Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

VR Golf ’97 puts you right on the tee box with a classic swing meter mechanic that rewards precision and timing. Drawing inspiration from earlier golf sims, the meter requires careful eye-hand coordination: press once to start your backswing, again to set power, and a final tap to control accuracy. It’s a familiar system for genre veterans but remains intuitive enough for newcomers, ensuring that every drive and putt feels satisfying.

The title offers two distinct courses—a rolling country layout and a lush tropical resort—each presenting unique hazards and wind conditions. Customizable characters let you tweak appearance and basic stats to suit your playstyle, whether you’re favoring power off the tee or finesse on the greens. With two difficulty settings, players can ease into the basics or push themselves against tighter fairways and more aggressive pin placements.

Multiple game modes, including foursome, four-ball challenge, and skins, add variety to your round. The built-in multi-view shot tracking and cinematic action replays elevate key moments, letting you savor a perfect approach or analyze a wayward drive from any angle. Commentary by Tony Adamson, Pat O’Brien, and Peter Alliss injects fun banter and expert tips, keeping the atmosphere lively even during a 72-hole marathon.

Graphics

Leveraging full 3D terrain and character models, VR Golf ’97 delivers surprisingly detailed environments for its era. The country course features gently undulating hills, golden fairways, and dense tree lines, while the tropical course dazzles with palm fronds, distant ocean vistas, and swaying foliage. Textures are crisp enough to distinguish sand traps from rough, and the occasional wildlife cameo adds subtle charm.

Character animations strike a balance between realism and arcade flair. Each swing is fluid, with follow-throughs that change depending on your timing and power. Watching your golfer’s posture shift as they address the ball or jog to retrieve errant shots enhances immersion. Even in split-second replay modes, frame rates remain steady, avoiding the choppiness that plagued many early 3D titles.

Lighting effects—though basic by modern standards—effectively convey different times of day. Early morning tee times cast long shadows and pale skies, while late-afternoon rounds bathe fairways in warm hues. Water hazards reflect ambient light and rolling waves, showcasing the game’s ability to render dynamic scenes. Occasional pop-in on distant trees is present but never detracts from the overall visual appeal.

Story

As with most golf simulations, VR Golf ’97 doesn’t follow a traditional narrative but builds its own sense of progression through tournament and challenge structures. From friendly weekend matches to competitive skins games, players craft their own golfing journey—complete with underdog victories and come-from-behind wins. Each course tells its own “story” through layout design, requiring you to adapt strategy as you work the greens.

The three expert commentators—Tony Adamson, Pat O’Brien, and Peter Alliss—lend personality to each hole, offering historical tidbits about tricky doglegs or memorable real-world tournaments. Their exchanges create a loose dialogue that uplifts solo rounds, almost as if you’re part of a televised event. It’s not a character-driven saga, but the atmosphere of competition and casual banter remains engaging throughout.

Customization options extend beyond attire; as you conquer challenges, you unlock new gear that subtly boosts attributes like swing speed or putting precision. While the game stops short of a full career mode, these incremental upgrades foster a sense of growth. You’ll find yourself returning to the tropical course not just for its beauty, but to test whether your improved driver can finally tame those beachfront holes.

Overall Experience

VR Golf ’97 stands out as a robust golf simulator that bridges the gap between arcade fun and authentic course management. The combination of responsive swing mechanics, versatile game modes, and dynamic replay features offers replayability that few contemporaries match. Whether playing solo or organizing a local tournament with friends, each round brings new challenges.

Accessibility is a major plus: the two difficulty levels allow beginners to learn the ropes while providing enough depth for seasoned golfers to refine their technique. The balance of playable courses, customization choices, and vocal commentary keeps the experience fresh from the first drive to the final putt. Even without a narrative campaign, the sense of accomplishment from holing out on the toughest par 3 is deeply rewarding.

In an era where many sports titles opted for flashy but shallow presentations, VR Golf ’97 delivers substance alongside style. Its polished 3D visuals, comprehensive control scheme, and engaging multiplayer modes make it a standout choice for anyone seeking a solid golf experience. For players wanting realistic swing dynamics and thoughtful course design, this outing promises hours of satisfying play on both country and tropical greens.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10