Hot Shots Golf

The first thing gamers who spent time with Hot Shots Golf 3 will notice is that this installment looks more like an expansion to that game than a brand new title. Yes, there are tweaks and additions (most notably the long-awaited inclusion of online play with Sony's Network Adaptor) but underneath it, this is HSG3 with a new coat of paint. The courses from the last game are back, as are many of the players and caddies along with several new courses, new characters (including unlockables like Ratchet and Jak), and the return of mini-golf. And while the game may seem more like an expansion than a new title, it's really not an issue since so much of the material is included to refine the HSG3 experience. Because of this, players who spent hundreds of hours with the previous game will still find a lot to like in this update—the additions are almost entirely there to make the game more complex and more realistic (or at least as realistic as a game featuring a dog caddy can be…).

There's not a lot to say about Hot Shots Golf 3 that Mike didn't already cover, and I agree with almost everything he said. As stated, the game is very open and accessible to the average person (golf nut or not), and its an absolute breeze to play. You should have no fear of buying this one, since it's a total winner. I did have a few things to add, though.

Whether you're the next Tiger Woods or a person who doesnt know a putter from a hockey stick, Hot Shots Golf 3 will almost certainly appeal to you on some level. Ive never stepped foot on a real golf course, but that hasnt kept me from jumping around the living room after making a difficult putt. Hot Shots Golf 3 is a game not unlike chess--it takes a few minutes to learn, but quite some time to master.