Since the GameCube’s launch, Nintendo’s old rival Sega has become one of the system’s biggest supporters. Yu Suzuki’s AM2 division’s first GameCube game will appear later this summer in the form of Beach Spikers. Originally a NAOMI 2 Arcade game, Beach Spikers (aka Virtua Volleyball) is all about simple-yet-addictive gameplay at its best. AM2’s volleyball title features female athletes in bikinis competing in a 2-on-2 format on beaches around the world. Teams are also of an International flavor and include USA, Brazil, Japan, England and others.

The mechanics are quite easy to understand: run to the ball and push A to hit it. For serves, aim and push A when the power meter is at the desired height. The B button is used for setting the ball and underhanded serves. When the ball is in play, a cursor appears on the on the ground which helps players track the ball’s position. Of course, since a player can’t touch the ball twice consecutively , gamers will have to rely on their teammate to succeed. And like in any real sport, team members don’t always get along: players can chastise a teammate for a bad move or compliment her for a good move.

While the graphics haven’t received much of an upgrade from the Arcade edition, character models look good (despite having plastic-like skin) and are animated well, with graphical touches down to footprints in the sand. What’s more, AM2 has added extra features to make the home version more appealing. Besides the standard Arcade and Training modes and the multi-player Versus option, the GameCube package features a single-player World Tour Mode, where the player and a computer-controlled companion make their way through the ranks together. What makes this mode so interesting is its RPG twist: characters are improved by distributing experience points gained after each victory—players will have to make sure both team members are up to speed. On the more superficial side, players can now create their own characters, choosing from almost 50 faces as well as bikini style, hair and skin color and sunglasses.

The female characters themselves should also be addressed: as there are well-figured females in skin-tight bathing suits, there is understandably a certain amount of sex appeal built into the title. But potential buyers should also be aware of model interaction with lesbian innuendo. Not that such suggestive content is bad, but it should be noted for those who care.

Though there are single-player modes, Beach Spikers is definitely a four-player party game. Sega releases the game July 19th in Japan and August 13th in North America. Be sure to check out impressions from E3 found in the Beach Spiker profile for more info!