Software:Swingerz Golf

From HandWiki
Short description: 2002 video game
Swingerz Golf
North American box art
Developer(s)Telenet Japan
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive (Fresh Games)
Composer(s)Shinji Tamura
Platform(s)GameCube
Release
  • NA: October 23, 2002
  • JP: November 28, 2002[1]
  • EU: December 6, 2002[2]
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single player, Multiplayer

Swingerz Golf, known as Ace Golf in Europe and Wai Wai Golf (わいわいゴルフ, Wai Wai Gorufu, "Noisy Golf") in Japan, is a sports video game released by Telenet Japan in 2002. It is a golf simulation game that allows the player to choose from 14 different characters, each with different strengths and weaknesses, to play on any of the game's 6 courses, varying greatly in difficulty and atmosphere. Along with normal match and stroke modes of play, the game offers a tour mode, which simulates the career of a chosen character, a mission mode, consisting of a series of challenges that gradually increase in difficulty, and minigames, including a sudden death style of gameplay and a near-pin style of gameplay.[3]

The game was released under Eidos' short-lived Fresh Games branding, and is the only game within its lineup to be a GameCube exclusive, while the other four games were PlayStation 2 exclusives.[4]

Gameplay

Controls

The user interface during typical gameplay

Swingerz Golf was made exclusively for GameCube, so the controls are designed specifically for a GameCube controller.[2] The player-controlled golfer can be aimed in any direction with the analog stick and can change clubs with the R and L buttons to in any distance or direction possible up to that golfer's particular power limitations. With the X and Y buttons, the player may raise up the camera angle, zoom in on the hole, or rotate the camera around to see what is around an obstacle.[5] Hitting the B button will switch between a power shot and a normal shot. To swing, the player pulls back on the C Stick until the desired power level is reached, then flicks it forward. The accuracy of the shot depends on how straight the stick was moved.[6] If it is nearly or exactly straight, the word "Excellent" will show and the player's character will regain a bit of stamina. Ratings of "Great" and "Good" mean the ball will fly more or less straight, but the player will lose stamina. A rating of "Bad" or "Poor" means that the character will miss the ball, hit it short, or hit it well off the mark.[nb 1] By holding the D-pad in any direction during the swing, the player may add spin to the ball to give it a certain flight pattern or behavior upon landing.[nb 2] On the green, controls are similar, but there are some added visual cues. Once the player has reached or is close enough to see the green, a grid appears, showing the player how a ball will react on any given part of the green. Pressing left and right on the D-pad will make the lines thicker and more bold, making it easier to see on televisions that have a lower display resolutions.[nb 3]

Modes of Play

The primary mode of single-player gameplay in Swingerz Golf is the Tour Mode. In this mode, the player is given a series of tournaments and duels to play through in order to unlock new characters as well as specialty clubs and balls.

In addition to the Tour Mode, Swingerz Golf has an exhibition mode for both match play and stroke play, a practice mode, a survival mode, and a mission mode. In exhibition mode, players may play a game without any consequence to his current game status. Survival mode pits the player against successively harder computer opponents until he loses a one-hole skin match. Mission mode gives the player several levels of challenging scenarios to complete. Challenges include hitting the ball within a certain distance of the cup, hitting a given number of "Excellent" rated shots in a row, and holing out under par, among others.[nb 4]

Multiplayer

Although Swingerz Golf does not support online play, it does support multiplayer gaming over one console. Up to four players or computer-controller players can play a match together, even if 4 controllers are not available.[nb 5] There are three modes of multiplayer play. These are stroke play, skins, and near-pin. In stroke play, two to four players compete against each other over 18 holes of any chosen course. The winner is the player who has the lowest score at the end of the 18th hole. In match play, 2 players play through 18 holes, competing for the lowest score on each hole. For each hole, the player who achieves the lowest score earns a point. The player with the most points at the end of the last hole wins.[3] In near-pin mode, each player gets one shot per hole. The player that lands on the green closest to the pin wins that particular hole. Scoring and winning are the same as that of match play.[nb 6]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic72 out of 100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[3]
EGM7 out of 10[9][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer7 out of 10[2]
Famitsu33 out of 40[10]
Game Informer7.75 out of 10[11]
GameSpot6.5 out of 10[12]
GameSpyStarStarStarHalf star[13]
GameZone6.9 out of 10[14]
IGN6.9 out of 10[15]
Nintendo Power3.5 out of 5[16]
X-PlayStarStarStar[17]

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40.[10] GamePro said, "While Swingerz doesn't add anything new to the big-head golf genre, the things it does, it does well enough. GameCube owners looking for mascot golf but who don't want the 2Xtreme sportz [sic] feel of Outlaw Golf will be happy with Swingerz."[18][lower-alpha 2]

Notes

  1. ↑ From the Operations Guide (8. Shot Mode / Impact Zone)[7]
  2. ↑ From the Operations Guide (14. Spin!)[7]
  3. ↑ From the Operations Guide (15. Putting Tips)[7]
  4. ↑ From the Operations Guide (16. Game Modes)[7]
  5. ↑ From the Operations Guide (3. Basic Controls)[7]
  6. ↑ From the Operations Guide (18. Mini Games)[7]
  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 7.5/10, 6.5/10, and 7/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ "Wai Wai Golf". https://www.play-asia.com/wai-wai-golf/13/701t0. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bramwell, Tom (December 6, 2002). "Ace Golf vs Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003". https://www.eurogamer.net/r-acegolfvstigerwoods2003. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Marriott, Scott Alan. "Swingerz Golf - Review". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=40290&tab=review. 
  4. ↑ Passafiume, Andrew. "New Game+: Eidos and the bizarre Fresh Games label". https://www.snackbar-games.com/features/new-game-eidos-and-the-bizarre-fresh-games-label/. 
  5. ↑ "Swingerz Golf - Controls". All Media Network. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=40290&tab=controls. 
  6. ↑ Paprocki, Matt (June 25, 2006). "Swingerz Golf". https://www.digitpress.com/reviews/swingerzgolf_gc.htm. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Telenet Japan. Swingerz Golf. GameCube. Eidos Interactive. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Swingerz Golf". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/swingerz-golf/. 
  9. ↑ Tsao, Jennifer; Boyer, Crispin; Sewart, Greg (February 2003). "Swingerz Golf". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (163): 144. https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c8/EGM_US_163.pdf. Retrieved October 31, 2024. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ニンテンドーゲームキューブ - わいわいゴルフ" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 915: 101. June 30, 2006. 
  11. ↑ Brogger, Kristian (January 2003). "Swingerz Golf". Game Informer (117): 102. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-117-january-2003/page/102/mode/2up. Retrieved November 2, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Davis, Ryan (November 6, 2002). "Swingerz Golf Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swingerz-golf-review/1900-2896897/. 
  13. ↑ Satterfield, Shane (November 21, 2002). "GameSpy: Swingerz Golf". http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/swingerz-golf/570429p1.html. 
  14. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (November 7, 2002). "Swingerz Golf Review - GameCube". http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20632.htm. 
  15. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (November 5, 2002). "Swingerz Golf". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/05/swingerz-golf. 
  16. ↑ "Swingerz Golf". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 163: 214. December 2002. 
  17. ↑ Hudak, Chris (December 11, 2002). "'Swingerz Golf' (GCN) Review". TechTV. http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3409996%2C00.html. 
  18. ↑ The D-Pad Destroyer (March 2003). "Swingerz Golf". GamePro (IDG) (174). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/27245.shtml. Retrieved January 27, 2015. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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