Having said all that—I actually prefer the Wii controls.  Sure, loading up your shots can take some adjustment, but doing so by swinging a racket-like Wiimote still beats doing so by pressing a button on a control pad.  Even though the gameplay mechanics sometimes feel a touch odd, the control setups are still pretty immersive.

Table Tennis is a blast to play, especially against a friend.  Comparatively, one-player mode is sorely missing gameplay options—the only modes are Tournament, Exhibition, and Training Mode.  I probably don’t have to explain each, do I?  There is a fairly deep set of unlockables which encourage repeated play, and you’ll get some depth out of the tournaments, but the game needs more to boost its single-player replayability.  Where are the create-a-player and career modes?  Why no online support?  Sadly, this seems to be a trait many Wii sports games currently share, a trend which leaves the Wii versions unable to compete against their cross-platform rivals.  (Worth mentioning is that Table Tennis is only $40 new, which may make the lack of gameplay options somewhat more tolerable.) 

Otherwise, the game is mostly identical to the Xbox 360 version.  The graphics of course have taken a hit.  The game still looks pretty sweet in 480p, and the idle/demo videos look great, but of course their Microsoft counterparts are better.  Both versions share the same wonderful soundtrack—very appropriately moody, and electronic.  Some tunes sound like a great Jamiroquai instrumental, and some have more of a house or techno-lite flavor… but all are very well done.

If you’re a big fan of table tennis, this one’s a no-brainer (especially given your alternatives on the Wii…).  For others, Table Tennis may understandably be a mixed bag, but it has enough going for it to warrant a purchase.  

Because People Like Numbers:

Audio (in-game and menu music and sound effects):  9.7820573882/10  -Yeah, seriously—I thought that much of it… the music makes the game.  There have honestly been times when I let the game sit, just so I could listen to the uninterrupted music.  No song seems out of place, and several of them literally evoke certain moods and memories in me.  THAT is the point of music, my friend—especially considering how well it integrates with the game.  These are music-industry-quality tunes.  The menu and in-game sound effects are very… ping…pongy. 

Video (graphics, style, presentation):  7.633943/10  -You pretty much know what to expect from the Wii, graphically.  Character models sometimes look very PS2-ish, but the backgrounds are nice.  Don’t expect it to compare to the Xbox360 version (and comparisons aren’t really fair, despite the numerous times I’ve referred to its older sibling.  I am judging this game based on its own merit, not how it compares).  Loading screens, cutscenes, and replays are very well done.

Gameplay (controls, replayability):  7.378404000403/10  -Again, the term ‘mixed bag’ is apt.  You swing your Wiimote to make your on-screen character swing his racket… but the game isn’t specific about forehand vs. backhand—just any waggle will do.  The controls are far from 1:1.  That said, you will get used to even the most complicated of the three control setups quite quickly.  The game desperately needs more gameplay modes—its replayability is lacking (particularly if you are playing alone).  Ball physics feel right on the money.

Overall (just a feeling, no math involved):  7.871262762/10  -Tough to score this one, and a good example of why numerical ratings don’t always do games justice.  I’d deduct major points for Table Tennis’ lack of depth but I’d award bonus points for its vivid soundtrack (and if you’re a big fan of table tennis?  Forget the scores altogether and just go buy it already).  The controls sometimes feel tacked-on, but are functional.  Table Tennis is a ‘what if?’ game—as in, What If they had added a create-a-player mode?  What If they’d done a really good career mode?  What If there was online support?  What If they found a way to really nail the controls?  Still, Rockstar Presents: Table Tennis is the best ping-pong game out there, so it has that going for it… which is nice…