Planet Minigolf Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3 (MOVE)	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Zen Studios	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Sony Computer Entertainment Studios	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sept. 17, 2010 (update)	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-6	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

The courses can be interesting though, and they're certainly not un-fun. There are a lot of them too, so while there are certainly some cliché holes, by and large most of these courses are fairly unique and interesting, which is really quite an accomplishment considering there are hundreds of minigolf games out there and only so many ways to arrange a hole. Believe me; I've played dozens of them over the years. No, I don't know why. Minigolf video games are something of a guilty pleasure for me.

Planet Minigolf screenshot

The graphics, while not particularly great are passable for the entry price of the game. It costs only 1/6 that of a full console release, so for what you're paying they're quite good. The tracks are mostly good looking, and the characters are...interesting. From the stock large-chested ladies and muscle men there are also a couple unique ones as well. Like an eight year old Japanese school girl. I'm not sure who the market for that character is, but it's there if you want it.

I don't have kind words for the announcer. Nothing he says has any value whatsoever. The most insightful thing he says in the whole of the game is “Wow, she hit it really hard!” after I hit it really hard. Dude, I know I hit it hard! I'm the one who did the swinging!

Planet Minigolf is an entirely unsurprising game. The courses are fairly inventive, and the graphics are good. Beyond that though, this is everything you would expect from a minigolf experience. Good and bad together. It's got issues stemming from the new Move controller, but nothing that is too much to overcome. All-in-all you'll have a good time, but just like real minigolf, you'll most likely be sick of it by the time you reach the final hole.

By Andrew Groen
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
They're nothing out of this world, but for a ten dollar game things look quite good.

3.0

Control
The Move controls have problems, and often don't work the way they should. Imprecise.

2.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
There is an announcer, but he's annoying and never has anything worthwhile to say.

3.5

Play Value
There are a lot of courses to try out, and the difficulty is satisfying, but the controls can hamper the experience a bit.

3.4

Overall Rating - Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Tons of different courses to test your skills on.

Use your PlayStation Move controller like a real putter.

Win games to earn points to buy new clothes for your avatar.