Wii Warm Up: Table Tennis falls flat
There were some mixed opinions on the look of the port of Rockstar's Table Tennis for the Wii, but it's likely we all hoped for a good game, regardless of looks. Unfortunately, from our own JC Fletcher's impressions at PAX, it looks like we're not even getting that. Instead of something that builds on the smooth controls of a game like Wii Sports, Table Tennis sounds like a nightmare. Like us, were you hoping for something better, or were you expecting a less-than-optimal port experience? Or, just to make sure all bases are covered -- does the complicated control scheme actually seem appealing to you? After all, different gamers prefer different things.














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-25-2007 @ 10:56AM
todde7 said...
Well they said that there are 3 different control schemes so I would think that would cover everyone. Its not like the 360 or PS3 have different control schemes. If they release this game at $29.99 or less I'll buy it just cuz it was so fun for 360.
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8-25-2007 @ 11:01AM
srenehan said...
"complicated control scheme actually seem appealing to you?"
Uhh... to me it looks like you use the D-Pad to decide on the spin to put on the ball, and the analog nunchuck to decide on ball placement...
how's that complex? I can see table tennis not showing well with the wii controls at PAX... it's a weired environment to play it in, but the controls don't really seem all that complex to me.
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8-25-2007 @ 11:12AM
eppyjerk said...
The fact that the nunchuck is required at all is annoying enough.
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8-25-2007 @ 11:47AM
T-bone and Razor said...
That's certainly an odd scheme, show us the others
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8-25-2007 @ 12:21PM
Drew said...
What's odd is that IGN's hands-on w/ Table Tennis actually got me interested in the game. They said almost exactly the complete opposite of JC Fletcher.
Seems there's more controversy in Wiifanboyland.
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8-25-2007 @ 12:35PM
Joop said...
It ruins the entire point of the wiimote. All spin should be controlled with slight variations in the motion controls when you swing. Ball placement should be controlled in your swing timing. That's the point, to make it more like real table tennis as opposed to d-pad left while holding right trigger and pressing A + B rapidly.
This is the exact sort of swing-as-button-replacement nonsense that people inaccurately accused Tennis of having.
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8-25-2007 @ 1:09PM
vidGuy said...
I was waiting for this game because I think Wii controls could make it a lot more involved, but after universally bad previews I decided to just buy the 360 version for $20. It's a great game, but I'll stick with the original. I hope Rockstar's next Wii game does better.
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8-25-2007 @ 2:18PM
Bluebrake said...
There's just no excuse for a control scheme that complicated when your controller is a freaking PING PONG PADDLE.
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8-25-2007 @ 3:26PM
TWOO DEE said...
I welcome a challenge - that was actually my favorite part of Red Steel (no lie).
Still looking forward to this game...
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8-25-2007 @ 3:49PM
han said...
I think people have this perception that table tennis is easy or something, even at the elite level. It's not, and the controls should maybe reflect that
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8-25-2007 @ 3:58PM
Joop said...
@10
People also have this perception that table tennis is fun.
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8-25-2007 @ 4:11PM
ArturoWii said...
Maybe no company could exced the greatness of Wii Sports abaout motion control, only Nintendo could exced the quality of Wii Sports.
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8-25-2007 @ 4:52PM
Ryan M said...
Sometimes I think Rockstar does things like this on purpose because of their history with Nintendo.
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8-25-2007 @ 7:49PM
Dan said...
If you ask me, table tennis IS fun. =D
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8-26-2007 @ 12:39AM
todde7 said...
Man there are too many people who are judging games before they come out and especially before they get all the details on them. From what IGN says there are 3 control schemes and one of them doesn't need a nunchuck.
So #10, ur a dummy!
Also, the games not even out yet so why is everyone giving out crap about how Rockstar's next game should be done better. It's almost as bad as the whole Assassin's Creed deal. Don't you people realize that game companies are allowing people to play their game before it is even finished? You can't watch movies before they are finished. Stop complaining before its released or eventually we will probably lose the opportunity to play or preview games before they come out. You can whine all you want when its released.
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8-26-2007 @ 12:40AM
todde7 said...
Frick my bad! I meant #3 your a dummy!
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8-26-2007 @ 3:00PM
Michael K. said...
i have no faith in rockstar so i expected crap
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8-26-2007 @ 6:28PM
Jayenkai said...
Is it wrong of me to have expected a "That thing in your hand is the paddle.. Hit the ball with it!" control scheme?
What a shame.. I was really looking forward to this.
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8-27-2007 @ 8:07AM
Thomas said...
ping pong is a fast sport is it possible that rockstar coudln't coordinate the speed of pingpong with the timing needed too coordinate the actual swing of the Wiimote w/ the speed of the game. Its much easier to coordinate, a swing-as-as-button press, versus coordinating, an 'actual' swing, and trying to coordinate the speed of the swing, direction, angle, - basically all the properties associated with an actual swing. Remember this is just a port.
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