Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 builds on the solid foundation laid by its Japanese counterpart, JGTO Kounin Golf Master: Japan Golf Tour Game, by retaining the signature overhead view and intuitive swing controls. Players can choose from 14 distinct golfers, each boasting unique stats in power, accuracy, and putting touch. Five different courses, ranging from seaside links to tree-lined fairways, offer varied challenges that will test both newcomers and veteran golf sim enthusiasts.

Where this American release truly stands out is in the ESPN overlay and broadcast-style presentation. Scoreboards, on-screen graphics, and even television-style camera angles give each shot the feel of a live televised tournament. Commentary snippets and dynamic zoom-ins heighten the drama when you’re lining up a critical putt or navigating a bunker shot. These broadcast touches don’t impede play but instead add a layer of immersion that transforms a standard round of golf into a high-stakes sporting event.

Multiplayer functionality is another strong suit. By linking up to four Game Boy Advance units with the Link Cable, friends can compete head-to-head across any of the five courses. Whether you’re playing a quick skins match or embarking on a full four-player tournament, the social element extends the game’s replay value. Practice modes and adjustable difficulty settings ensure that both casual players and hardcore sim fans can find the right balance of challenge and fun.

Graphics

On the Game Boy Advance hardware, ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 delivers surprisingly crisp visuals. Course environments are rendered with vibrant color palettes—lush greens contrast with deep blue skies, and subtle shading conveys rolling terrain. Sprites remain stable during swings and camera pans, with minimal slowdown even in four-player matchups.

Character design marks a departure from the anime-inspired look of the Japanese version. Instead of oversized heads and exaggerated features, golfers sport proportionate bodies and more realistic facial details. This stylistic shift complements the ESPN branding, reinforcing the title’s goal of simulating an authentic television broadcast rather than a cartoonish arcade experience.

The heads-up display and on-screen graphics capitalize on ESPN’s visual identity, featuring sleek scorecards, animated leaderboards, and sponsor logos that appear between shots. Dynamic camera angles—ranging from overhead flyovers to close-up ball tracking—add cinematic flair without sacrificing visibility or control. Overall, the visual presentation strikes an impressive balance between performance and polish on portable hardware.

Story

As a golf simulation with a television broadcast twist, ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 doesn’t offer a traditional narrative or character-driven storyline. Instead, the game builds its “story” through tournament progression. Players start in local events and, by shooting low scores, earn the opportunity to compete in higher-profile championships, mirroring the career arc of a professional golfer.

The ESPN presentation injects a quasi-narrative element by framing each round as part of a larger season. Pre-round intros highlight the course and conditions, and post-round recaps summarize your performance against the field. Though brief, these vignette-style segments create a sense of continuity and stakes, turning every par-saving putt into a potentially career-making moment.

Beyond tournament play, challenge modes let you pursue special objectives—such as completing a hole in a set number of strokes or nailing a precise approach shot. These bite-sized missions act like mini-chapters, providing structured goals that break up standard stroke-play and inject variety into the overall experience.

Overall Experience

ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 offers a compelling package for golf fans craving a portable sim with broadcast flair. The core control scheme is accessible yet deep enough to reward practice, and the diverse roster of 14 golfers and five courses ensures that no two rounds feel the same. The ESPN presentation cements the game’s identity, making Amateur links play feel as exciting as a major televised event.

Multiplayer over the Game Boy Link Cable remains a highlight, delivering spirited competition in tight three-or-four-player showdowns. Even without an online mode, the local head-to-head setup evokes the feeling of a friendly backyard tournament. Solo players will appreciate robust practice settings, adjustable difficulty, and challenge modes that extend replayability beyond the main season.

For prospective buyers on the hunt for a golf title on the GBA, ESPN Final Round Golf 2002 stands out as a polished, feature-rich option. Its blend of realistic visuals, broadcaster authenticity, and tight mechanics make it a winning choice for both casual sports gamers and dedicated golf sim aficionados.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10