Mario Golf (video game)


Mario Golf 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. Following NES Open Tournament Golf, it is the second game in the Mario Golf series.
A Game Boy Color version of this game was also developed by Camelot Software Planning. Unlike the console version, it includes role-playing video game elements.

Gameplay

Players choose from 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, who have not appeared since. Players can then select from a number of courses which have features adapted to the Nintendo world. Mario Golf is very easy to play as it makes golf very simple, because it does away with many of the complicated real-life aspects of the sport. 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, 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 are able to upload characters and data found on the Game Boy version to the Nintendo 64 version. These characters are then playable in full 3D. Additionally, data from the Nintendo 64 version is saved onto the Game Boy Color version of the game. 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.

Reception

The Nintendo 64 version received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave both console versions of the game a score of 30/40.

Sequel

A sequel to this game, , was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2003.