Super Swing Golf was one of the first post-launch titles for the Wii. When it was released in late 2006, it was the only golf game at the time for the console besides the pack-in Wii Sports game. Tecmo is taking a page out of the EA playbook by releasing a sequel called “Season 2.” Like EA, there isn’t a whole lot new here except for a course here and there and some new costumes.
For the newbies – Super Swing Golf is based off a Korean game by Ntreev, which is released in America as Albatross 18--it’s a role playing golf game which allows you to use power ups to increase your abilities and gives you special shots. Albatross is played online with your PC and best of all the game is free. Super Swing on the other hand is $40.
The game seems to be less about golf and more about outfitting your character. You use golf as a means to the end. The game’s manual does an excellent job of explaining the gameplay mechanic; it’s a little different than the Tiger Woods series. Swinging the wii-mote is like swinging a real club; however you’ll have to press the A button at the right time to select the amount of power. It’s also important to keep the wii-mote straight and not twist it while swinging or else you’ll shank the drive. You can also stick with the traditional three button shot with no swinging required.
The game starts off with a club set that allows you to get “Pangya” on practically every shot. Pangya is equivalent to a “tiger shot” which earns you “pangya” to use at the store.
It seems way too early in the game to have such a powerful set of clubs. Like any golf game, just because you have the best clubs still means you have to execute well; it’s just too easy and seems geared more towards children than adults. The gameplay from last year has not changed at all but that’s not a bad thing: it’s the first video golf game that is relatively realistic with your swing. If you try to kill the ball, you can pop it up for a few yards instead of hitting it for 200. Nuances like this are great touches to the game and make it somewhat of a challenge even though you’re blessed with the lucky clubs.
In addition to the costumes you’ll unlock, you can also purchase new clubs which will give you additional powers, such as jet engine boosters on the clubs – just like real life. If you haven’t guessed, Super Swing isn’t a simulation.
There’s not a whole lot of new here. There are three new courses to play, but the graphics aren’t much different from the original, which is a disappointment considering that they were only passable last year. The audio sounds exactly the same and the game feels more like an expansion pack than a full price new game.
