Ava Romero
Golf was a notable omission from the Nintendo Switch Sports launch in April 2022, with Nintendo announcing that the sport would be added in a free DLC update in Autumn 2022. While Nintendo did not give a specific reason for the delay, it is speculated that the tactic was used to keep players interested in the game for a longer period of time. Golf was finally added to Nintendo Switch Sports in November 2022, with the update available for free to all users. With the addition of golf, players now have a wider range of sports to choose from, including volleyball, soccer, badminton, tennis, chambara, and bowling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golf in Nintendo Switch Sports | Not available at launch, added in an update in late 2022 |
| Reasons for delay | To keep people interested, to keep post-launch interest driving sales |
| Cost | Free update |
| Number of sports at launch | 6 |
| Sports available at launch | Volleyball, soccer, badminton, tennis, chambara, bowling |
| Sports expected to be added later | Basketball, Dodgeball |
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What You'll Learn
Golf was a popular Wii Sports game
Golf was one of the five sports games available to play in the original Wii Sports when it was released in 2006. The other four games were tennis, baseball, bowling, and boxing. Wii Sports was bundled with the Wii console in all regions except Japan. This was because Nintendo believed players would be more likely to play Wii Sports through this distribution method. The game was a critical success and a commercial success, selling 82 million copies worldwide and becoming the best-selling Nintendo video game.
Golf was also one of twelve games in Wii Sports Resort, which was released in 2010. The Resort edition of Golf features 18 golf courses: nine "resort" courses and nine "classic" courses. There were also more golf clubs to choose from. The gameplay was similar to the original, except that the player now had to press B before taking a shot.
Golf was a popular game within Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. It was one of the most noticeable absences from the Nintendo Switch Sports game when it was released in April 2022. Nintendo did not give a reason for leaving golf out of the base game, but it was announced that golf would be added in a free DLC update in Autumn 2022. This update was eventually released on 28 November 2022.
Golf in Wii Sports could be played with up to four players, with teams being assigned when playing with three or more players. Players could choose to play three, nine, or 18 holes. The game had three difficulty levels, each with three holes. The goal was to get the golf ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible. Players could use button controls to switch clubs and aim their shot, while accounting for wind, elevation, and other factors. Then, they would swing the Wii controller to set the power and make their shot.
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Nintendo Switch Sports' launch
Nintendo Switch Sports was released on April 29, 2022, and is the latest instalment of the Wii Sports series. The game was announced in a Nintendo Direct on February 9, 2022, with a free-to-play online playtest available to those with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription from February 15 to February 20, 2022.
The game features eight sports: volleyball, badminton, bowling, soccer, chambara, tennis, basketball, and golf. However, at launch, golf was not included as a playable sport. Nintendo announced that golf would be added in a free DLC update in Autumn 2022, although a specific date was not given. The game also introduced new avatars called "Sportsmates", which have more detailed hair and faces, as well as arms and legs.
The game received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the multiplayer experience but criticising the lack of single-player options and the repetitive nature of playing alone. Despite this, Nintendo Switch Sports sold over 16.27 million copies as of March 31, 2025, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games.
Golf was finally added to Nintendo Switch Sports as a free update in November 2022, allowing players to curve their bowling ball, add spin to a tennis shot, or use a Joy-Con with the Leg Strap accessory to kick the ball in soccer.
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Nintendo's long-term plans for the game
Nintendo Switch Sports, released in April 2022, was missing several sports and activities from its predecessor on the Wii, with golf being one of the most notable exclusions. Golf was one of the more popular games in Wii Sports and was expected to be included in the Nintendo Switch Sports release.
Nintendo announced that golf would be added in a free DLC update in Autumn 2022, without providing a specific reason for its initial absence. The delay in releasing golf for Nintendo Switch Sports was likely a strategy to keep players interested and engaged, creating hype around the game.
The addition of golf to Nintendo Switch Sports may indicate Nintendo's long-term plans for the game. There are speculations about potential future updates, with sports like basketball and dodgeball joining the game in later updates. Nintendo has not confirmed any additional sports beyond golf, but their frequent use of free or paid expansions suggests that more content may be on the way, even if it takes several months to release.
Nintendo Switch Sports stands out among Nintendo's 2022 releases due to its connection to the classic Wii Sports. The game features custom characters, similar to Wii Sports, and blends old and new sports, including tennis, bowling, and the new addition of volleyball.
The game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the joy of the Wii Sports experience while others criticize the lack of content and single-player options. Despite the criticisms, Nintendo Switch Sports has sold over 16.27 million copies as of March 2025, making it one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games.
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Nintendo's marketing strategy
The Switch's marketing strategy also focuses on product differentiation and positioning, showcasing the console's unique features and seamless transition between portable and home console play. Instead of competing directly with other consoles like the Playstation and Xbox, Nintendo has strategically positioned the Switch as a unique offering with a broad appeal.
Nintendo's advertising campaigns for the Switch emphasise the 'experience' of using the console, leveraging nostalgia-themed marketing to target previous generations of gamers who enjoyed classic games like Mario. They also utilise word-of-mouth marketing, creating buzz and discussion around upcoming releases, such as the delayed inclusion of golf in Nintendo Switch Sports, to keep players engaged and invested in the game for longer.
The company's marketing mix (4Ps) includes Product, Price, Promotion, and Placement. In terms of pricing, Nintendo aligns itself with competitors like Sony Playstation and Xbox, while also capitalising on the nostalgia of older products, with some Switch models acting as collectibles for passionate fans.
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Golf's mechanics in the game
Golf was one of the most popular games in Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. It was expected to be included in Nintendo Switch Sports when the game was released in April 2022, but Nintendo delayed its release to a later date. The game was finally added in a free DLC update during the 2022 holiday season.
The golf game in Nintendo Switch Sports includes 21 holes from the original Wii Sports series. It also features a new online mode called Survival Golf, where eight players compete simultaneously on the same course to stay in a multiplayer golf match. Players are eliminated based on the number of strokes they take, with the player taking the most strokes being knocked out.
The mechanics of the golf game in Nintendo Switch Sports are expected to be similar to those of the Wii Sports version. In Wii Sports, button controls were used to switch clubs and aim shots, while the Wii controller was swung to set the power and make the shot. The game also took into account factors such as wind and elevation. It is likely that the Nintendo Switch Sports version will have similar mechanics, with some improvements due to the updated technology of the Switch console.
One notable difference between the Wii and Switch versions of the game is the controller. The Wii controller relied on infrared motion tracking, while the Switch Joy-Con controller features a gyroscope, allowing for more precise motion tracking and improved accuracy in the game. This added accuracy may enhance the gameplay experience, particularly in sports games like golf, where factors such as the power and angle of the swing are crucial.
Overall, the golf game in Nintendo Switch Sports is expected to provide a fun and engaging experience for players, building on the success of its predecessor on the Wii platform.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf was added to Nintendo Switch Sports in late 2022 as a free DLC update.
Nintendo did not give a reason for this decision, but some sources speculate that it was a tactic to keep players interested in the game for a longer period of time.
At launch, Nintendo Switch Sports included six sports: volleyball, soccer, badminton, tennis, chambara, and bowling.
