8 /10 13

Golf Story launched September 2017 as a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Sidebar Games created a unique mashup: traditional RPG structure layered over golf mechanics. Instead of turn-based combat, characters solve problems by hitting golf balls at them. The setup sounds gimmicky but delivers genuine charm. Critics praised the writing, pixel art aesthetic reminiscent of EarthBound, and tight golf physics. Metacritic settled at 78/100, generally favorable. OpenCritic shows 75% of critics recommend it. The game sold hundreds of thousands of copies, establishing Sidebar Games as indie developers worth watching. A sequel, Sports Story, arrived December 2022 but received mixed reviews for excessive fetch quests and technical issues. This review covers why Golf Story endures as a modern indie classic, examining its RPG depth, golf mechanics, and narrative charm.

How to Play Golf Story

Golf Story is a golf RPG. You play as a golfer who quits his job to pursue professional golf after a 20-year hiatus. The game alternates between RPG exploration and golf matches. Story progression unlocks new courses. Golf mechanics follow standard rules: aim, adjust power and spin, hit the ball toward the hole. Side quests require golf to solve real problems: hit golf balls into vases to break them, knock down targets to open doors, putt on miniature courses embedded in dungeons. Combat is entirely golf-based; there are no traditional turn-based battles.

1. Controls – Use Joy-Cons or Pro Controller. Aim with stick, adjust power with button hold and release. Spin is controlled via left/right stick flicks. The physics engine is tight; same swing input produces consistent results. Handheld mode feels equally responsive to docked, enabling “golf anywhere.”
2. Progression – Beat eight main courses (Misty Pines, Blue Rock, Green Lake, etc.). Each course is a story checkpoint with character encounters. Side quests unlock bonus courses and hidden challenges. Character stats (Power, Control, Spin) increase through play, improving your swing distance and accuracy.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Matches are played against AI opponents on story courses. Scoring better than opponents progresses the narrative. Tie-breaker matches occur in story pivots. Winning builds your golfer’s reputation and unlocks sponsorships that boost stats permanently.
4. Tips – Learn to read wind direction; it dramatically affects ball trajectory. Practice the spin mechanic early; mastering sidespin is crucial for later challenges. Side quests are optional but unlock cosmetics and stat boosters; do them if you struggle with main course difficulty.

Who Should Play Golf Story

Golf Story appeals to indie game fans, RPG enthusiasts, and golf game lovers. No prior golf knowledge is required; the game teaches mechanics through narrative. Pixel-art nostalgia seekers will appreciate the EarthBound-inspired aesthetic. Competitive golfers seeking simulation realism should look elsewhere; Golf Story is arcade-style golf wrapped in RPG charm, not a PGA Tour simulator.

• Indie RPG Fans – Narrative-driven experience with character depth, humor, and heart. Comparable to Undertale or Stardew Valley in indie credibility and critical acclaim.
• Golf Game Players – Solid golf physics and course design. Fewer courses than Mario Golf but more depth than casual golf games. Satisfying swing mechanics.
• Pixel-Art Enthusiasts – Gorgeous pixel animation and sprite work. Animated backgrounds and fluid character movement. Art style ages gracefully in 2026.
• Skip if – You dislike golf mechanics fundamentally. You want deep combat systems or action gameplay. You find retro pixel graphics unappealing. Sports Story reception should temper expectations; Golf Story is stronger.

Golf Story Platform Performance

Golf Story is optimized exclusively for Nintendo Switch. The 1.3 GB file size makes it one of the smallest full games on the platform. It runs identically on Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite, maintaining consistent frame rates in all modes. No other official ports exist; emulation exists but is not officially supported by Sidebar Games.

Golf Story System Requirements

Golf Story is a Switch exclusive with no PC version. The minimal 1.3 GB storage requirement makes it accessible to all Switch models, even those with limited internal storage. No external accounts, online passes, or special hardware needed beyond a Switch and Joy-Cons.

Similar Games to Golf Story

Golf Story occupies a genre intersection: sports games with RPG narrative. Few titles blend these elements successfully. Similar games share either golf mechanics or narrative-driven structure, but rarely both. Here are the closest comparisons on Nintendo Switch.

• Mario Golf: Super Rush – Golf mechanics with Mario character roster. Lighter narrative than Golf Story; focuses on arcade golf and local multiplayer. Similar charm, shallower story depth.
• Stardew Valley – Narrative-driven indie with farming instead of golf. Similar pixel art, community engagement, and relaxing progression loop. No sports mechanics but identical indie credibility.
• Sports Story – Golf Story’s sequel featuring golf, tennis, baseball, soccer. Expanded scope but reportedly plagued by technical issues and unfocused design. Wait for patches before purchasing.
• Picross S series – Puzzle indie games with charming Nintendo IP. No golf mechanics but similar indie Switch prestige and cozy gameplay atmosphere.

Golf Story vs Competitors

Golf Story competes against both golf simulators and narrative indie games. Its strength is blending both successfully without compromising either. Pure golf sims like PGA Tour 2K prioritize realism; indie RPGs like Undertale prioritize story. Golf Story aims for balance, landing solidly in both camps. Against Mario Golf, it offers deeper narrative. Against Stardew Valley, it offers sports mechanics. The comparison table shows where it stands competitively.

Golf Story Story and World

Golf Story tells the narrative of a middle-aged golfer who abandoned the sport two decades ago to pursue a conventional life. Discontent with desk work, he quits his job and leaves his girlfriend to pursue a pro golf dream. The story spans eight courses, each introducing new characters: rivals, allies, romantic interests, and mentors. The tone is lighthearted EarthBound-inspired humor mixed with genuine character development. Side quests explore character backstories. The world is cohesive: courses exist in a fictional country with towns, shops, and NPCs with personalities. Dialogue is charming and often funny without relying on crude humor. The narrative satisfies as a coming-of-age story without being heavy-handed. World-building is light but effective; you care about the characters and their golf journeys by the final course.

Golf Story Multiplayer and Online

Golf Story includes minimal multiplayer. No online play exists. Local multiplayer is split-screen on a single Switch for two players. Quick Play mode strips story content and lets you compete on unlocked courses. Controls translate perfectly to split-screen, and split Joy-Cons are supported. Multiplayer is fun but limited in scope; no online leaderboards, no cross-play, and no competitive ranking systems. If you’re seeking robust online golf competition, PGA Tour 2K or The Golf Club 2019 are better choices. Golf Story multiplayer is a bonus feature, not a central selling point.

• Quick Play (Local) – Two-player competitive matches on story courses. Unlocks additional courses through story progression. No story context; pure golf competition.
• Splitscreen – Full split-screen support with separated camera angles. Joy-Con split control supported. Performance remains stable during local multiplayer.
• Online – No online multiplayer. No leaderboards. No competitive ranking. Story mode is single-player only.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable; local only.

Golf Story DLC and Expansions

Golf Story received no DLC or post-launch expansions. Sidebar Games’ post-launch focus shifted entirely to Sports Story, announced December 2019 and released December 2022. No cosmetics, additional courses, or new story content are planned for Golf Story. The game shipped feature-complete and remains unchanged since September 2017. This contrasts sharply with Mario Golf or live-service golf titles, making Golf Story a fixed experience.

• Story Content – No additional campaigns or epilogues planned. Story concludes with the final course match.
• Course DLC – No new courses released post-launch. Eight courses are the complete roster.
• Cosmetics – Limited cosmetic unlocks through story progression only. No cosmetic shop or paid outfits.
• Free Updates – Occasional stability patches in early years; no new features added post-launch. Game considered final at release.

Golf Story Community and Support

Golf Story maintains a small but passionate community eight years post-launch. Reddit and Discord communities discuss speedruns, challenge runs, and optimal strategies. Official developer communication has been minimal since Sports Story’s launch. Modding is unsupported and technically impossible due to Switch architecture restrictions. The game’s critical reputation remains high; it’s frequently cited as a hidden Switch gem in “best indie games” roundups. Community engagement is organic, fan-driven, not developer-sustained.

• Official Channels – Sidebar Games Twitter account shares occasional golf-related memes. No dedicated Golf Story forums or official Discord. Support requests go unanswered; game is considered feature-complete.
• Reddit/Discord – r/GolfStory has ~2K members discussing playthroughs. Multiple Discord servers exist but are community-run, not official. Active speedrunning community maintains world records.
• Mod Support – No native mod support. Switch architecture prevents ROM modifications. Emulation community exists but receives no developer support.
• Updates – No planned updates. Last patch was stability fix in 2018. Game receives no seasonal events or limited-time content. Static release deemed complete.