The best tennis game on the planet. We're serious!

Wimbledon fever might have passed us by but we've finally got a tennis game to keep us gagging for strawberries and cream all year round.

But we've not just got 'another tennis game', oh no, Xbox is now host to the richest, deepest, most accessible tennis experience ever, and yes, that does include Sega's once mighty Virtua Tennis. In fact, we would go as far as to say it's even better than the real thing. And that's coming from a genuine fan of the sport.

Since the launch of Xbox we've had to endure some simply shocking attempts. FILA World Tennis, Tennis Masters Series 2003 and Pro Tennis WTA Tour weren't worth the grass they're played on. Why quality tennis games are so few and far between is beyond us, but we're thankful to PAM for giving Xbox a tennis game to not shout 'fault' at.

Every button on the controller is vital in making your Grand Slam dream reality, but if you've never played a tennis game before, you'll be acing opponents in no time thanks to the A button. This is basically your safe shot. It won't go like a rocket but you're assured a shot that will get over the net. A good starting point.

Once you've got this licked, you can bring in the other buttons to spice up your rallies. The B button is your top spin shot. Timing this perfectly produces a fast low return of the ball and if you get the angle right, it can be turned into a clean winner with a little practice.

On the other side of the court is the spin shot (X). This can be used to return a ball slowly over the net, allowing you to get back into position ready to receive. Once you've improved your character's stat points, you'll be able to slice and curl the ball left and right, which really annoys a human opponent.

The Y button is the classic get-out-of-trouble shot, otherwise known as the lob. If your opponent's dominating the net, just hit this and watch them run backwards swinging at the ball like it's a pesky fly. On the other hand, you can flick the Left trigger to perform a drop shot if you're getting pummelled from the base line.

Pressing and holding down any button causes your player to wind up his shot before letting rip, while a quick tap produces more of a reflex shot. After playing a few games you'll soon be using your favourite shots in your favourite situations.

But there's one extra level that'll truly separate the men from the women and that's the Risk shot. Hitting and holding the Right trigger serves up a small meter with a line across the middle. The idea is that as another horizontal line moves up and down the column, you have to let go of the trigger when the line's in the middle. Release it perfectly and you'll hit a clean winner, miss the bar and you'll miss the court. It's your choice but it's worth it when you get it right. If you're not hooked up to Xbox Live, don't worry, there's plenty to see and do in the single-player game. It's a bit slow to start, as you begin as a rookie vying for attention at the bottom of the leader board. Win small-time matches for cash to buy equipment or travel the world to enter bigger tournaments.

Earn even more cash from completing training tasks and landing big-name sponsors and you're halfway to becoming the next Pete Sampras. It's more like a role-playing game than a tennis game, but you'll come out the other end a champion. Over Xbox Live you will be able to whack your mates' balls in both singles and doubles tournaments.

You really couldn't ask for more. Top Spin has the lot.

1. Looks incredible
2. Spot-on recreation
3. Loads of shots
4. Playable over Live

1. Running backwards can be frustrating
2. Slow to start in single-player

Power
Player and stadium details are incredible. It's the best looking tennis game we've ever seen.

Style
The single player game has been put together beautifully. There's as much to do as in any RPG.

Immersion
The ball sounds are perfect, as are the other effects, down to squeaks from trainers on hard courts.

Lifespan
The single-player game is massive but you'll be playing forever with your friends and on Xbox Live.

Overall Hands down this is the best tennis game in the world. Buy it even if you don't like tennis - you'll soon get hooked.