Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08

What’s the Story?

EA Sports' TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 08 is the latest in the bestselling golf series now available for all major gaming platforms. While the core gameplay is similar to the '07 version, the game makers added enough new features to entice players to buy anew.

You can hit the ball in one of two ways. The main control scheme is using the controller's dual analog sticks, where the left stick is pulled back and then pushed forward to hit the ball, while the right stick can be used to add a fade, draw, hook, or slice to your shot (in the Nintendo Wii version, you can hold the Wii remote like a club and take a real swing). You can go back to the classic three-click swing system by pressing the A or X button three times. Along with multiple solo and multiplayer game modes, 10 Mini games are accessible at any time.

Is It Any Good?

The biggest additions are in the community and customization departments. All shots are now recorded so you can save and replay highlights; competitive players can upload these moments to the Internet for bragging rights, bonus points, and as a challenge to others to best your performance. You also can upload a front and side photograph of your face to create an in-game golfer that looks like you. While it takes a bit of skill to edit the imported photos using onscreen markers as a guide (as well as tweak features such as hair), the effect is worth the effort.

Add gorgeous graphics and a meaty Tiger Challenge mode that lets you earn virtual cash and increase skills as you beat some of the world's top players, and you've got a golf game both newbie and seasoned players will want to take a swing at.