Power Ping Pong Review

Developer: Chillingo
Price: $4.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 5

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Overall Rating:

Once upon a time, I used to play table tennis for a team. I was supposedly pretty good at it and nearly participated in a few tournaments. I was young though, and therefore foolish, and gave up because, well, I don’t know. While real table tennis doesn’t offer special moves or power-ups, Power Ping Pong does bring back some fun memories.

It’s table tennis with a Kung Fu style twist. Throughout the arcade mode, you take on various competitors, showing them just what you’ve got, with an option to delve into a survival mode or multiplayer. Controls are simple to pick up but require some mastering. They mostly involve performing gestures, such as a sweep upwards at speed invoking a fast hit, with the opposite providing more of a kind of lob. Side swipes can also prove useful at the right time. It takes some practice but it's reasonably rewarding, much like the real sport.

Power Ping Pong isn’t easy. You have to concentrate on it, even during the early levels, with the AI being pretty competent. You can build up a POW energy meter before unleashing some special power shots to go some way to combatting that, but expect it all to be a reasonable battle.

An ideal place to hone your skills is via the survival mode, tracking your every hit and the rallies you achieve, while giving you time to learn the ropes. As you progress, you can unlock new paddles too, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Throughout, Power Ping Pong’s colorful aesthetic is consistently charming and appealing. It adds to the vibrant nature of the sport, and keeps you feeling lively.

While Power Ping Pong might seem a little expensive at first, you’re free of the allure of in-app purchases, ensuring that this is a reasonably priced all-in-one package. It’ll stick in your mind too, thanks to adding personality to such a typically straight laced sport.