Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots: Developers Reveal Scrapped Caddy Romance System in Famitsu Interview

In a recent exclusive Famitsu interview, the creative team behind Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots—chief producer Tomokazu Fukazawa and producer Takafumi Takemoto—offered fans a rare glimpse into the game's development, revealing both the origins of its core features and a notable feature that was left on the cutting room floor.

The popular golf title, known for its lighthearted tone and robust multiplayer experience, has been a staple on PlayStation platforms, with Bandai Namco at the helm as publisher. During the in-depth discussion, Fukazawa disclosed that the team originally conceived a romance mechanic involving the player's caddy.

This system would have allowed players to build a special relationship with their in-game caddy, culminating in a heartfelt confession on the golf course after progressing through the game.

"One of our ideas was to have your caddy express their feelings to you on the greens," Fukazawa explained.

Ultimately, the feature was shelved due to time and budget constraints.

Despite this, the notion of bond-building between player and caddy inspired the development team to retain an element of ‘affection’ in the final gameplay experience. Takemoto elaborated on Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots’ distinctive party game mechanics, highlighting features such as interactive panels and explosive traps.

The team aimed to create an environment reminiscent of lively board games, where multiple players could compete or cooperate for an evening of fun, improvisation, and friendly sabotage.

“We wanted players to experience the thrill and unpredictability of a board game, so we included panels that could help strengthen your character or throw obstacles in the way of others,” Takemoto said.

These innovative mechanics encourage friends to gather and enjoy the game, especially during the long nights of the fall season. Fukazawa also noted that many ideas for unique gameplay features were explored during early development.

The final product includes creative elements such as confiscating golf clubs and placing strategic panels around the course—concepts inspired by the team’s research into golf-related variety shows and programs. Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots continues a celebrated legacy for the franchise on modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, delivering accessible, community-focused golfing fun.

Bandai Namco’s commitment to keeping the series fresh has contributed to its ongoing appeal among new and veteran players alike.

While the caddy romance feature ultimately did not make it into the game, the ethos of fostering unique player relationships remains central to its design, exemplifying the thoughtful game development recognized in the East Asian gaming industry. Translation credit: SatsumaFS, Philip Proctor, and Simon Griffin for Nintendo Everything.

Famitsu Golf Everybody’s Golf developers Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots Tomokazu Fukazawa Takafumi Takemoto Bandai Namco Nintendo Switch