BroBible / 2K Games
Last week, armed with my sunscreen and shades, I ventured out to the California desert to hangout with the folks at 2K Games. March is synonymous with tennis season at Indian Wells and they were ready to lift the veil on something huge: TopSpin 2K25, their latest and greatest sports game, back from an extended hiatus on modern consoles and gaming systems.
This is a big deal in both the video game and tennis world. We’re not just talking about another game drop here; this is the revival, the epic comeback of the legendary TopSpin franchise that’s been lying dormant for over a decade.
Think about it: The last time TopSpin hit the shelves in 2011 when Rafael Nadal was on the cover and untouchable in real life. Novak Djokovic was just topping the ATP charts for the first time as the world No. 1. Fast forward to 2024 and the guy has smashed records left and right – reigning supreme for a mind-blowing 416 weeks across 13 different years, and closing out as the world’s No. 1 eight times. A household name and a bona fide sports legend for a good reason. With a hall of fame career like that, I’ll give the Serbian tennis legend a pass after losing at Indian Wells in an upset to 20-year-old Italian Luca Nardi, ranked 123.
Now, as TopSpin makes its grand re-entrance in a new era, it’s like the tennis universe is aligning for another era of game-changing moments. Things are changing in the tennis world. It’s no longer the stuff country club sport it once was. A new generation is hitting the courts, with serious interest in “hang-out” social sports like golf and pickle ball at a generational high.
The scoreboard backs up this breakneck growth: In 2022, U.S. tennis participation grew by 1 million players in 2022, representing an increase of 5.9 million, or 33 percent, since the start of 2020, according to the U.S. Tennis Association. A 2018 study even suggests tennis could be the key to a longer, healthier life compared to other activities like jogging, cycling, or swimming
You get the gist: Tennis, like golf, is a lifestyle that holds the keys to not just a good life, but also a long life.
And I, lucky enough to swing a PS5 controller before the world gets its hands on TopSpin 2K25 come April 26, 2024, felt the weight of this moment.
via 2K Games
What makes TopSpin 2K25 stand out isn’t just its ability to draw you back in time or thrust you into the shoes of tennis legends like Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams. It’s the sheer breadth and depth of the experience, from mastering power serves with John McEnroe in the game’s “Train with McEnroe” tutorial (don’t skip it!) to stepping onto the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon, Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Indian Wells, with the gameplay of digital courts mimicking the unique vibe and feel of its real-world counterpart.
What I loved about the game is how accessible it is. If you played the TopSpin games back in the day, it’s like slipping back into an old glove.
If not, you’ll get the hang of it really quick. For the casual gamer, tennis video games have always been some of the easiest sports games to pick up (I’m looking at you, Wii Mario Tennis) and TopSpin 2K25 is no different. Even if you’re not a big gamer, it’s not going to break your brain to get a hang of it. It takes some getting used to the button release cycles when power serving, but it’s pretty easy to pick up a controller and just start playing without a lot of button mashing.
The game does a great job peppering in tennis history and future, with over 24 legends and rising stars at your fingertips. You can play as Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Frances Tiafoe, Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf, among others. I loved playing as my ’90s tennis hero Andre Agassi, his retro Nikes and signature ear ring a blur on the digital court. TopSpin 2K25 also lets you inject yourself into the game with its MYPLAYER mode, allowing you to personalize your own avatar and tennis gear to level-up against the greats.
TopSpin 2K25 is more than a game—it’s a tribute to tennis superstars at peak generational moments. “We’re bridging years of anticipation with TopSpin 2K25,” Remi Ercolani, Gaming Director at Hangar 13, shared in a press release.
The game’s official announcement trailer just dropped, fueled by a real banger – Dillon Francis’ remix of Fall Out Boy’s “Heartbreak Feels So Good.” This official remix hits streaming services like Spotify on Friday.
After experiencing the game firsthand, TopSpin 2K25 is more than just a fresh take on tennis. I personally believe the game is tapping into a lifestyle revolution in racket sports and active living. It’s a social phenomenon, complete with style and star-power, drawing in a new wave of players seeking camaraderie and competition on the courts.
It’s a good era to be a tennis fan.
TopSpin is officially back, baby, and it’s personal.
Update: Here’s some raw gameplay footage: