A lot of people are currently waiting for Rockstar Games to announce the next ones Grand Theft Auto. And look, I’m looking forward to a new one GTA Game. But I also know that one day it will happen. I’m far less sure we’ll ever get a sequel to Rockstar’s amazing table tennis game. 15 years later I’m still waiting.
Rockstar Games presents table tennis is a chunky name I admit. But it’s also the worst part of the game. Really the only bad thing about it. Everything else about this realistic take on table tennis is great. These is not a silly, parodied game full of fake advertising and violence as one would expect from Rockstar. It is a well done and a sharp looking table tennis game that happens to be so published by the people behind it GTA and Manhunt.
Table tennis was released on May 23, 2006, a few months after the Xbox 360 was released, and was our first look at what a next generation rock star game might look like. It was impressive to say the least. Characters looked like people, not weirdly lumpy action figures with huge hands like rock star games from the PS2 era. This is thanks to the RAGE engine, Rockstar’s proprietary engine that powers all of their games these days. And Table tennis was our first look at the power of RAGE and it was exciting.
If Table tennis had been just visual madness, that would have been enough to get people to play it. That was in 2006 early days of Xbox 360. There wasn’t a lot to play or that much would Show the power of the new console from Microsoft. A nice looking table tennis game would have been enough. But Rock star San Diego went and did a great table tennis game too. It strikes a perfect balance between arcade action and simulation. Anyone can pick it up and play, and within minutes they will be having fun and winning a few games. Hides underneath is An incredibly precise and responsive table tennis simulation.
To be clear This is not a boring simulation of Table tennis. Rockstar San Diego added enough flair and style to make sure you don’t fall asleep while watching or play. One of my favorite touches is how things get more intense the longer you keep a rally going. The music gets faster and louder, eventually the world around you and your opponent fades in the dark and the sound of the ball gets louder and louder. It simulates the way players focus on long rallies and works perfectly to signal the spectators that they are watching you play that Shit gets real.
Now imagine what Rockstar San Diego (or another Rockstar studio) could do with a new table tennis game in 2021. 4k visuals, 120 FPS gameplay, custom characters, online leagues, and more. I want the game. I can already Feel the unusual triggers and the haptic feedback of the PS5 controller, which reacts to every paddle stroke and swing.
G / O Media can receive a commission
Sad, I doubt we’ll get one Table tennis 2. At this point, Rockstar Games is more likely to add table tennis as an activity GTA Online. in addition, Table tennis served its purpose for Rockstar. It was a way for the developers to get RAGE up and running on a new console, paving the way GTA V. and Red Dead Redemption II.
But maybe one dayOnce Rockstar Games has more money than Google selling shit in GTA Online, we can get one Table tennis 2.
Or Bully 2. I’ll take either.
.
.
