The Eye of the Tiger

For years, with every sports game they’ve ever released, Electronic Arts has dealt with competitors. That element has played a crucial role in their seemingly exhaustible efforts to make their games better. Seeing the developments of Madden early in the decade and NHL over the past three years, it’s obvious the company is focused on making amazing games that push the envelope in every way possible.

However, in golf, there is little to no reason for everybody at Electronic Arts to kill themselves. The long kind of the sport in the video game world, EA could release a rehashed version every year with minor improvements and no one would throw their sand wedge at their caddy in disgust. Nevertheless, at least on the Nintendo Wii, “Tiger Woods 2010” is easily the greatest golf game to ever be released on any system. Utilizing the new Wii MotionPlus control, “Tiger Woods 2010” is the most realistic golf game on the market, and one that pushes the technical limits of the system like never before.

Because of that, it’s a dream come true for anyone who’d rather play golf in their living room than with the yuppies at the local course.

Already armed with a hearty helping of game modes, this year’s version offers you a chance to play in the U.S. Open at Bethpage. Using another new feature, the dynamic weather-conditions option, you’ll essentially be able to play at the Open and experience the same weather conditions the real golfers have to face. After years of failing to use their online abilities on the Wii to the fullest, “Tiger Woods 2010” hits the green in two in this aspect. A nifty little option that gives the game a better sense of realism, you’ll never feel closer to the green than you do with this game. If realism isn’t for you, you could even play some disc golf, or for you “Seinfeld” fans, frolf. You may even find your own person George Costanza online to play with.

Graphically, “T.W. 2010” is the best looking game in the series on the system. No longer looking like a GameCube game on steroids, the character models and environments are more polished this time around and lend to the realism ever more. For the first time in the series’ history on the system, hardcore gamers will be satisfied while casual ones will be enthralled. Are they up to the same level as the PS3and 360 versions of the game? Of course not, but as far as options and controls go, the Wii version wins the green jacket.

Speaking of control, the Wii MotionPlus accessory does a phenomenal job of simulating the swing of a golf club. Anyone who has a slice in their swing will notice right off the bat that their balls will drift in the direction that they normally do when they’re on the course. Because of this, it’s quite possible that this game could make you a better golfer if you’ve already mastered the swing on the course. For everyone else, the game is plain fun. In no way, shape or form do you have to be a golfer to enjoy it. The onscreen tutorial will turn you into a regular links man in no time.

For those who have dreamed their entire lives of winning a green jacket, all while eating a bag of Doritos and yelling at their cats to move away from the top of the television set in fear of moving the motion sensor bar and ruin their game, will be pleasantly surprised.

Your dream has come true.

Those looking for a complete golf experience you will be pleasantly surprised as well, considering this fun little package is stuffed with more goodies than Rodney Dangerfield’s golf bag in “Caddyshack.”

So if you demand satisfaction, EA knows what you want and has delivered regardless of how you play your games, proving that even a man licensed by the United Nations to gophers or a uptight pro can appreciate the content with this title.