GameZine writes: "Being a games reviewer is a double edged sword - writing about a hobby that you love, getting games for free and spreading the good word about unappreciated gems is very much the side of things that gets people into the business.
The downside is that, at one time or another, every budding reviewer has to line up and take 'the bad medicine' – i.e. we have to review a rubbish game that is almost physically painful to play."
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."
At the end of the day, this title is an easy target for criticism. Failing to achieve any resemblance of adapting to the PS3, a niche release and a steep learning curve with added difficulty concerning the controls. Yet there is a certain appeal to this distinctive experience, one that has a great deal of depth and no doubt entertainment for those who find themselves down the bookies on regular occasions. Apart from the Grand National, Gamestyle avoids betting of any kind, G1 Jockey 4 2008 may not be our idea of a thoroughbred game, though undoubtedly there is a market for it.
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.