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Hot Shots Golf Fore! ps2 Game Reviews
Hot Shots Golf Fore!
Critic Score
Metascore: 80 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.2 out of 10
based on 46 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 4 votes
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Rate this game

(Also known as "Minna No Golf 4," or "Everybody's Golf 4") Join in on the off-the-wall fun, true-to-life physics and new Online gameplay. With more courses and more characters than ever before Hot Shots Golf FORE! delivers more of what HSG fanatics have grown to love. Join a full cast of off-the-wall characters from the Clubhouse. 34 in all. Enjoy a variety of 15 different courses, from challenging 18-hole layouts, par 3 executive courses, and back by popular demand, Miniature Golf. Breathtaking graphics feature fully detailed course layouts with tree-lined fairways, manicured greens and treacherous hazards. Brilliant lighting effects and dramatic camera angles add energy and drama to spectacular shots and untimely 'shanks'. True-to-life golf physics and touch sensitive controls demand your careful consideration to golf’s many variables, such as wind, ball lie and course elevation. Intuitive controls and adjustable difficulty settings provide easy access for hackers and challenging gameplay for seasoned veterans. Fast paced arcade style gameplay eliminates waiting for load times...or slow foursomes. Test your golf skills in several different modes including, Tour, VS, and Training modes. Online play...Share the course with thousands of Hot Shots Golf fanatics from across the nation. [Sony]

PUBLISHER: Sony Computer Entertainment
DEVELOPER: Clap Hanz
GENRE(S): Sports, Golf
PLAYERS: 32
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2004

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

94
Gamezilla!
And if Hot Shots Golf FORE! is anything, it's addictive. With so many unlockables at your disposal, it’s almost guaranteed to suck away hours of your time, especially since the core gameplay is so solid.
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91
Gaming Age
The online gameplay is somewhat less inspiring than I hoped, but overall it looks and sounds great, plays extremely well, and most importantly is a ton of fun for single and multiple players.
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91
Gaming Target
Online play is addictive and challenging despite its frustrating flaws and oversights, the realism of the game despite the cartoony look is great, and most importantly, the game is extremely fun.
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90
TotalGames.net
Underneath all the 'hilariosity' though, are some rock solid physics.
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90
Weekly Famitsu
9 / 9 / 9 / 9 - 36 platinum [Vol 781]
90
Cincinnati Enquirer
Though hard-core golfers might not appreciate exaggerated plaid pants on cartoon characters and sarcastic golfers, pretty much everyone else will get into the game's taunting, tricks and big hit effects and exaggerated character personalities.
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90
GameZone
I cannot express how much enjoyment this title has brought into our family gaming.
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90
Cheat Code Central
If may not feature a drunken out of shape John Daly or the regal presence of Tiger himself, but like Stifler's mom, it definitely has it going on. Buy it for the gameplay, stay for the online.
90
PSM Magazine
A deceptively deep golf game. [Nov 2004, p.85]
90
Game Informer
The visuals may seem vaguely familiar, and the gameplay may fit like a glove, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a sequel that delivers as much new content as Hot Shots Golf Fore! so effortlessly does. [Sept 2004, p.108]
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89
XGP Gaming
The graphics will simply amaze you in this off the wall game.
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89
PGNx Media
The best golf game that you will find on a console. There is so much depth so much charm to this game. It is impossible to dislike unless you really hate golf.
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88
IGN
Hot Shots Golf Fore! has updated its own version of cartoonish golf in a pretty spectacular way...The cross sections in the shots, the trail option of skipping through the shot, and the wind affecting the trees all add up to making the game an improvement all around.
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87
GamingWorld X
Proof that as long as a game is fun, it doesn’t need to be advanced upon by leaps and bounds with every installment. There’s loads of content here.
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86
Armchair Empire
You can play 18 holes with up to three more players or play in a huge tournament (up to 50 players) It's not a revolutionary online mode but it's a huge step forward from HSG3.
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85
TotalPlayStation
Despite its goofy and, possibly to some, even tasteless look, HSGF! is one of the most enjoyable golf games on the market, and surely the finest I’ve ever come across in its field.
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84
BonusStage
An option to use either the analog stick or button swing commands, a full suite of online play modes and options, the ability to swap clubs, gear, and characters online or through memory cards, and maybe some sort of golf cart racing mini-game in addition to the character/voice creator mentioned above, and the next Hot Shots game would be even better.
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84
Inside Gamer Online
The unlockable content alone is enough to keep a player busy for quite some time; couple in the sweet little extras like ‘celebrity’ golfers, and mini golf and the enjoyment can go on for quite some time.
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83
Console Gameworld
The limited online mode and lack of a course editor are lamentable, but the new characters and courses are quite nice.
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82
Gamers' Temple
Up to 50 players can compete in a single tournament with the low score for the course taking the prize. Even though the tournaments are quite large it often feels like you are playing solo as you play each hole on your own.
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80
GMR Magazine
It's faced paced, full of creative shot making, and chock-full of fun unlockables - there's no denying the addictive power. [Oct 2004, p.98]
80
Stuff
Even though the cartoony graphics are like classic arcade games, the controls remain remarkably sharp.
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80
GamePro
Has just enough new features and improvements to make it the best Hot Shots game yet. [Nov 2004, p.140]
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80
netjak
It retains everything you loved about the previous games and simply adds more content.
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80
PSX Nation
The huge number of new golf courses and playable characters, along with slightly-improved control and user-friendly online modes (not to mention the returning golfers/courses from “HSG 3”), make Hot Shots Golf Fore! the best installment of the series yet.
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80
Gamenikki
Worth a play if you didn’t snag the last one. Otherwise, how valuable is online play to you?
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80
Operation Sports
It's simplistic in the initial stages, but deep down, this is a fun, surprisingly deep game that can keep you interested for quite a while.
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80
Da Gameboyz
If you like the game of golf, and appreciate a well styled, RPG-like game with an online component, then I would certainly pick up Hot Shots Fore!
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80
GamerFeed
Packing a new online community, new courses to take on, slight gameplay tweaks, and some surprise faces in the cast, Hot Shots Golf Fore! is definitely worth a go-around.
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75
Game Revolution
But in the grand scheme of things, this somewhat underwhelming series is falling farther behind the game currently atop golf's leaderboard, "Tiger Woods," and doesn’t look to be gaining any strokes.
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75
Play Magazine
Most interesting was the way Fore hides deeper play mechanics that more ambitious gamers can exploit, making this game more than the cartoonish take on golf it's advertised as. [Oct 2004, p.89]
75
Game Over Online
Sure, mini-golf is fun and online is fun, but most of what you’ve seen here is found in the previous game, which is somewhat disappointing.
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73
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Hot Shots may be outlandish by design, but the golf proves true. Off the tee, out of the sand, the chipping, the putting...it's all pretty realistic, and ultimately that's what will keep you playing. [Oct 2004, p.108]
73
GameSpot
There are some subtle improvements to the presentation, and the inclusion of online play is a welcome addition, but when compared to each other, you'll find it difficult to tell the difference between "Hot Shots Golf 3" and Hot Shots Golf Fore!
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71
PSX Extreme
If you're not going to play this game online, you don't need it, you won't like it, and you'll be mad that you paid full price for it.
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70
GameCritics
Duffers who like to spend more time on the couch than on the greens will find much to enjoy here and they can do it without looking like a dork in a pair of knickers.
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70
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Unless you're into cartoony characters and an overdose of wackiness, there really isn't much here beyond simple competence. [Oct 2004, p.98]
70
DailyGame
If you're a fan of the series, then you'll enjoy this, though possibly feel like you've paid full price for what is basically an expansion pack introducing some new mini-games, online support and extra characters (like Ratchet and Clank.)
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70
DarkStation
The addition of mini-games and online mode are welcome, but the absence of upgrades to the gameplay and the lack of a career mode are huge downsides to the game.
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70
Maxim Online
But even if you lack broadband, the bizarre characters and 13 arcade-style courses to choose from will keep you giddier than Carl Spackler on a gofer hunt.
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70
GameShark
For the golf aficionado, the play mechanics are going to feel a little dated and the experience is probably going to be less than satisfying. So, for PS2 owners that have had a case of "Mario Golf" envy, this is the game for you.
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70
GameSpy
It's definitely a solid title that offers fine gameplay and excellent replay value, but outside of the online play -- which is pretty barebones -- it isn't too much of an advancement over its predecessor.
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70
WHAM! Gaming
Don't let the big-headed cartoon folk fool you, this is a solid (but fun) simulation of golf, and online-enabled to boot. Too bad it's so similar to the previous game in the series.
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70
AceGamez
I wanted to be more positive about this title, but after playing the ultimate golfing game and then coming to play this - well, it feels like a giant step down.
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70
3DAvenue
The problem we have is that the PSP version looks better than the PS2 game and that really displays a lack of effort for the PS2 game.
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60
Computer and Video Games
Everybody's Golf invites comparison with the similarly cartoonish "Outlaw Golf 2." Sadly it comes off second best again, thanks to that game's wealth of tournaments and play modes, and its attractive 19.99 price tag. [PSW]
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Pat G. gave it a10:
Forget about the "Everybody´s set club", cause the rest of the game is a pure and brilliant simulator.

Randy B. gave it a 10:
Totally awesome game! If you loved HSG3, you'll definitely love HSGF. The game physics are great! If it's really windy, you'll see the trees sway. The biggest plus is the addition (or re-introduction) of mini golf....Finally!!!!!

Peter S. gave it an 8:
Hot Shots Golf FORE! (HSGF!) is the anti-Tiger Woods golf game. No analog swings here. No real courses or PGA licensing. What HSGF! has is a decent golf sim wrapped inside of an arcade-style presentation. There are some improvements over Hot Shots 3 (online-enabled, more courses, revamped single-player mode, more stats) and a few missteps (putting still a pain, needlessly intrusive and badly stereotyped voice clips)... but overall, HSGF! is worth at least a look for fans of the series and golf fans in general.

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