The Everybody’s Golf franchise is one of those IPs with a vast legacy across gaming history, yet one that might have flown under the radar for newer or less observant sports gaming fans. Also known over the years as Hot Shots Golf, it has consistently been a relatively popular first-party title—at least within its niche—with multiple entries released across Sony platforms.
However, after lying dormant since 2017 when the last entry launched for PS4, the franchise now returns under a new developer, with Hyde taking the reins from longtime steward Clap Hanz (responsible since 1999’s second installment), and a new publisher, Bandai Namco replacing Sony. This marks a complete directional shift—yet one seemingly more focused on a “return to roots” than innovation, with minimal tangible impact on players.
The core commitment remains delivering the beloved gameplay style: the iconic three-click swing mechanic stays untouched, as does the signature visual aesthetic. This keeps the game accessible and intuitive for newcomers, but beneath its seemingly simplistic surface lies surprising depth through layered challenges across varied modes.
The heart of the experience remains World Tour mode. It functions as a quasi-story campaign, letting players choose a golfer and engage in 1v1 matches to uncover their motivations via 2D cutscenes. Not every narrative thread shines, but it leans into memorable absurdity. The roster is robust, featuring iconic and new characters with diverse aesthetics. Note: You start with only two golfers, requiring significant unlock progress to access all.
Throughout your journey, you earn EXP for both yourself and Caddies (personal assistants). Instead of boosting stats, they unlock new outfits, color variants, and shot types. Golfer progression happens via food—purchased with in-game currency and usable on any character. This lets you, say, stick with your favorite golfer while funneling resources into others.
Mechanically, you select a hole’s starting position, then execute the signature three-click routine: X to initiate the gauge, X for power, and X for accuracy. While guided through tutorials, golf veterans can freely tweak club types, distance, and ball contact points—blending simulation depth with arcade flair.
A critical gameplay omission frustratingly hampers precision: the lack of a visible ball trajectory line. Given golf’s exacting nature—and the game’s wind/elevation physics—misjudging shots (especially low-trajectory ones) leads to avoidable errors that feel arbitrary.
Another caveat, depending on perspective, is scaled-back elements from prior entries. The social hub is axed entirely, replaced by functional but aesthetically bland menus. This “back-to-basics” approach extends to visuals, aligning with pre-PS4 generations—implying intentional simplicity over graphical ambition.
Beyond World Tour, core golf modes include Solo Round, Match Play, and Stroke Play. These straightforward contests (specific hole/stroke goals) support solo, local, or online co-op for up to four players.
The more intricate solo Challenge mode operates cyclically: completing courses fills a meter that unlocks special matches, rewarding new course configurations upon victory. These upgrades help counterbalance a key issue: the limited course selection.
With just ten visually indistinct courses, heavy repetition breeds overfamiliarity despite their “night mode” variants. While licensed courses weren’t expected, more creative designs would’ve countered this weariness.
Creativity surges in Wacky Golf, featuring four increasingly bizarre modes. Scramble alternates shots between two golfers; Survival removes a losing player’s club each round. Chaos peaks in Colorful, where balls landing on colored markers trigger randomized effects—from stat boosts to roaming animals repositioning balls randomly. Boom Golf replaces markers with mines that blast balls unpredictably. Both deliver glorious multiplayer mayhem.
Overall, Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots transcends being a mere fusion of legacy names. It offers a deliberate step backward—simplifying elements to deliver accessible, fun-focused gameplay. Unfortunately, this backward glance also shackles it with technical flaws like tinny audio and distractingly subpar voice acting. Still, if you seek lighthearted fun—especially with friends—it’s a solid swing.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is available on PS5, Switch, and PC without Brazilian Portuguese subtitles. This review covers the PS5 version via a code provided by Bandai Namco.
