Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004

For the first time, N-Gage owners will get to play one of Corporate America’s favorite pastimes: golf. Not only do gamers get to play golf on the handheld but they also get to play one of the N-Gage’s first true online game. Brace yourself, are you ready for what this game has to offer!

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 has four different modes of play: practice, career, versus, and arena. The practice mode is where players can learn how to play the game. I would highly recommend anyone playing this mode first because it will allow you to get a good understanding of how the game plays, and to start coming up with different strategies when they start the career mode.

The career mode is where the real meat of this game lies. In this mode players will choose a professional golfer and see if they have what it takes to win it all. Also players will have the opportunity to unlock different items to be used throughout the rest of the game. Career mode is broken into three different sections: Tournaments, Scenarios, and EA Sports Crowns. In Tournament mode, players will see if they can make it to the qualifiers, and then see if they can beat all the other professional golfers in a tournament. In Scenario mode, players will see if they can beat extremely hard challenges. After you complete the Tournament mode, the EA Sports Crown mode will open. This is the ultimate tournament, and if you can beat it you will claim the title of best golfer in the world.

In versus mode players have the chance to play with up to three different people (on one N-Gage) to see who is the best golfer. This means that you will have to physically pass the N-Gage around to each player for their turn. EA also utilizes the Bluetooth technology and you can play with one other friend, on separate N-Gage’s. For the first time ever, the N-Gage has finally released a game that can be played online, real time with other people, via the N-Gage Arena. This is a welcome addition to the N-Gage library, and will provide huge replay value.

The console version of Tiger Woods 2004 uses the analog sticks for swinging the golf club, which proves to be extremely accurate. Since the N-Gage doesn’t have an analog stick, you are forced to use the digital pad, which proves to be not as accurate as its console brethren. You press back and then forward on the direction back, and then as the golfer is coming down press the “5 button” to hit the ball. Even though this is the best that this console can do for the console it is still palatable.

To help make the game more realistic gamers will not only have to set up each and every shot, they will have to also beware of any obstacles in the way, the wind condition, and what club to use. If you miscalculate any of these factors, you can go from the top position to the bottom in no time flat.

The game presents players with a 3D view of the golfers back, before they hit a ball. The modeling is done pretty well, and looks decent on the N-Gage. The only thing is that you will not really notice this since you will always be in the overhead perspective trying to figure out the best way to get the ball closest to the hole. The limited animation for each of the golfers is done pretty well, but it is nothing to brag to your friends about.

The music is sub par for this game. The sound effects that are in this game also sound very crisp and pleasant to the ears. Honestly though, music and sound effects are not the most prevalent thing you think about when you are playing a golf game.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 is rated E for everyone.

Gameplay: 7.5
The game plays really well on the N-Gage. The controls were adapted from the console version analog sticks, and it doesn’t translate as well on a digital pad, it gets the job done but it is not too precise.

Graphics: 6.8
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 has some nice 3D modeling, but you will be spending most the time in a top perspective trying to figure out your next shot.

Sound: 7.5
The game sounds average, crisp and pleasant, yet nothing too special.

Difficulty: Medium
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 will give players a good challenge.

Concept: 8.1
Golf really hasn’t changed that much over the years, just hit the ball with a club and try to get the ball closest to the hole. What I do like about this game is that it is the first to offer true online gaming.

Multiplayer: N/A
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 supports up to two players using the Bluetooth technology or Online Option. At the time of this review I didn’t get a chance to review this aspect of the game.

Overall: 7.6
While the game’s controls are not as strong as the console counterparts. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 should not be missed if you own an N-Gage. Not only do you get one of the best selling golf franchises, but also you get the first real online N-Gage game.