Camelot is working hard on a Mario Golf sequel for Wii, but you may not know it from its name.
Camelot Software Planning has a long legacy of golf games under its belt. In addition to Mario Golf entries spanning four systems, Camelot established the Hot Shots Golf franchise with Sony and developed the online, Japan-only Mobile Golf for Game Boy Color. Now Camelot has teamed up with publisher Capcom to fuel its golf-crazed development team.
While it may not be associated with Mario or Nintendo, We Love Golf's official website immediately and thoroughly demonstrates its Toadstool Tour origins. Its bright, cheery graphics are seemingly lifted straight from Camelot's GameCube game, from beach and desert locales to wind whips in the air. The songs on the website also bear Motoi Sakuraba's unmistakable style. Of course, the similarities aren't just skin deep: the promotional video demonstrates familiar mechanics such as super backspin, the ball's lay diagram, and the sweet spot.
There is one big difference from Camelot's prior golf games, though: its motion sensitive controls. Like Wii Sports, We Love Golf uses the Wii remote's accelerometer to simulate more realistic controls, requiring you to swing your controller like a golf club. However, judging from the video's actors and in-game tutorial, it appears that WLG requires a full swing, instead of Wii Sports' chip shot motion. The player holds down A or B to start his backswing, then releases the button at the bottom of the forward swing to make contact. Advanced players can also adjust their draw or fade by rolling the club head (twisting the Wii remote), and perform the aforementioned backspin by holding 2 during their swing. While not demonstrated in the video, topspin is likely similarly achieved by holding 1.
Even without Nintendo or its familiar faces, We Love Golf looks very promising and is scheduled for a Winter Japanese launch. While Capcom has not announced any plans for an international release, the global appeal of both Wii Sports and Mario Golf makes one all but assured.