Mario Golf

"A "Fore" Star Golf Game"

Golf games have not changed much since video games existed. The simple system and choosing a ball path, pressing the button once or twice, then watching your ball. Mario Golf does not stray that far from the formula, but it exceeds in many other places to make this game a classic. You start off by choosing a character. Some are from the Mario universe (Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Princess Peach, Baby Mario, Yoshi, and Wario), others are from the Camelot universe. You may even recognize some of the characters from Hot Shots (another golf game from Camelot). The game itself is very easy to use. It uses the basic aim and push method that all golf gamers know and love (or hate). The aiming system can be hard to use at first, but it is easy to get use to. After that, all you need to do is perfect your timing skills. If you do, you will make perfect shots throughout the game. The game really shines in its replay value. Tons of different modes and lots of secret characters. If you ever get tired of the usual golf game, turn to those modes. Ring shot is avaliable. You need to shoot your ball through a ring and get the ball in the hole within par. It can get very hard during the later courses and the mode presents a huge challenge. There is also a mini-golf mode. You need to shoot your ball through a selection of numbers and letters. It may look simple, but lots of hills, bends, and dips makes mini-golf almost like the real thing. The Get-Character mode allows the player to go head to head with another character to earn the right to use them in one-player golf. Another great feature is the fact that Mario Golf is compatible with the 64GB pack. The Mario Golf Game Boy game has four players in the game that the player will be able to transfer to the Nintendo 64 version of the game. It is actually a great marketing strategy by Nintendo and Camelot that will make owners of Mario Golf go out and buy the Game Boy version. Mario Golf also contains some of the best courses in a golf game. The first two courses are your basic golf courses, but that changes. The third is a desert complete with bunkers here and there. The fourth course is a trip to Yoshi's Island. Fruit fill this course. The fifth is a ghost-like course that has tons of fog and everything seems to float in the air. The sixth course is the best. Courses in the shape of Nintendo characters. You cannot tell from looking in the normal view, but once you switch to overhead, you will see the shape. The graphics are very cute, but the lack of pop-up and fog makes this a very nice looking game. The sound consists of happy Nintendo tunes and the usual celebration sound samples. Mario Golf is a real winner. Its fun and easy to use. It maybe too cute, but that is for the kids. If your a true gold fan, check out this title now. You will not be disappointed!

Graphics - 10 (Cute, but no fog or pop-up. Clear all the way!)
Sound - 8 (Basic Nintendo tunes. Nothing special)
Gameplay - 10 (Easy to Use, Hard to Master)
Replay Value - 10 (Tons of modes and the Game Boy game is compatible)

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99