Joystiq hands-on: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Wii)

Now that's an ugly game. I hope developers can do better in the future. The Wii can be fun and all, but if it could come along with good graphics, I would be happier.

I for one like cartoony lookin graphics over realism.

The Wiis graphics are fantastic. And they look even better when a game looks stylish.

This TigerWoods game.... it looks very 'meh graphically. The other golfgame for Wii looks nicer.

Gameplay > graphics.

Its golf... I never really thought graphics would really help... I mean seriously... Not to mention if you have a Wii, hopefully you knew what you were getting into graphically anyway...

You know there is already a "in-depth, stand-alone" golf game on the market for the Wii. Its called Super Swing Golf.
The only thing Tiger Woods has on its side is that its the first "Realistic" Golf game.

I'm more concerned about the maraca thing...they had me getting excited until that part. Really, wtf?

Good Graphics should be a factor in a game. This is 2007! I want sweat drippin off characters. I want rocks and dirt to fly up when i floor it in a racing game. I had enough of bad graphics last gen. Its time to move on.

Nintendo+Wii=Graphics stagnate.


Whats wrong with having awsome graphics with awsome gameplay? GOW or Rfom or lost planet.

The problem is, The Intangible Fact, that most developers can't focus on BOTH good graphics and good gameplay. And when it comes down to it, I'd rather have the latter.

I also think the screenshots here aren't all that great, but I think that has more to do with the effort EA puts into the game, rather than Wii limitations. Just look at RE4, and it should be plain as day what potential the Wii holds.

As for the game itself, I'll definitely rent it, and possibly purchase it if it's good. And that says a lot, being that I've never done either for a golf franchise before.

SuperSwing Golf is a very good game with nice graphics and solid gameplay.

I hate that I'm about to do this, but... this game does look pretty blah. It's not that I expect a 360/ps3 look-a-like, but man, this is not so nice. I did check out some other images and clips at IGN, and I am not overly impressed. Oh well. I also have to agree about the spin technique. Breaking that realism is pretty lame... not to mention that it seems weird as a control. Why shake it? Was it just to have some "Wii-ness" to it?

The problem with the industry today is that there are some beautiful games but the game play is "stagnant" I'm happy that with the Wii companies can focus more on the actual gameplay because aside from the rare gems here and there most games are lacking in the actual gameplay area. Next gen shouldn't just mean pretty graphics it should mean new interesting approaches to gameplay...

GOW great game still has issues... Rfom....... can't speak on that...... Lost Planet excellent game... but even then there are a few elements that could have been implemented better.... cough *multiplayer* cough...

Give some credit to Super Swing Golf! Super Swing detects if you hook, slice, or don't do a smooth arc in your swing! Some people bitch about pressing the button on the backswing, but as a result, it doesn't suffer from "a hard time gauging my swings if I didn't take enough of a back-swing" problem like Tiger Woods. It also forces you to use the backswing and momentum for power, like you should in real golf, and not try to muscle the club. Overall, it rewards a some-what proper golf swing. The only problem is that it doesn't do much to train you, and I can imagine a novice who's hacking at the ball might get frustrated.

Also, Super Swing Golf has several very imaginative courses with well thought out holes, a good selection of characters and caddies and tells their back-stories, and has lots of swimsuits, er, "clothes" to unlock. It's just "fun". And the cartoony graphics seem more appropriate for the Wii. I really enjoy it.

HUGE PROBLEM!!

This is going to be the Wii's biggest problem over the next year or two...the graphics. The graphics are never ever going to look as good as 360 or PS3. This is just a fact.

Developers are going to have to find new methods to create better looking graphics on a system with sub par graphics.

Nintendo did a great job with Wii Sports...but man FAR CRY WAS HORRIBLE!!!

Lastly, the controller is the thing that might just save this system...it add new depth to games, and can bring gaming to new heights. It's just a shame the graphics don't match up to the controller in the wow department.

#7

"Whats wrong with having awsome graphics with awsome gameplay? GOW or Rfom or lost planet."

Nothing is wrong with it. However, it usually doubles the budget and time frame. Not all developers can afford this.

Another debate about which is superior Wii controls or next-gen graphics. While the Wii controls are nice, we need to remember one thing, the Xbox 360 or the PS3 can both produce an add-on (and they will....trust me on this) to mimic the Wii controls, but the Wii cannot reproduce the graphics of either the Xbox 360 or the PS3.

what i dont understand is why it looks like a ps2 version,

the gamecube tigerwoods games looked better than the ps2 versions!!

this is just an example of either laziness on the developers part ... OR ... what ithink is more likely: rushing the game to market after EA realised they underestimated how well the system would sell and didnt have the foresight to start working on it sooner....

For everyone complaining about the whole maraca-shake thing -- you've never played a Tiger Woods game before, eh? They've had this doofy "hold a direction and tap R2 as fast as possible to amplify spin" mechanic that breaks realism for years now.

And please, everyone just shut up about the whole graphics and gameplay comparison:

1) Still screens of Nintendo systems have always looked bleh, but they look much, much better in motion (they're not as gussied up as Sony/MS stills; I think it's a part of the hardware). So wait until you see it in person.

2) If this is indicative of the final product's graphics, then yes, EA is being lazy, taking the PS2 version of '07 and just working on Wiimote controls. The Wii can handle far, far more than this, and you all well know it. I'll poop on EA long before I poop on Nintendo for this, especially after seeing how nice and clean Super Swing Golf looks. (With poor frame rate, but still.)

While I'm a huge Tiger fan, this reeks of a rush job, especially since '08 is probably coming out in, oh, 9-10 months. Personally, I'll stick with Super Swing Golf and wait for '08 and hopeful online implementation.

As great as the Wii is, there's still no excuse for charging $250 for a souped up Gamecube. Granted, the controller and WiFi dampen the blow, but visuals like these always sting.

There's a simple solution to all of the problems...wait for the next Mario Golf.

Yeah, give Super Swing a mention at the very least. Wii Sports Golf was a joke but Super Swing absolutely nails a realistic and natural feel for a golf game. Spazzing out with the remote while the ball to add spin to the ball? This might be a good time to drop that. For Madden it seems that they really thought about the new controller and how to apply it. I'm not sure the golf team really has a grasp for it just yet.

Another Super Swing Golf supporter right here.

Right now I'm renting the game but my girlfriend wants to buy it. She's addicted to it! Sure, it's not super-realistic in its surroundings, but as someone else mentioned, that's not what I'm looking for in my Wii games. If I want a super-realistic sports game, I'll get the 360 version, but if I want a game that my girlfriend (and other non-gamer friends) will actually hang out and play with me, I'll get the cartoon-y Wii game with great intuitive gameplay.

Also, the graphics in Super Swing Golf are great. All the different courses are very pretty.

@ 7

It's awesome.

As in: "The Wii is an awesome system." and "It would be awesome to see PS3 outsell Wii."

I love the Mario Golf series but if they base the next one off of Wii Sports golf, I'll have to skip it.

You know, it's just semantics, but it bothers me when people say that the most powerful system in a generation has "NEVER, NEVER" succeeded over less powerful systems when it's not entirely true. The Super Nintendo is regarded as having won the 16-bit war (if even only by a little bit), and it was more powerful than the Genesis in nearly all aspects except clock speed. Granted, the point is accurate otherwise.

And this "souped up Gamecube" bullshit has got to stop. Have you drooling morons stopped to think that ALL of the systems are "souped up" versions of their previous systems? The XBox 360 is a souped up XBox with better controllers and a more developed XBox Live. The PS3 is a souped up PS2 with a new storage format and a somewhat more coherent online service. The Wii is a souped up Gamecube with actual online capabilities and an entirely new control scheme. As much as you posers would like to make it sound, the Wii offers a lot more than the Gamecube right out of the gate and is comparable with the other systems in the number of improvements and adjustments made - they're just different adjustments.

Tiger Woods golf has always been a phenomenal game especially amongst college students. It is very compareable to a toned down madden.... I wouldn't be suprised to see this game on the nintendo wii being played in your local bar room could be something compareable to golden tee.. this is a place you can actually win the wii rather than wait in lone on sunday http://www.gotuit.com/channels/promo/winawii/winawii.html

@OhSsnapizzle

I got a negative star because I dared to call the Joystiq staff idiots complaining that the Xbox 360 is not edible and adding it as an annoyance.

So you call me an idiot. So why am I am idiot for pointing out the obvious? Did I hit a nerve when I said that MS and Sony could have an add-on for their console to mimic the Wiimote, but that the Wii could never reproduce the graphics of the PS3 or Xbox 360?

I may be an idiot, but I am not blind, and MS and Sony are not blind either. They have seen the positive reaction for the Wiimote and Wii Sports. They will bring out some similar game, with a similar add-on, you can bet on it. They will wait till the hoopla over the Wii is over, but expect an "Xbox Live Sports" or "SIXAXIS Sports" before long.

"If the ps3 or 360 makes a rip off controller it will just further damage their rep, THUS damaging their sales as well"

That is like saying the iPod was a rip-off of Creative’s NOMAD and thus damaged Apples rep and sales.

We are talking about a controller. While the Wiimote is the main feature of the Wii, it will be considered an add-on to the other consoles (well PS3 already has some functionality).I just got the Wireless Wheel for the X360. Everyone who tried it loved it, no one called it a rip-off of other wheels currently available, and it did not hurt the sales of the Xbox 360. If Sony or MS creates a quality motion sensitive controller for their respective console, there will be backlash only by fanboys, and no lost of sales.

But it all comes down to one simple fact, while I would be happy to see the Wii improve upon graphics, but I am an HD junkie now, and unless the console supports HD, improved graphics will not be enough.

I think the Wii's graphics are fine, the only thing preventing me from buying one is the worry that there will be the usual shortage of worthwhile games throughout the life of the system.

I agree with previous posts that it's entirely possible/probable that EA is simply being lazy with the port. I've been a fan of the TW games in the past, but I'm also a huge Hot Shots Golf fan, and despite it's cartoony look, it does some things better than TW (ie, the aforementioned goofy spin mechanic).

Heh, glad to see there's so much support for SSG here. I got the Wii version because I loved the PC version (Albatross18, aka PangYa).

And, as a fan of PangYa, I'm actually kinda disappointed in SSG's graphics. While the polycount and character detail is higher than that in PangYa for PC, the framerate is not smooth like with the PC version.

But, other than that, SSG is a lot of fun.

I'll take SSG over Tiger Woods any day. Tiger Woods doesn't have Arin as a playable character!

Keep telling yourself that graphics aren't that big of deal. I may be spoiled from playing Lost Planet lately, but those pixels look larger than my hand.

Seriously. Get for real with this plastic crap.

@ Jeff Hansley

Have you ever noticed? Anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a moron.

Where is a hockey game for the Wii?

@Thryon

By the time XBOX 360 and the PS3 has a runaway hit using third motion sensing add on, the Wii probably would have at least ten games that fully utilize the Wiimote. We already have at least 3 games that do that right now and one happens to be the reason the system is a system seller. Besides, by around that time, and juging from the current sales numbers, most developers who develop for the motion sensing capability would flock to the Wii. Why would you go to a system with unproven motion system "gimmick" that relies on buying an accessory, than on system MADE for motion sensing gaming and with the peripherals standard. It's like asking the FF series to go to the Wii. Not gonna happen most of the time. You can't cite guitar heroe because all three consoles were essentially the same last generation and the PS2 was the clear winner.

I'll also use your iPod analogy. Why do people buy the iPod when there are other players that have the same capability but are arguably "more powerful" and feature leaden like the PS3 and the 360? Many people complain that the iPod is lacking in so many things(fm radio, removable batteries, removable media, voice recorder, ability to drag and drop songs without using itunes, no wifi, etc). Oh thats right. It is more consumer friendly and a household name already. Like the Wii.

To a layman, when you think of motion sensing games, they think of the Wii. Not the "supercomputer" PS3 and XBOX 360.

Uh, not to lambaste the Joystiq readership but have you noticed that regardless of platform most games don't look all that hot in screen shots any more? At least wait to see it motion before you arbitrarily bash the graphics.

@30

If MS and Sony were to choose to make motion sensitive controllers, that that would mean a victory for Nintendo. It would basically have them saying that Nintendo was right about the industry needing a new, innovative way of playing games.

Also, any motion sensitive controllers that would be used by the other companies would suffer from the add-on syndrome that resulted in the not too successful debut of gimmicks like the EyeToy, DDR Pads and Guitar controllers. Not that games associated with those peripherals aren't fun, but the fact that they aren't included with the system itself is a deterrant for thee consumer to buy it.

"That is like saying the iPod was a rip-off of Creative’s NOMAD and thus damaged Apples rep and sales."

This is really a bad analogy. Thyron, you first mentioned the creation of a similar ADD-ON for the 360 and/or PS3. This is different than Apple creating the iPod after there had already been MP3 players brought to market. The iPod is a self-contained unit. However, add-ons for consoles have never really sold well. Ever.

I'm not talking about 3rd party peripherals here, but actual add-on devices that are needed to play a specific game. It's not gonna happen. Sure, I can see Sony and MS considering this for their next consoles, but not in this race. It's too late. And as far as the PS3 controller goes, I personally can't imagine myself swinging that thing around. The Wii remote is more of a natural extension.

This game looks okay to me. I'm more concerned about the mechanics of playing golf. I really enjoyed Super Swing Golf. It was a good game, the only reason I didn't purchase it was because it only allowed one profile. Which meant my girlfriend couldn't make her own profile to create her own character.

Tiger Woods is something I have been wanting for a long time. I wasn't a fan of the other console versions, but I figured that playing this on the Wii would be much better as the mechanics of actually playing the game would be better for me. Still, I'll reserve judgement until I can actually play it, but as of now, I'm interested. Hopefully EA can keep me interested enough to actually buy it when it is released.

*Sigh*

Why is it that people completely ignore the realities of the retail world when coming up with their arguments about why x,y and z will fail if so-and-so company just does a,b and c?

Let's use the wireless wheel for the 360 as an example here. Yes, it's a stunning device and works superbly well. But how many of these units do they actually sell over the course of the lifecycle of the 360? Let's be optimistic and say 1 million. Now assume that you make a game that requires this peripheral to work. How many copies do you think you'll sell? Probably not enough to claw back the development and marketing costs, that's for sure.

The problem exists in every add-on controller ever devised for any system. I would suspect that eye-toy, Buzz and the Guitar Hero controller have sold a LOT of units over the last couple of years but how many games even support them let alone rely on them?

Yes, MS and Sony could introduce a motion sensing controller (although they'd have to get around any patents Nintendo might have on the technology) but even if they include it with the console there'd be at least 10 million 360 owners who wouldn't have it unless they chose to buy it and that's assuming it was launched right now. Then you have to convince developers to code for the thing which, for any property that was designed around the controller, would take, what, at least a year? Then you have to remember that coding something that looked at home on the PS3 / 360 would cost more than the same game on the Wii. Considering that, providing Wii maintains a decent level of interest which looks very likely indeed at this point, Nintendo would probably have a shot at overhauling MS in total sales by Christmas 07 why on earth would developers want to incur extra costs to sell a game to a potentially smaller market?

And even if all THAT doesn't have an impact, consider this: The Wii currently costs about £100 less than the 360 (the premium pack which most people seem to go for). Forget all the pointless arguments about "but Wii doesn't have a hard drive" and the like, this is comparing the most popular 360 SKU with the most popular (and only) Wii SKU. Figure that Nintendo can easily maintain that gap if the 360 drops in price (and if you've just added the equivalent of Wiimote, nunchuck and sensor bar to the box that's not very likely). Why would anyone pick the more expensive console if they want to go with motion sensing gameplay? Killer apps is one argument but I really don't see anyone coming out with stuff to challenge the Ninty first party games.

No, far more likely that the Wii will remain the sole console offering this particular form of control for this generation at least. The 360 and PS3 will gear up to take the more, uh, hard-core gamer and offer the best graphics and on-line service. Nintendo will go down the path already mapped out by the DS and quietly earn bucket loads of cash. Whether they'll achieve the silly sales figures enjoyed by the DS is another matter but who knows? It'll be interesting to see what the impact of a Wii version of Nintendogs would do, or Brain Academy or Animal Crossing or...

Remember folks, just because a particular device doesn't scratch your particular itch, doesn't mean it's not going to find a market...

Eh, I think I'll just wait for Mario Golf.

I prefer my TW07 on my xbox 360 right now. It is a beautiful game in high def. I'm glad, FINALLY a company decided to give the option of a standard controller scheme with their wii game. I know I am not interested pretending digital golf is real golf.

Either way, it looks to be a solid port. It'll be interesting to see by how much TW08 wii beats TW07 wii graphically. Let's hope that the ninty's fanboy's favorite saying, "ITS NOT A SOUPED UP GAMECUBE", turns out to be something we can clearly see in games as time passes.

I don't see how you can get a more realistic golf game with graphics versus using the Wii-remote in a realistic fashion. Doesn't make sense.

Saying that, developers need to realize, that they are going to have to get thier graphics to look better than PS2 games on a next gen system. I guarantee that if the graphics look like this at launch, EA will lose sales over it.

@Aex
Super Swing Golf has an optional "button" control scheme (the options screen has right-handed, left-handed, and "button"). It's a classic button timing power bar scheme.

However, now that I've played Super Swing Golf by swinging the Wiimote in, I can honestly say that I'll never go back to timed button presses. I don't care how superior the graphics might look on a 360, pressing buttons just seems archaic now. (Although, if they released a Wiimote-style controller for the 360, I might bite.)

My big question with this game--and this franchise on the Wii--is: "Will we be looking at the next edition in about 6-8 months, or will the Wii version be shifted to having an annual Spring release?" (So as to insidiously encourage multi-console owners to rebuy the same game six months later?)

Don't think that having the next TW Wii in about a half a year is unlikely. It happened with the PSP in 2005. I am already well into the 360 version of this year's, so it's not like I NEED this game (for redundancy's sake, not graphics). However, I DO want a fleshed-out golf game on the Wii, and if TW 2008 is going to be a March 2008 release, then I might as well tee off this year.

I can't be the only person who's pondered this angle. Thoughts? Hearsay? Solid info??

@Evan

I wasn't big on the button pressing golf games either. TW07 uses the Analog Stick for swinging the club. You move it downwards for your back swing then push it forward for your forward swing. A slight tilt to the left or right will add slice or hook, and you can adjust the spin before you hit if you dont feel like mashing the a button while doing so.

Again, its a good thing that Wii developers are adding in options to a classic control style for their games. Reasons like these are why I feel it is best to wait at least 18 to 24 months to pick up a wii, if at all.

I love tiger woods. I love being able to use the clubs I use in real life, I love playing with real pro golfers. I love creating a character that actually sorta looks like me.

"Without the direct comparison, the graphics held up fairly well, looking similar to what I'd expect on a PS2."

What? The GameCube is more powerful than the PS2; why the PS2ish looking games?

Iv'e got a PSP, 3 Gameboys, 2 DS's, PS2, Game Cube, the Wii, and a screaming PC (AMD64 FX60, Geforce 7900GTX, 2 GB DDR). I'm addicted to the Wii right now because of the Wiimote. I enjoy getting more interactive with console games. Especially golf. TW 07 previews are just now hitting the net and the overall reaction from those who had a chance to swing away on wiimotes with this particular build are giving it positive reviews.

If you are too cool to get up off the couch and swing a wiimote, then the Wii is not for you. If you think it would be kinda cool to get up and use a motion sensored controller, then it is for you. I personally think you should have both a Wii and either the XBox 360 or a PS3 on hand. The experience is entirely different on the Wii, but it is good to have antother type of platform around for when you are feeling "too cool" and need to kick it on the couch.

I guarentee if you had both a Wii and either a XBox 360 or PS3 on hand, you would find yourself playing both consols. I personally have a hard time making it through singler player console games. I currently play alot of BF2142 on the PC. But I am looking forward to TW 07.

-Nudnick

I have a Wii and a PS3. I currently have TW07 on the PS3 and it is a beautiful game. I love playing it but honestly the game has a tough learning curve for non-golf gamers. I don't know a lot about golf and I am learning slowly how to play. It is a tough learning curve. The Wii Sports golf game is utterly useless to me. I can't imagine playing a fully-fledged golf game on the Wii. I love Wii tennis but I find myself more encouraged to play my PS3. The Wii was fun for a while--but I find myself more interested in what the PS3 is offering.