Having discovered that I enjoy playing golf in my spare time, I am always welcome to try out new golf games. Over the years, I have played golf games, ranging from simulation to arcade, on and off. Today, I will discuss the arcade type. ‘Everybody’s Golf’ is a familiar brand to everyone who has enjoyed gaming.

Developers, Hyde, Inc., bring their latest iteration with ‘EVERYBODY’S GOLF HOT SHOTS’ available on consoles and PC from 4th September 2025. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., this is a name that requires no introduction.

I have not played Everybody’s Golf since owning a PSP, but I do remember the simplicity of it and how it was great to pick up and play with no overcomplications you will find in a simulation golf game. Thankfully, that ‘easy to pick up’ and ‘quick to master’ playstyle is also present here. With several game modes, customisable matches, and 1-4 player multiplayer, there is so much to do.

Challenge Mode will enable you to play in tournaments and rise through the ranks to World Tour events where you can really test your skill. Wacky Golf has its own set of mini games like ‘Colorful’, which plays like a chessboard, lighting up quirky events as your ball rolls around or ‘Survival Golf’, where you lose a club when you have a higher score, for example.

Teeing off from the course is as simple as powering up a swing, adding side spin or back spin and giving the ball a little bit (or a lot) of a gentle push when it lands with homing and rising shots. These add such a unique and stylish flair to traditional golfing plays. The game also gives you the ability to experiment with Traditional, Advanced or  Gauge shots, enabling you to build a repertoire of skills at a level you are comfortable with.

There are plenty of cute and chibi characters, with over 25 filling out the roster and customisable items too, such as unique balls and clubs, and you will not find yourself short of anything to do in the game. Progress is slow and a grind, but rewarding once you have put in time. You will find that you will use low gear for quite some time, and grinding to unlock and make the game a little easier takes determination, as each character comes with their own individual special shots.

Speaking of characters, these too can be upgraded with collectable food items; it’s crazy how endearing it can be to feed your character just to boost things like power or a spin. You also own caddie and as you build a relationship together, they too will even buff your performance. A neat little inclusion.

Graphically, the game is sharp and clear, bringing it somewhat into the new generation. But as the game has always been, it is simplified. So, at times, landscapes may feel a little lacklustre with very subtle muted colours, even if there are quite a decent number and variety of courses.

They all just seem a bit generic and empty, even with weather and seasonal patterns. However, it provides everything you need graphically to make it playable and appealing. Golf, being golf, needs its lush greens, tall tree lines, and those dreaded sand bunkers, regardless.

The audio in the game is typical of an arcade game, but it makes me feel at home. Always been an arcade fan and never will lose that spark as the characters chirp away in very animated, enthusiastic and well-voiced tones. The caddie audio is great, providing advice on your swings, your lay of the green, and general positivity for your game.

However, I sometimes find the audio cues incorrect, stating the green is flat when it is far from it. In the day of updates, we know these little errors can be fixed. The sound effects are typical but homely too, with each chip of the ball, swing through the air and ball falling into the hole, ASMR on any golfer’s ear.

Overall, EVERYBODY’S GOLF HOT SHOTS is a fun arcade golf game and kept me entertained. As a fan of the series and golf itself, it was an easy game for me to play and enjoy, with 38 achievements on Steam to unlock. But as an outsider, it could be a hard game to enjoy if you are looking for realism and stunning graphics. It has its realism, of course, in the general physics of the game, but also incorporates some arcade-style benefits that may not be desirable in a golf game. But as I said, for me and arcade fans alike, it is a must.

Written by: Kevin Lal