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JACK NICKLAUS 6: GOLDEN BEAR CHALLENGE
Developed by: Activision (1999)
Genre: Golf sim
System Requirements: Win 95/98, P200 (recommended), 32 MB RAM minimum, 400 MB HDD Space, Mouse, Modem.

OVERVIEW: When it comes to gold sims I've pretty much stuck with Links or MS Golf. However 1998 and 1999 have offered some serious challengers to both of those annual champs: Sierra's PGA Championship, Empire's Golf Pro, Pygnosis' Pro 18 and now Jack Nicklaus 6. Across the board these titles have displayed improved graphics and gameplay which has allowed them to close the gap between MS Golf and Links (both of which have made improvements as well).

Nicklaus 6 offers better graphics than it's predecessors in the series. The overall graphical effect is nice- not photo/postcard quality but still pleasant to look at. The golfer animations and renderings are much improved in my opinion with a more "life-like" look (but still rather "maniquine-esk" in action/appearance). Swing animations and reactions were generally acceptable but at times looked somewhat awkward and downright painful! The animated golfer movements are so wooden that one would think Al Gore was used as a polygon subject! Without a doubt the menus look fabulous- some of the best you'll find and pretty easy to move through. In this version, players now have the ability to shoot 18 holes with The Golden Bear- it's rather humbling but lots of fun.

Nicklaus 6 offers six Jack Nicklaus designed courses right out of the box (Shoal Creek, Nicklaus North, Muirfield, Montecastillo, Sherwood and Cochies at Desert Mountain Club). Some of the colors looked a bit dark and grainy- but acceptable. Yet the real strength here lies with the game's Course/Hole design utility- allowing players to recreate thier local stomping grounds.  This is the number one feature that has always set the Nicklaus series apart from other golf sims. The utility is pretty easy to use but takes some practice to get things just right. Actually, I found the course/hole designing as fun as the game itself. The game physics seemed to be accurate and realistically affected by course conditions, lie and swing. Of course the commentary by CBS golf anaylist Jim Nantz and Gary McCord add to the ambience (although at times it seemed a bit repeative). While not stunning this is one VERY solid game.

Overall I really enjoyed Jack Nicklaus 6. This version of the series shows that the competition for your PC golfing dollars has heated up. The course design utility is excellent! While I still believe Links is a better overall sim, Jack Nicklaus 6 is a great choice for a change of pace or for a budding course designer.

THE SCOUTING REPORT:

THE PROS:

• Course designer is great
  Good selection of courses right out of the box
  Great selection of comementators in Jim Nantz and Gary McCord
  Overall great graphics.
  Lots of add-on courses available for download from fan sites.

THE CONS:

• Colors can be rather striking (sometimes the fairway looks like astroturf)
  Golfer animation is a bit cartoony and awkward at times.

Review by Steve Ellis