Top Spin 4 vs. Virtua Tennis 4: Roster Analysis
Both games are coming out this year and I thought I'd share my thoughts on who I think has the better roster. Both game developers will say that they have the better line up, but I think there is a one clear winner and here is my analysis.
Top Spin 4 - Full Roster
Total: 25 - Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer, Jim Courier, Rafael Nadal, Boris Becker, Serena Williams, Patrick Rafter, Michael Chang, Dinara Safina, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, Ivan Lendel, Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Caroline Wozniacki, Nikolay Davydenko, Gilles Simon, Bernard Tomic, Eugenie Bouchard, Stanislas Wawrinka, Vera Zvonareva, and Jelena Jankovic, Andre Agassi.
Virtua Tennis 4 - Full Roster
Total: 13 - Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, Gael Monfils, Fernando Gonzalez, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova and Laura Robson.
At first glance it looks Like Top Spin 4 does have a superior roster, and it may be so, but lets analyze that, shall we?
First let me say this, in my opinion all the legends in TS4 are great addition, but not nearly as crucial as current player addition. The reason is that games usually are targeted towards younger players and they drive the sales. I doubt many younger players care as much for legends as they do for a current players. Yes, there is a market for older games, but it is a mush smaller market. So for now, lets strip the legends, it is a definite and big plus for TS4, but lets analyze the current stars first.
Top Spin 4 - Current players only
Total: 10 - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko, Gilles Simon, Bernard Tomic, James Blake, Stanislas Wawrinka.
Total: 7 - Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Eugenie Bouchard, Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic.
Virtua Tennis 4 - Current players only
8 - Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, Gael Monfils, Fernando Gonzalez, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick.
5 - Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Laura Robson.
Right away, by simply looking at a total number of current players, TS4 has a clear edge. Lets go ahead and remove players that appear in both titles and concentrate on differences:
Top Spin 4 - Unique Players
Total: 5 - Nikolay Davydenko, Gilles Simon, Bernard Tomic, James Blake, Stanislas Wawrinka.
Total: 5 - Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Eugenie Bouchard, Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic.
Virtua Tennis 4 - Unique Players
Total: 3 - Juan Martin Del Potro, Gael Monfils, Fernando Gonzalez.
Total: 3 - Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Laura Robson.
Let's see now. Lets forget about the sore spot in form of Blake on the roster. He is not nearly as popular as he was 2 years ago and adds very little value to the roster, still nice to have him as a "setup" because of his unique power game. Lets do the "almost the same" with Fernando Gonzalez. Great player, but was injured and was even talking about retirement last year, nowhere to be seen this year. But once again a good unique power game.
I will call this a tie. Both players past their prime and on the way out.
Then we have Juan Martin Del Potro and Gael Monfils VS Nikolay Davydenko, Gilles Simon, Bernard Tomic and Stanislas Wawrinka. Granted, Del Potro is extremely popular, young, unique player that SHOULD be in any tennis game roster. Monfils is not far behind. This is a strong Duo and although TS4 gives us 2:1 ration to compensate, I still feel it is a close call. But not a tie. In fact, I think TS4 clearly wins by a small margin. Davydenko once was an unknown top 5 player, but he has been getting more spotlight lately and has got a game to bother Big Guns in Rafa and Roger, he is a great addition to the game. Simon is on the rise, once again. Just won a title, took Roger to 5 sets in AO. Unique defensive style with incredible counter punching ability. I know I made at least 3 Simon's in TS3. His style is what was missing in TS3 and with new changes in TS4 he should really showcase the progress in series.
Wawrinka and his beautiful BH earns major points from me for TS4. I think he is playing great at the moment, and will be playing good for the next 2 years, gaining in popularity. He has a beautiful game and should it transition well to TS4 will be one of my favorites.
Brnard Tomic is where TS4 has taken a chance. And I think it will pay off big time. He is a top 10 player in the next 2 years in my eyes. Will gain a lot of popularity by the end of year. Good move in my opinion.
So to underline, TS4 definitely takes the crown in Male player roster. While it wins in most categories by a little, it adds up and once you throw The Legends in, all 8 of them, its a no contest. Sure, it would be great to have Monfils back, Delpo and what happened to Berdych? ... but I am soooo looking forward to try Davy, Waw, Simon and Currier and others!
Bottom line, when given a choice of male roster only, TS4 is a clear favorite. If someone would offer you a game of your choice, VT or TS and then told you, you can have only one set of players - I am confident that majority of players (including me) would pick the TS4 lineup.
Lets look at the ladies in the game now. Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Laura Robson VS Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Eugenie Bouchard, Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic. Once again TS4 beats VT4 in numbers game. Lets say Williams sisters cancel each other out. Serena maybe a tad more popular, but a unique volley abilities of Venus make her great for video game. Laura Robson definitely wins over the young Eugenie Bouchard right now, but this is once again a chance that TS4 is taking. Not sure I agree with that bid, but it remains to be seen.
So we have left Maria Sharapova VS Dinara Safina, Vera Zvonareva and Jelena Jankovic. Maria is very popular and tough to beat. Safina is former #1 and is not playing great at the moment. This is a tricky pick for TS4 as she may never recover from her back injury, but if she does, this is a solid addition. I can see Dinara melting all over the court in TS4. Jankovic is a good pick. Granted, I am not a fan, but she is Very popular and lots of players just love to hate her. So they will enjoy beating down on her on the court, just to see her get all worked up.
Zvonareva I think is a great pick! She is very current and on the rise. Some say she is too defensive, but I enjoy her matches and prefer her to Wozniaki any day. Choker - yes, but who isn't in WS right now (Williams sisters aside)
Once again, I think TS4 takes it when it comes to ladies. More to chose from is a big factor here.
Winner: Top Spin 4.
Anyway you slice it, anyway you kick it - Top Spin 4 has the better roster in my book. At the risk of sounding American cliche - bigger is better when it comes to roster and TS4 delivers bigger.
AL