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Quick Hot Shots Golf Impressions (PSP)

P

Property of Jumpship

Banned
Just picked it up about an hour ago and have had time to play one round in the challenge mode. Graphics are really nice and colorful, fairways and greens look great although putting is a challenge on the small screen (to me at least). The main characters seem to be the same as the Japanese version although I havent played that one, i have just seen screen shots. The loading time are barely noticeable and the menus are easy to navigate. In the challenge mode I was expecting to be playing against one other character and watch him or her take shots but it's just you against an invisible field, scorecards at the end of each hole update all the characters. I was expecting to have an on-screen opponent, so that is a bit disappointing. Does anyone know if you ever have the option to play like that?

Anyway, very fun and nice to look at. I even scored a hole-in-one on the first Par 3 I encountered.
 
Property of Microsoft said:
In the challenge mode I was expecting to be playing against one other character and watch him or her take shots but it's just you against an invisible field, scorecards at the end of each hole update all the characters. I was expecting to have an on-screen opponent, so that is a bit disappointing. Does anyone know if you ever have the option to play like that?
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try match play or Vs?
 
"The loading time are barely noticeable and the menus are easy to navigate."

YAY!

"In the challenge mode I was expecting to be playing against one other character and watch him or her take shots but it's just you against an invisible field, scorecards at the end of each hole update all the characters. I was expecting to have an on-screen opponent, so that is a bit disappointing"

That's a good thing, keeps the pace of the game up. I hate waiting for CPU players.


One Q, can you save replays? Or at least your chip-ins?
 
Audio is fine I guess. Nothing remarkable on either end, but I really dont notice audio unless it is very good or very bad. Sorry.

On the head-to-head cpu matches: I thought that was how you unlock extra characters, by beating them in a challenge game. I guess I'll figure it all out when I peruse the manual and get some more playing time in.

Oh, it has an option to choose your caddy but while I played I didnt see a caddy once.....
 
Pedigree Chum said:
"The loading time are barely noticeable and the menus are easy to navigate."

YAY!

"In the challenge mode I was expecting to be playing against one other character and watch him or her take shots but it's just you against an invisible field, scorecards at the end of each hole update all the characters. I was expecting to have an on-screen opponent, so that is a bit disappointing"

That's a good thing, keeps the pace of the game up. I hate waiting for CPU players.
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Same here. I think in HS console you can play a round of 18 in like 30 minutes by skipping the ball flight scenes.
 
Property of Microsoft said:
The game saves great shots you make. I havent really checked to see if you can save replays.
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Cool. Going to definitely get this game today. Thanks for the impressions, I'm happy that it turned out well.

I wonder why there's no reviews out on this yet..odd.
 
Just wanted to address some questions here.

The game automatically saves replays on chip shots that make it in. You can also save your own replays as well. There is a section in the VTR dedicated to the replays you recorded on your own.

Challenge structure is broken into two types of plays depending on the challenge. First is the tournament mode in which you try to beat everyone else who you never see play. Then there is the 1 on 1 vs mode in which you need to either be ahead by 3 holes or have more holes won than the other after playing through 9 holes. You probably just played the normal tournament. These will be mixed up among the challenges.
 
Marty Chinn said:
Challenge structure is broken into two types of plays depending on the challenge. First is the tournament mode in which you try to beat everyone else who you never see play. Then there is the 1 on 1 vs mode in which you need to either be ahead by 3 holes or have more holes won than the other after playing through 9 holes. You probably just played the normal tournament. These will be mixed up among the challenges.
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Yeah, you have three cards to choose from each with a different challenge I just saw one with a characters name on it so that must be what you are talking about.

Putting is tough, its killing my scores. :D
 
Property of Microsoft said:
Yeah, you have three cards to choose from each with a different challenge I just saw one with a characters name on it so that must be what you are talking about.

Putting is tough, its killing my scores. :D
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Ya putting killed me for awhile. Once you get the hang of it, you'll get pretty good. It's just learning how much you need to compensate for the slope. Once you get a feel for that, you'll do pretty well on putting. I can't remember how long it took me to get the hang of it but it wasn't after just a few tries.
 
Property of Microsoft said:
In the challenge mode I was expecting to be playing against one other character and watch him or her take shots but it's just you against an invisible field, scorecards at the end of each hole update all the characters. I was expecting to have an on-screen opponent, so that is a bit disappointing.
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There are different modes in the Challenge mode. Some are tournaments, some are VS games, etc.
 
So for those of us that have Hot Shots Golf Fore!, what's new? I love the series and a portable version sounds awesome, but the series seems to evolve in small increments.
 
ugh I can't f*n stand it. why when you buy a new game on your lunch hour does the time then go by so damn slow at work?

why didnt i bring my PSP with me today? why god why
 
Picked mine up this morning as well and have to say i'm enjoying it. It's pretty much what i expected, although i am very impressed with the graphics (keep in mind that the only game i owned until today was lumines lol).

Could go into all the good points but there is one bad point i can't help but thinking while playing, man did Sony drop the ball but not having this game online. It's not the greatest game in the world by any means but it is really fun and it doesn't involve a large time commitment for a round. IMO it would have fallen a few steps short of "killer app" range but a definitely would have been a system seller.

BTW whenever someone gets a chance who's played both (JP and US), of the 10 characters just how many were changed?
 
HOLY UNDEAD ARNOLD PALMER THIS GAME OWNS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU

WHAT THE FUCK NINTENDO DS

GREATEST GAME EVER (excluding DW5 because I know MAF is secretly building a working replica of Yue Ying's hookbill polearm and I don't want him to Musou me next fighting game weekend)

It's not the greatest game in the world by any means
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SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP
 
I got it today too... It has great presentation that feels just like the console versions (though the characters / courses are less detailed graphically). Load times are short. No online play...

It's got the same HSG swing meter for better or worse though, so it will feel like a huge step backward from Mario Golf Advance where you could apply top/back spin on the fly with the A & B buttons...
 
i hope its as different from mario golf advance as possible. i hated that game sooo much. :lol

as long as its like the ps2 versions i'll like it fine
 
bitwise said:
as long as its like the ps2 versions i'll like it fine
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Yeah, it's totally like them, so no worries...

I'm not saying it's bad or anything... it's clearly a class act product. It's just hard to go back to the HSG spin control after the greatness of Mario Golf's for me.
 
I had a lot of trouble pulling off the insane spin stunts in HSG4, but I think it mostly has to do with me not equipping the right kind of ball or club. Mario Golf's A+B stuff was very intuitive to sinking miraculous shots, and pretty much available from the get-go.

I'd like to hear about the single player game, HSG4 was pretty fukkin dull to push through despite the billion unlockables. I've read this game teeters towards a Mario Golf style mechanic with character levelling and customization. Could really be enough to convince me to rush out now and buy it.
 
Mario Golf's spin control was gimped and too easy. Tricky ubershots SHOULD be brutal to pull off.

Character loyalty (levels) improves impact and stats, and the time spent with a character will result in clear growth. It has a fair bit more in the way of "RPG" aspects than HSG 3 or Fore.

That said, you liked Mario Golf: TT? For shame, Folken; for shame. That was a really busted title. (If you meant the N64 version, you're forgiven.)
 
I'm pretty amazed you would consider the N64 game a better title. No shot control, borked physics, and duller than Norrath course layouts. What nostalgic episode keeps you attached to that one?

GC ain't perfect either though; the course variety was sparse, the putting game is super weak, and the single player dies way too fast. It does feature possibly the best camera manipulation in golf gaming, some pretty wonderful visuals, and the lategame fantasy courses are the next best thing to Monkey Target 3. Spin control was a bit too easy I agree though, but it was bloody intuitive.

What's the word on the localization of HSG, I mean it's probably too early to tell who can be unlocked or not, but any indication on caddy/character rosters vs. the JPN version?
 
Drinky Crow said:
HOLY UNDEAD ARNOLD PALMER THIS GAME OWNS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU

WHAT THE FUCK NINTENDO DS

GREATEST GAME EVER (excluding DW5 because I know MAF is secretly building a working replica of Yue Ying's hookbill polearm and I don't want him to Musou me next fighting game weekend)



SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP
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Best PSP game out sadly. not to say it sucks, but there isn't anything else on the PSP to want so far D: Minna no Golf rock on!
 
HSG PSP adds the camera support and lie grid that Turdstool Tour featured. You should be in heaven (actually, I like it, too).

I haven't played Mario Golf 64 in eons -- it was my first introduction to proper videogame golfing, sadly, and y'know nostalgia and all that -- but I loved the courses. Fuck that fantasy miniature golf trash, though. I want semi-realistic courses with serene pastoral backdrops. Pipes and rings and mascots are irritating.

PSP HSG is pretty much identical to the JP version, but with English voices. Same characters, costumes, and caddies.
 
You are in for a pretty rude awakening the next time you ever happen upon MG N64. I gave it the rounds a couple summers ago after unlocking everything in TT and was very taken back at how antiquated the game is. I'd almost argue my old NES Golf holds up better.

And to be fair, only 1/3 of MG:TT's courses were themed. The first four courses were pretty solid golf gaming. Middle two by far the best of the bunch(egypt/lakeside). HSG does dwarf MG in the course department though.
 
It's got the same HSG swing meter for better or worse though, so it will feel like a huge step backward from Mario Golf Advance where you could apply top/back spin on the fly with the A & B buttons...
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I hated that crap, made those shots way to easy. They should be difficult to pull off, I don't want amaturs to kick my ass cause of an ultra-simple design. Personally, I think HSG's mechanics are perfect and really don't need to be tampered with. I just wish they had insane mini-putt courses (HSG4's weren't that great) like Mario Golf for the N64.

Edit: Bah, why do I keep typing Gold instead of Golf.
 
Are the spins in HSG really difficult though? I mean it was seemingly just a matter of equipping the right set of clubs/balls to allow the option moreso than 'skill', considering you are just transplanting the A/B button combos with d-pad switchups it's not so much a reflection of the gamer.

Granted I quit HSG4 before unlocking some of the spin-heavy clubs, so maybe I am int he dark; but they were pretty cake to pull off in HSG3 which I did spend a lot of time with. (MG:TT did have friendlier green physics making miraculous chips far easier to roll in)
 
HSG is sounding good, especially the short load times. I wanted to get Tiger Woods for PSP but the long load times were a deal breaker. I may have to pick this one up by the weekend. I'm ready for something new on my PSP, although Lumines still has me addicted. :)
 
Property of Microsoft said:
So where the fuck are the caddies? I havent seen one during the round yet.
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well i think you just hear them "nice birdie!" etc

although ive just been playing for a half hour or so.
 
I dunno, but they let you pick caddies, and they have little pictures. Right now, they just seem to be voices in both strokes and versus play. Boo!

KFJ, if you haven't played an HSG game before, you're in for a real treat.
 
Question: Would a first time Hot Shots Golf player like this game? I like golfing games (like Mario Golf and Tiger Woods), but I've never played HSG. I've been meaning to get around to it and with several games ready to trade-in, I could pick this up.
 
Drinky Crow said:
I dunno, but they let you pick caddies, and they have little pictures. Right now, they just seem to be voices in both strokes and versus play. Boo!

KFJ, if you haven't played an HSG game before, you're in for a real treat.
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Nope, you don't get to see your caddy. They're basically just your announcer this time around.
 
Bowser said:
Question: Would a first time Hot Shots Golf player like this game? I like golfing games (like Mario Golf and Tiger Woods), but I've never played HSG. I've been meaning to get around to it and with several games ready to trade-in, I could pick this up.
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HSG4 is the first HSG game I played and I think it's fantastic. I find it harder than something like Mario Golf, but it's very rewarding once you get used to the mechanics. I'd say pick it up
 
You know, it's funny, because after EA and Tiger came out with the new analog swing mechanics a few years back, everyone declared tap-tap-tap dead.

I argued til I was blue in the face with people that there was still merit in tap-tap-tap but at the time I was laughed at.

I enjoy the Tiger mechanics but it's way too easy. Links was better, but I'll always enjoy the challange of a good tap-tap golf game like HSG and Mario Golf.

It's good to see all the love.
 
What is the relationship between the hotshots games and Mario Golf 64? Someone was telling me the other day that they were related, and god, I hope so. MG64 (and GBC) were the best games of last generation and MG:TT (and AT) were nowhere near as good in comparison.
 
Camelot created HSG1 and (I believe 2), and then went on to make Mario Golf 64 and Turdstool Tour.

Clap Hanz took over with HSG3 and 4, along with PSP, and they've actually really refined the series greatly.
 
is Fore! worth $20?
I had way too much fun with 3, but i'd like to see how Fore! faired. oh well, im getting psp version soon, so i guess it'd be kinda dumb to have the same game, essentially, twice.
 
Picked up this (and the other four HSG games) today. I've never played a HSG game before, though I loved the MG titles. I'll post impressions as well. At some point, I suppose.
 
Mejilan said:
Picked up this (and the other four HSG games) today. I've never played a HSG game before, though I loved the MG titles. I'll post impressions as well. At some point, I suppose.
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Have you considered getting help for your collection fixation? You don't have to buy every game in a series when you don't even know if you like the games. :)
 
I'm sure I'll like them. I know they're similar enough to MG to pretty much guarantee that. :)
 
Drinky Crow said:
Camelot created HSG1 and (I believe 2), and then went on to make Mario Golf 64 and Turdstool Tour.

Clap Hanz took over with HSG3 and 4, along with PSP, and they've actually really refined the series greatly.
Click to expand...
Clap Hanz took over for Hot Shots 2. I think that MG64 and HSG2 came out about the same time, if I remember.

I'm fuckin' pumped to start playing. Just want to finish dinner, 'cos I know if I didn't, I wouldn't get to eat as my hands will be glued to my PSP once I start playing. I had way more fun with Mario Golf Advance Tour that Toadstool, even though I did have a blast with TT. If I have half as much fun with Open Tee as I did with Advance Tour, my $40 will have been well spent.

Tap-tap-tap for life. Having never played Tiger Woods before, I kept up with my friend who had played dozens of games. I only lost by a couple of strokes... it's too easy. Hot Shots fo' lifffffffe.
 
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