Neo Turf Masters review
:: STROKES OF NOSTALGIAPrice: $2.99
Version: 1.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 5
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The Neo Geo arcade classic Neo Turf Masters has finally made its way to mobile, complete with some minor changes to help it work better on iOS devices. These changes probably won't be the deciding factor on whether or not you pick this up though, as nostalgia is the main reason to return to Neo Turf Masters.
Tee it up
If you're familiar at all with arcade golf games like Hot Shots Golf, Neo Turf Mastersis a very similar affair. Unlike more simulation-style golf games, you're swinging your way through one of four golf courses using a simple power and accuracy meter. Depending on the conditions you're playing in, you can also adjust your aim, stance, club, and ball spin to try and get that pesky ball ever closer to -- and eventually into -- the hole.
All told, it's a pretty simple system, but with some skill and patience, you can really use it to your advantage.
Touring around
In the jump over to mobile, Neo Turf Masters has been tweaked to make it friendlier for on-the-go play while still feeling like the arcade original. This version of the game is really good about saving and offering to resume your progress whenever you close the app. It also offers an infinite mode as an alternative to the lives-based arcade mode.
Other than that, Neo Turf Masterssports a pass-and-play multiplayer mode and some pretty good MFi controller support as well.
The mulligan
I grew up loving Neo Turf Masters, and I continue to really enjoy its sense of style. There's a real time and place I associate with the game and its aesthetic, so simply being able to boot it up anywhere I am is a delight.
If you aren't like me, Neo Turf Mastersmight not have the same effect. You might not be able to look past how the game doesn't run at a solid pace (whether because of the emulation or some other issue). You might be disappointed in how poorly some touch controls are communicated, particularly when it comes to controlling your ball spin. However, if you are looking for a solid arcade golf experience with some good, although occasionally devious, course design, you may want to give Neo Turf Masters a shot.
The bottom line
In the translation to mobile, Neo Turf Mastersfeels like the original arcade game, which is mostly a good thing. If you are looking for a way to revisit the game or are charmed by the game's aesthetic, Neo Turf Mastersis definitely worth picking up. If you're in some other camp, you probably won't be disappointed playing it, though it does have some issues that might hamper your enjoyment.