PS2 preview: First look at 'Hot Shots Golf 3'

From...

By Iron Monkey

(IDG) -- "Hot Shots Golf 3" will retain all of the elements that fans of the series have come to love, from the deceptively simple yet addictive gameplay to the gigantic-sized heads.

The game will take full advantage of the PS2 hardware, and each course will be packed with intricate background details, realistically rendered 3-D terrain, real-time lighting, and dazzling water effects -- all running at a solid 60 frames per second.

Also, you can expect more realistic ball physics, with each shot responding just as accurately to wind trajectory and ground slopes as it will to the angle and power of your swing. You'll be able to upgrade your equipment and unlock new game options using the points you accrue by winning matches. The controls should be just as tight and smooth as in the previous "Hot Shots" games, the camera will be completely free-roaming, and the grid-based aiming system will be tweaked, enabling for more accurate shots. "Hot Shots Golf 3" will arrive stateside this winter.