Everybody's Golf Hot Shots

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is a great return to form for the series. There are some quirks to clean up, but the base is great. It is sad that the online is basically barren at this time, and I am disappointed there is not an Xbox version, but I loved my time here. I wish Sony cared more about their classic IPs. These games are what made me love the platform.

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots clearly needed more practice before teeing off on the Nintendo Switch. Thankfully, some necessary updates have significantly improved the game; however, one could argue that even more improvements are desired. I’m glad I held off on this review, because now (as a fan of video golf), I can appreciate it as a pretty good and content-rich title. Those less forgiving of its restrictive unlockable structure might bump it down a point, and wait to grab the game on sale.

Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots is the best golfing game on Nintendo Switch, supported by fantastic gameplay that sticks to genre conventions, and a plethora of customisation options and content to experience. Unfortunately, the vast majority of this content is locked behind a poorly-paced single-player experience that forces players to repeat the same holes with the same characters over and over again, all presented with a passable but technically poor presentation.

Beneath the outdated visuals, busted audio, and mechanics that seem hellbent on ruining your day, there’s still a goofy, lovable game that shines when shared with friends. It’s messy, it’s flawed, but it’s also oddly charming, as long as you snag it on sale.

With dozens of characters drawn from the series and a full ten courses, Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots does act like a celebration of the series to date. However, it’s also painfully clear that this game comes from a new developer trying to find their place with such a venerable series. HYDE was timid to try to be too innovative, but at the same tim,e clearly struggled to achieve the same precision from the previous developers. Unlike Clap Hanz’s Easy Come Easy Golf, HYDE’s game actually wants to challenge players and require skill. And I’m quite sure that a patch or two will get the game to where it needs to be. For now, however, as enjoyable as Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots is, it’s just a touch too frustrating for its own good.

Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots is ultimately worthy of your investment, but this Switch version has to settle for a Double Bogey. While it is competent and enjoyable, it’s also grind-heavy, the Switch’s performance is jittery, and the series could do with a big and exciting evolution because this isn’t it.

Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots carries on the series traditions with solid courses, a robust character levelling system, and the appropriate level of silliness. However, the experience is uneven on Switch. Fans may enjoy it in short bursts, but technical issues and patchy presentation stop it from being the standout entry it could have been.