Thank you Ratalaika Games for sending us a review code!

Golf Zero was original released as a free mobile game in 2017, and three years later it was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. I’ll admit that I don’t play golf games very often. Golf Zero has a unique concept of combing golf with platformer gaming mechanics.

When launching the game, it will take you through a couple of tutorial levels that will show you the basics on how to aim and hit your three golf balls. When you press A to hit the ball, you only have three seconds to move the arrow in the direction you want to hit it. Time and gravity will slow down while you make the shot. The power level will be automatically calculated for you.

In total, there are eighty levels and they get more challenging as you progress in the game. Sadly, you cannot skip a level if you get frustrated with one. You can replay levels to get better times and earn a gold medal if you missed it earlier. In order to get a gold medal, you have to hit the balloon and get your ball in the hole. You only have three balls/attempts per level.

Like many platformer games, you’ll encounter land mass gaps, spikes, saw blades, hostile enemies, and other various obstacles that will make golfing difficult. In order to make these shots, you’ll need to swing mid-jump or after bouncing off of a wall. Many shots will require ricocheting off of different surfaces in order to pull them off. You will often have to sacrifice your life while attempting to get the ball in the hole. Thankfully if it ever comes to a draw with your character’s death or the ball going in, the ball going in the hole takes precedence.

Graphically, Golf Zero is pretty simplistic with colorful, but not very detailed pixel art. As a result, this game runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch. The tutorial instructions could use a little more clarification as I didn’t realize that I had to jump in order to make one of the shots in the first couple of levels. There are YouTube gameplay videos available to offer guidance if needed.

The golf sound effects are fitting and the chiptune background music is cheerful. If your character comes in contact with a threat, they will pop like a balloon and the appropriate sound effect is heard.

Other than the dangerous obstacles and cartoon violence, Golf Zero is pretty family friendly. I found the eighty levels hard enough, but there’s also a speed run mode if you’re into those. The asking price for this game is typically $4.99, but I have seen it on sale for $1.99. The mobile versions are free, so I would recommend starting there first.