After Mario's forays into non-platforming genres, such as Mario Kart, Mario's Picross and Dr. Mario, Nintendo realized something: Whatever you put Mario in, it will sell. Soon after, they made loads of Mario sports games - Starting with Mario's Tennis on the Virtual Boy, Nintendo soon made the plumber try golf, and, more recently, baseball, football (Soccer for you Americans) and even Dance Dance Revolution!
Mario Golf was the first Mario sports game on a console. After Mario's Tennis on the Virtual Boy flopped bigtime (It's not hard to figure out why) Nintendo decided to give Mario another shot. Thankfully, they succeeded this time.
Mario Golf is, well, pretty much what you'd expect - Golf. There is a number of different clubs to select (Lighter ones knock the ball further), including a few made specifically just for getting out of tight spots, like bunkers. After selecting a club and beginning your swing, a power bar will appear. A small marker will appear near the right and start going left. Press the A button when it's as close to the far left as possible to swing as hard as you can and it'll start going back right - Then you need to stop it as close to where it originally started as possible (This isn't the far right). The closer you are, the more accurate your short will be. Practice getting this right on! You will also need to pay attention to the strength of the wind, which could send your ball way off course if you don't adjust your shot.
In true Mario version there is an extra gameplay element: Aside from being able to select an "Approach" shot (To get the ball on the green when you're close, but not quite there), you can select a "Power" shot, which makes the ball fly extra far. When you start a course, you will only have 6 Power shots at your disposal - However, if you use one and then get a "perfect" shot (Stopping the marker at full power and perfect accuracy) your Power Shot will not be used up and the ball will fly even further, accompanied by a special effect depending on the character (Such as Mario's ball becoming engulfed in flames). If you're only slightly off, however, you will not gain the extra distance and lose your Power shot. Once they're all gone you'll have to rely on normal shots!
What is quite strange is that this is one of the few Mario games with non-Mario characters - Most of the roster consists of Mario characters, but there's also a bunch of newly created human characters, such as Charlie, Harry and the most well-known one, Plum. Another strange thing is that you only have access to four characters at the start - Baby Mario, Peach, Charlie and Plum. In order to unlock everybody else (Even Mario!) you have to beat them, one by one, in the "Get Character" mode. Don't expect this to be easy - The AI is actually quite rough on you.
Unfortunately, because you unlock the characters in a specific order, that means that the game is just not balanced - The starting characters' maximum drive distance lingers around 200 yards, but the final characters can all hit over 300, meaning that once you unlock them, there's absolutely no reason to use the old characters, unless you want to lose. The only other stat that matters is the characters' shot type - Some shoot the ball straight, but others have a "Draw" or a "Fade", meaning the ball will go right or left, respectively, and then curve back to the middle. This means you have to be extra wary of large obstacles such as trees, but all in all, it doesn't really make a big difference.
The game has a ton of modes to test your skills in - Aside from the above-mentioned Get Character mode, there's a Tournament mode, Mini-Golf, Ring Shot (Shoot the ball through floating rings), Speed Golf (Like a time attack mode) and a variety of versus modes, such as Stroke Play (Player with the lowest score wins), Club Slots (Before each hole you spin a slot machine, which selects a mere 3 clubs for you to use) and more.
Sadly, if you're looking for a Mario-ized golf game here, you will be disappointed. Aside from the final course, which has holes shaped like Mario characters, each area is really quite normal and does not have special Mario-esque obstacles to avoid. But if you don't mind that the game is actually quite realistic, you can do no wrong here. Just be aware that unlocking all characters (Which you will want to do) will be a long and hard task!
NOTE: The original version of the game could be linked to the Game Boy Color version to unlock some additional characters. The VC version lacks this functionality, meaning you do not have access to the extra characters and will always have to stare at four empty character slots on the character select screen!
1. Tony
29 Aug 2008, 10:38 GMT
Great I loved the Gamecube version! I'll have to check this out since I never owned an N64. Camelot makes really good sports games
2. +matthew²
29 Aug 2008, 11:00 GMT
It's about time for it to be released.
3. KeeperBvK
29 Aug 2008, 11:21 GMT
I still play it to this day. I even liked it way more than Mario Tennis.
4. Terranigma
29 Aug 2008, 11:24 GMT
I liked Mario Tennis better but for now, this is fantastic. Cannot wait.
5. Bass X0
29 Aug 2008, 11:33 GMT
Fun game and I am not even a golf game fan.
6. Terranigma
29 Aug 2008, 13:50 GMT
I had the Gamecube version but someone borrowed it and lost it.
I had to re-buy it for another £20
7. Apocalypse
29 Aug 2008, 14:25 GMT
Good game. I also like the idea of putting non-Mario characters in it.
8. Jashin
29 Aug 2008, 15:46 GMT
Great game!
Just not enough courses - and the last ones are too freaky in my opinion - but all in all a must have!
9. slangman
29 Aug 2008, 16:21 GMT
Oh the memories. I loved this game back when it came out on the N64. Good times. Some very inventive but strange courses though.
10. RadioShadow
29 Aug 2008, 16:45 GMT
If only I could transfer the characters from my Gameboy Color version.
11. MaxPlastic
29 Aug 2008, 16:58 GMT
@ RadioShadow :...Ooh, the GBC version rocked
12. Jazzem
29 Aug 2008, 21:28 GMT
I absolutely loved the N64 Mario sports games, so it's good to see them reappearing on VC. I was always more for Tennis than Golf but both are excellent and incredibly fun games.
I also really liked the handheld versions, which are proof that the world needs more sports/RPG hybrids! I imagine quite a lot of people missed out on them so hopefully they'll get a new leash of life via a handheld VC.
13. carson
29 Aug 2008, 21:43 GMT
i love this game, i love golf, and i love golf games. i hope this come to america someday. would definetly buy it! I'd also like to see Mario Tennis.
14. Mickeymac
30 Aug 2008, 00:34 GMT
Hmmm, should I wait for this, or just get Neo Turf Masters? I haven't played too many Mario sports games, but so far I haven't liked a single one of them. I heard the Gamecube version was good though, so it might be worth it. Or I could just get the Gamecube one.
15. Ricardo91
30 Aug 2008, 03:36 GMT
@Mickey. If you hate the other Mario sports games, but are curious about Golf, I'd get the Gamecube version. After all, these days it'll be about the same price as a VC N64 game. XD
As for Neo-Turf, I can't help you there.
@Radioshadow & Maxplastic. I never played the GBC mario golf, but I did play the GBC Mario Tennis. It was cool beans.
Speaking of Mario Tennis, I hope that comes to VC eventually (the N64 version I mean), as well as Mario Party.
16. Pocketim
30 Aug 2008, 05:06 GMT
@ MaxPlastic: I have not played the GBC Mario Golf, but I have played the GBC Mario Tennis and I loved it. Who ever thought you could make an RPG out of a sport?
Anyway, if I download this or not, I will still have to decide, since I hear that that the N64 Mario Sport games don't have the RPG element to them...
17. spyster10000
30 Aug 2008, 19:45 GMT
poor luigi
18. Clayfrd
31 Aug 2008, 03:09 GMT
I rented this once a few years ago. I liked it a lot. I'd recomend it whenever it comes out.
19. Terranigma
31 Aug 2008, 10:14 GMT
I've got the GBA Mario Golf and Tennis. Both are great. I've been looking for the GBC Versions recently.
20. sparrow-1993
31 Aug 2008, 22:32 GMT
Looks Like a good N64 game. There hasn't been a new N64 game on vc for a while now.
21. ALDAWGZ
01 Sep 2008, 00:33 GMT
this is a really fun game can't wait 4 this 1 either hope we get it soon
22. Pocketim
01 Sep 2008, 09:29 GMT
@ Terranigma: I wouldn't bother... the GBA games are just more of the same of what was seen in the GBC games (if that makes sense ¬_¬)
23. Marioman64
01 Sep 2008, 13:20 GMT
w00t! the only golf game i know that has a fun putt-putt mode! must get asap .
24. angel m. rivera collazo
01 Sep 2008, 13:40 GMT
I am not a golf fan and is my favorite N64 title,5 BIG stars!
25. angel m. rivera collazo
01 Sep 2008, 13:43 GMT
easy gameplay,difficult to master. just ask me!
26. Terranigma
02 Sep 2008, 19:51 GMT
@pocketim
I was gonna do it mainly because of the extra characters you can import and that they could probably be found quite cheaply. I'm the kind of gamer who likes to play through a game and when it reaches the end of the story, unlock everything afterwards or start again and find all the secrets as you go along. i know they're quite similar but both sets of games are simply magnificent.
27. Pocketim
04 Sep 2008, 09:35 GMT
Hmm... see what you mean there... just don't expect anything new, gameplay-wise
28. Terranigma
04 Sep 2008, 17:52 GMT
I'm not but thanks for the heads-up
29. Terranigma
06 Sep 2008, 11:29 GMT
I'd Need to get a transfer pack as well. I might as well buy the GBC and N64 Perfect Dark's and do the same thing.
30. Super Sonic
14 Sep 2008, 05:18 GMT
I can't wait for this to come to the Virtual Console! I never got a chance to buy this game and I don't want to miss out! As long it is 5 stars it is a instant download! We really need more N64 classic like this!
31. RurouniTeeter
25 Sep 2008, 23:25 GMT
I loved this game. Me & My dad used to play it all the time. I really hope it comes out soon. I already own Tennis so I'm not hoping too much for that.
32. BJ
26 Sep 2008, 14:39 GMT
This game was really fun back in the day. I was thinking they would release Mario Party first, but I guess not.
33. Tony
06 Oct 2008, 13:42 GMT
After reading the review it does not sound that different than the GC version, except you can use any character at the start.
34. Bass X0
06 Oct 2008, 13:56 GMT
how many stars does it get?
Fore!
thats about right, really.
35. slangman
06 Oct 2008, 14:03 GMT
Great review! I always found this game very hard and i only managed to unlock a couple of characters (up to Yoshi I think). Shame there's no other way to unlock the hidden characters from the GBC version.
^LOL at pun
36. Adam
06 Oct 2008, 14:08 GMT
Oh my, that intro video is so cute I passed out.
I only ever played the mini-golf, but that was definitely fun.
37. chunky_droid
06 Oct 2008, 14:11 GMT
This is the kind of game I'm hoping can get an update later to connect to the DS if they release the GBC Mario Golf on its download service
38. Cheezy
06 Oct 2008, 14:46 GMT
I just realized, today we got two games from Camelot.
39. angel m. rivera collazo
06 Oct 2008, 17:19 GMT
5 STARS! great game! super entertaining.
40. prince
06 Oct 2008, 17:47 GMT
Whats with the negative review?
I borrowed this game from a friend for a week a long time ago and its an incredible game.
Hope it hits Europe Friday
41. DarkAkatosh
06 Oct 2008, 17:51 GMT
This isn't a negative review. The game just has its superiors.
42. Bass X0
06 Oct 2008, 18:59 GMT
next friday, prince. this week is WiiWare week.
43. Adamant
06 Oct 2008, 19:04 GMT
Dammit, people, Nintendo COULDN'T keep the GBC characters in the game, because they aren't complete characters, just character models who will recieve the stats your GBC guys have when you link them over. It was a bonus feature allowing you to use the characters you've been building yourself in a different game, not "unlockable content".
44. dr.mario
06 Oct 2008, 22:47 GMT
I'm not quite sure what they mean by this game isn't quite so "mario-ized" since I've never played any other mario golf but I have somewhat of and idea, personally this game is perfect to me the way it is. Definitely better than any other golf game I know of.
45. KeroKero Cola
07 Oct 2008, 02:58 GMT
I love the main theme!
46. breaderer
07 Oct 2008, 03:41 GMT
so, what are the best golf games on the VC?
47. brooks83
07 Oct 2008, 07:26 GMT
Wasn't NES Open Tournament Gold technically the first Mario sports game on a console? I mean I know it didn't have the Mario name in the title, but you played as Mario...
48. Bass X0
07 Oct 2008, 09:54 GMT
It was called Mario Open Golf in Japan.
49. Marioman64
07 Oct 2008, 10:44 GMT
i remember when a brought this game to my friends house, he sucked so much that he slammed his clear rumble pak on the desk in frustration and it shattered. I however was doing an awesome job at getting birdies
get it for the mario, and the putt-putt (or miniature golf, whatever you want to call it)
50. Drake
07 Oct 2008, 15:47 GMT
@ dr.mario: Later Mario sports games feature crazy stuff like character-specific special abilities, obstacles (Like Chain Chomps on the golf course) and other things. This game has none of that.
51. Bass X0
08 Oct 2008, 09:58 GMT
There's a lot of SNES games missing that should be on the VC. Both the Genesis and NES have about twice as many games than the SNES bizarrely.
52. WiiMan192
08 Oct 2008, 10:12 GMT
Must... Buy... Mario Golf... after... PAL... release... * drool *
53. Shirtie
11 Oct 2008, 09:08 GMT
If i'm still not playing Earthworm Jim when this come out i may buy it !
54. breaderer
11 Oct 2008, 19:03 GMT
I regret buying this....
55. Mipsymoodle
12 Oct 2008, 01:19 GMT
Thank God. A Nintendo 64 title. I have never played this but I got it just because I was craving some N64. It's a good game. I wish I had it when I had a N64 because I had the Game Boy version of the game and I hear the GB game and the N64 game are interchangeable.
Mario Golf: 5/5 stars.
It's a really good game. It is easy to learn but it takes a while to master. It is easily one of the greatest golf games I've played other than the Tiger Woods games.
56. KillerinstinctFan
12 Oct 2008, 10:01 GMT
I cant wait my little brother will be so happy he loves sports games thats something to do with Yoshi
57. Terranigma
12 Oct 2008, 10:09 GMT
@Adamant
When the DSi is released, if we do get a portable VC, they might add the GBC version of Mario Golf and then they could link up to each other. It might need some work and, of course it's a big "If" but it's always a possibility that Nintendo Should consider
58. LuigiKiller
28 Oct 2008, 23:02 GMT
looks interesting ill definitely look into it
59. gameking23
09 Nov 2008, 21:30 GMT
Finaly another N64 game I only wish that Nintendo would release more. At least we can all now buy Mario Golf.
60. Lando
14 Nov 2008, 11:29 GMT
Looks rather fun however, the graphics look sort of odd for a N64 game.
61. AgentSpalko
23 Nov 2008, 12:15 GMT
When is this out on UK vitrual console? Love this game still, even thou it can get as frustrating as hell. Managed to get a few hole in ones, all the stars on ring shot, and unlock all characters. Took me ages to get metal Mario by getting all 100 + something birdie badges.
62. Bass X0
23 Nov 2008, 14:07 GMT
maybe this week? maybe in two weeks after? we just don't know.
63. feng
25 Nov 2008, 23:02 GMT
God i hope mario golf gets an Eu Vc release this friday considering ONM is teasing us with a two page spread review and stating its already out, do they know something we don't?
64. Bass X0
26 Nov 2008, 15:12 GMT
they did the same with secret of mana - two page spread and saying its already out. they review american VC games assuming they will be released in the UK during the next available update. NGamer on the other hand looks back on the month just gone at the time of writing and offers thoughts on the games actually released in the U.K. I also noticed a distinct lack of VC games in this month's NOM. Maybe they had reviewed them already when they came out in America. Anyway, I hope we get SoM and Mario Golf tomorrow.
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