Mario Golf

In recent months it seems that if you want a game to be successful all you have to do is place the word ‘Mario’ in front of it. Despite being nothing more than a trumped-up board game, Mario Party was incredibly playable and imaginative while Smash Brothers brought a whole new slant to the beat ’em up genre (yes, we know it doesn’t have the word ‘Mario’ in the title, but he’s in it). With Mario Golf, they’ve gone and done it again – creating top titles seems to be second nature to Nintendo now.

Putting The Night Away

There are a total of ten different game modes (such as normal tournaments, shooting the ball through rings or even a mini crazy golf section), each requiring their own approach and playing style. Added to this are more hidden characters to find than we’ve had hot dinners... well, 14 to be exact. You’ll even be able to hook it up to your Game Boy Color when (if) the 64GB is released over here! The main thing that impresses about the game has to be the amazing attention to detail. The visuals are suitable lush, colourful and Mario-esque while the music is typical of all games containing the plucky Italian plumber. But the little touches like the trails left behind the ball when you score a perfect power shot, the wiggling of the clubs as the players take their swings or the commentator shouting out ‘Nice shot!’ will always bring a smile to your face.

Put simply, this is a top-notch game. Yes, it’s golf and we know this might put people off. Face that fact, get over it and then buy this game! Believe us when we tell you that you won’t be regretting it in a hurry…

On a welcome break from mending blocked toilets, leaky taps and riding the back of mushroom-gobbling monsters, Mario decided on a relaxing golfing weekend. Just him, a few friends and a suitcase full of tartan trousers. Could this be the most boring thing Mario has ever tried his hand at? Yes. Could this be the most boring game ever, then? Oh, no. Far from it.

Jimmy Tarbuck

Despite switching on the game only to be confronted by more Japanese text than TV Tokyo's Ceefax pages, Mario Golf came across beautifully conceived and packed choke-full of garish Mario-isms. The menu system (although still in Japanese) came animated with brightly coloured icons that gently led you into the game. Anyone wanting this on import will therefore have no problem understanding what the hell is going on. Honestly!

Once you've been slowly guided into play it comes down to a choice of just who you want to play as. All the gang are here, from Mario and Yoshi to Wario and Donkey Kong. Every one has their own slightly differing strengths and weaknesses, although to be honest, you need to be a bit of a Nick Faldo to truly appreciate the subtle nuances in style they have. They are not all accessible at first either; only with practice and a few trophies under your belt do you have the chance to use them all. In four-player mode though most of the characters are open for selection, allowing the more impatient gamer to get stuck in.

Aesthetically, a few things are left to be desired. The landscape contours and meanders about the screen perfectly, and the fairway is superbly detailed, but beyond these fundamental aspects of the game, little else has been included. Backdrops have a rushed feel about them, as do the trees and other objects littering the land. Despite this though, touches of humour are injected throughout to keep the game fresh. Leaves cascade gently to the ground if a ball zings through a tree, and goldfish jump out of ponds to try and eat your ball when it skims over the surface. Pleasantly unnecessary, but nonetheless, its the little touches that count.

Tom O'Connor

Where Mario Golf really strides ahead of other golf games is the use of the extra features. Time trials and tournaments are as standard, but Mario can earn points in a game requiring you to get the ball as close to the hole as possible, he can shoot the ball through Sonic-style hoops and even play crazy golf over a vast array of psychedelic courses bleached and splattered in a variety of eye-stinging colours. Sunglasses are optional!

Simple, addictive and most importantly... fun!

The ball physics are nigh-on perfect, too. The control is slightly over-responsive, requiring a very delicate hand to bring the ball to your choice of landing spot rather than the rough or a bunker, but you actually get the feeling that the ball does travel through the air and that it does bounce brilliantly on the smoothed green. The players even go transparent just to let you see exactly where you are aiming, and if that wasn't enough, the camera angles are almost infinitely adjustable, allowing you to travel the length and breadth of the course, mapping out exactly what areas need playing towards. Simple, addictive and most importantly... fun!

This is far better than any other golfing effort the N64 has spewed up in the past and we had to wait for the trusty little plumber to prove again just why he's the dog's danglies at almost everything he does. All we need now is for Smash Brothers to appear over here and Mario will be top dog in every genre imaginable!

Nintendo TBD -- When Mario's not saving Princess Toadstool, he likes to kick back, grab a soft drink, and hit the links with his buddies. And you can join him in this update to the N64 arcade-style sports game, also called Mario Golf. Mario's been workin' on his power swing, as evidenced by this front and back shot of him giving a ball a thwack. Take that, Tiger Woods.

Take a load of cute Nintendo characters, give 'em golf clubs and toss in the game engine from Hot Shots and you're virtually guaranteed a great title. In a nutshell that's exactly what Camelot and Nintendo did, only with more game modes and variety.

It's ironic that two lighthearted golf games, Hots Shots and now Mario Golf, have the most realistic golf physics of any in the genre past or present. It's weird but true, and Mario Golf is poised to take it even higher.

Beyond stiffer winds and the havoc they cause, gameplay is similar to Hot Shots. A friendly interface puts the right club in your hands plus aligns the shot. At that point, back-spin, wind compensation and nailing the shot meter are the only immediate variables outside of the power shot option. Essentially the game demands the same precise ball control that real golf requires.

For variety, each of the characters (14 total) has a flaw of some sort, except for Mario, of course. Wario has great distance off the tee but slices. Baby Mario hits very straight but not very far. Charlie hits far but has a slight hook. Luckily, shortcomings in control can be compensated for in the power meter. And, while some characters like the Princess, Baby Mario and Plum (to name a few) are weaker on the regular rounds, their dead-on straight shots work well on the mini-golf courses.

In addition to new characters, you can open up extra courses. Toad Forrest and Koopa Park (both beginner courses) offer standard greens and fairways. Boo Valley, Yoshi Valley and Mario Star feature undulating turf, cloud perched greens and incredibly challenging terrain. A variety of strategies can be applied to all six courses. Sometimes shooting over trees on the dog-leg or applying massive back-spin to a power shot are wise moves. Transversely, going at every situation with straight shots can work as well. It's a tribute to the game's stellar physics and gameplay.

Multiplayer is the most rewarding way to play. Whether on the mini-courses, Skins, Rings or Speed play, going head-to-head is great fun. Each player has four annoying taunts (plus four more cheers) for distraction purposes. If they don't drive you crazy it's quite fun to use the entire game.

It's safe to say Mario Golf is destined to become the top golf game for the N64.

Hole in one

You've seen him bashing blocks, tormenting turtles, killing Koopas and playing doctor, but now and then Mario likes to take some time off and relax with a round of golf. However, this version is much more detailed than other NES versions, and you will find the layout of the holes extremely challenging and worthy of any pro. Take on the best courses in the world and go up against computer players who play like they have been taught by the professionals.

Some features that set this cart above other golf games are the three dimensional perspective screen shots that appear when the ball is near the hole, a choice of a full set of clubs, and adjustments which allow you to control the speed of your swing and the angle at which you want to hit the ball.

These course will give up very few birdies and then only to the experienced players. Definitely a game which you'll come back for more and more!

With a big brother like Mario Golf on the N64, the Game Boy version could hardly fail to be a bit special. And not only does it have the same control system and a virtually identical gameplay style, it also includes an absolutely fantastic RPG mode in which you groom a young rookie for stardom.

In fact we were amazed by just how much stuff is crammed into the cart. It's every bit as varied as the N64 version, perhaps even more so when you consider the number of places to visit and people to talk to, and that's a phenomenal achievement for a Game Boy title. Things like the putting green and ring shot modes are replaced by skill challenges set by the various characters you'll bump into along the way, and the experience points you earn for completing them can be swapped between the N64 and GB (or at least you will be able to when the transfer pak is released over here). The clubhouse where you start has plenty of interesting people who'll offer hints and tips, plus a champions' table where you can challenge one of four top professionals to an ego- boosting duel. Other golfers on the practice areas will help you brush up on your skills, and as you get better at die game you'll open up new routes in the overworld outside.

The dinky Harvest Moon-style graphics work perfectly, making the four standard courses look very crisp and believable. You can scroll around them to judge where to aim your shot, and there's an optional 3D view available when you're ready to start your swing. Ifs all beautifully done, even better than we expected, and, along with Mario Deluxe, one of the best reasons to buy a GB Color.

Although you're not going to mistake Mario for Greg Norman, you may want to pick up Mario Golf--the game's physics and solid gameplay will make it an instant favorite of fairway fans everywhere.

Itsa Tee, Mario

What Mario offers over other titles in its genre is enormously fun golfing with a variety of modes to satisfy everyone from the weekend golfer to the maniacal miniature-putthead. Fashioned very effectively after Hot Shots Golf for the PlayStation (both were developed by Camelot Software), Mario putts you on six courses in ten modes, including a putting green/obstacle course, straight play, and skins. You choose from one of four characters, but you also unlock 14 additional personalities, including Luigi, Mario, Yoshi, and others. Some characters, however, have to be transferred from the Game Boy Color version of Mario Golf to the N64 version (at press time, this feature was still in the planning stages).

You'll also accumulate points awarded for shots closest to the pin, eagles, and other accomplishments to unlock more courses.

How Green Is Your Valley?

Mario's graphics are almost too cute for their own good, featuring classic N64 shapes and colors and lots of references to other Mario games, like the giant red and green koopa shells on the fairways. The course layouts include all the standards, such as water hazards, sand traps, and dog legs.

Sound effects fill out the experience with funny noises and taunts. Much like Hot Shots Golf, you can call out phrases while your opponent is teeing off. All the other effects are solid, right down to the satisfying smack of the nine iron hitting the ball.

Controlling the arc, pitch, slice, and power of your swing will take practice, but mastering the fundamental controls certainly isn't brain surgery. A meter for power, the trigger for english on the golf ball, and the analog to aim your shot are all you need.

Putt Your Money Where Your Mario Is

Mario Golf 64 is a great time on the greens, sporting fluid control, pleasant graphics, and enjoyable music and sound effects. You couldn't ask for a better tee time than Mario Golf.

Graphics

Pleasing graphics, humorous references to other Mario games, and smooth texturing keep Mario one stroke ahead of Waialae Country Club: True Golf Classics. It would've been nice to play as someone over three feet tall, though.

Sound

Although the cutesy voices get annoying, the other effects are crystal clear. The music flows nicely in the background.

Control

It takes some time, but it never gets too hard or complicated to play golf in this game. The only drawback Is some slightly imprecise analog putting.

Fun Factor

Mario Golf's a great game and great fun. It's also a fine four-player game, so you can add Mario to your library of multiplayer party opportunities (with Mario Party and Super Smash Bros.).