There are three things that I will forever be grateful to Russia for - vodka, Maria Sharapova, and the patriarch of puzzle games, Tetris. Today, June 6th 2009, marks the 25th year after it was conceived by its dad, Alexey Pajitnov. Tetris is more than just a game, it's an institution, an icon, and inspiration behind the hilarious Japanese Human Tetris game show. To celebrate this milestone, Tetris rights owner Blue Planet Software plans to unveil a motion-based Tetris game later this year.

This vid's a bit old, but I just love tennis, and I've been following the sport since I was little. Naturally, It's always a big thing for me when a good tennis title comes out. This debut trailer is for Virtua Tennis 2009 from Sega, one of the better tennis games out there. Watch your favorite ATP and WTA tennis stars show their strokes.

It seems us gamers aren't the only ones who'd be impressed by 2K Sports' Top Spin 3 (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, DS). In a recent chat, tennis pro Maria Sharapova couldn't stress it out enough how the upcoming tennis video game proved to her that current gen machines can dish out realistic players and convincing movements on the court. Details are served at the full article!

While there's still along wait before Top Spin 3's (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS) spring release, you don't have to worry about the characters you'll play as when it's finally out. 2K Sports released the list of tennis players including current leaders in the sport and some tennis legends. Check out the list in the full article.

Well, ready to play with the big boys? Sega of America had just announced the release of Virtua Tennis 3 on the PS3 and Xbox360 to North America retailers.

We'll give you a quick overview of Virtua Tennis 3 - just in case you've been living under a rock the past few months. Players can play as or against their favorite tennis players like Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Roger Federer, and 16 others to be hailed number one. It boasts of better graphics, player animations that mimic real life mannerisms of the pros, and an improved AI.

Of course, what's a Virtua Tennis title without the mini-games? Two favorites stay with an addition of 10 new mini-games plus it also features four player head-to-head battles. The World Tour mode (sporting new features) and the new addition of the Tennis Academy will immerse players in the world of tennis and going up the ladder.

Anyway, PSP owners need not fret since the PSP version of Virtua Tennis 3 will be available on March 26.

Think you know everything there is to know about Virtua Tennis 3 (for PSP, PS3, Xbox360)? Well, can't really blame you there, what with all the game goodies we've brought you like the game's trailer and how VT3 uses the tilt controls.

So what could we possibly be bringing you this time? The complete player lineup! Yeah yeah, you've seen tons of screens showing the players strutting their stuff. But for the tennis neophytes out there, some of them may not be able to recognize the virtual counterparts of their fave players.

It is for the benefit of that minority that we bring you today the lineup of tennis players you'll be seeing in VT3 once the game hits the shelves real soon. Fellow blogger Tim Y. already brought you guys the players' pics just a while ago, and if you can't even recognize half of them, don't fret, here's the complete list of players to appear on VT3:

Women:

• Maria Sharapova
• Lindsey Davenport
• Venus Williams
• Martina Hingis
• Daniela Hantuchova
• Amelie Mauresmo
• Nicole Vaidisova
  

Men:

• Roger Federer
• Andy Roddick
• Lleyton Hewitt
• Tim Henman
• Juan Carlo Ferrero
• Sebastien Grosjean
• David Nalbandian
• Mario Ancic
• Taylor Dent
• Rafael Nadal
• James Blake
• Gael Monfils
• Tommy Haas
  

Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for the PS3]
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for the PSP]
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for the Xbox 360]

You've seen the game and the mini-games; for this segment, we introduce you to the players. Tennis will always have its share of personalities. And while people like Andre Agassi will no longer be there (he will be missed), there will always be more icons to pick up, as is the case for this selection of screenshots for Virtua Tennis 3.

Gamers may recognize Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams in the list, two-heavy-hitters included in this character lineup. Remember to catch up on the rest of the action in-game. Wait, the names of the male players? Good question - their faces should be here too. Enjoy!

More images after the jump!
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for the PS3]
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for the PSP]
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for the Xbox 360]

Tennis was never a QJ writer's strong suit, that's usually why I personally prefer ballroom dancing instead: no hassles with flying objects and the only people screaming are my partners, whose toes I step on repeatedly.

Of course, in this job, we don't always have that choice. We always have to watch our faces and keep training, because we never know when Maria Sharapova can slap us good with that mighty backhand of hers. Worse still, we never know when giant tennis balls are going to come racing down the halls, begging for someone to smite them with a racket.

Oh wait... did I say that out loud?

Anyway, here's the latest trailer for Sega's upcoming smash hit for the Xbox 360, PSP, PC, and PS3, Virtua Tennis 3. Enjoy the video, and be ready for its release in the Q2 of 2007.

Anybody remember the first Karate Kid movie, where Pat Morita's character (rest his soul) taught a young Daniel-san basic Karate by making him paint his house, and wax his cars? That was an interesting lesson in what you could learn by doing something that seemed way OT.

Okay, what's Miyagi-sensei got to do with Sega'sVirtua Tennis 3? For the Sharapova/Agassi hopefuls out there, this piece (courtesy of IGN) is gonna be talking about one of the many mini-game that can be found in this soon-to-be-released title: Pin Crusher.

The mini-games were built specifically to help noob players get familiar with the game, and Pin Crusher is no exception - it trains first-time players in the art of learning powerful, accurate serves by putting them in a mini-game involving - you got it - bowling pins. The player has to hit 10 pins lined up on the other side of the court using an over-sized tennis ball, and hopefully knock all the pins down on the first serve, or face the challenge of "sniping" that last, standing pin. See pics below for reference. Enjoy.

Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for PS3]
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for PSP]
Buy: [Virtua Tennis 3 for Xbox 360]

More screens await after the jump!