Gone Fishin’

Sports games, as you may very well know, are an immensely popular genre in the world of video games. Every year, the Madden series manages to sell a staggering amount of copies, arguably with very little changes from the year before. The same can also be said of the NHL, NBA, and MLB franchises. Yet, what about games based on less popular sports? Why is there not great attention paid to games based on bowling, paintball, and even fishing? Well, I’m here to explain the joys of Real Fishin’.

Your first thought on a fishing game is probably along the lines of “really, fishing?” Yes, fishing. Published by AMTEX, the game came with a full size map of the Bay of Quinte (located in Ontario, Canada), and allowed you to
troll along the virtual waterways, catching fish as you pleased.

Featuring a weather system, you are allowed to modify the temperature, wind speed, and sun exposure (sunny, overcast, or raining) before starting a new fishing adventure. This all of course affects the fish in the lake, and your chances of success in various locations throughout the bay. (Strong wind can drive up waves which force minnows into shore, which causes larger fish to follow them in to feed) This in itself is quite impressive, especially for a game released in 1994.

Also available is the ability to customize your tackle box, which can be filled at the in-game bait shop. Crankbaits, spoons, jigs, and live bait are all available to take on your fishing trip. Looking to catch some perch? Then maybe you want to take along some worms and a bobber while you’re sitting in those shallows. Going out to the depths to catch a pike? A spinnerbait is your recipe for success.

Getting around the lake allows you to utilize a “fast-travel” system which prompts you to choose a destination by clicking on a virtual map (complete with depth charts, etc). In addition, you can troll around the lake slowly from within your boat, letting you choose a precise place to cast that carefully chosen bait.

The game also allows you to compete against friends and family locally on your machine. Upon entering the in-game lodge, you immediately see a number of stuffed fish adorning the walls. By clicking on the fish, you can view a list of the largest caught of that species and who had the luck of catching it. The idea is that if you are playing and catch the record-setting Bass, you can record your name. The next person who plays, with a lot of luck, will then get to enter their name on the list.

Overall, the game is a fantastic fishing simulation/sports game that I suggest you take a look at if you’re interested in fishing whatsoever. The graphics are great, the customization extensive, and the game is generally fun. Did I mention it also features the theme song from The Andy Griffith Show?