Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)

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Mario Golf
Developer(s)	Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Release date(s)	June 11, 1999 July 30, 1999 September 14, 1999
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone ELSPA: 3+
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64
Input	Standard controller

Mario Golf (マリオゴルフ64, Mario Gorufu 64^?, Mario Gold 64)is a sports video game that was developed by Camelot Software Planning (the same developer that previously created Hot Shots Golf for the PlayStation) and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released in 1999. In the game, Mario, his friends, and his enemies play golf on a variety of Mario-themed courses.

[edit] Gameplay

Players can play as a variety of characters including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. The game also included new characters including Harry, Maple, and Charlie. 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. Even though 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, relief of the land etc. There are also a great 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.

[edit] Courses

• Toad Highlands (home of the "Toad Tournament")

A basic grassy course with a few bunkers and water hazards.

• Koopa Park (home of the "Koopa Cup")

Another mainly grassy course with more bunkers and water hazards. There are many oversized Koopa shells in amongst the scenery.

• Shy Guy Desert (home of the "Shy Guy International")

A slightly more advanced course set in the desert with many bunkers and sand traps.

• Yoshi's Island (home of the "Yoshi Championship")

A course set on a series of lush tropical islands, with palm trees and oversized fruit in the background.

• Boo Valley (home of the "Boo Classic")

A very advanced course set on mountains surrounded by fog, it has narrow fairways and small greens.

• Mario's Star (home of the "Mario Open")

The final course in also very advanced in that the fairways and greens are very small with numerous bunkers and water hazards. Every hole is in the shape of a different Mario character.

[edit] Transfer Pak

This game features Transfer Pak compatibility with the GBC version of Mario Golf. Players can upload characters and data only 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. [1] However, the characters imported onto the Nintendo 64 version does not stay onto the cartridge; you must upload the characters again to play as them on the Nintendo 64.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Characters

Character select screen with all characters unlocked, not including the four characters obtained by linking with the Game Boy Color version (see below).

All the characters in the game play slightly different to each other in terms of power (with Plum being the weakest and Metal Mario being the strongest), height of shot and swing (straight, draw or fade). There are 14 playable characters in the game (4 more can be imported via the Game Boy Color version). 5 of the characters are new to the Mario series and make their first appearance in Mario Golf, they are Harry, Maple, Sonny, Charlie and Plum. The following is a list of characters in the game;

• Mario
• Luigi
• Princess Peach
• Yoshi
• Bowser
• Wario
• Donkey Kong
• Metal Mario
• Baby Mario
• Harry
• Maple
• Sonny
• Charlie
• Plum

There are an additional four characters that can be acquired by importing them via the Transfer Pak if the owner has both Mario Golf and the Game Boy Color version of Mario Golf.

• Azalea — Imported character
• Joe — Imported character
• Kid — Imported character
• Sherry — Imported character

[edit] Voices

• Charles Martinet as Mario, Luigi, Wario, Metal Mario, and Baby Mario.
• Jen Taylor as Princess Peach and Toad.

[edit] Reception and sequels

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.

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

[edit] External links

• Mario Golf at Nintendo.com
• Mario Golf at MobyGames
• Mario Golf at GameFAQs