Everybody's Golf: World Tour Review

By Dave McCarthy Published 22 August, 2007

Not a good walk spoiled.

Version tested: PlayStation 3

Is it possible to start a review of a golf game without a reference to a good walk spoiled? Apparently not. But golf's real problem isn't that it spoils a good walk. It's that golfers spoil a potentially good game, with their blazers and ties, and their committees, and their archaic attitude to women and all that sort of thing (although don't tell my dad I said that: he's the captain at his local golf club).

Minna no Golf is, in stark contrast, a good game of golf, unspoiled by any of that. From start to finish, it just exudes charm. Like your caddy, who zooms off after each shot to make sure he (or she) is there, panting, to greet your ball when it lands. Or the 'NICE SHOT' that appears in great big multi-coloured letters every time you hit a good shot. Or the sound of cowbells, or the sight of swans as you make your way round the various courses. Or the slightly non sequitur but relaxing and serene images of tranquil vistas, or swimming dolphins, that greet you in pinpoint high definition at the end of every round (a personal favourite is the killer whale).

'Everybody's Golf: World Tour' Screenshot 1

Your shots are accompanied by a variety of whizzy visual and sound effects.

In terms of the actual game design, Minna no Golf is unabashedly old school. Unlike games like Tiger Woods, which have moved into the modern era by featuring a growing roster of licensed names and courses and incorporating a mimetic analog stick waggle, Minna no Golf does pretty much the same thing that previous games in the series have always done. Which means that Minna no Golf, unlike the real thing, and the games that aim to ape it, provides a wonderful invigorating streak of colour and character across the golf course.

The structure is the same as before. There are 15 characters, six courses, and seven caddies available to unlock (with just two characters, one caddy and one course open at the start of the game). There's strokeplay, matchplay, multiplayer, and a variety of challenges that allow you to unlock new costumes, clubs and balls, and each set of challenges culminates in a matchplay game against the next unlockable character. There are online tournaments, and cute online lobbies, modelled on Japenese hot springs, or tatami rooms, peopled by Mii-style avatars, decked out in a variety of costumes, from scuba divers to schoolgirls.

'Everybody's Golf: World Tour' Screenshot 2

Every time you hit a shot, crowd members make appreciative noises...

And there's the same, tried and tested mechanics that have featured in all the previous Minna no Golf games, barring a cosmetic change. The way you used to play Minna no Golf was with a simple three-tap system: one tap to set the power bar going; a second to confirm the power of your shot; and a third to determine the control and accuracy. The new system sees an equally simple three-tap system: one tap to set your swing going; a second to confirm the power of your shot; and a third to determine the control and accuracy. It's the same power bar system that golfing videogames have employed since time immemorial, just without the power bar. So it's just as intuitive - and probably more so - than ever before (and in any case, old-hand die-hards still have the option to use the old system). It does make putting slightly more difficult at first, but only until you suss out the relative power of different putts and learn to read the greens.

'Everybody's Golf: World Tour' Screenshot 3

… and your caddy races off to reach the ball before it lands.

In the world of mobile phone gaming, they call this sort of design 'one button gaming', and get breathlessly excited about how it appeals to everyone, not just people who play games. That's absolutely true of Minna no Golf, but it's also true that the game sports sufficient depth to satisfy the most ardent wannabe pro golfer. It's got spin, mapped to the d-pad, and it's got boost shots, which you can use a certain number of times each round to gain a few extra yards. It's got a choice of players, clubs and balls, all of which have an impact on your style of play. And ultimately, it's got the infinite variety of a real game of golf, because wherever your ball lands it will create a subtly different challenge every time.

And that's why, in spite of all the similarities to previous games in the series, the game never runs into the law of diminishing returns. In spite of the fact that all you're doing is pressing a button three times, over and over again, it never gets boring. It would probably be too controversial to call it the best golf game, or the best PS3 game. But on both counts it's a remarkably close call.

8 / 10

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About Dave McCarthy

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Comments (74) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • JayPee #1 5 years ago

    Dang, now I want a PS3! :D

    The PSP EG is one of the best titles still for that format.

  • Steroyd #2 5 years ago

    Europe date? :'(

  • Xerx3s #3 5 years ago

    Better than halo 3 then.


    What?

  • miiiguel #4 5 years ago

    "It would probably be too controversial to call it the best PS3 game"

    It wouldn't be a great achievement, would it ?
    Edited by 1 at 22/08/07 @ 14:51

  • Dizzy #5 5 years ago

    >A golf game? Three button presses?

    It is big in Japan?

  • 8bitMofo #6 5 years ago

    windy, upskirt panty shots FTW!

    http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=dI8DA0QVesM

  • miiiguel #7 5 years ago

    Amazing how this incredible achievement in ludic art can fit in a Blue-Ray!

    Meanwhile my Bioshock copy has just been shipped, I love you Amazon UK.
    Edited by 1 at 22/08/07 @ 14:56

  • lennon #8 5 years ago

    No sign of a europe release for this. Too bad as it may have stopped me buying the next Tiger Woods game on the 360 if this was coming soon.

  • el_pollo_diablo #9 5 years ago

    When is this game coming out?

    Edit: next month it would appear.
    Edited by 1 at 22/08/07 @ 14:57

  • SniperWolf #10 5 years ago

    So the best PS3 game can only manage a 8/10, what a system, and only 400 quid.

  • HarryPalmer #11 5 years ago

    BUY THE JAPANESE VERSION. ITS COOL

  • bag-in-box #12 5 years ago

    well, at least the system does not need to take 8 weeks holiday(s) in Germany every now and then..

    Next month? Really? hmm.. warhawk, HS and EG5 seems like a nice combo to me :)

  • Walshicus #13 5 years ago

    It's golf. With Animé style characters. Golf... how does a *golf* game warrant 8/10?

  • NewYork #14 5 years ago

    On XBox the skies would have been grey.

  • dsmx #15 5 years ago

    Because this golf game is fun. That is what games are for FUN, it doesn't matter what they are if they put a smile on your face who cares?

  • SBfistfun #16 5 years ago

    d pad!

    I think you'll find they are referred to as directional buttons on a Sony system.

    Tsk!

  • Les #17 5 years ago

    "No sign of a europe release for this. Too bad as it may have stopped me buying the next Tiger Woods game on the 360 if this was coming soon."

    Why not import? Is cheaper than getting a European game as well (for the cost conscious gamers around here and I know there's a lot of them... ;) ). Through import you can save around 20 euro's on store prices, around 10 on internet retailer prices per game. I pay 45 euro's on average for a new game, including shipping.

  • lennon #18 5 years ago

    Can you trade imported games then?

    If not then thats £15 lost straight away.

    /Waves fist at Japanese PSP that nobody will trade.

  • crazyhorse174 #19 5 years ago

    If you think that golf clubs are bad, try joining a bowling club...

    My God...women arent even treated as full members of the club!

    To be fair though, golf makes a better computer game than bowls would...I dont think Richard Corsey Championship Bowls would do quite as well as Tiger Woods...

  • Quine #20 5 years ago

    I can guarantee I'll still be playing this long after BioShock has been finished a few times and relegated to the bottom of the stack...

  • banger #21 5 years ago

    I hav the Asia game and it is fantastic. No you can't trade import games but you can sell them on ebay easy enough if you get bored of them!!!

  • GamesConnoisseur #22 5 years ago

    You 8 bits Mofo!

    So PS3 owners now no less pervy for upskirt shots than X360 owners what with DOA4, DOAX2 and Rumble Roses XX!
    Also interestingly both able to media up to PC and port across whatever kind of stuff you want to see on HDTV?!

    Anyway, I am certainly going to get EG 5, at least it the game my wife and I love playing together quite regularly on PSP, PS2 and next PS3. Its a kind of game that can never get boring.

  • miiiguel #23 5 years ago

    Can you trade imported games then?

    Where I live you can't, in a "regular" shop at least.

  • banger #24 5 years ago

    Sell your Japenese PSP on ebay!

  • lennon #25 5 years ago

    @banger - Ebay is not for me. Horrible place.

  • Halo.Jones #26 5 years ago

    SBFistfun! Sounds like you're missing the gang! We've got a vacancy coming up if you wanna come back? :)

  • Kenshin001 #27 5 years ago

    LOL at the 360 owners spamming the PS3 game reviews. Miiiguel seems to have some "issues". God forbid it is a fun game totally devoid of bald homo space marines.

  • Dizzy #28 5 years ago

    >God forbid it is a fun game

    Is that not the reason PS3 owners are always spamming the Wii threads? :)

  • jonsaan #29 5 years ago

    WANT WANT WANT.
    Thank God they didn't opt for crappy push the stick pull the stick shot mechanic.

  • morriss #30 5 years ago

    Excellent! I'll take this! :)

  • myiagros #31 5 years ago

    imported just a few weeks ago, and am absolutely loving this game!!

    It is most similar to the PSP version of the series, but unfortunately without the same degree of character costume customisation. Each character has 4 outfits, but in the PSP version there were tons of hats, outfits and cool accesories.
    If the character customisation had been included then this would be the best golf game ever.

    The online is great fun, but it is actually too popular at the moment as it can sometimes be difficult to find a spare slot in any tournament.

    The review fails to mention that each course comes in 2 versions, and there are also occasional variants on the gameplay rules (larger holes, extra penalties for landing in rough/sand ect.)

  • Razz #32 5 years ago

    NEver been into these games. I'm sure the fans will love it though

  • lennon #33 5 years ago

    "lol @ the bioshock comments, some people still don't seem to grasp the concept of console games. "

    Eh?

  • SBfistfun #34 5 years ago

    @Halo Jones

    oooohh! I do miss the banter, and the SB outburst don't really fit in at all well here!

  • Pulsar_t #35 5 years ago

    The music in that perverse Youtube video is nice. Must get OST at least!

  • CitizenGeek #36 5 years ago

    It's pretty hard to define the appeal of Everybody's Golf, but it is definately a very fun game! Pity it almost always gets ridiculously, frustratingly difficult as you progress through the game :(

    I'd still buy this on PS3, if I had one, though! :)

  • JYM60 #37 5 years ago

    Demo was great, so the game will be aces. Hope online play works well.

  • Zomoniac #38 5 years ago

    I imported and it's fantastic, though I'll rebuy the UK release cos ALL the text is in Japanese. If it's out here next month I'd advise people to wait, it's very heavy on it.

  • Les #39 5 years ago

    "Can you trade imported games then?"

    Don't know. I never trade games myself. Though I'm tempted to trade Oblivion. That game really sucks. Need to trust more on my gut feeling.

  • lennon #40 5 years ago

    If its next month then I will wait I think although gameplay have nothing on their site for it so Im not holding out much hope that next month is accurate.

    80 hours of oblivion says I disagree Les! ;)

  • DanC89 #41 5 years ago

    I thought I'd be the first to mention the windy upskirts. :(

  • HiddenAway #42 5 years ago

    Anyone slamming this without having played it should be made to stand 10y in front of the tee and a drive shot towards them without any warning.

    This is the game that made me like golf!

    Does this have the bonkers taunting system from previous games? Please tell me it's there! :-D

  • smugla #43 5 years ago

    sweet 1st game id get a ps3 for now give me another four and ps3 here i come

  • JediMasterMalik #44 5 years ago

    Quite possibly the only golf game I enjoy, will be buying this at some point if I don't get bogged down.

  • spliffhead #45 5 years ago

    Swimming in the lake!

  • Agent_Llama #46 5 years ago

    The original PSOne Everybody's Golf was a masterpiece, and the PSP version is rather good too. Have downloaded the Jap demo of this and it's just as lovely, so I am looking forward to this lots. These guys know what they're doing with golf games, the developers used the Everybody's Golf engine for Mario Golf on the 64/Cube - they're practically identical.

  • mingster #47 5 years ago

    Everybodys golf on the PSP was absolute quality and no doubt this is as good.

    Stuff Tiger Woods realism you need this.

    Obligatory http://www.albatross18.co m link.

    Free PC online everybodys golf. Awesome fun as well.

  • #48 5 years ago

    I'm buying this game.

    But what's up with all the xbot morons in this thread?

  • miiiguel #49 5 years ago

    Egster: enlight me, how is it ?

  • AOFanboi #50 5 years ago

    <em>So the best PS3 game can only manage a 8/10, what a system, and only 400 quid.</em>

    You know, if the hard-on you got after the 10/10 BioShock review hasn't subsided yet, try a cold shower. Freak.

  • Rush2112 #51 5 years ago

    I just ordered this last night from Japan, can't wait until it arrives.

  • HazyUK #52 5 years ago

    Been playing this for a couple of weeks now and I'm loving it, it's so addictive.

  • kentmonkey #53 5 years ago

    I am tired and probably therefore misreading this but does this actually make sense:

    "The way you used to play Minna no Golf was with a simple three-tap system: one tap to set the power bar going; a second to confirm the power of your shot; and a third to determine the control and accuracy. The new system sees an equally simple three-tap system: one tap to set your swing going; a second to confirm the power of your shot; and a third to determine the control and accuracy. It's the same power bar system that golfing videogames have employed since time immemorial, just without the power bar."

    That seems to suggest that it's exactly the same as before, but then suggests there's no power bar, even though in the previous sentence it says that you set the power. It's probably me, I am virtually falling asleep due to a very long day, but I just can't work that out. Please help unfrazzle my brain!

  • DrunKao #54 5 years ago

    cloth physics, wind blowing, upskirt!!

  • captainrentboy #55 5 years ago

    How I loved the PSP version of this, so bloody addictive, I almost bought one,back in the day, off the back of just that title.
    When I get a PS3(probably late next year at some point) , this will be a definite purchase.

  • NewYork #56 5 years ago

    XBots, get it through your retarded skulls: Bioshock is s***, and the PS3 doesn't need it.


    Obviously when it comes to the PS3 maybe the power of Cell may do it justice, but for now I'd rather play Everybody's Golf, thank you very much.

  • orcane #57 5 years ago

    I'd love to play this, but like I never got enough other games to justify buying a PSP for its version of "EG", the PS3 has to wait a little longer at its current price

  • numptyboymatt #58 5 years ago

    Hope they hurry up and release this over here - It looks good and Im in need of something to play on me PS3!

  • Kryon #59 5 years ago

    "Bioshock is s***, and the PS3 doesn't need it."

    Bwahahahaa, touchy, touchy! Got a bit of 10/10 envy going on there mate;)

  • muftak #60 5 years ago

    cant wait for this another title i want

    "Bioshock is s***, and the PS3 doesn't need it."

    i was going to agree with you apart from ive just played the demo and wanted more , consoles need to be banned from FPS games leave em to the PC cant beat a mouse and keyboard
    Edited by 1 at 22/08/07 @ 22:09

  • Pedrolot #61 5 years ago

    Ive just played the Bioshock demo..and your right..It IS shit

  • Kryon #62 5 years ago

    Hmm Bioshock or Mehverybody's Golf? I'm actually seriously laughing at the desperation displayed by certain fanboys. Why not just get all three consoles? It cuts the need for jealousy.

  • Dave_Taurus #63 5 years ago

    kentmonkey: the system is exactly the same as before, but without a power bar. So you judge the power based on the length of your character's backswing (ie. if you want maximum power, wait till they've swung fully; if you want 50% power, then wait till they're halfway through their swing). But like the review says, there's still the option to use the old system.

  • yagisencho #64 5 years ago

    This is one of the games I'm looking forward to playing when I buy a PS3 in 2010.

  • captainrentboy #65 5 years ago

    Some of you are bloody awful really, I bet you're like 20+ as well, ''Bioshock is shit!'' I'm willing to bet that you haven't even played the demo, let alone the full game. Jealousy is a sad thing, jealousy over a computer game is just plain retarded. Sort it out chaps, your parents are ashamed of you.

  • keenest #66 5 years ago

    At present Everybody's Golf 5 is all I'm playing. I love this game to bits. Not being able to understand the Asian Text helps add to the games charm.

    It is possible to play a quick 9 holes in about 10-15 minutes, and if you played well enough you would have unlocked some goodies.

    Multiplayer is of course excellent.

  • Caimbeul #67 5 years ago

    "Can you trade imported games then?

    If not then thats £15 lost straight away. "

    - Only mugs trade their games in as you get well and truley screwed in the deal and then on top of that the store (GAME is a perfect example) then go on to sell the game they gave you £2.50 store credit for for about £5 less than the retail value of the new game - wankers!

    Anyway I have had my PS3 for months now and still have not bought one game (some PSN content excluded) This will be my first - what does that say about Sonys console?

    PS: anyone who has it already can you adv if you can play multiplayer with one joypad?

  • HiddenAway #68 5 years ago

    "PS: anyone who has it already can you adv if you can play multiplayer with one joypad?"

    Haven't got the game but the previous games have allowed multiplayer with one controller (except the PSP). To be honest, I'd be surprised if they excluded it in this version. It wouldn't make sense :p

  • Les #69 5 years ago

    "Anyway I have had my PS3 for months now and still have not bought one game (some PSN content excluded) This will be my first - what does that say about Sonys console?"

    Not sure. But it does tell something about you... ;)

  • kentmonkey #70 5 years ago

    Thanks Dave_Taurus

    Did it actually explain that in the review?

    That makes sense now you've mentioned it though, and I quite like that idea, even better that you have the option to decide for yourself.

  • smelly #71 5 years ago

    Geesus.. what is it with 360 owners?

    Why do they go into every wii/ps3 thread telling us all how their system is better?

    It's getting pathetically desperate of them now isnt it?

  • miiiguel #72 5 years ago

    Ok, I agree, this is the Halo killer. I'm sold, going to sell al my systems, Everybody will Golf 5.

  • Kryon #73 5 years ago

    Smelly man, I'm getting really worried about you, we're just talking about games here, 'toys' if you like, no need to get so into it man, you are the gaming equivalent of a suicide bomber, so filled with seething hate for 360 owners that you make yourself look like an unstable loon...get help or call child line or something!

  • Cheapshot #74 5 years ago

    The way some of you guys are being so tribalistic over fucking GAMES CONSOLES makes me sad - it makes me ashamed to be a gamer sometimes... you're acting like fucking children.

    On another note I loved the PSP version so I'll probably be getting this. :)