With the highly anticipated sequel Sports Story finally getting a release window of next month, I think it’s appropriate to look back on what is probably the most notable indie exclusive on the Switch, basically the system’s equivalent of Affordable Space Adventures on the Wii U for me.
There really isn’t much to this game in terms of backstory. [Golf Story](https://youtu.be/E-6HotrJfBI) was originally conceived by Australian developer Sidebar Games as a Wii U title, no doubt influenced by the flourishing of indie titles on the ultimately failed console, but was moved to the Switch after an extended development period, which should come as a shock to no one. Inspired by the Mario sports RPGs on GBC and GBA, this game takes the “story” part of its name to heart.
In the story, you assume the role of a down-on-his-luck pro golfer returning to the sport after 20 years, all while trying to reunite with his estranged wife by impressing her with his golf skills and trying to compete in a pro tournament. NPCs around the course can provide tips and even challenges for the player, and you can build them how you want. Honestly I can’t really summarize this game in a simple manner, but there is a lot more going on than you may think. It’s more than just golf I promise.
The game was released in September 2017 and was praised by critics and fans for its charming pixelated art style, humorous writing, and willingness to do things that Camelot couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do in the recent Mario sports games. A limited run physical release was also available, but I’m sure what everyone wanted to see next was a sequel. Maybe a Tennis Story? Or a Baseball Story?
Little did we know that Sidebar Games would be going much farther than that for the sequel, announcing [Sports Story](https://youtu.be/SzzcgCi20Z8) in December 2019. We’re getting golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, BMX, and more! I’m honestly looking forward to this more than Hollow Knight Silksong if I’m being real. The game is planned to finally release as a Switch exclusive [next month](https://youtu.be/6wZMG_zRJSU), so I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait.
Edit: Just a heads up, the game is currently on sale to celebrate the re-reveal of Sports Story! Here’s the [US eShop link](https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/golf-story-switch/) and here’s the [UK eShop link](https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Golf-Story-1285413.html).
by Asad_Farooqui
25 Comments
As someone who isn’t into golf whatsoever, I was pleasantly surprised just how much I loved this game. Challenging but fair with a really enjoyable story and dialogue. If Sports Story is anything like it then it’s probably a day one purchase for me.
Great game, my only criticism is that by the end of it I was pretty much sick of the “golf” aspect. So I’m fucking stoked that for the sequel they’re specifically adding more variety to the gameplay.
I really enjoy it everytime I start. But that being said: I’ve started 3 times and never got past the second town/course
It’s alright.
One of the few games I’ve started and couldn’t put down until I finished. Really engaging, humorous at times, dialogue and story. Agreed with another commenter that by the end, that last tournament felt to drag a bit. But absolutely loved all the side games and challenges, super stoked for Sports Story!
Game has enjoyable mechanics, great art style and love how the story has to just cut you down even when you win.
I hope there is no frisbee in the new one
An all-timer for me. I actually just wish there was more golf. More courses and more competitors and stuff. But it’s a gem of a game. Can’t wait for the sequel
Loved it. Easily in my top 5 of all Switch games I’ve played, and I’ve beaten about 50 games or so
I tried to get back into it last night. I was overwhelmed, maybe it’s just me but it gets a bit cryptic after 3-4 hours.
I never thought I could golf my way through every problem in life until Golf Story.
I’m replaying it right now after the Sports Story announcement yesterday. I’ve 100%ed it twice before, and with this replay I’m more sure than ever that it’s in my top 5 games of all time.
I adore the bizarre applications of a sport as pretentious and stuffy as golf. Every wacky side quest is like gaming crack for me, I can’t get enough of this stuff (which is why Yakuza 0 and Skyward Sword are also in the top 5). The dialogue is my favorite of any game, and still makes me laugh harder than Portal 2. The skill level required is just right, not too easy or hard. It’s that sweet spot where you can get holes-in-one and eagles with a bit of practice, but it’s still challenging enough that you get that massive feeling of success when you nail a shot.
It easily tops my list of [weird golf games](https://www.backloggd.com/u/thealexmott/list/weird-golf-games—ranked/), and Sports Story will likely be my GOTY 2022. It’s like Golf Story was custom-made to appeal to me, and I can’t get enough of it!
Other than some post game nitpicks, it’s a brilliant indie game and a fantastic value. Totally underrated.
Its in My top 5 games that i have played
I bought the soundtrack on vinyl a while back and it puts my sons to sleep every night
Fucking love Golf Story. Can’t wait for Sports Story.
I adore golf story. Probably my favourite sports game.
I liked the game, but I thought the difficulty took a huge spike once you qualified for the tournament at the end. I never finished it because of that spike. The storyline was fun, but I don’t remember the context of “trying to reunited with his estranged wife.” I thought she was just there to antagonize him and take his money. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I’m going to get a lot of flak/downvotes, but I ended up dropping it despite really wanting to like it. I haven’t touched it in years, but I recall basically not really getting hooked by the gameplay and being turned off by the characters and main character (I could be wrong, but everyone was either an asshole or very stupid). The game is obviously cartoony, so while I wasn’t expecting Golf Stranding or whatever, its my bad for not expecting the very light tone. I got the the sand/desert map I think? But I dropped it and never felt like giving it another shot.
Like a few other popular games on this sub, I think it just comes down to these games not being for me, and not that the games aren’t good experiences or well made. I probably will hold off trying Sports Story, but once again it’s just because I realize it’s probably outside of my personal preferences, but I’m happy that it’s coming soon for everyone that was excited for it.
I think it’s a charming, fun game. It doesn’t necessarily have a high point, it maintains it’s 7-8/10 quality throughout. I appreciated it’s offbeat story but it’s never something that gets too involved.
Love it! Still recommend it highly to new switch owners after 5 years. DISC GOLF CAN GO DIE THO. hate it. Wish it was optional.
Fun but I still haven’t beat the final course
I still pull it out from time to time for free play golf mode. I like that the courses feel pretty unique from each other, though after 5 years it’s obviously gotten somewhat stale. If they released a cheap DLC course pack, I would have bought it for sure.
I think the original game benefitted from being a year-one Switch title when there wasn’t a lot else to play, but I’m reasonably hopeful that Sports Story can build off of that and be a really good game on its own. It’ll live or die on whether all the different sports modes are fun in and of themselves, and don’t start to feel like overdone minigames
It’s one of the few RPGs that I love to replay. The humor is so great, even the little Aussie-isms I don’t get as an American. My favorite detail is how the speech bubbles really show the mood of the text. Dramatic all caps that take over the whole screen, shakey nervous whispers, stacked speech bubbles as a character thinks and thinks. What a fantastic design. And I’ve never played a day of golf in my life, lol
Loved everything about the game.
Except for discgolf, which can go fuck itself