The highly anticipated golf update for Nintendo Switch Sports has unfortunately been delayed. Golf has always been a popular focus for Nintendo sports games, going all the way back to the 1984 Golf game featuring a suspiciously Mario-like golfer. Wii Sports elevated love for Nintendo golf to a new level with its motion-controlled gameplay in 2006. The Switch's take on sports, Nintendo Switch Sports, arrived without golf, however. And now it seems Nintendo Switch Sports players will have to wait longer than expected to get it.
Golf was announced for Nintendo Switch Sports alongside the game during a February 2022 mini-Nintendo Direct. At the time, the plan was to launch Nintendo Switch Sports at the end of April with six games and then deliver the golf update for free this fall. That plan appears to have fallen apart, however, and Nintendo hasn't provided an explanation. The update is still coming, however, and the latest trailer for Nintendo Switch Sports has revealed more of what players can expect from the golf update.
The golf update for Nintendo Switch Sports will now arrive this holiday season, which likely implies a November or December launch. A specific release date for Nintendo Switch Sports' golf update isn't available, but the wording surrounding the announcement heavily implies the date hasn't slipped as far as 2023. The update remains, as promised, entirely free.
It's now confirmed that golf in Nintendo Switch Sports will feature 21 course holes taken from the Wii Sports series, which includes Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and the Wii Sports Club remake. The golf mode of Nintendo Switch Sports will also feature solo play, local multiplayer, and a unique online multiplayer mode named Survival Golf. Survival Golf allows up to 8 players to play courses together online, where the player with the highest stroke count each hole will be eliminated.
There's no further information provided regarding the golf update, so it's unclear if there's more content planned for Nintendo Switch Sports or not. For example, it's unclear if there are only 21 holes or only 21 Wii Sports holes. It's also unclear if golf will support both play-with-friends and random online matchmaking, like Nintendo Switch Sports' other game modes.
Despite the lack of specific details about the Nintendo Switch Sports update, those that purchased the game will very likely be looking forward to the free update. Nintendo golfing games have always been well-received and having multiplayer with new game modes is an exciting step forward. It's just a matter of being a bit more patient while Nintendo puts the finishing touches on the update.
Nintendo Switch Sports is available now on Switch.