Hot Shots Golf (series)

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Hot Shots Golf, known as Everybody's Golf outside North America is a series of golf games published by Sony for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 (PS2) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) consoles. The series is well-known for its humorous look on the game of golf (including cartoon-like caricatures) and guest characters from other games, along with modes such as miniature golf and its ability to maintain a realistic engine with precise control in tandem with the unrealistic design. The series is popular with both golf fans and non-fans alike.

Hot Shots Golf spawned five sequels: Hot Shots Golf 2, Hot Shots Golf 3, Hot Shots Golf Fore!, Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, and Hot Shots Golf: Coca Cola Special Edition.

Contents

[edit] The series

[edit] Hot Shots Golf (1997)

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The original Hot Shots Golf was developed by Camelot Software Planning and originally released in Japan on July 7, 1997 for the PlayStation. Later, it was relased in the United States and United Kingdom on May 5, 1998.

There were a variety of modes including tournament, training, stroke play, matchplay, and miniature golf. The game featured several characters, including some that were unlockable by beating them. A player could earn experience points for his character for winning tournaments and hitting a variety of shots. These points were used to open new courses. The game featured six different courses and a free moving game camera.

Alternate Titles

  • Minna no Golf -- Japanese Title (translation: Everybody's Golf)
  • Everybody's Golf -- European Title

[edit] Hot Shots Golf 2 (2000)

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This sequel developed by Clap Hanz, was released on February 29, 2000 in United States and April 19, 2000 in the United Kingdom for the PlayStation.

While the game is very similar to the original, it does bring slight improvements. Like the game's 1997 release, there are several characters to choose from, and many more to be unlocked throughout the game. Each character has his or her own strengths and weaknesses, making character selection more than just choosing a skin. But, this time, the character models themselves are more realistic looking as opposed to the big-head anime style of the original Hot Shots Golf.

Again, there are several different modes of play, from standards like stroke, match, and tournament, to the 'vs. mode', through which new characters can be unlocked. Gameplay itself is a version of the standard '3 click' variety used by the majority of golf games.

Alternate Titles

  • Minna no Golf 2 -- Japanese Title
  • Everybody's Golf 2 -- European Title

[edit] Hot Shots Golf 3 (2002)

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Developed again by Clap Hanz, this is the third installment of the respected PlayStation golf series and the game's first time on the PlayStation 2. Its official release date was March 12, 2002.

The overall look and feel of the game is pretty much the same as it's predecessors, though with a much greater degree of visual finesse, thanks to the PS2. The same '3 click' system for hitting the ball is back. There are a number of different courses, characters, clubs, and ball types to choose from. New equipment can be purchased with experience points, which your characters earn by winning matches. Better equipment will ease up the games difficulty a bit by providing greater accuracy, distance, and control. As an additional feature, the game has an international ranking system: With a password from the game you can post your scores on a website, where you can see how you measure up against everyone else out there.

Alternate Titles

  • Minna no Golf 3 -- Japanese Title
  • Everybody's Golf 3 -- European Title

[edit] Hot Shots Golf Fore! (2003)

Main article: Hot Shots Golf Fore!
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Fore!, is the fourth game in the Hot Shots series, the third game developed by Clap Hanz and the second one for the PlayStation 2. It was released on November 27, 2003 in Japan and August 17, 2004 in North America.

The new version contains more realistic physics and better graphics. In addition, the game introduced new features such as miniature golf games and online play with the Network Adaptor. The developers also increased the overall number of characters from 15 to 24 (that's 23 people and one animal), added more caddies (10 in all, two of which are animals), and boosted the number of courses from six to 15. Of these 15 courses, 10 are new, while five are returning favorites from the previous game. The game also features a "Tournament mode" where up to 32 players can compete against each other.

[edit] Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee (2004)

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Open Tee is the PSP version of Hot Shots Golf, released as launch title for the PSP in Japan on December 12, 2004. It hit the stores in North America on May 3, 2005 and was released in Europe on September 1, 2005, under the title Everybody's Golf.

This newest version of the game features 6 new courses as well as several classic ones, and has the same, wide range of player customization as other games in the series. Players may also play this game wirelessly with up to 8 people.

Open Tee features three game modes. The single-player game offers gamers the chance to unlock characters and items by competing in tournaments or by stroke play. Training mode lets golfers practice their skills on various courses with no pressure. The wireless multiplayer mode allows up to eight players to play a course together in various head-to-head matches, real-time tournaments, or the new putting challenge.

The 10 new characters can be customized with more than 250 body parts, accessories, clubs, and balls for a unique look. Once players gain enough experience, they can upgrade their equipment to go even further under par.

Open Tee is rated "E+10 for Everyone" in the US, and "3+" in Europe.

Alternate Titles

  • Minna no Golf 5 -- Japan Title
  • Everybody's Golf -- European Title

[edit] Hot Shots Golf: Coca Cola Special Edition (2005)

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Released on May 5, 2005, this exclusive version of the PSP game Minna no Golf Portable is a Coca-Cola branded special edition which features costumes for the characters in Coke's red-and-white colors, billboards with Coke branding, Coke "thought bubbles", Coke bottle-shaped golf clubs, and packaging designed around the Coke theme.

This game is rare beyond rare as far as Special Editions go: only 1,300 copies of the game were produced. Both the game and the Coke-branded PSP systems (which just have a logo, instead of being red-and-white PSPs) were to be given away as a prize package. To enter the contest, which ran between March 28 and May 31, 2005, contestants needed 10 Coke points and had to be in Japan. Prizes also included tickets to an exclusive club show with Japanese rock act HY and Shonen Jump manga figures (including a Naruto figure and a Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo).

Alternate Titles

  • Minna no Golf Portable: Coca Cola Special Edition -- Japanese Title
  • Everybody's Golf Portable: Coca Cola Special Edition -- European Title

[edit] Hot Shots Golf for GPS (2006)

At a PS3 press conference in March 2006 Sony announced they are preparing a second Minna no Golf Portable PSP (Hot Shots Golf) title in collaboration with Clap Hanz. Currently know as 'Hot Shots Golf for GPS', The game is intended for simultaneous release with the PSP GPS peripheral device in Japan in late November 2006.

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

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