Top Spin 2 Achievements

Xbox Live® means different things to different people. For some, it is a perpetually raging battlefield where the world's toughest cyber soldiers test their reflexes in tournaments, matches, and events ranging from real-world sports games to war simulations to fantasy escapes. For others, Xbox Live Marketplace is where it's at for music, video, and game demo downloads.

Only winners need apply.

Regardless of your leanings, there is one facet of the premiere online gaming service that can be used and enjoyed by all. That feature is the achievements system.

Every title published for Xbox 360™ has its own unique set of achievements laid out by the game's creators. Depending on the type of game, you can unlock and earn up to 1000 points through various feats of mastery. These accomplishments can vary greatly between genres.

Some of the more common ways to unlock an achievement are:

• Finish the single-player story mode
• Complete the game on the hardest difficulty level
• Play X amount of games, online or off
• Perform feats of mastery (three-pointers in basketball, headshots in first-person shooters, etc.)
• Find every collectible or secret
• Finish every optional side mission or quest

Ultimately, it's up to the developer to break down the total number of gamerscore points and assign them to different achievements for that game. As you pass each in-game milestone and accrue more points, you may unlock secret achievements that are only revealed to you when a required action is performed.

This element of mystery rewards players of a persistent and adventurous nature and encourages them to explore every nook and cranny laid out before them.

Join us as we take a look at some spoiler-free in-game achievements and explore the many gameplay possibilities ahead of you.

Put your reputation on the line.

Triumph in Top Spin 2
This latest game in the Top Spin franchise brings with it many fun, Xbox 360-related improvements. Achievements have proven very popular among gamers. In Top Spin™ 2, they challenge players and reward them for a job well done in both the Career Mode and the Exhibition Mode. Any sport, tennis included, has its trophies and its holy grail that inspires athletes to push themselves to their limits. The achievements in this game serve as landmarks on the road to a career well-played.

Career Mode
Most of the achievements available in Top Spin 2 tie directly to how well you play in Career Mode. They require you to win a match, win a tournament, and play out an entire career. These come easily to anyone with a real interest in the game. Aim a little higher and you earn the achievement for those who have finished a career with a score of more than 1000 career points.

But don't get too comfortable. If you really want to distinguish yourself, then aim for the granddaddy of all Career Mode achievements. This one requires that you reach the top of the World Rankings in Career Mode. Now there's a goal worthy of a true Top Spin champion.

Exhibition Mode
Don't underestimate the importance of exhibition tennis to your wholesomeness as a sports pro. The game rewards success in exhibition games nearly as much as it rewards victories in Career Mode. Of course, win your first match, earn an achievement. But you get a better reward if you defeat all the female licensed players in Exhibition Mode. Defeat all the male licensed players and receive another gamerscore boost.

Go the distance.

On Xbox Live
Eventually, you log into your Xbox Live account and take on opponents from among the ranks of players around the world who may have been practicing hours longer than you. You, however, have a sharper mind and more dexterous hands, so you've nothing to worry about. You earn the achievements set up to reward success in the Xbox Live environment. For example, simply by overcoming your fear and getting out there on the court garners you an achievement. Play in 25 Xbox Live Ranked Matches and earn an achievement. Gain another if you have the courage to put your pride on the line 50 times. Finally, defeat any opponent in an Xbox Live Ranked Match and receive an achievement.

Top Spin 2rewards the small successes as well as the major achievements. The game recognizes that you don't have to conquer everyone else in order to be a superstar. More importantly, you must conquer your own fears and self-doubt. Of course, if you do conquer everyone else while you're at it—all the better!

Article by Angel Leigh McCoy