Ever since EA released the first Tiger Woods PGA Tour game back in 1998, I have been amazed by the titles mass-market appeal. Last years Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 for the Nintendo Wii became one of the best selling launch titles, next to Zelda, for Nintendo’s family friendly console.

The gameplay is straightforward: Choose a Pro-Golfer to play or create your own, which in 08 includes the option to capture/import your own image via Internet or Xbox 360 Live Vision camera. Play a variety of authentic real-world golf courses using different game modes such as PGA Season Career, Challenge Mode, Arcade Mode and Multiplayer Mini Games as well as Skill Challenges. Players are rewarded with cash and skill upgrades. New this year is the introduction of EA Sports GamerNet, a new way to show-off your skills by uploading your best rounds and videos of your favorite shots for the world to see. GamerNet also allows to set up one-up challenges earning points and bragging rights.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 offers two different ways to swing your club. The games default swing uses the Left-Thumbstick. Moving the Left-Thumbstick backwards begins the player’s backswing, and moving the Thumbstick forward for the downswing. If the club’s power potential is more than the distance of the shot, the player must shorten the backswing to compensate, or change the club (if applicable).
My preferred way to play the game is by using the “3-Click-Swing”. This mode uses a meter on the screen to provide a visual representation of the swing. The “A” button is pressed to start the swing; pressing “A” a second time determines power and a third press of “A” will select the accuracy.

The game graphics meet the standards we come to expect from Xbox360 games, however it would have been nice to see some different weather effects besides wind. The player (golfer) animations are good, but the spectator crowd, buildings and water animation can definitely be improved on for Tiger Woods 09. Our results using the Xbox360 Live Vision camera to create a player were also a little less then satisfying. The cameras wide-angle lens does not allow for good close-up pictures.

All nit-picking aside, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 is probably the best game in the series so far. Tiger Woods 08 offers enough of a challenge for the serious gamer, but can also be enjoyed by the casual gamer looking for a leisure round on some of the worlds most renowned golf courses. The game can easily be played by young golf fans ages 8 years and up.