Hot Shots Golf 2

Hot Shots Golf 2 from 1999 developed the recipe of the first game from 1997 into a form that would define the entire series for years to come - simplified, arcade-style golf swing control using three button presses, exaggeratedly cute characters instead of realistic golfers, and an emphasis on fun and a quick round instead of simulating real golf. The player chooses from a growing roster of characters with different power, accuracy, and ball-spin stats, and gradually unlocks new courses, equipment, and opponents in the tournament mode, with each character having their own signature swing and characteristic celebration after a well-played shot. There's also a multiplayer mode on a single screen, letting a tournament be played together with friends on one TV.

The game was developed by the Japanese studio Clap Hanz, which took over the series after the first game and released it exclusively for PlayStation, using the console's graphical capabilities for more colorful, clearer courses and smoother swing animation than earlier golf titles on the same hardware. Compared to the first game, it added a more elaborate ball-spin system, new game modes including more precise swing practice, and an expanded roster of playable characters with their own funny animations of joy and disappointment after every shot, as well as the first hints of secondary modes beyond the classic tournament. The camera tracking the ball's flight and the clarity of the power and accuracy meter were also improved, making it easier for players to judge where the ball would actually land. It was precisely this combination of accessible controls and a bold, cartoonish style that helped Hot Shots Golf 2 gain a loyal fanbase among players who otherwise didn't follow golf as a sport at all, and it set the bar for later PlayStation entries as well as subsequent sequels on other Sony consoles.

Why play it: Ideal for players who want quick, undemanding, visually cute golf without needing to know the actual rules of the sport, and who will appreciate the playful way Clap Hanz reshaped the golf genre on PlayStation and set the direction for the whole series for years to come.