TopSpin 2K25 serves up a fun, but safe tennis simulation revival

The first video game console I ever owned was an original Xbox that came bundled with two games: NCAA Football 2005 and Top Spin. My appreciation for both Madden and tennis games can be traced back to those being two of my first-ever console gaming experiences.

That’s why I was very excited to hear that Mafia 3 developer Hanger 13 and publisher 2K were bringing the Top Spin tennis series back with TopSpin 2K25 after a 13-year dormancy. Unfortunately, I’m disappointed with how underwhelming the overall product is. Even though it’s the series’ grand return after over a decade, it feels like an extremely iterative sequel to Top Spin 4. It’s certainly approachable, thanks to great tutorials and new meter systems to help players learn proper timing, but TopSpin 2K25‘s light content offering doesn’t make for the strongest opening serve.

Top Spin returns

Developer Hanger 13 hasn’t been coy about the fact that it used 2011’s Top Spin 4 as the base to build TopSpin 2K25. Top Spin 4 is a fantastic tennis game that people still play to this day, as it perfected the series’ timing-based gameplay. This isn’t like Mario Tennis Aces, where a special ability can shoot you across the court and hit timing doesn’t matter. TopSpin 2K25 is a true simulation, so learning proper positioning on the court, when to release a button to swing your racket, and how to aim your shot properly are all critical to success.

All of that applied to the four previous Top Spin games, but TopSpin 2K25 takes more steps to make the game approachable. A TopSpin Academy mode narrated by John McEnroe includes thorough tutorials that feel like they could get even someone who has never played tennis before familiar with the basics of the game. A new timing meter now also appears during gameplay, giving players a clear indication of when to time their serves or swings.