Mario Golf

"Golfer or not, this game is for you!"

The latest golf game for the N64 has many features to describe and is just screaming "buy me!"

I'll start with game play. Simple, yet complete style makes for quick adjustments to club selection. You can configure almost everything about your shot, including fades and draws, backspin, power, and accuracy. The swinging mechanism is great, nothing anyone can't handle. A lot of the game depends on timing. Timing your shot, your press of a button. The sim elements in the game are surprising for a game with Mario and his pals. Yet, there is that cuteness that is inevitable in any Mario game.

The sound has the usual happy tunes featured in any Mario game. And the sound of the "swoosh" when you hit a 280 yard drive makes you feel like you're really out there playing with a plumber and a dinosaur on courses with fruit as obstacles.

Speaking of courses, they all have something to do with a certain Nintendo character. Yoshi's Island, Toad's Highlands, just to name a few. Each one gets increasingly difficult and each one is different in its own special way.

Many play modes are available, including Speed Golf, Skins, and plain old Stroke Play. To me, what really shines is the mini-golf multiplayer option. It makes for a fun way to spiritually destroy 1 to 3 of your friends.

Truly, this game is for everyone.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99