Championship Bass

EA Sports brings the thrill of fishing to your PC. Don't laugh, Championship Bass is a surprisingly fun and addictive game.

Who says computer fishing games can't be fun? Well, probably every hardcore gamer under the age of 40. But, if you listen to them, you'll be missing out on some great bass-landing action, because Championship Bass from EA Sports is a surprisingly fun and addictive arcade-style fishing experience.

Championship Bass features three modes of gameplay: Tournament, Fishing Trip, and Bass Challenge. Tournament mode pits you against other fishermen to see who can reel in the largest lunkers over the course of a single day, while Fishing Trip is a more open-ended mode in which you can spend your time scouting the lakes, while casting and reeling at your leisure.

The most fun though, is the Bass Challenge, an arcade-style mode in which the object is to catch the most fish in a limited amount of time. In order to advance to the next level, you must finish each challenge in one of the top three positions. Bonus fish are scattered throughout each level, which, when caught, reward prizes such as extra time or special lures.

The six real lakes are loaded with life-like fish, from tiny bluegills to huge large-mouthed bass. For the most part, the fish act like their real-life counterparts, curiously following bait and jumping wildly when hooked, although they tend to ignore their neighboring brethren thrashing about for life.

The outdoor settings are realistic, though curiously unpopulated (you may feel like the Omega Man on a fishing trip), and sport features like campsites and docks that break up the monotony of the tree-lined shores. Unfortunately, the 2-dimensional underwater plant life, which looks okay from a distance, gets blocky and pixelated when viewed up close. Also, the four player models look a little goofy, and it would have been nice to have more to choose from, but they certainly get the job done.

Landing the lunkers is a breeze with the mouse for casting and reeling and a few keyboard commands for adjusting the drag and line speed. And along with the sounds of your winding reel and the splashing of fighting fish, a twangy guitar soundtrack adds to the outdoorsy atmosphere.

With over 50 levels in the Bass Challenge, plus Tournament and online multiplay, Championship Bass has a lot to offer the virtual angler - all for a mere 20 dollars. And if you're too embarrassed to buy it for yourself, you can buy it for your dad and play it while he's at work. Just don't be surprised if he lands the monster bass and leaves you with the guppies.

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