Many gamers will be familiar with Rockstar and their crime infested world that is the renowned Grand Theft Auto series. This has likely come as a bit of a surprise to most gamers, when Rockstar announced that they were making an exclusive title for Microsoft's Xbox 360. It's not exactly what we all expected now, is it? Well, Rockstar has indeed entered next-generation gaming with their first title for the Xbox 360; Rockstar Game's presents Table Tennis.

Rockstar has traded in the gritty crime world full of gangsters, guns and prostitutes for a sports based Ping-Pong turned Table Tennis game and what a fine treat it is. Don't expect to see any blood, swearing and before anyone asks, no, you cannot beat your opponent up with the Table Tennis racquet!

What is so good about this game is that it really just is Ping-Pong, but for the next generation. I'm sure anyone who grew up playing videogames at some point on whatever platform would have played Ping-Pong. This is what makes Rockstar's Table Tennis so appealing to the gaming masses the world over; simple game play and characters based from different parts of the globe and all with their own accents to match.

Gameplay

Rockstar's Table Tennis consists of a table, a net, a ball, two table tennis racquets and two opponents at either side of the table. The game play is truly pick-up and play, there’s literally hours and hours of fun to be had in multiplayer sessions. You simply have to knock the ball over the net and when your opponent returns it, you must then return it back; you keep this going until one of you fails to return it. In an online match an opponent and I got to over 100 rallies, basically returning the ball to each other until one of us failed. This is the first Xbox 360 game that will make you sweat! No, I'm serious.

There are the usual game modes of Exhibition, Tournament and Xbox Live; all of which are great fun, but of course online gaming marathons is where the most fun is at. There is also a Training mode, which proves to be useful and is sure to help you succeed in both offline and online gaming sessions.

There is one thing negative that needs mentioning and most games suffer from this in some way or another, and that’s the online play. Now 90% of the time it runs smooth but for the other 10%, it does not. It's some form of lag, basically as you hit the ball across the table and your opponent appears to be unable to reach the ball; well just keep on your toes, because it is just lag and all of a sudden as you think you have scored; your opponent disappears and then reappears in front of the ball, and whacks it home catching you off guard. The best tip here is just to watch the ball, because that doesn't lag, ignore the opponent if need be and focus on the ball. Do not let this put you off the game though, as it really only happens on rare occasions.

Graphics

The graphics shine and look generally stunning. Shadows can be seen on the characters bodies, there are wrinkles and creases in the characters' clothing which also move when the character moves. The table also generates its own shadow on the floor; the fluorescent lights on the ceiling shine on the polished floor and the 3D crowd move, cheer and shout your name or country in support. There are a total of nine different venues to play in, which all look authentic as best they can. These range from a coliseum to a dirty old basement.

Sound

The sound effects really are convincing, with the sound of the ball bouncing to the characters' own grunts and groans in their own accents as they hit the ball. The announcer’s voice is typical of that what you would hear in a normal table tennis arena. As you do well in rallies and the pressure is on, there is a soundtrack which kicks in for a few seconds, which sort of adds more pressure as you try to score. The best thing about the sound is the crowd; they cheer when you score from a long rally and when you are one point away from winning a match they chant your name or country. If you play poorly and knock the ball out then the crowd will also boo you!

Longevity

The longevity of this title depends on the player, if there is only one player, then things may become boring quite quickly. It is no secret that this game is at its best in multiplayer, whether that be local with two controllers or in online exhibition or tournament contests.

Overall

Sadly, there is none of that witty humor that we come to expect from Rockstar; which may have beefed things up a little bit if it was included. Rockstar's Table Tennis takes its self seriously as a sports game, so kudos goes to Rockstar for giving us something different, something pong. Don't be put off by the game being 20 notes cheaper than any other Xbox 360 title either; this is the most addictive sports game to come out on the Xbox 360 since launch. This game is most definitely worthy of a purchase solely based on the multiplayer. If you are not currently an Xbox Live Gold member then I would at least recommend a rental.

The Pros

The Cons