GoNintendo quick impressions - Super Swing Golf

GameSpot is getting pretty bad lately. Almost every review of theirs makes me angry enough to spit. I figure giving my own impressions would be a better idea, and much more sanitary. GameSpot saw fit to give Super Swing Golf a 6.8, listing “maddening” putting, quirkiness, the free nature of the PC version, and a couple other points. While they have a right to an opinion (and I respect that), I don’t have to agree with it. There are a few points in their review that I do agree with, but I will get to those later.

First thing’s first…if you are a fan of Hot Shots Golf, than there is an excellent chance that you will dig Super Swing Golf. The character designs are similar, with SSG taking a more fantasy approach. Actually, the entire game is definitely more fantasy based when it comes to characters, outfits, course designs, and items. This is not a realistic golf sim, this is meant to be a fantasy take on the sport in most aspects. As long as that doesn’t turn you off to the game, then you will find a ton of fun to be had.

I have to say that I completely disagree with GameSpot’s big gripe…that being the putting. I cannot understand for the life of me why they are having issues. The way the putting green sits is shown by way of dots in a grid. You can tell how much the land slopes by looking at the placement of the dot. If the dot is all the way to the right of the box, then the green slopes hard right in that area. The futher the dot is to the left/right, the more of a slope. You can also see how much higher the cup sits from where you are by the number that sits above the flag.

GameSpot has trouble seeing the dots, mostly in long putts due to the game’s “low resolution”. I haven’t had any issues seeing the dots so far, perhaps it is my young eyes. Also, you can adjust the camera into two different views while putting, one being an overhead with zoom. If you are having any issues at all with seeing these dots, all you have to do is switch to your overhead view.

There is also a complaint of odd button combinations when moving the camera, or adjusting your shot. Rather than argue how simple I believe this is, I will tell you what you need to do to perform these actions. You can manually move the camera left and right by simply turning your character, which is done by pressing left or right on the thumb pad. You can also move the camera up, down, left, right, in and out by holding the B trigger, and then moving the Wiimote up, down, left, right, in and out. There’s a third way to adjust the camera/your shot, which is done by going to the overhead map and pointing where you want the ball to go, and hitting A. I would say their are multiple options of getting each task done, which allows you to choose the one that works best for you.

This game would be a lot of fun even if it didn’t have Wiimote control. With Wii controls added, it makes the game even better…by a lot. The control setup they have works perfectly…I haven’t had any issues at all. I am talking driving, putting, all of it works fantastically. There is an option to play with button presses, but I have no idea why anyone would do that…unless you are too tired to stand up! Unlike Wii Sports Golf, SSG does a much better job of making sure you are taking a real golf stance/swing. The Wiimote calculates for how you naturally turn your arm/hand when you are swinging a golf club. I sat down in a chair to see if I could fool the controller. I managed to get the power bar up to 3 quarters full…and then I had to twist my hand into an awkward position. Then I realized that I had no idea how to bring my hand back down to convince the game I had taken my swing. I am sure it could be done, and it can be fooled…but it wouldn’t be fun!

The best part about the control setup is the power lock feature. You point on screen to the “shot” button, and then drop the Wiimote down like a club. Then you begin your backswing. Once you reach the amount of power you want, you hold the A button to lock the power meter. After that, you continue to hold A and finish your swing. It is a great idea, this way the Wiimote accurately gets your power, and then it is up to you to follow through in a straight-forward manner so that you don’t send the ball flying to the left or right. I am honestly very impressed with the control scheme, and as I said before, it adds a huge amount of fun to the game.

You guys know that I haven’t been very happy with GameSpot review for awhile now, but this article isn’t meant to bash them completely. I am just trying to offer another view based on what they have complained about. I agree with them in a few instances. Not being able to skip through the computer player’s turn is a minor annoyance. Sometimes you just want to play through instead of watching your opponent. Not a major deal, but it does add to your total play time. The quirkiness of the game can work against it. I know some people will not pick up Super Swing Golf simply because of the character design, and fantasy nature. I personally love the style, but you all know that I am a weirdo. Lastly, I agree that online play is sorely missed, and this is only because the PC version’s main draw was online play. Hopefully we can see a sequel that uses WiiConnect24 for online matches.

I hope my impressions helped any of you who were on the fence with this title. If you like Hot Shots Golf, the fantasy nature of Mario Golf, and a golf game that offers a control experience unlike anything you’ve played before, then Super Swing Golf is for you. This game is great either single or multiplayer, and from what I can see, it will keep you busy for quite some time. I didn’t even go into detail about the Pangya shop, where you can customize your character to no end, from outfits, to clubs, power-ups, and more. If you like golf, and you don’t mind quirky titles, then go out and pick this up now.

By the way, I am addicted to this game. Nicky Hill and I played multiplayer last night for quite awhile. He was supposed to go home at midnight…he left at 2:30 a.m. Did I mention that I played for over an hour this morning as well?!

Edited images courtesy of IGN