Fisherman's Bait: A Bass Challenge (PS1)

Product Details

• ASIN: B00000JBJI
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,271 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

There's a deep, dark secret in this industry. A secret world that lies beneath all the fighting games, sports games, and that cute little music game you bought last year. That world is the world of fishing games.

People have been making fishing games for a long, long time. One of the earliest examples of a fishing game is Fishing Derby for the Atari 2600. Fisherman's Bait, while significantly more complex than Fishing Derby, also takes a stripped-down approach to the world of fishing. But what this arcade port loses in realism, it makes up for in entertainment.

There are a few different modes to choose from in Fisherman's Bait. The beginner mode teaches you how to use the game's controls in an easy, well-stocked lake. Training mode lets you pick one of the game's three main lakes and simply fish. Versus mode allows you and a friend to have a fish-off to see who can get the most bass. Tournament mode is the game's main mode. Here, you play through all three of the lakes. Each lake has a qualifying run and an actual tournament. To qualify for the tournament, you must catch a fish that is heavier than the qualification weight. The tournament itself is a ten-minute event. You must catch the three heaviest bass you can find. To catch fish, you've got several lures and several different lake locations to choose from. Knowing which lure to use, how to use it, and where to use it is the key to getting fish to bite, but keeping them on the hook is entirely up to you. Once they're hooked, you've got to reel them in. Usually, there isn't much of a fight, but the huge fish can be really hard to land. As you reel, you've got to watch the tension gauge. If it gets too high, your line will snap and the fish will escape. So as it gets up there, you've got to release the tension and let them run a little bit. After you've tired the fish out, they aren't too hard to land.

Since it's an arcade port, you've also got to contend with a separate timer. Each fish you catch gives you a little more time on your game timer. If it runs out, you'll have to use a credit to continue. The options screen lets you set it up for infinite credits, though, so this isn't really a large worry.

While Fisherman's Bait is a reasonably fun game, it really isn't worth more than a rental to most. There is, after all, a reason why fishing games have remained a deep, dark secret. However, if you latched onto the arcade version, or if fishing games are just your bag, then by all means, pick it up. --Jeff Gerstmann
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Manufacturer Description

Two player vs. mode added for split screen fishing against a friend new special dual schok analog controller features let you feel your line snapping and reels humming four different lakes with over 15 spots to choose from seven unique lures with additiooal color variations four game modes for all levels of play including beginner training and tournament photo realistic backgrounds combined with beautifully rendered fish put you right in the game.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great game play...very short game...too easy to beat..., November 11, 1999

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This game is a great game for everyone to play...angler or not...everyone seems to love the control...best yet...the graphics...great...and the commentary. The only draw back to the game is its lack of depth...very few places to fish...and really easy to finish the game...in about two hours. This is not a game for the serious fishing enthusiast...if you are looking for fun...for a bunch of people...this is a really great game!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Worth It, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This game is not worth buying. Rent it first, other fishing games for Playstation are much better. It is annoying with it's continue screen that comes up while your fishing like an arcade game. It's also very strenuous on your finger, when trying to reel a fish in you have to press circle or x about fifty times instead of being able to hold the button down.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good-easy game, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This was a good game, I have seen alot better from the fishing and hunting areas but this was still a good game. This game was challenging yet easy. it was challenging when you got a big fish on and yet it was easy to beat.there is a few supprises on the way too. If you are a big bass fisherman I would get this if not I would stay away