Mario Golf (video game)

Mario Golf
US cover Art, with Mario taking his turn golfing, Luigi just standing, Peach giving Mario a round of applause.
Developer(s)	Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Series	Mario Golf
Engine	Modified Everybody's Golf engine
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64 Game Boy Color Virtual Console
Release date(s)	Nintendo 64 JP June 11, 1999 NA July 30, 1999 PAL September 14, 1999 Game Boy Color JP August 10, 1999 NA October, 1999 PAL October 26, 1999 Virtual Console JP September 30, 2008 NA October 6, 2008 PAL January 23, 2009
Genre(s)	Sports (golf)
Mode(s)	Single-player Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ELSPA: 3+ ACB: G ESRB: E PEGI: 3+

Mario Golf (マリオゴルフ64, Mario Gorufu Rokujūyon^?, Mario Golf 64) is a sports game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. In the game, Mario, his friends, and his enemies play golf on a variety of Mario-themed courses. It is the second game in the Mario Golf series (though the first to carry that name). Its tagline was "Tee up with Mario and his friends!"

Mario Golf was re-released on the Virtual Console in Japan on September 30, 2008, in North America on October 6, 2008^[1] and in Europe and Australia on January 23, 2009.

Gameplay

Mario Golf was the first golf game in the Mario series to use 3D computer graphics.

Players can play as a variety of characters including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, and Wario. The game also introduces Plum, Sonny, Harry, Maple, and Charlie, new characters created by Camelot specifically for the game. Players can then select from a number of courses which have features adapted to the Nintendo world. Mario Golf is also very easy to play (also known as a "pick up and play" game) as it makes golf very simple, because it does away with many of the complicated real-life aspects of the sport that are found in games like Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006. Although the game is easy to play and simple in appearance, the game's engine is very deep and there are a multitude of variables that can affect a shot, such as wind strength and direction (indicated by a Boo), rain, characters' individual attributes, spin on the ball, and relief of the land. There is a variety of gameplay modes, including speed golf, ring shot, mini golf and skins match. Every character in the game has recorded voice samples which can be used to comment on opponent's shots.

Transfer Pak

This game features Transfer Pak compatibility with the Game Boy Color version of Mario Golf. Players can upload characters and data found on the Game Boy version to the Nintendo 64 version. That way, you can play as these characters in full 3D. Additionally, data from the Nintendo 64 version is saved onto the Game Boy Color version of the game.^[2] However, the characters imported onto the Nintendo 64 version are not saved onto the cartridge; you must upload the characters again to play as them on the Nintendo 64.^{[citation needed]} After playing a round with a GBC Character, that character will earn experience points. Transfer Pak functionality is not included in the Virtual Console version.^[3]

Playable characters

Main article: Sports games in the Mario series#Mario Golf

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	88%[4]
Metacritic	91 of 100[5]
Review scores
Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	8.12 of 10
Game Informer	9 of 10
GamePro	5 of 5
GameSpot	8.7 of 10[6]
IGN	8.3 of 10
Nintendo Power	8.5 of 10

GameSpot describes the game as easy to play, by having simple features and by "removing the guesswork for gamers who are not familiar with the subtle nuances of golf" that may put off many players.^[7]

Handheld version

Mario Golf (known as Mario Golf GB (マリオゴルフGB) in Japan) is the handheld version of this game for the Game Boy Color, also developed by Camelot Software Planning. Unlike the console version, it includes role-playing elements.

Mario Golf received highly positive reviews,^[8] and was considered a better game overall than the console version, averaging 89.6% compared to 87.6%.^[8] IGN gave Mario Golf a perfect score of 10 out of 10, calling it one of the few must-buy games for the Game Boy Color. They also praised it for exceeding the standards for audio quality in a Game Boy Color game.^[9] GameSpot did not enjoy it as much, giving it only a 7.2 of 10. They criticized it, saying that some of the mechanics could have used some work, such as putting. However, they feel it to be an excellent adaptation of the console version.^[10]

Sequel

A sequel to this game, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2003.

References

1. ^ "Two WiiWare Games and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel". 2008-10-06. http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/ngiGcGC-0d7mSVwou1SKkAECxOXNY4Yf. Retrieved 2008-10-06. 
2. ^ IGN Staff (2000-03-03). "Mario Golf Transfer Pak". IGN. http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/076/076065p1.html. Retrieved 2008-02-15. 
3. ^ http://www.vc-reviews.com/news/2008/10/usa_vc_releases_mario_golf_and_shining_force_ii
4. ^ "Mario Golf Reviews". Game Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/197859.asp. Retrieved 2008-04-01. 
5. ^ "Mario Golf (n64: 1999): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/n64/mariogolf?q=mario%20golf. Retrieved 2008-04-01. 
6. ^ "Mario Golf for Nintendo 64 Review - Nintendo 64 Mario Golf Review". Gamespot.com. 2000-08-30. http://www.gamespot.com/n64/sports/mariogolf/review.html. Retrieved 2008-04-01. 
7. ^ "Mario Golf Review - Gamespot". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/n64/sports/mariogolf/review.html. Retrieved 2010-11-26. 
8. ^ ^{a b} http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/197858.asp
9. ^ http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/162/162206p1.html
10. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/gbc/sports/mariogolf/review.html

External links

• Official Nintendo Japan Mario Golf 64 site
• Official Nintendo Japan Mario Golf Game Boy Color site
• Mario Golf at Nintendo.com (archives of the original at the Internet Archive)
• Mario Golf at MobyGames
• Mario Golf at GameFAQs