Virtua Tennis 2009 to be Released on Wii Sega announced yesterday in a press release that their best selling tennis series Virtua Tennis will be hitting store shelves in May 2009, that includes on the Nintendo Wii.  Before you Wii owners (myself included) start dreaming of Wii Sports tennis, only more responsive and on a grander scale, I caution you that they have not released any information on how the Wii's "unique" controls will factor into the game mechanics.  I am a little frightened that the Vice President of Marketing, Sean Radcliffe, chose the "Court Games" as the feature he wished to highlight for the Wii.   The last thing this console needs is another mini-game affair attached to wagglefest main feature. 

Stay hopeful Wii owners as Sega has begun to put forth some effort on Wii, perhaps that will trickle down into an enjoyable tennis experience that is enhanced and strengthened by the console's controls.

Virtua Tennis™ 2009 is confirmed for Wii release.

LONDON&SAN FRANCISCO (February 13th 2009) – SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that the Virtua Tennis™ series will, for the very first time, be released on the Wii™ system and will hit stores in May 2009.

Wii owners will finally be able to take to the courts in the fan’s number one tennis game, boasting all the features and arcade action that has made Virtua Tennis the most critically acclaimed and best selling tennis series available. Virtua Tennis 2009 for Wii includes the same impressive player roster as Virtua Tennis 2009 on other platforms, meaning top stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams will all be in the game, as well as players new to the series such as Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic. Over 40 vibrant court environments will be playable within single player, multiplayer and online modes giving Virtua Tennis 2009 an impressive online and offline depth for a Wii title.

“The Virtua Tennis series is perfect for the Wii platform,” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc., “SEGA is excited to be able to bring this uniquely interactive experience to Wii. The multiplayer Court Games in particular will be a feature that family and friends can enjoy together.”

The list of Court Games has also been updated for Virtua Tennis 2009, meaning the return of old Virtua Tennis favorites, some revamped classics, and five new games. Virtua Tennis 2009 for the Wii will also include the official Davis Cup® license and the World Tour Mode, which will allow Wii owners to experience Virtua Tennis online.

In addition to the Wii version, Virtua Tennis 2009 is due for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the PC in May 2009. Further information relating to the content of the game will be available over the coming months from the official website of the game – www.virtuatennis2009.com.