Ace Golf

By Michael Cooper for computerandvideogames.com

Rain amulets, relax shoes, and fire balls - the sort of kit that you'd expect in an elf-ridden role-player, not in a golf game. But Ace Golf is no ordinary golfing experience.

A HOLE LOT OF FUN

Unlock, equip and level up awesome golf gear. Every object you attain within the various play modes helps carve your chosen golfer into a mean ball-whacking machine. Special clubs, shoes, balls and amulets are all up for grabs. You can earn amulets that bring on the rain, keep you out of bunkers, and conjure up all sorts of freaky abilities. There are 26 sets of clubs, each more powerful and accurate depending on how much you use it.

The in-game action is shaping up to be a riot, with six gorgeous-looking 18-hole courses to swing through. Each looks and plays differently, depending on the weather conditions. The control system feels very natural, seeing you use the C-stick to swing your club, à la Tiger Woods. This is shaping up to be an awesome stopgap till Mario Golf next year.