Review: C-Smash VRS Offers Another Take on VR Tennis

Tennis games are a natural fit for VR, due to the perspective, opportunity for multiplayer elements, and the way that you’ll see the ball heading right for you, and C-Smash VRS takes advantage of that and its Cosmic Smash roots to impress. The result is a game that, while it might take a little time to get accustomed to your range in-game, is a delight.

C-Smash VRS transport you to an ultra-mod space station, one which allows you to see the stars and planets outside the windows. In Single Player, you can go through a tutorial, explore Journey Mode to go through stages involving the busting of virtual blocks in the space ahead of you, or go through specific stages. Infinity Mode lets you go alone or with another and just… endlessly bust up blocks. You choose the speed, how many blocks appear, and the music that plays, then enjoy. As for Versus, you can face an AI Bot, arrange a match, or head into a Quickplay match with someone else. Entering this menu also allows you to see the option to check your win and loss record. 

Playing C-Smash VRS isn’t too challenging, and anyone familiar with a tennis standard or VR video game will pick it up quickly. Your dominant hand holds your racket, and the other is used to pull the ball toward yourself for serves. Depending on the angle you hit the ball and your approach, you may pull off curveballs or power shots. In modes where blocks are present, your goal is typically to eliminate all of them as quickly as possible. If you’re playing competitively against an AI bot or person, you’re trying to get the ball past them and earn points. Think of it as one of those games that is easy to pick up and learn, but could be difficult to master as you learn the nuances and motions for certain sorts of shots.

It helps that the presentation in C-Smash VRS is impeccable, resulting in a tennis VR game with a memorable look. There are very stark, poppy colors used throughout, offering clear distinction between blocks and the background. This lends itself to the futuristic nature of both this game and Cosmic Smash. We also have this fantastic soundtrack that completes the ambiance and atmosphere. 

I really only encountered one issue when playing C-Smash VRS on the Meta Quest 3, and it had to do with range and reach. There would be times when it looked like, based on my perspective, I would have managed to hit the ball above me. However, in reality, the hitboxes didn’t align and I would end up missing the ball. Now, I also encountered a little of this during my first half hour of play with balls that would bounce just outside my range to the left or right. However, I definitely think those instances involved user errors on my part and overestimating.

Regardless, C-Smash VRS is a really admirable take on Cosmic Smash that is so much fun on the Meta Quest 3, due to it being a really enjoyable VR tennis that also combines Breakout elements to make more of an arcade experience if you’re playing alone. Likewise, it’s quite enjoyable with others or an opponent. Just make sure you get used to your limits and boundaries before trying to get competitive. 

C-Smash VRS is available on the Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest Pro, as well as the PSVR 2. C-Smash VRS: New Dimension will come to the PS5 and not require VR.