Small Screen Star
I have an exciting future in television. I’ve always thought so, and my mother says she agrees with me, but now I know that it’s the truth. I’ve been playing Links® 2004, you see, and when the game zooms in on me with its advanced, television-style presentation, I look good.
Peanut Gallery
Of course, not everyone thinks I’m a star. When someone coughed and I hooked my shot into a pond—scaring a flock of ducks—the gallery wasn’t exactly cheering. And when I chose a three-wood when what I really needed was a three-iron, Ken Venturi and the other commentators—Jim Nelford, Jeff Waters, and Rod Zundel—gave me a pretty hard time about it. I could tell they were just jealous, though. They couldn’t handle the fact that a couch potato like me could go out onto the pro tour, win big money, and look so good while doing it.
Jealous Superstars
I think the other players were jealous, too. Sergio Garcia and Annika Sorenstam might be big names in their own petty little worlds, but when they got a taste of my Links 2004 skills, they went running. The game tried to intimidate me with realistic weather effects like fog and rain, but I just laughed and kept nailing shot after shot. All the while I was looking good in my stylish golf gear, using golf balls and clubs modeled after real-life brand merchandise. It was all so real—except for the greens fees, which you’ll find are much more affordable on the Xbox.
Sweet Visuals
There were times when I thought I was actually watching a television broadcast of a golf tournament. Just like on TV, every hole is introduced by a sweeping shot down the length from tee to green, and the announcer describes the hole’s features and best strategies. You get slow-motion replays, just like with real television sporting events, and while you’re playing in a tournament, you’ll get onscreen cues about how your CPU-controlled players are doing on the other holes. When your birdie putt is just about to drop in the hole, the camera will zoom in to catch that beautiful moment. My favorite part comes at the end of a round. That’s when you get your own personal highlight reel, documenting your most beautiful putts, drives, and approach shots—no other players are around to get between you and the camera. Links 2004 brings big-time golf to your Xbox, and baby, you’re a star!
You can tell it’s not real TV, though—it’s just too good. No real-life television crew could get the camera to swirl around you like that as you step to the tee. And no television broadcast features effects that show shockwaves emanating from your ball as it screams toward the green—but dammit, that’s the way golfshould be televised! Links 2004 combines television presentation with a sporting goods commercial and mixes in the best moments from The Matrix, all to increase your golfing satisfaction. Golf has always been a beautiful sport, but it took the Links franchise to make it this exciting.
Bring It On!
So you won’t be seeing me in this dead-end job for much longer. I’ve seen my future as a rich and famous golf star, and I’m anxious to get started on it. Look for me on your television sets—I’ll be the one who looks so very, very good.
By Jason Carl
