It's funny how Playstation keeps bringing out "New and Improved" versions of this game.
I first discovered this game waaaaaaaay back in my early Ebay bidding days. In fact, it was the second thing I ever bought.
I got PS2's Tiger Woods 2003 for around $15 - a bargain.
The game has incredible playability - the action is easy to get used to and the analog shock controllers add excitement to the whole experience.
The graphics are pretty amazing - the game really draws you in - thunder in the background, rain falling, birds hooting or strange sounds in the distance make it an all-encompassing experience.
The game can be played for years if you ask me - I'm still not sick of it, and I wasn't even much of a golf fan when I started!!
The commentary is hilarious - David Feherty and Bill Macatee have a riotous banter which often had me giggling out loud.
Eg. "This putt is like hot snot out of a chrome nostril..."
It's sometimes hard not to laugh while taking a shot.
The music is great as well - Silverchair(Australian! Thank you), Ra (I had never heard of this band before but they are pretty good) and other heavier rock acts.
Some people have complained about playing a conservative game with a rock soundtrack but I think why not?
Tiger Woods 2004 has added various rap stuff and quite frankly it's nowhere near as good.
The courses in 2003 are beautiful too: Pebble Beach, Black Rock Cove, Spyglass Hill, The Highlands and don't forget the Royal and Ancient St Andrews - to name a few.
The Predator (complete with elephant noises and running waterfalls)
Black Rock Cove
The characters are just that - characters! Many have a legend behind them.
Hamish "Mulligan" McGregor - named due to his incessant cheating.
Or Domenic "The Don" Donatello - named because he makes his opponents "disappear"
You get the idea.
It's a game for those with a sense of humour.
Tiger Woods 2004 is all flash and dazzle and the graphics are supposed to be better but they actually come across as lame. The soundtrack is infuriating and the commentary is flat. Even the characters seem to have less personality.
The new additions for 2004 include "Game Face" - a feature where you can fashion your own likeness on to the screen and play as "yourself"
Seriously. This is creepy. It's very unnerving to see a quasi "You" on the screen. Kind of Voodoo-ish. Don't go there.
Tiger Woods 2003 is the best version of this classic game. The other versions are just the same game with extra fluff around the edges.
