Tiger Woods PGA Tour

There are seemingly 2 camps in console golf games: the "fun" camp (Hot Shots Golf, Mario Golf) that emphasizes a certain playability over any serious sim aspects, and the "realism" camp (EA's Tiger Woods, Fox Sports) which attempts to display the game as it is actually played. I enjoy both styles, but the cartoonish qualities of the former can wear thin whereas the latter is always a good choice to fall back on time and again. Your choice may vary, but realize that this definitely falls into the "realism" camp and this may turn out to be slightly "dry" for the youngsters amongst you, or those that prefer a lot of theatrics in their golf gaming.

Why is this installment the preferred edition? Well, for starters it is easily the most gorgeous looking of the three, putting 99 to utter shame graphically, and even upping the ante on the fairly adequate graphics of 2000. The sounds are kept to a quiet minimum (except, for some reason, in the long term PGA Tour mode) which helps set the proper tone. The putting meter has thankfully returned to what most fans of EA Sports' PGA series know & love: the straight line meter. No more circular guesswork, this is just like old times (PGA Tour III on Genesis being my favorite of the 16-bit era.) Also improved from previous versions is the putting. The draw/fade feature that made putting such a foul nightmare in earlier editions now returns to the standard distance shot, thought the quirky "quake-cam" effect is still used to determine putting green hills/valleys. But without the hook/slice factor, this becomes much easier to digest. And I will mention that the ridiculous "Tiger Power" ability (allowing you to alter the direction of the shot mid-flight, as if by telepathy) is thankfully turned off by default.

The game, on the whole, as a result of these intelligent game mechanics changes has seemingly become easier and more user-friendly. Though still a proper challenge will certainly await you. This time around there are 6 courses (up 1 from 2000's 5) along with 8 tour pros (up 3 from 2000's 5.) The animation and sayings are much the same as the previous version, but there was never much wrong with that aspect, so it is forgiveable.

There do seem to be a few less options this time around (they seem to have canned the shootout mode and 4-ball competitions) but they are not missed amidst the lush graphics and control enhancements that make this one a joy to play. It is certainly the pinnacle of "realistic" golf games, and is likely to remain so, as EA will be releasing Tiger Woods 2002 on PS2 only.

Prior to purchasing this title, I had read many poor reviews of this game which had me worried. Yet after spending many hours out on the PS1 links with this title, I am truly dumbfounded as to what is so truly evil about it. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 outdoes not only its previous incarnations, but also outshines all but the best of the "fun" category. The only game I would recommend over this would be Hot Shots Golf 2.

A very fun, very accessible, very pretty golf game that deserves to be played & appreciated. Console gaming old-timers from the Genesis PGA era will be right at home.

You can't even play a tournament of more than one round. The "challenge" is even more ridiculous. The first event is super easy if you have any experience in the game. Then you play against other players in a skins game. No matter how you play, the AI will find some way to make a ridiculous putt or hole one from 200 yards to make sure you can't win anything. I actually shot a 64 on the course and did not win a skin. This means that you cannot advance until you win the skins game. It is frustrating as h....

Anyway, if you want a Tiger Woods game, just buy the first one and play that. That game actually has the "tiger power" option. This game is a complete waste of money. EA dissapoints on this game, unlike them with their other great sports games.