PING-PONG GETS PUSHED TO THE LIMIT.

Byline: Redmond Carolipio Staff Writer

Sore thumbs. Sweaty palms. Fighting the temptation to hurl the controller at the TV -- yet not the urge to hurl a few curse words at it.

All this because of table tennis. Not boxing, not hoops -- Ping-Pong.

``Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis'' is a far cry from watching two drunk people at a party tip-tap their buzz away.

It's an intense test of focus, skill and will that asks the average player to reach an unearthly level of sharpness.

It's also Rockstar's maiden voyage into the next generation -- yes, the same Rockstar that created the legendary ``Grand Theft Auto'' series.

However, you won't find any sex in the game (not that I actively looked), and the only violence you'll see deals with hitting the ball.

If you've ever seen professional table tennis (like at 3 a.m. on ESPN), you'll see people show off Shaolin-quality reflexes while whacking the small white orb back and forth at high speeds. It's a sight that forces the question, ``How do they DO that?''

In ``Table Tennis,'' you try it for yourself.

Almost every button on the controller has a purpose, but the analog thumb-sticks handle the heart of the action. The left stick moves your player, while the right stick controls the hitting of the ball.

Players can manipulate everything from spin to the location of their shots using a combination of the two sticks.

For instance, pushing up on the right stick gives the ball some topspin, while pushing up on the left stick makes sure you hit a deeper shot. You can tell which way the ball is spinning by looking at the swirl of colors orbiting it after it gets hit.

While the intricate control scheme makes sense, there's still a Daytona-size learning curve for new players.

At first, even experienced gamers will find themselves often out of position, whiffing on balls and getting blasted off the table by the computer, even on easy mode. It can get frustrating, which could lead to some people just throwing up their hands in defeat.

For those who fight through the early bumps to get better, the experience is ultimately rewarding. The game turns every match into a hyperactive duel, complete with slow motion cutaways, sound effects that punctuate big shots and techno-ish music that starts playing when a rally gets started.

There's also an assortment of fictional table-tennis pros from around the globe, all with their own personalities and reactions during the match, including the occasional stare-down or overblown fist pump in your direction. It's like the game eggs you on, daring you to play more and beat it -- and it works.

ROCKSTAR GAMES PRESENTS: TABLE TENNIS - Three stars

Rated: E for Everyone.

Platform: Xbox 360.

In a nutshell: An intense test of focus.

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