Following the PSP release last year we recently got our hands on an unfinished build of the Xbox360 version, marking the series first appearance on the current generation of home consoles. Thankfully it appears that Namco-Bandai are taking the game back to the drawing board (visually at least) to make sure the Xbox360 version looks anything but a simple PSP port.

From our brief Hands On with the game, Smash Court Tennis 3 appears to offer a comprehensive selection of modes and the typical level of character customisation you'd expect from a sports title. Featuring a roster of 16 established pros headed by the likes of Roger Federer and Martina Hingis, tennis fans can expect to play with up to four players in double exhibition matches, take the action online, reduce the complexity in arcade matches, or create your own character and plunge into the career mode.

Shaping up to offer one of the most comprehensive career modes we've seen, the Pro-Tour mode packs plenty of depth and the range of mini-games that seem to have become a pre-requisite for any tennis game.

Beyond the huge list of cosmetic options to customise everything from your character's nasal bridge to the width of their eyebrows, Smash Court Tennis 3 takes a more serious approach with the option of various different playing styles to choose between and develop throughout the tennis season. Whether it's playing on the baseline with power shots or opting for the serve-net technique, Smash Court tennis 3 allows you to freely expand and develop these styles with the use of experience points gained by competing in and winning matches.

Playing between one of the established pros and your own character reveals a huge gulf in talent and ability, suggesting that there's a considerable amount to the different playing styles and levelling up system that awards extra shots and techniques with the experience points you gain.

Employing a calendar structure to the various tournaments, sponsor challenges, and charity events that you'll have to conquer on your way to the top, stamina plays a key role in the game and often means that a particularly gruelling month might mean skipping the next couple of months to rest and recuperate. Playing with a low stamina level during matches is going to make things harder with weaker shots and reduced accuracy coming into play, so it's good to see this aspect playing a crucial role throughout the Pro-Tour mode.

When your stamina is sufficient to participate each month provides the choice between competing in a tournament, gaining vital experience points in the training exercises, unlocking additional items in the sponsor challenges, or participating in charity events to raise your profile and popularity amongst the fans. Smart little touches like fan letters dependant on your level of popularity continue to flourish Smash Court Tennis 3 with a level of charisma and personality typically not expected from a tennis game.

Anybody accustomed to SEGA's Virtua Tennis series should be prepared for something slightly different on the actual court. Replacing the charged shots and arcade accessibility famed by that series, Smash Court Tennis 3 opts for a more sophisticated setup that puts the emphasis squarely on timing. With the full range of top spin, slice, drop, and lob shots, the difference between a bad, normal, or nice shot is all in the timing, holding onto the relevant button after your opponent has hit a shot and releasing it precisely during your character's backswing. Using the face buttons to perform a variety of emotions after winning or loosing a shot, the ability to question a judgement and view the ball's landing position from a Hawk-Eye perspective on a limited number of occasions is also a neat introduction.