PGA Tour 96
Released 1995 · consists of 13 releases.
The first annual installment of the seminal EA Sports golfing franchise. Each version of the game is unique, with most being direct ports of either PGA Golf Tour 486 or PGA Golf Tour III.
Overview
PGA Tour 96 is a series of golf simulation games published by Electronic Arts (under the EA Sports label) for the Sony PlayStation, 3DO, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, and Windows PCs in 1995-1996.
The fifth main installment of the PGA Tour series, PGA Tour 96 is the first in the series to use the shortened "PGA Tour" naming (combined with the yearly installment), the first in the series to be released on fifth-generation consoles, and the last in the series to be released on fourth-generation consoles). Unlike previous games in the series, PGA Tour 96 vastly differs by console, with most games instead being direct ports of PGA Golf Tour 486 or PGA Golf Tour III:
- The PS1 and PC versions, developed by Hitmen Productions, is the most original installment and builds on PGA Golf Tour 486 with a revamped UI and additional courses (including Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California).
- The 3DO and Genesis versions, developed by NuFx, Inc., are instead direct ports of PGA Golf Tour 486. It includes that game's visuals and interface, along with all three of that game's courses (although the Genesis version replaces TPC at Summerlin with Spyglass Hill Golf Course).
- The SNES version, developed by Halestorm, Inc. and co-published by Black Pearl Software, is instead a direct port of PGA Golf Tour III using the engine from their port of PGA European Tour. It includes that game's visuals and interface, along with all eight of that game's courses.
- The GB version, developed by Unexpected Development and co-published by Black Pearl Software, is instead a direct port of PGA Tour Golf III using the engine from their port of PGA European Tour. It includes five of that game's courses (TPC at Summerlin, TPC at Sawgrass, TPC at Avenel, TPC at The Woodlands, and TPC at Scottsdale).
- The GG version, developed by Ceris Software and co-published by Black Pearl Software, is an original port of PGA Tour Golf III. It includes only three of that game's courses: TPC at Sawgrass, TPC at Summerlin, and TPC at River Highlands.
