Classic swings meet wacky chaos in Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots.
For fans of arcade golf, Everybody’s Golf has long been a staple, having just enough challenge to keep players coming back. The series dates back to the late ’90s, when Camelot first developed a golf game that eventually influenced Mario Golf and set the standard for arcade-style courses.
Clap Hanz built on that legacy to cultivate the Everybody’s Golf identity on PlayStation platforms, and the 2017 PlayStation 4 edition took the series to new heights. That version offered open-world exploration and even online multiplayer. Players could create avatars, ride chocobos, or even fly helicopters. And yes, there was even fishing. It felt like a playground built around golf, full of hidden collectibles and surprises.
Now, Bandai Namco takes the reins with Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots, the first major entry under their banner. Unlike the PS4 version, this game isn’t trying to be a direct upgrade. Instead, it focuses on accessibility and wacky multiplayer fun. Available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, it promises fun, and that’s a guarantee.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots doesn’t rely heavily on story. Instead, the game revolves around a diverse roster of characters, each with unique personalities and outfits. Many characters from across the franchise return, as do a few courses, and it’s wonderful to see them again.
Still, this feels like its own game. Some of these changes are fairly drastic but are wisely kept optional. While you can’t create your own avatar like in the PS4 edition, the game still allows customization through outfits, clubs, and caddies.
Amongst all the game modes, the World Tour mode is the highlight of Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots, as it is the first time the series has attempted a full story mode. We’ve played with these characters for decades but never really known much about them.
Each of them receives a seven-chapter adventure with Puyo Puyo-inspired writing here. It’s neat in concept, but unfortunately, these segments are minimal; they provide context for progression and a sense of personality for the roster. Without more extensive voice work, the cutscenes can feel static. The narrative framework may be light, but it still works perfectly for the arcade style.
The core gameplay remains the series’ biggest strength. The ball is now a separate step before your swing, so by default, you apply spin to it in a completely different way. You can manually select the ball’s strike location and observe in real time how the spin will change.
The traditional option of holding a direction during your swing is still available in the options menu. However, the new method gives you more control over your shots, and if you have the patience to try it out, you will not be left empty-handed.
There is also a stamina mode, which is off by default. Turning it on causes your golfer to fatigue depending on the strain of their shots. If you swing at full power over and over, the effect shows in your meter, which flickers and becomes less reliable. It’s great that they decided to keep this mode optional, but it could very easily have turned the game into a mess. As a toggle, though, it’s a great addition. This adds an extra layer of strategy, especially in competitive play.
Dynamic environmental effects add depth. Courses now feature day-night cycles, rain, snow, and strong winds. Nighttime golfing is a particular highlight, with glowing balls creating a neon “shooting star” effect as they arc through the sky. These subtle changes make playthroughs of the same courses feel fresh.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots introduces wacky, arcade-inspired golfing through its Wacky Golf modes. Four main modes—Color Golf, Scrambles, Survival, and Boom Mode—transform standard golf into unpredictable fun.
Color Golf uses tiles on the fairway to trigger power-ups, boosts, or sabotage your opponent. Animal stampedes can suddenly charge across the course, trampling your ball for hilarious effects. Scramble Mode is less exciting but still interesting, as two players share a single ball and take turns hitting it—essentially co-op golf. Survival Mode raises the stakes, as the loser of each hole permanently loses a random club.
These modes make multiplayer especially entertaining. Casual players, families, and kids will enjoy the chaos, while seasoned players can strategize around power-ups. These modes lack the precision and control of classic courses, but they are imaginative and fun.
The Wacky Golf modes are clearly the stars of multiplayer. They bring humor and unpredictability that make every match feel different. These modes shine in family play sessions, party settings, or competitive rounds with friends. On the other hand, if you loved the expansive PS4 edition, you might find Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots a bit limited.
Progression in Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is tied to both performance and customization. Playing holes earns experience points that improve character stats like driving distance, accuracy, and putting precision. The Golf Pro Shop adds a quirky twist: items such as pies, cupcakes, and cheeseburgers temporarily boost stats. Humorously, this means eating more will make you a better golfer.
Unlocking new characters and courses takes time. However, this slow progression encourages repeated play and experimentation as you try different strategies and playstyles. Overall, the XP system strikes a balance between rewarding skill and giving players a reason to keep playing.
Visually, Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is colorful and approachable, but it lacks the details of previous entries. Dynamic lighting adds realism to weather and time-of-day effects. Yet, some older PS3 and PS4 games still appear more vibrant in side-by-side comparisons.
Vegetation, clothing, and minor environmental animations are less reactive, and some fans may notice a slight flattening in textures. But most importantly, the visuals are in line with the series’ arcade style.
The audio design complements the visuals perfectly. Sound effects for swings, ball contact, and environmental hazards are crisp. Background music is light, fitting for both traditional courses and Wacky Golf modes. Voice acting is minimal, limited to small quips, which gives the game charm but sometimes makes story sections feel bland.
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and novelty. It doesn’t attempt to replicate the PS4 experience, but it refines core mechanics and introduces wild, laugh-out-loud modes perfect for multiplayer fun.
Wacky Golf modes offer a refreshing twist while keeping the classic swing-based gameplay intact. And nighttime golfing is a new addition that we’d like to see continued in the next sequel. Performance is usually good; however, frame rates can drop below 60 FPS on some courses and in some weather conditions.
It can feel like a lot of work to unlock characters and courses, but the grind is worth it for things like character upgrades and item bonuses. Some elements, like the character creator or completely explorable courses, may be missed by fans of the older games. However, the roster of characters, outfits, and caddies still does the job.
The game captures the heart of arcade golfing while adding enough quirks to stand on its own. Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is a game you can jump into casually or sink hours into refining your play. It may not surpass the PS4 edition in scope, but it delivers fun, just what we associate with the series.
