I’m developing a game that very closely mimics the gameplay of the ghost minigame from Nintendo Land. I’m not including Nintendo characters, names, etc.
Is there any precedent of Nintendo going after people for something like this?
Nah, you can’t patent gameplay mechanics unless they are super specific and interconnected.
Taking what’s good from other games and turning it into something new (or similar) is known as remixing and it happens all the time. Like mentioned in another comment, Palworld did this by taking the fun elements of different genres / vibes (Pokémon, Survival games, Shooters) and making that into a game.
Even the Pokémon Company had to put a statement out basically telling the Xitter drama seekers to shut up and stop reporting the game for infringement, because there wasn’t any.
Just make sure (like you already mention) not to use assets, sounds, names and other IP related subjects.
If it doesn’t clone assets of their game then Nintendo legally can’t do anything. Gameplay elements are not protected like that.