The trip from Minnesota to San Jose, with a layover in 104 degree Phoenix, was going to be a long one. Like a smart lad, I had loaded up my PSP with episodes of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. And I also had purchased the only games out for the system that interested me.

These games are Lumines, Tony Hawk Underground 2 Remix, and Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee.

I have already played the hell out of Lumines and wasn’t in a Tony Hawk mood, so my focus for this trip was on Hot Shots Golf.

Loving Mario Golf for the GBA, I was quite excited to play Hot Shots. I don’t play golf in real life. I don’t watch it on TV. But yet, video game golf is fun and addictive.

That being said, all golf games are the same. Play through competitions. Unlock courses. Jam down on this button to start your swing. Crunch on this one to put some top spin on it.

If you know how to play one game, you know how to play them all. I am having a lot of fun with Hot Shots Golf, of course. Currently I’m on a mission to dress up my guy character as much like a girl as possible. He has long hair, and a pink top on. Now he just needs some girly accessories.

The graphics are nice and cartoonish. I’m still thrilled to play good looking games on this wonderful wide screen.

Oh, and after you win each mach? There is an inspirational video clip of a beach or clouds or hippos playing, with the words “Good Job” printed over it. You have to laugh. Laugh for me.

We seem to find comfort in similarity. Golf games are similar to sequels that way. The newer ones look prettier, but are pretty much the same thing.

The bottom line is, if you like golf games, Hot Shots doesn’t screw anything up.