Reviewed: October 18, 2010
Reviewed by: Kyle Hilliard

Publisher
Zen Studios

Developer
Zen Studios

Released: June 1, 2010
Genre: Sports
Players: 1-6
Online: 2-6

7
7
6
6
6.5

Supported Features:

You can read our original review of the game, but honestly not much has changed. Planet Minigolf is a decent distraction, but if you have any experience with miniature golf games, or golf games in general, then you are going to find some extreme faults. If you are not a hardcore virtual minigolfer (yes, they do exist) then you are going to find some redeemable factors here in Planet Minigolf.

Incorporating the Move is a benefit to the game for a couple of different reasons. There was no golf game included on the Sports Champions disc that, depending on the Move package you purchased, was included with the Sony Wii Remote. Planet Minigolf fills the hole left for all those casual Wii aficionados that bought the Move to play the true sequel to Wii Sports. Purchasing Planet Minigolf will give those casual Move players, a simple game to play around with, and it will also give you something to show to your parents and non-gamer friends that they can pick up quickly and enjoy.

Admittedly, to say, “pick up quickly and enjoy,” is not entirely accurate. The actual swinging action is obvious and simple, but actually getting to the point where you can swing requires entirely too many button presses. It is confusing to have to push a button, and then hold down a button to swing. The average non-gamer, the demographic most likely to play Planet Minigolf with the Move, should be given the option to just swing and go. To add extra steps to that process is unnecessary and alienating.

Actually playing with the Move is responsive, and does work, but it is not the best way to play. When it comes to the simple courses, the Move controller is fine. It works, and it is fun to pantomime minigolf in your living room. When it comes to the more difficult courses, you are going to want to pick up the traditional controller. The problem with the Move, is that there are really only two swings; powerful, and not nearly as powerful. It’s difficult to gauge a shot anywhere between those two levels of power, and most shots require a level of finesse that exists between those two types of shots.

As mentioned previously, there are also some new courses including the new Stronghold Island, but there really isn’t that much to be said about them. They are plentiful, tallying in at 36 new holes total, but they don’t offer anything new or particularly compelling that demand their purchase. They only deserve a recommendation if you have played every hole to death in Planet Minigolf and are ready for new ones that have a slightly higher level of polish than what the users are creating online.

One final positive thing to say about the Move, is that it has been entirely incorporated everywhere. The game was clearly not developed with the Move in mind, but the designers’ choice to not make you periodically revert back to the regular controller (like Tiger Woods PGA 11) is admirable. Everything from menu navigation, to even the course and hole creation modes, can be performed without resorting to the SIXAXIS or DualShock 3.

Planet Minigolf ultimately is a better game with the Move controller, but it did not experience an epiphany of game play mechanics. It still has its problems, but the option to use the Move is cool, and will invite inexperienced gamers to try the title out, and probably enjoy it.