Golf Zero

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

Golf Zero is a challenging Platformer with elements of the sport of Golf, but it’s clearly only loosely based on that sport. First released on mobile devices in 2017 and later ported to multiple platforms in 2020, including Nintendo Switch, Golf Zero is less about presenting anything resembling a traditional golf experience and more about creating an insane Platformer level for players to navigate so that their golfer can make his putt at any cost, even if he has to sacrifice his own life to get it.

The presentation here is extremely simple, with colorful 2D pixel art visuals without much detail to them. Your golfer is little more than a yellow blob, and the terrain all looks extremely blocky. This is paired with a forgettable energetic soundtrack. Clearly, this game’s presentation was far from the most important element this game’s designers had in mind.

Thankfully, the gameplay here is surprisingly compelling, once you get the hang of it. To do so, you’ll need to keep in mind a few things: First, know that your golfer can take a swing at a ball in mid-air. Second, you can hit multiple balls in quick succession while time slows down during a swing. Third, you’re not playing through with any of these balls – either you hit your target or you take another one of your three chances from anywhere you can swing from. And fourth, it doesn’t matter if your golfer dies, as long as you can make the swing that gets your ball to the hole.

Like I said before, Golf Zero really only bears a slight resemblance to the sport it’s named for, and plays closer to a challenging Platformer with a unique gimmick. And while not everyone is going to click with that gimmick, those who do will find it unique enough to make this game more than worth the tiny $5 price tag. Do not buy this game if you’re looking for a good Golf game on your Nintendo Switch. But if you’re looking for a fun, unique, and challenging Platformer, it may well be worth a look.

tl;dr – Golf Zero is a challenging Platformer only loosely inspired by the sport, but its unique mechanics make it surprisingly compelling and original. Do not get this game if you want a good Golf game. But if you want a challenging and original Platformer for cheap, Golf Zero is definitely worth a look.

Grade: B-

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