Jolt.co writes: "If you're in any doubt about the fact that real horse jockeys have skill, spend some time with G1 Jockey 4 and see if you don't change your mind. Japanese publisher Koei's horseracing simulation is as specialist and focused a title you can get, but within the limited confines of the game's horse tracks you'll find mind boggling attention to detail and, if you can master it, a surprising degree of excitement.
Drive timing, whipping techniques, leading legs and favoured positioning are all factors to be taken into account when jockeying a horse, as is a particular horse's motivation, stamina, spirit, obedience and potential to be pushed. All of these things and more are crucial factors in determining the outcome of a race, which hinges as much on strategy as on skill and timing.
G1 Jockey 4 2008 has decent variety in the horses and riders, as you'd expect, but it isn't much to look at, though again that's hardly surprising from a game that's not so much leaping to next-gen as cantering. That doesn't really matter when you're playing it, though, because you'll spend too much of your time looking at gauges, dials and meters on the interface to actually notice."
RealGamer writes: "For the record, I have no interest in horse-racing what-so-ever and so this review of G1 Jockey 4 2008 maybe slightly biased.
This game sees you shrinking and losing weight as you take on the role of a jockey where you will train and race on many noble steeds, hopefully to victory.
These games have had huge success in Japan and have started to appear in the shops over here. Is now the time to change our opinions on horse-racing? Can gaming achieve the impossible and make this "sport" entertaining and enjoyable? The answer is a resounding no, actually it more like a "No" uttered by a man falling off the side of a cliff, which is usually followed by a large "splat" sound."
Last year's G1 Jockey Wii took a lot of people by surprise. While it had complicated controls and layouts, those who took the time to learn all the bits and pieces discovered it had a lot of depth and was a decent horse racing game. Sadly, fans of last year's outing have little reason to pick up G1 Jockey Wii 2008. The game is more or less the same, with only a few new options that don't really warrant a second look.
The game's story mode isn't all that spectacular. Players simply assume the role of an upcoming jockey who's just graduated and about to enter the world of horse racing. The story is told through conversations with 2D cardboard cut-outs, it doesn't really hold your interest for long and in the end you'll just be pressing the A button to skip the endless amounts of dribble. What it lacks in presentation however, it makes up for with in-depth gameplay.
Thomas McDermott writes:
"I am sure there is an audience that will love this game, and will have some solid fun with it. However, that audience - no matter how niche it may be - deserve a better game to accurately represent their hobby. Right now this version seems to have the lowest production values you can possibly have for a PS3 title, and that, in conjunction with the game's many other problems, is not going to please anyone in the long run."
