Japanese version of Hot Shots Golf Fore under its original Minna no Golf 4 title, the best entry in the series. Enriched content, additional characters and more varied courses make this the PS2 arcade golf benchmark for Japanese players.
Your verdict
Category
Sports4 players3+
Description
A Clap Hanz and SCEI sequel released in 2003 (Japan, Asia), the equivalent of the Western Hot Shots Golf Fore! A deeper caddy system for shot advice, an expanded multiplayer mode and an even more generous roster. The series' most popular version in Japan, a cornerstone of the PS2 Minna no Golf line.
Minna no Golf 4 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
This fourth entry enriches its courses with time of day and weather. The art direction varies the light on the greens: rounds at dawn in a low mist, full midday sun, sunset gilding, heavy skies that darken the fairway. This day-night cycle and shifting weather give the same hole several faces, making the passage of time an element of the golf landscape.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
This sequel expands everything that made the formula charming: more courses, characters to unlock and challenges to take on, without losing any of the legendary accessibility. Hitting the perfect ball stays a clear, fiercely addictive pleasure. With several players, rounds chain in good cheer. A generous arcade golf, perfect for all ages.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Gauging your power meter, reading the wind and then aiming for the birdie sets up a surprisingly addictive loop of precision where every successful hole calls for the next. Unlocking golfers, outfits and courses feeds a constant progression. The principle varies little from one hole to the next, but this immediate accessibility and this urge to beat your score keep a stubborn pull, especially with others.
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Behind its cheerful looks, this arcade golfer hides a depth that pushes you to unlock characters, outfits and courses endlessly. Mastering the swing, aiming for the birdie and collecting it all fills long rounds, solo or with friends. That wealth of content, paired with immediate playability, sustains a longevity fans cultivate for a long time.
Minna no Golf 4, the Japanese and Asian version of Sony's arcade golf series known in the West under other names, valued for its immediate accessibility and hidden depth. This native edition appeals to those collecting the line at its source, the Asian run being harder to find than the common Japanese release. Its interest lies in this regional provenance and the audience's loyalty rather than marked scarcity.
Better with friends
Peppy arcade golf where the accessible power gauge makes every shot a thrill, ideal in turn-based multiplayer. The competition plays out in precision, reading the wind and panache, punctuated by perfect shots that draw cheers and flubs that amuse the table. Charming and easy to pick up, it chains friendly rounds and trash talk without ever running out of steam.
Is Minna no Golf 4 still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2003 on PS2 and known in the West as Hot Shots Golf Fore!, Clap Hanz's project refines the series arcade golf formula with a wider roster and many courses. The three click swing gauge keeps its rare balance between immediate accessibility and demanding mastery, while the challenge system against unlockable characters extends longevity. The cartoon presentation, readable and warm, has not aged a day, and local multiplayer remains a peak of conviviality. A safe bet for fans of relaxed golf and for players seeking a lasting couch game that rewards both casual rounds and long term score chasing.
