nGolf

Genre: Sports (Mini-Golf)

Players: 1

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Review:

nGolf is a Mini-Golf game released on Nintendo Switch in 2024, and since this comes from publisher RedDeer.Games, this of course means multiple “editions” of the game that simply include different configurations of free DLC to justify multiple releases on the eShop, and a $22 price tag that will inevitably drop to $2 every month to make players think they’re getting a better deal than they actually are. As I try to make it a point to do, I will judge this game based on its full price of $22, because if they wanted me to judge it as a budget title, they should have just priced it as a budget title.

Graphically, nGolf uses a slightly-cartoony cel shaded 3D art style that’s simple but appealing, backed by lighthearted music designed to thematically fit each stage. It’s nothing impressive but it works for the game.

In each of the game’s holes, you’re given a somewhat small enclosed Mini-Golf course with three stars on it, with players trying to reach the hole while obtaining as many of the stars as possible. You do this by choosing a point within a circle around the ball, with the direction determining the path it’s headed in, and distance from the ball determining shot strength.

Unfortunately, there’s not a great indication of how your placement ties to the shot strength, so you’ll be forced to guess and hope you’re roughly correct. Perhaps to compensate for this, the holes in this game will actually vacuum in any balls that stray close to them, meaning that the lack of precision doesn’t outright kill your potential for getting a hole in one.

Is this game worth $22? Absolutely not, it’s far too simple and lacking in options – there isn’t even a multiplayer mode! I’d have an easier time recommending this game if it were $5 or… you know, if it was just normally priced at $2 instead of using that price point for sales to try to game the eShop.

If you get it at a budget price, nGolf is okay. Not exceptional, not great, just okay. It lacks features and has some control issues that hold it back from anything more than that. However, at the full $22 price, this is a rip-off, and should be avoided.

tl;dr – nGolf is a Mini-Golf game that’s far too lacking in options and suffers from some control issues, making the normal $22 price absurdly high. Make no mistake, you are not getting a great deal when this game goes on sale for $2, but when it does that is a far more reasonable price for what’s on offer here, though you still have plenty of better options on Nintendo Switch.

Grade: C-

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This game has been nominated for one or more of eShopperReviews 2024 Game Awards:

Runner-Up: Most Overpriced

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