We Love Golf![a] is a 2007 sports video game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Capcom for the Wii. It is the first Camelot game since Mario Golf (1999) on the Nintendo 64 to be published by a studio other than Nintendo, as well as their first and only game published by Capcom. We Love Golf! was initially released in Japan on December 13, 2007 before being released worldwide in 2008, which included additional characters and online connectivity via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Gameplay is similar to that of the Mario Golf series, with players adjusting their shots with the Power Gauge and performing different types of swings with button combinations. Additionally, We Love Golf! introduces motion controls with the Wii Remote, timing the Wii Remote swings for more accurate shots. It contains a roster of original characters, with unlockable outfits from Capcom franchises and support for Mii integration.
Development of an online PC golf game named I Love Golf! began prior to the conception of We Love Golf!. The project was created alongside online gaming company Eleven-Up and Yahoo Japan Corporation to be part of a larger online service called the G Planet Concept. The service would have provided a free to access area for players to interact and play exclusive paid games, with I Love Golf! being the only planned game that could have been accessed through the website. It was later cancelled due to market conditions, but proved helpful for creating the online code for We Love Golf! when released internationally. Afterwards, Camelot partnered with Capcom to publish a casual sports game for Wii, and the development team focused on creating realistic and natural Wii Remote controls. The visuals were also created to strike a balance between realism and fantasy.
We Love Golf! received generally positive reviews. Praise was given for its variety of game modes, Capcom-themed costumes, golf courses, and online functionality added to the international releases. Many critics were mixed on the controls, and criticism was expressed over its easy difficulty. Several publications have compared its visuals and art style to Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003). According to Capcom, the game sold slowly in Japan, selling around 55,000 copies total in the region. Camelot would later return to work with Nintendo, with their next golf video game being Mario Golf: World Tour (2014).
Gameplay
The player golfing against a computer opponent in a Character Match, performing a Power Shot with the Wii Remote.
We Love Golf! is a sports video game played by swinging the Wii Remote like a golf club. When holding down the Wii Remote, the player will enter "Shot Mode" where they can perform a practice shot or hit the ball.[1]:14 By moving the Wii Remote further back on the Power Gauge, a more powerful shot will be performed, while the downswing determines the shot's accuracy.[2][3] If the player moves the Wii Remote to the peak of the Power Gauge, they can perform a power shot, launching the golf ball further with more difficult timing.[1]:14 The controls are adapted from the Mario Golf series, replacing the series gameplay formula of three button presses, instead using a held button press to initiate swinging motions using the Wii Remote.[4] By turning the Wii Remote left and right, players can execute draw and fade shots.[5] By holding down a combination of buttons before their swing, players can perform a variety of different shot types, the effects of which will be displayed on the shot guideline.[6][1]:4 When pointing the Wii Remote upwards, the player can view the course and adjust their aim,[3] and when putting, they can view the terrain on the green.[7] A talking Wii Remote with limbs named Chip provides tips to players during gameplay, with another character named Birdie speaking to the player through the Wii Remote's speakers.[1]:5
There are multiple game modes available in We Love Golf!. The Tournaments mode has eight cups, each being unlocked after the previous cup is completed. Strokes mode differs from Tournaments by having the player compete for the lowest number of strokes. Training allows the player to practice on any hole from courses in the game, Character Match has the player compete against a character to unlock them in other modes, Ring Shot scatters rings across the course for the player to pass through while making it to the end, Target Golf has players aim at targets with different clubs, and Near Pin Contest requires players to hit the ball as close to the target as possible.[8] Single-player and multiplayer options are available for all game modes, and in multiplayer, opponents can cheer for or heckle others.[9]
There are twelve original playable characters to choose from.[10] All characters have unique stats relating to them, as well as distinct personality traits.[8] It also allows players to use Mii avatars as playable characters.[11] In addition, a number of costumes can be unlocked based on other Capcom franchises, including Ace Attorney,[12]Darkstalkers, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure.[13][14][15][16] Additionally, the Tournament mode references multiple other Capcom characters as opponent names.[16] There are eight golf courses included, such as a beach resort and a desert ruin, as well as courses based around pirate and candy themes.[17] It also contains two smaller courses and an exclusive course for mini golf.[18]
The European, North American and Australian releases also feature online play via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.[19] Players can battle online with opponents around the world to receive player medals or battle with friends privately.[20][21] Online play is limited to nine-hole matches with two difficulty modes, beginner and master, with the higher difficulty option adjusting the starting tee position.[22][9] When competing against random opponents online, players are matched based on their skill levels.[19]
Development
It was developed by Camelot Software Planning, which had previously developed Everybody's Golf (1997) and games in the Mario Golf series, making it their seventh golf game overall.[19] Before it began conception, a different online golf game was planned for the PC market exclusively in Japan, but was later canceled.[23] The project was named "I Love Golf!", and was created in collaboration with Eleven-Up,[24] a Japanese online game management company founded on February 16, 2006.[25] The online website was also hosted by BB Games under the operation of Movida Entertainment.[26]I Love Golf! was the first video game Camelot had developed for PC, and it was revealed on August 1, 2006 at the Hotel Okura Tokyo.[27] Despite never previously developing games for PC, Camelot has had some experience implementing online mechanics with the Game Boy Color game Mobile Golf (2001), utilizing the Mobile Adapter GB and cellular network connectivity.[28] It was the first video game created to promote a new online service called the "G Planet Concept", aiming to create a convenient environment through the Internet for people to play PC games in Japan. Online, players could access a lobby known as the "Open Space", controlling their character in an open free-to-play environment. They were able to communicate with other online users, play minigames, or play dedicated games hosted on the server, such as I Love Golf!. As described by 4Gamer.net, controlling the characters online was similar to the controls of an MMORPG, with web browsing functionality and in-game advertisements hosted by Yahoo!.[27]
The gameplay and controls for I Love Golf! differed from what would eventually become the Wii game, with the ability to open multiple computer windows to display different camera angles, controlling it with either a solo computer mouse or keyboard. Controls for hitting the golf ball were similar to the Mario Golf series, and players would be able to chat with others online. It was also tested to work with mobile laptops that had weak graphical processing power. Upon its initial reveal, Eleven-Up CEO Takashi Katayama and singer and actress Aya Ueto demonstrated the gameplay, with Ueto serving as an advertiser for the game. Shugo Takahashi, Vice President of Camelot, claimed I Love Golf! would make people who don't regularly play golf fall in love with the sport.[28] Players were able to submit an application to test an early version of I Love Golf! at a private event from August 22 to August 25, 2006,[26][29] with an open beta test and full game release scheduled later within the year. A demo was also playable at the Tokyo Game Show 2006. It was planned to release as a paid game with the affordability of a mobile application, whereas multiple minigames would also be offered for free. A prototype mouse with rumble functionality manufactured by HORI was distributed to members during a press release, with the mouse vibrating based on the movements of the golf ball.[28] Promotion for the game was handled by Yahoo Japan Corporation,[28] with online distribution and payments handled by Yahoo! Games.[27] Promotional material was also set to feature Aya Ueto in advertising, with singer Toshinobu Kubota set to perform an original song in commercials.[27] Kubota was amazed by the demo when seeing it for the first time, and was excited to support the project by providing music. Additionally, scientist Hiroaki Kitano and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son participated by testing the game.[28] The announcement of future G Planet Concept series games was considered by Katayama, with Shugo Takahashi suggesting a tennis title could potentially be made in the future.[28] It went through closed beta testing, but was deemed a risky release due to the small PC market in Japan. Additionally, Camelot reported that employees at Eleven-Up had some issues putting together the online code, so I Love Golf! was put on an indefinite hold.[23] Eleven-Up would later cease operations on September 1, 2007.[30] Despite the similar naming, the two games were unrelated, although the testing of I Love Golf! proved useful when implementing online play in We Love Golf!.[23] After the cancellation of I Love Golf!, Capcom was given an opportunity to work with Camelot, who they viewed as experienced casual sports video game developers, leading to the two companies forming a partnership.[31] In an interview, Nique Fajors, Vice President of Marketing at Capcom, stated that Camelot’s genre expertise collaborating with Capcom’s creative expertise was a "virtual hole in one".[32] Camelot claimed that their partnership with Nintendo remained strong, but developing a traditional sports game without Mario characters would raise questions from fans, so they treated a project with Capcom as an opportunity to branch out.[23]
According to the producer Hironobu Takeshita, day-to-day development for We Love Golf! was primarily handled by Camelot, with Capcom acting in a supporting role. We Love Golf! was viewed as a challenge by Capcom to focus on a casual gaming experience, since a casual sports game was far less commonly created at the company.[31] It was "developed in a very short time", but suffered from some of their main staff members leaving the company after the release of their previous title, Mario Tennis: Power Tour (2005) on Game Boy Advance.[33] As a result, no games developed by Camelot were released in 2006, as the company was undergoing structural changes with their staff. The new staff hired to work at Camelot were trained to become developers for We Love Golf! as well as future titles.[33] During its conception after partnering with Capcom, Camelot offered to create a Capcom golf game featuring many of their iconic characters, but were suggested to make a Camelot golf game as opposed to a Capcom one.[34] The addition of Capcom character costumes was done instead, and they were designed by a passionate graphic designer on Camelot's development team.[23] When asked by Siliconera what other Capcom costumes they would have added, one of the Takahashi brothers claimed Viewtiful Joe was among their favorites, but noted the series was less recognizable than others.[19] Using the Wii Remote as a golf club was designed to feel as realistic and natural as possible, but the graphics were made with a lack of realism intentionally as to not intimidate new players and appeal to a wider market.[7][31] Additionally, the visuals were made to strike a balance between realism and fantasy to both highlight the traditional elements of golf while creating fun, fantastical locations.[35] Handling the controls of the Wii Remote was described to be "incredibly difficult".[23] The producers claimed We Love Golf! played differently from other Wii golf games such as Wii Sports (2006) and Super Swing Golf (2006), which felt almost like golf, but had "a little something missing". Instead of putting the player in the shoes of Tiger Woods, their focus was on allowing the player to learn how to build their own golfing skills by using the Wii Remote.[23] Producer Hiroyuki Takahashi believed We Love Golf! could not be on any system other than the Wii, and considered it to control better than any sports game currently on the console.[6] Additionally, both Takahashi brothers desired for We Love Golf! to be their best golf game to date, of which they considered Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003) to hold that title.[33] The music was composed by Motoi Sakuraba, who had composed all of Camelot's prior golf games.[5]
Release
The game was playable at Capcom's booth during the Tokyo Game Show in 2007.
We Love Golf! was first revealed in an issue of Famitsu Weekly in Japan on August 29, 2007 with a planned winter release.[24][6] It was given a booth with sixteen playable stations at Tokyo Game Show 2007.[36] The game released in Japan on December 13, 2007. It was announced to receive a North American release on September 13, 2007.[32][37]
When releasing outside of Japan, a few changes were made. The swing speed for golf clubs on every character was adjusted, and support for Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was added due to the popularity of online gaming in the west.[19] Its inclusion of online support also makes it one of the first video games with Miis being playable in competitive online play.[20] Prior to its release overseas, surveys were conducted asking users which legacy Capcom characters they would want included as costumes.[15] As a result, Ken from Street Fighter and Morrigan from Darkstalkers were added as costumes to the western release.[38] Additionally, original characters named Mark and Stephanie were added for the western release.[39] In Europe, Capcom featured the game at London Gamer's Day on October 19, 2007.[7][40][41] In North America, Capcom held their Captivate 08 event with a fully playable version of the game.[42][43]We Love Golf! released in Europe on July 4, 2008,[44] North America on July 15, 2008,[45] and in Australia on August 7, 2008.[46] Pre-orders at GameStop or through Capcom's online store came bundled with a small red golf bag accessory that fit one Wii Remote inside it.[47] This remains the only Camelot game since the release of Mario Golf published by a company other than Nintendo, to which Camelot would later release Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (2010) with Nintendo as the publisher.[48][16] Camelot would also return as a developer for the Mario Golf series with the release of Mario Golf: World Tour (2014).[49]
Several other projects related to Camelot and Capcom's golf video game were planned, but ultimately cancelled. Trademarks for potential successors to We Love Golf! titled "We Love Baseball" and "We Love Tennis" were registered by Camelot in 2008.[33] Takeshita labelled the game as "the first in what will hopefully be a new franchise", however, this plan did not come to fruition.[35] Capcom would later plan development for a crossover golf game named "Capcom Golf" without involvement from Camelot. Initially focused on the Mega Man series and being titled "Mega Man & Capcom Golf", it would shift focus to include characters from other Capcom franchises such as Ace Attorney,Dead Rising, and Devil May Cry.[50] In contrast to We Love Golf! which was developed to be a Camelot golf game with some Capcom costumes included,[23] "Capcom Golf" was conceptualized as a crossover. It was set to be developed by Capcom Vancouver, but was cancelled following the studio's closure in 2018.[50] According to the concept artist Julianna Michek, it was planned to be released on mobile platforms.[51]
We Love Golf! received generally favorable reviews according to the review aggregatorMetacritic.[53] A writer for GamesTM considered it to be "[t]he best-made golf game on the system".[58] Justin Cheng of Nintendo Power similarly called it the most enjoyable golf game on Wii, citing the unlockable costumes, online play, and minigames as its strengths.[60] It was awarded by readers of IGN as the "Wii Game of the Month" in July 2008.[62]
Reception on the controls was mixed. Some critics believed the controls were very accessible,[57][61] with Sam Kennedy of 1Up.com claiming they were understandable even for inexperienced video game players and golfers alike.[54]VideoGamer.com's Wesley Yin-Poole also complimented the accessible controls, but felt it played more akin to a "rhythm action game", relying too much on timing rather than the swing motion.[21] Some critics liked the controls, but believed We Love Golf! did not sufficiently mimic the swing of a golf club. Kennedy wrote that it did not play as a realistic golf simulation game, instead focusing on mastering precision and timing with the Power Gauge, which he described as fun.[54] Matt Casamassina of IGN wrote that, although "perfectly responsive", the controls were too mechanical to simulate the motion of golfing, but were good for fans of Everybody’s Golf and Mario Golf. Casamassina also claimed that while the motions for swinging felt strange, the controls for viewing the course and executing draw and fade shots work consistently, praising them over other golf video games.[22] Other critics including GamesRadar+'s Michael Gapper and GameZone's Stephen Woodward lamented that the controls were not one-to-one with real golfing motions.[4][59] Matthew Kato writing for Game Informer called the motion controls "counter-intuitive", which they believed some players would consider the motions strange to perform.[56] Woodward felt disappointed that the power of the swing was tied to the Power Gauge and not the power of the motion, but thought they worked well overall.[59] Gapper was critical of the lack of button presses for golf swings, calling the controls both innovative and "by far the worst thing about the game".[4]
Many critics believed it had a sufficient variety of game modes.[54][17][9][55] Nadia Oxford of GamePro stated that in comparison to golf in Wii Sports, "We Love Golf is equipped with plenty of features to keep even single players busy",[57] while Stephen Woodward of GameZone commented on the excellent replay value.[59] Matt Casamassina of IGN stated there was a good selection of game modes offered, although some were lacking in depth.[22] Multiple critics agreed that the online was a great addition to the western release of We Love Golf!.[4][22][60][59] Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer described the online as a primarily lag-free experience.[9]Official Nintendo Magazine similarly claimed that there were no noticeable problems when playing online,[61] and Wesley Yin-Poole writing for VideoGamer.com complimented its stability.[21] Despite appreciating its inclusion, Bramwell and Casamassina critiqued the lack of various game modes when playing online.[9][22]
Critics lauded the playable character roster for the inclusion of Capcom-themed costumes. IGN's Matt Casamassina, VideoGamer.com's Wesley Yin-Poole, and Official Nintendo Magazine praised this component,[22][21][61] with Nadia Oxford writing for GamePro considering unlocking the costumes "We Love Golf's best feature".[57] In regard to the characters themselves, Sam Kennedy of 1Up.com thought each one "bubble[s] with personality".[54] In contrast, Casamassina considered the cast to be "generic and forgettable",[22] and Official Nintendo Magazine thought the Mii heads on realistic bodies was "just plain scary".[61] Additionally, Craig Harris of IGN and Nadia Oxford of GamePro described their disdain for Chip, the talking Wii Remote guide, and Birdie, the voice from the Wii Remote speaker. Harris described their traits as "god-awful annoying" while Oxford claimed they had "the usefulness and charm of a Windows Office mascot", with both praising the ability to disable their functions.[3][57] The course selection was received positively by many publications. Sam Kennedy of 1Up.com and Nadia Oxford of GamePro called attention to the progression of the courses, beginning in more standard areas before golfing in more unique locations.[54][57] Both Michael Gapper of GamesRadar+ and Wesley Yin-Poole of VideoGamer.com claimed the courses were well designed,[4][21] with Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer adding that the courses were "vibrant and friendly places to linger".[9] Gapper also claimed the user interface was too cluttered at all times, describing it as "a barrage of irrelevance" with too many symbols, which he believed hindered the overall visuals.[4]
Criticism was drawn towards the easy difficulty. Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell, Game Informer's Matthew Kato, IGN's Matt Casamassina, and VideoGamer.com's Wesley Yin-Poole all expressed negativity towards the lack of difficulty in single-player modes.[9][56][22][21] Yin-Poole believed the computer players were "generally rubbish", making winning less satisfying as a result,[21] and Kato emphasized that the lack of terrain on the putting green made for a lacking challenge.[56] Bramwell believed the abundance of assists during gameplay was a detriment to the solid controls,[9] and Casamassina stated "you will feel you've played poorly if you par a course".[22] Two Famitsu reviewers had mixed opinions on the easier difficulty compared to other golf video games, with one claiming it matched the gentler controls well, while the other believed it would be good for family fun, but less engaging for golf enthusiasts.[55] Finnish gaming magazine Pelit stated that although the gameplay was fun, it provided little to no challenge during tournament matches.[63]
Publications have compared We Love Golf! to previous entries in the Mario Golf series, particularly Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. Jon Cartwright writing for Nintendo Life claimed that although it is separate from the Mario Golf series, its "[c]ourse and UI design feel straight out of Toadstool Tour".[16] Craig Harris of IGN similarly noted how the visuals were derived from Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour "right down to the font used for the game's text".[3] Additionally, Chris Kohler of Wired believed the stylized human characters were reminiscent of the Mario Golf series.[64]
Sales
By the end of 2007, Capcom was disappointed in the slow sales of We Love Golf! when initially released in Japan.[65][66] During its first week in Japan, it sold 9,645 copies, and sold around 22,000 copies by the end of 2007.[67][68] By the end of 2008, it sold 33,777 additional copies, selling a total estimated 55,456 copies.[69]
12345678Yin-Poole, Wesley (July 3, 2008). "We Love Golf! Review". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
12Cole, Michael (August 29, 2007). "Wii Love Golf Revealed". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
↑"オンラインゲーム運営・販売・マーケティング会社ELEVEN-UP株式会社の設立について"[Establishment of ELEVEN-UP, Inc., an online game management, sales, and marketing company]. MOVIDA HOLDINGS (in Japanese). February 16, 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-02-25. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
12345Woodward, Stephen (August 4, 2008). "We Love Golf Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
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