Mario Golf (video game)

Mario Golf^[a] is a 1999 sports game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. 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. Camelot also developed a Game Boy Color version^[b], which adds role-playing elements.

Mario Golf
North American N64 box art
Developer(s)	Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Director(s)	Haruki Kodera
Producer(s)	Shinji Hatano Shigeru Miyamoto Hiroyuki Takahashi Shugo Takahashi Hidetoshi Endo
Designer(s)	Hiroyuki Takahashi Shugo Takahashi
Composer(s)	Motoi Sakuraba
Series	Mario Golf
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color
Release	Nintendo 64 JP: June 11, 1999 NA: July 26, 1999 PAL: September 14, 1999 Game Boy Color JP: August 10, 1999 NA: October 5, 1999 PAL: October 26, 1999
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

The Nintendo 64 version was re-released on the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console, and on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, in 2008, 2015, and 2022 respectively, while the GBC version was re-released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2012, and on the Nintendo Switch Online service on March 12, 2024.

Gameplay

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

Players choose from a variety of characters including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Wario, and a few original characters. Players can then select from a number of courses which have features adapted to the Nintendo world. As a "pick up and play" game, it simplifies the game of golf, without its complicated real-life aspects. Although the game is easy to play and simple in appearance, its engine has many 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. The variety of gameplay modes include speed golf, ring shot, mini golf, and skins match. Every character in the game has voice samples which can be used to comment on opponents' shots.

The Transfer Pak connects the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color versions, to exchange characters and data.^[1] A GBC character earns experience points with each round.^[2]

Development

Nintendo originally started development on a golf game for the Nintendo 64 tentatively titled Golf.^[3] Some time later, they recruited Camelot Software Planning to create a role-playing game, but Camelot wanted to make a simpler game to get accustomed to the Nintendo 64 hardware first. Nintendo was impressed with Camelot's prototype that they canceled their other golf game and assigned Camelot to develop Mario Golf 64.^[4] This new golf game was announced in the February 1999 issue of The 64Dream.^[5]

Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator	Score
	GBC	N64	Wii
GameRankings	87.65%[6]	87.32%[7]	N/A
Metacritic	N/A	91/100[8]	N/A

Review scores

Publication	Score
	GBC	N64	Wii
AllGame	[9]	[10]	N/A
Computer and Video Games	N/A	[11]	N/A
Electronic Gaming Monthly	N/A	8.12/10[12]	N/A
Eurogamer	N/A	N/A	9/10[13]
Famitsu	30/40[14]	30/40[15]	N/A
Game Informer	8.75/10[16]	9/10[17]	N/A
GamePro	N/A	[18]	N/A
GameSpot	7.2/10[19]	8.7/10[20]	N/A
IGN	10/10[21]	8.3/10[22]	8/10[23]
Nintendo Life	[24]	[25]	N/A
Nintendo Power	8.7/10[26]	8.5/10[27]	N/A
Official Nintendo Magazine	N/A	N/A	89%[28]

Reception

The Nintendo 64 version received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator website Metacritic.^[8] Reviews of the GBC version aggregated slightly stronger than those of the Nintendo 64 version. IGN called the GBC version "an absolutely brilliant rendition of golf, and a perfect game for the go".^[21] In Japan, Famitsu gave both versions a score of 30/40.^[14][15]

Notes

1. Known in Japan as Mario Golf 64 (Japanese: マリオゴルフ64, Hepburn: Mario Gorufu Rokujūyon)
2. Known in Japan as Mario Golf GB (Japanese: マリオゴルフＧＢ)

References

1. IGN Staff (March 3, 2000). "Mario Golf Transfer Pak". IGN. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
2. van Duyn, Marcel (October 6, 2008). "USA VC Releases: Mario Golf and Shining Force II". NintendoLife. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
3. "新作ソフトカタログ". The 64Dream. Mycom. 1997-04-21. p. 149.
4. Smith, David (August 14, 2023). "Ocarina Of Time Dev Stories, Cut Content Detailed In Recovered Japanese Interviews". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
5. "N64新作ソフトカタログ". The 64Dream. Mycom. 1998-12-18. p. 134.
6. "Mario Golf for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
7. "Mario Golf for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
8. "Mario Golf for Nintendo 64 Reviews". Metacritic.
9. Miller, Skyler. "Mario Golf (GBC) - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
10. McCall, Scott. "Mario Golf (N64) - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
11. Pogarog, Irena (December 1999). "Mario Golf". Computer and Video Games. No. 217. p. 110.
12. "Mario Golf (N64)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. 1999.
13. Whitehead, Dan (April 12, 2009). "Virtual Console Roundup (Page 2)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
14. "ゲームボーイ - マリオゴルフGB". Famitsu. Vol. 915. June 30, 2006. p. 110.
15. "ニンテンドウ64 - マリオゴルフ64". Famitsu. Vol. 915. June 30, 2006. p. 27.
16. Anderson, Paul (November 1999). "Mario Golf (GBC)". Game Informer. No. 79. Archived from the original on October 21, 2000. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
17. McNamara, Andy; Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew (August 1999). "Mario Golf (N64)". Game Informer. No. 76. p. 36. Archived from the original on March 11, 2000. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
18. Scary Larry (1999). "Mario Golf Review for N64 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on August 19, 2000. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
19. Fielder, Lauren (January 28, 2000). "Mario Golf Review (GBC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
20. Mielke, James (July 30, 1999). "Mario Golf Review (N64)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
21. Harris, Craig (October 5, 1999). "Mario Golf (GBC)". IGN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
22. Boulding, Aaron (July 28, 1999). "Mario Golf (N64)". IGN. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
23. Thomas, Lucas M. (October 6, 2008). "Mario Golf Review (Wii)". IGN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
24. Reed, Philip J. (October 15, 2012). "Review: Mario Golf (3DS eShop / Game Boy Color)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
25. van Duyn, Marcel (October 6, 2008). "Review: Mario Golf (Wii Virtual Console / Nintendo 64)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
26. "Mario Golf (GBC)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 126. November 1999.
27. "Mario Golf (N64)". Nintendo Power. Vol. 123. August 1999.
28. Scullion, Chris (January 23, 2009). "Mario Golf Review (Wii)". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.

External links

• Video games portal
• 1990s portal

• Official website
• Mario Golf Game Boy Color site in Japan
• Mario Golf (Nintendo 64) at MobyGames
• Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) at MobyGames