Kotaku: Hot Shots Golf

Rumor: LittleBigPlanet Invading Hot Shots Golf

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:40:02 MST

Consider this littlebigrumor for now, but it looks like the Sackboy cross-promotion won't be stopping anytime soon. PlayStation-centric site PSN! is reporting that the star of LittleBigPlanet is going to hit the virtual links soon.

The Spanish PlayStation site writes today that Sackboy will join God of War series star Kratos as a downloadable golfer in Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds. Sounds perfectly reasonable to us — and far more fitting than the Greek god of war or Darkstalkers' Morrigan landing birdies. We'd expect to see many, many more appearances in first-party PlayStation 3 games on par with this one.

For the record, PSN is the same outlet that ran that Street Fighter Sackboy rumor, for whatever that's worth.

Rumor: Sackboy como personaje invitado de Everybody’s Golf [PSnow - thanks, Macrike!]

Kratos, Tired Of Bloodshed, Relaxes With A Spot Of Hot Shots Golf

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:20:00 MDT

Promise, this is real. Sony have announced that, as of this Thursday, you'll be able to download Kratos as a playable character in Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds. There he is above, rendered all cartoon-like, taking his one-under-par very, very seriously. Kratos' voice actor from the "proper" GoW games - T.C. Carson - provided the voice work for the cameo, and this cutesy God of War will even use the chain blades as a club. There's another pic after the jump, but no, this one won't make him look any less out of place.

Kratos to Swing the Clubs of Chaos in Hot Shots Golf [PlayStation.Blog]

Crazy Conbini Selling PS3 Bundles

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:00:17 MDT

Hot on the heels of yesterday's story comes this: The PlayStation 3 sales bonanza Japanese convenience store. While most stores discretely let players order consoles and games, this neighborhood shop wants everyone to know it has PS3s! Those banners read:

A limited quantity of PS3 "beginners pack" just in stock. Now on sale!

The "Beginners Pack" refers to the Hot Shots Golf bundle offered in Japan this past summer. Can't tell if this is a chain store or a Mom 'n' Pop operation. Besides the banners, there is a stack of Hot Shots Golf bundles and a bunch smokes behind the counter, too. No, this kind of thing (stacks of consoles in-store) is not normal here at all. The Japanese people are just as freaked out.
My Neighborhood Conbini Selling Bundle [My Game News Flash]

Japan's Marilyn Monroe Promotes Wii Golf Game

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:00:18 MDT

Camelot developed We Love Golf! needs a spokesperson. We Love Golf! has one! That's bikini model Waka Inoue, who is noted for having the same bust/waist/hip measurements as Marilyn Monroe. She's slightly on the wain popularity-wise (she is 27), but still one of the more famous idols. Expect her (and her Monroe measurements) in a slew of We Love Golf! ads. If Hot Shots Golf-clone plus Nintendo Wii plus curvy idol isn't a sure fire Japan hit, we don't know what the hell is.

Capcom Presser [Game Watch Impress]

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:40:16 MDT

We may be in Germany, but that doesn't mean we're going to ignore Japan's weekly soap opera of software sales. Most shocking? Mario Party 8 reclaims its number one position in the Media Create sales list for the week of August 13th to the 19th in a bloodless sales coup. Amazingly, Hot Shots Golf 5 is still hanging tough in the top ten, kind of impressive for a PLAYSTATION 3 up against 2006's New Super Mario Bros.

Sales sexiness continues after the top ten.

01. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 112,724 / 616,000
02. SD Gundam G Generation Cross Drive (DS) - 48,321 / 186,000
03. Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber (DS) - 47,730 / 93,000
04. Wii Sports (Wii) - 35,430 / 2,035,000
05. Wii Play (Wii) - 32,939 / 1,639,000
06. My Housekeeping Diary (DS) - 32,714 / 122,000
07. J.League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship (PS2) - 32,210 / 227,000
08. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) - 31,897 / 756,000
09. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 29,979 / 4,729,000
10. Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3) - 28,044 / 278,000

11. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
12. Mario Kart DS (DS)
13. More Brain Age (DS)
14. Final Fantasy XII: International Zodiac Job System (PS2)
15. It's A Wonderful World (DS)
16. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 14 (PS2)
17. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
18. Brain Age (DS)
19. Itadaki Street DS (DS)
20. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)
21. Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 5 (DS)
22. More English Training (DS)
23. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
24. Face Training DS (DS)
25. Zettai Onkan Otoda Master (DS)
26. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP)
27. Pokémon Pearl (DS)
28. English Training (DS)
29. Yoshi's Island DS (DS)
30. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Wii (Wii)

Media Create Weekly Sales

Europe Getting Motorstorm Bundle?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:00:11 MDT

Retailers? Not the best source of information, but sometimes decent. Belgian retailers? No clue, so we proceed with caution. Earlier, Sony announced Hot Shots Golf bundles that slightly shaved some yen off the PS3's price-tag. I thought it was pretty cool. Others didn't!

A Belgian retailer is taking pre-orders for a Motorstorm PS3 bundle. Nothing's been announced, but the box does look kind of officially (click the link below for a better look). Plus, we don't doubt that Sony has bundles planned for the various territories. The 60GB pack is listing for €619.99 (US $834) on the retailer's site. The console usually retails for €599, so this is a slightly better deal considering a game is included. Wonder what game they'll bundle for America... Something different from Hot Shots and Motorstorm. Guessing is fun! Brian Ashcraft

Pre-Order Bundle [Smart Toys via Siliconera]

New PS3 Bundle Slightly Cuts Pricey Price Tag

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:00:32 MDT

Sony just announced two Hot Shots Golf 5 bundles for Japan. There are 20GB and 60GB versions, going on sale July 26th. Both include Hot Shots Golf 5, which retails for ¥5,980 (US $48.50). The regular open-priced 60GB PLAYSTATION 3 retails for around ¥60,000 ($487), and the 20GB version sells for ¥50,000 ($405). However, the Hot Shots Golf 5 60GB bundle will book for ¥61,980 ($503), and the 20GB one for ¥51,980 ($422). Factor in the price of the game, and you've got a default PS3 price cut that should entice customers in Japan. But what about North America and Europe, Sony? Brian Ashcraft

Hot Shots Bundle [Famitsu]

Sony Serves Adorable Anime Tennis

Mike Fahey — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:20:32 MDT

I always say you can never have too many big-heading anime people cheerfully trying to do the things that normal people do every day. The Hot Shots Golf series was an excellent example, and now developer Clap Hanz and Sony are bringing even more cute sports action to the PS2 with Hot Shots Tennis.

This is great news for me, who secretly adores games where you can dress up little anime girls in various unlockable costumes but really can't stand the game of golf. I guess that's not so much a secret anymore. Luckily we have a very small and discreet readership base.

Oh boy.

Anyway, Hot Shots Tennis promises the same easy to access gameplay as the golf version, with doubles matches for up to four players, fourteen different characters, eleven locations, differing court surfaces, and enough unlockable content to keep you playing until the sequel comes out, rendering all your hard work null and void. Woot. Look for it in July! Michael Fahey

Critically Acclaimed Hot Shots Franchise Heads to the Courts With Hot Shots Tennis for PlayStation(R)2

New Tennis Game Brings Signature Hot Shots Fun With Off-the-Wall Characters, Court Locales, and Pure Tennis Gameplay

FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today the July 2007 launch of Hot Shots Tennis available exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Developed by Clap Hanz, Hot Shots Tennis brings the beloved, multi-million unit selling Hot Shots franchise to the tennis world for the first time. With a host of wacky characters and tennis styles, exotic court locations, and game modes, Hot Shots Tennis offers pick up and play action for tennis fans of all ages.

Available at $29.99, Hot Shots Tennis delivers entertainment value with fast-paced, colorful gameplay that fans of the Hot Shots franchise have grown to love. Incorporating an ideal blend of arcade-style action and in-depth strategy, Hot Shots Tennis includes a deep feature set allowing players to practice a variety of strokes, enter challenge modes, and play singles or doubles with up to four players. With 14 unique playable characters and five umpires available in the game, there is never a shortage of distinct tennis skills or personality on the court. Players can also enjoy a variety of court surfaces such as hardcourt, clay, and grass, set amongst 11 spectacular locations including tropical beaches and ancient ruins.

"Hot Shots Tennis draws from Clap Hanz's success with the Hot Shots franchise by providing a social gaming experience that will appeal to casual players and tennis gaming fans alike," said Jeff Reese, Director, Software Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Whether it's playing head-to-head or in a four-player doubles match with family and friends, this is a game that PlayStation 2 fans of all ages can enjoy."

Hot Shots Tennis features brilliant visuals and fast-paced gameplay that showcases its detailed animations and realistic physics. The game incorporates an intuitive control scheme to emphasize shot direction and rallies, perfect for quick pick up and play action. Advanced players can utilize button timing and shot angles to further balance tennis strategy with character attributes such as speed and play styles (net player vs. baseline player). Players can quickly test their skills through a quick play mode to take on the game's Artificial Intelligence, play head to head singles and doubles, or even engage in four-player doubles competition. A Challenge Mode allows players to advance through seven player classes to unlock new characters, costumes, umpires, and courts. Additionally, a Training Mode is available to practice shot timing and angles for ground strokes, serves, volleys, and overhead smashes.

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Attention Shoppers! Famitsu Features Jubblies

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 06:00:50 MDT

Akihabara retailer AsoBitCity shows that your ¥350 for this week's Famitsu won't go to waste on just cheats and previews. There are jubblies as well! Bikini model Yuuri Morishita gets a big pictorial in the magazine, which has been promptly displayed. I somehow missed this while flipping through the mag, but I did see that Gyakuten Saiban 4 got 9, 9, 9, 9 for its review score. It's all about priorities, folks.

Oh! She's got a self-obsessive website, too. It has a bunch of pictures of herself, and she blogs that she likes Hot Shots Golf for the PSP and PC games. Doesn't seem like she's a true nerd like Shoko-tan. Who is, really? Brian Ashcraft

Appealing to Customers [Akiba OS]

Hot Flashes: Hots Shots Rip-Off

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:00:46 MST

Best part about flash games isn't just that they are free. Oh no. They are free games that often "remind" you of games you must pay to play. Take Golf Ace, a flash game that features big headed Hot Shots Golf-like characters. Looks aside, it's loads of fun and cut into my evening work load. Here's hoping it does the same for yours! Brian Ashcraft

Golf Ace [Miniclip.com]

PSP GPS Thingy, More PSP Camera Pics, LocoRoco Stuff

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:21:57 MDT

At Sony's "Play Is Changing" exhibit at the Sony Ginza showroom, the company unveiled its new PSP camera and hinted at its PSP GPS add-on. A poster mentioned that the the GPS receiver could be used as a "Virtual Caddie" with Hot Shots Golf to tell golfers how many more yards there are on real golf courses. This receiver is expected to be on display at this year's TGS and on sale in the Fall. There's also a big LocoRoco display, where Japanese site Game Watch reports many foreign tourists were checking things out. Hit the jump for pics. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Game Watch]