Hot Shots Golf Fore! (Sony PlayStation 2, 2004)

This game could have gone a long, long way. It's easy to start off on on your own, it's training mode is comfortable & pleasant, and game mode is a pleasure to watch and play, while a little limited.
Once in game mode, surprisingly, even though the analog sticks on my PS2 version were available for these options, there are no options to end the game and return to the main menu..?! Perhaps their planning department's deadline was constrained, as the other options, locations and camera angles were full and satisfactory, with the additional exception of the character choice.
Perhaps their misconception of having a choice of a starter character with a 5-year-old personality (either Phoebe or Mike) warrants rating the game E. Putting it on a mature body gives the planning and marketing departments negative points from this table. (That's a minus value.) Just thank goodness the option to click through the annoying 5-year-old cheers and banter were available. Did I say cheers? The terms snuffles, whines or screeches may be more accurate.
With truly exceptional camera views and beautiful settings, the investment in making an initial character anyone could relate to would have been invaluable.
The 'retry' options which had been available in training mode are completely unavailable. Here, an 'Extra-Easy' mode might be nice for the easy-does-it beginners. (Hey, if you want to make money, why not market for as many people as you can?)
My copy had a couple of small glitches. The choice of seasons was available on two of the options screens, but using one of those froze the game when choosing a particular season. One location showed characters' winter animations with an obvious lack of winter scene graphics. Maybe... I have one of those rare, vintage versions snuck out during pre-demo creation, likely highly valuable to videogame afficionados or educators. (I'll take bids!)
And lastly, an important investment in music would have been appreciated. The music on this game would be comfortably enjoyed on a handheld device, but is really, so incredibly annoyingly trite on a full-version game, (No, my TV does NOT play delicate, esthetically-pleasing tones from music created on far more limited technology suited for handhelds.) All considered, that may be the decisive reason I don't pick up this game more times than I can count on the fingers of one hand.
My final decision: It's absolutely worth making the upgraded version.

I owe HSG3 and when I was to an Ozzfest they had the PS semi there and the ol' lady and I of course went in it to check it out and we played HSG4 there for the first time before it's release and we were excited and couldn't wait for it to come out, now that it has we have attained the status of king ranking and have ALL costiumes, clubs (special), balls, and courses available and now we play some serious round of golfing at this house, we always have someone coming over to play against us and the best thing about this game I think is the online gaming of it, we cable cable internet and 2 old version PS@'s hooked up in 2 different rooms and have the network adapter and hard drive and all that jazz but we are able to play online with each other and with others across the world to show off our skills. The best multiplayer game I have ever seen, best single player game I'd have to give it to GTA series but HSG is hands down the best multiplayer game, I'd give halo series a close 2nd though.

I love this game. It has all the elements of real golf, but far less challenging. I love that there are so many shot elements - you have to look at lie (buried, tight, sidehill, uphill, etc.), wind, ball position, hole location, obstacles, club selection, etc., just like in real golf. Adding spin or trying different shots is great. The courses are challenging, and there's a lot of risk-reward shots that make it fun to play as well.

The cartoon-ish game play and fun courses are great as well.

Add in the element of getting obtaining better clubs/balls, unlocking characters, working your way up the pro ranks, customizing your character's appearances, and building your player stats, and you have the makings of a very addictive video game.

I have yet to try the online multiplayer, but I will soon - once I build up my character! Woo hoo!

If you are in to golf but don't have time to hit the greens at the local course, this is a game to check out. If you like to see humor, learn set ups and what wind can do on a golf course, then you won't go wrong with this game. Courses can finish quickly or can last for 1/2 hour or more. So many options to play against the computer or with friends, it is worth the money just to keep it in your game files. I would say ages 8 to retirement will enjoy this highly addictive game.

My Grandchildren have an earlier version at their home which we have shared for a couple years. This later version has more features including different players, new golf courses, and many other features we are learning as we progress. This compares very well to earlier versions.

I like these games because they are not based on destruction and killing like so many other games. It is a game of competition just like real golf. It teaches about consideration of wind speed and direction, which club to use, what strategy to use when hazard (pond or sand) lies between the player and the green.

When two controllers are used, the person waiting his turn can hit various buttons which say things to harrass or upset the shooter. With children this can get out of hand. I have asked my grandchildren NOT to harass the player as he is teeing off. We dont need to teach that habit.

Overall, I am very happy with this Hot Shotws Fore PlayStation 2 game. Great pastime with some skills that may help in real life.