilliant all over the place.Sports games are really getting good now a days.With the show as my favorite then nba 2k11,I say this is third on my favorites then Fight night champion as 4th.Top Spin 4 is smart,fun,exciting and the replay value is off the charts.FINALLY Tennis at it's best!… Expand
  3. Alexcritic24
    Nov 9, 2011
    9
    of course it isn't the perfect game of all of them but out of all of the sport games i have ever played, this is the best one. i feel it is almost impossible to improve the graphics, and the variety of shots is amazing. for any tennis fans, a must buy!
  4. Andoloo
    Aug 29, 2013
    4
    When a video game series becomes less accessible and more difficult to master than the actual sport it was based on, something has gone horribly awry. I'm not sure what game the reviewers were playing, but as for myself, I think I'll stick with the actual sport, or better yet, the infinitely more fun and superior looking Virtua Tennis series. (This game looks even worse than it plays.)
  5. Qwik
    Apr 23, 2011
    8
    Of all the tennis games ever released, this is the best. Stays true to tennis as a sport, yet provides fun and simplicity. Graphics are good and achievements are fun. Multiplayer is great. If you're into Tennis, this is the one for you.
  6. dronedriller
    Mar 20, 2011
    9
    Being a huge tennis fan, I've been playing all the previous Top Spin games and I can safely say, that this is the best one so far. The mechanics are very strong, and really give you the sense of playing tennis, not a video game. Focus has been put on timing, as opposed to complex stick work as in for example the NHL franchise, and it works very well. Animations look stunning and althoughBeing a huge tennis fan, I've been playing all the previous Top Spin games and I can safely say, that this is the best one so far. The mechanics are very strong, and really give you the sense of playing tennis, not a video game. Focus has been put on timing, as opposed to complex stick work as in for example the NHL franchise, and it works very well. Animations look stunning and although the overall visuals are not spectacular, they do their job. The career mode is huge, and online lag-free. Remember to crank up the difficulty to "Hard" though, as your opponents are often found wanting on lower settings.… Expand
  7. Ixziga
    Jun 13, 2011
    8
    The first thing I need to say is that for anyone who genuinely enjoys the sport of tennis, this is the best tennis game out there. Top Spin 4 gets rid of over-bearing complexities from the previous title and focuses the skill involved on timing and snap decision making, and with faster players and easier-to-control shots, every point in the Top Spin 4 is a battle, and it can get veryThe first thing I need to say is that for anyone who genuinely enjoys the sport of tennis, this is the best tennis game out there. Top Spin 4 gets rid of over-bearing complexities from the previous title and focuses the skill involved on timing and snap decision making, and with faster players and easier-to-control shots, every point in the Top Spin 4 is a battle, and it can get very exciting.
    This game is probably the perfect mid-ground between simulation and arcade, and the level of simplicity the formula turns Top spin 4 into a sort of easy to learn, hard to master. Let's face it, anyone who wants a complete tennis simulation is just going to go outside and play tennis, so this was a very good move.
    The way the tennis games are presented now are very convincing. The camera follows that of a TV broadcast and the players react realistically to points. Winning a hard earned point is all the sweeter when you can see you're player arm pumping and shouting with excitement. Also the career mode had me convinced, it actually fills in a roster of 80 tennis players and they move up and down the ladder just like you do. For a tennis game, it's amazingly immersive. So why does it have an 8/10 from me? Because There are a few problems that cut to the very core of the game experience, the largest one being the controls. The button layout is great and I have no problem with that, the problem is actually whether or not the game feels like responding to you're button presses. There is nothing more aggravating than almost breaking the left analog stick with frustration as your tennis player just stands there unresponsive, and usually he'll jump into action at the last second - going the wrong way. There are plenty of times that games I played against my friends came down to whose controls responded, and there are plenty of times the player will stand there with his racket up waiting for the ball to come, and then just watch it fly by.
    I didn't notice the controller lag at first, but the harder difficulties you play and the faster the game gets, it's blatantly obvious, ESPECIALLY when playing at the net in doubles. This probably happens because of the automation of the left stick, which gets over worked because the poor thing has to do the role of moving AND aiming. The system certainly isn't perfect, but when it works, it feels great! I only wish it worked more often
    Basically, if you're in the mood for a tennis game, put the money down. The price has already dropped significantly and it's the best virtual tennis experience out there for the moment. The multiplayer is tons of fun and the career mode is surprisingly deep. Just be ready for some genuinely confusing and aggravating lost points from controller lag.    … Expand
  8. EarlHarrison360
    Mar 25, 2011
    10
    After playing Top Spin 4 the rest of "simulators" are no match for this tennis great game. Graphically is brilliant and the gameplay is excellent. No doubt the king on clay or any surface that is your preference.
  9. BoomFantana
    Apr 30, 2011
    10
    Superb. Tweaks to the core gameplay mechanics improve the game massively over Top Spin 3. Power shots are so much easier to pull of, character movement and animation are first class and the depth behind the gameplay makes this a must for tennis fans..
  10. tennisgamer365
    Apr 7, 2014
    7
    Top spin 4 is a great game, it has all the features you would wan't from a tennis game, this category being my strength in reviews, I was pretty amazed.
    I once was a Virtua Tennis fan, but now I see the pressure is on SEGA, amazing gameplay, accurate shot making, and brave shots are included in this great game. Career mode is a calendar, settings are easy to control, it really is so basic    Top spin 4 is a great game, it has all the features you would wan't from a tennis game, this category being my strength in reviews, I was pretty amazed.
    I once was a Virtua Tennis fan, but now I see the pressure is on SEGA, amazing gameplay, accurate shot making, and brave shots are included in this great game. Career mode is a calendar, settings are easy to control, it really is so basic to play, and for a pretty cheap game, 2k Sports have done well.    … Expand
  11. zuchatec
    Oct 31, 2014
    7
    The game is good but gets bored quickly. Career mode after some time is monnotony. Animations better than virtua tennis 4. There is no tournament mode so for a minus. Sometimes just wanted to play the US Open or the Australian Open. Gives 7 because and so the best game of tennis.
  12. zugges
    Oct 31, 2014
    5
    The game is boring. The career mode bored quickly and annoy. Animations lousy players. Tournaments to be played only in career mode. You can play moments but it's not for long hours.
  13. ANTtheKNEEEE
    Mar 15, 2022
    8
    So many bad tennis games in general. But this one was my favorite. The serving felt so smooth.
  14. Rubiales
    Apr 15, 2020
    8
    This game is even better than it's predecessor, even more realistic and with more tennis players to play with.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
80
#80 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. Gamestyle
    Jun 19, 2011
    80
    Top Spin 4 is a fantastic game and definitely the best tennis game currently on the market. There a few minor flaws, but for every negative, there are a hundred more positives. The realism of the game play is leaps and bounds ahead of competitors and predecessors in the series, but there are still a few loose ends that need to be tied up.
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  2. Console Monster
    May 30, 2011
    85
    Overall, 2K has addressed most of the issues gamers had with the previous game and produced a quality game for both casual and hardcore gamers. If you are looking for a tennis game that delivers a unique control system, coupled with an interesting levelling based system for your created player, and have enough replay value for your cash, then its match point to Top Spin 4.
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  3. Videogameszone.de
    May 24, 2011
    88
    Top Spin 4 offers a lot of emotion on the court. The controls are very good but you will need a lot of time to master timing in every situation.
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