GENRE
	Sports
	DEVELOPER
	Camelot
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-4
	CONTROLLER PAK
	no
	RUMBLE PAK
	yes
	RAM PAK
	no
	BUY NOW AT

Golf. A game of horrible wardrobes and painfully slow action. Not exactly a sport that I get excited about watching on a Sunday afternoon. Unless, of course, an ape, dinosaur and chubby little plumber stroll onto the fairway. That's a different story altogether dojo disciples.

Mario Golf is a great example of how classic, intuitive, gameplay can still be attained without compromise. This game's excellent workmanship makes it rewarding, challenging and even exciting! One thing I love about Mario Golf is its infinite replay potential. Just like real golf, you can always pick up this cart (anytime) and hack around a bit.

This is a fantastic game whether you like sports games or not. Why? A massive replay value, killer challenge, incredible depth and outstanding control.

visuals

Classic sprite style backgrounds highlight this quirky golf fest. The look of Mario Golf 64 reminds me of the Super NES days. All of the trademark landmarks of Mario's worlds are integrated into the different courses. The nice thing about Mario Golf 64 is that you can see way into the horizon. I think this is accomplished through a layering technique and it works well. All of the adversities of the sport are graphically represeneted as well. For instance, there is rain and a very cool day night system that sees the sun set over the course of a day of golf.

The really great trademark aspect of first party Nintendo games is the graphic ease and intuitve nature of environmental or status indicators. The wind meter is cleverly displayed using a BOO and when you hit the Z button a fluff of grass shoots up to give you a better idea of the direction of the wind. In addition, it is very easy to determine where you are, where you're going and where you want to be on the hole relative to the pin thanks to the great distance indicators, club distance meters and the ingenious right shoulder button ball landing target.

All of the graphic elements of Mario Golf facilitate the mission of Camelot Software in that the visuals create a challenging landscape that's fun to tackle and easier to navigate. It is the excellent implementation of indicators and other status icons that help make Mario Golf feel so fluid, not to mention; fun. There are some pretty cool animations for the different characters to watch for too.

Graphically, this game is NOT on the scale of All Star Baseball 2000. Even though the blurry edges and flushed textures look like first generation stuff they are effective and functional. This is one game where I don't mind the fact that the graphics aren't super spectacular Hi Res goodies. Maybe because the gameplay is so potent?

By the way, make sure you leave your camera angle on DYNAMIC for the best possible visual experience.

audio

The audio of Mario Golf isn't groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination. The tunes are MIDI interpretations of classic Mario tunes and they fit in rather nicely with the feel of the game. I would have prefered some digital goodies but hey, that's okay. Why? Once again, the gameplay of Mario Golf--like all games with the name Mario in it--is freakin' phenomenal. The best thing about the game's music is that it doesn't annoy you. This is a good thing because like a serious racing game, golf doesn't lend itself well to techno tracks and other audio indulgences. Imagine trying to putt to Metallica?

The neat audio aspect of Mario Golf are the effects. Rain effects, club swings, ball hits and even the thunk of the ball on the green are all well represented. But the best effect of all are the taunts that you can hammer your opponents with using the C buttons. Each key is a different taunt and every character has their own unique taunts that they unleash. When I first heard Lugi's "four" taunt I was rolling on the floor. I could have sworn that they took the audio samples from my uncle Fernando!! The taunt system is a great aspect of the game and it's functional as well. A well timed taunt equals a missed shot by your opponent. This is definately a first for the N64 and it adds some great character to Mario Golf's interpretation of the sport.

gameplay

First party Nintendo games exhibit one thing; stunning gameplay. The easy to get into and hard to master model has served Nintendo well and it seems that they just keep getting better and better at perfecting this play model.

Mario Golf looks and sounds real cute and cuddly but wait until you try to unlock a character, putt a hole, play a tourney, speed golf, stroke or even train for shit sakes!! This game will have you perfecting your swearing to the point where an old sailor may find you offensive. No Guff. As it progresses, Mario Golf challenges the hell out of you to the point of rage! But like all Nintendo games, persistence and practice usually pay off with a great reward. When I drained a birdie to finally unlock Luigi I pumped my fist and screamed "YES!!" Only a few games can make the Mattei-meister get excited and most of them are first party Nintendo products.

What else can I say except that the game is so simple but within that veneer lies an astounding level of depth and challenge. I swear, when anyone looks back at any game with the name Mario in it they will have to say that these games are like fine art. Simple, effective and utterly brilliant. Then add in the Club slots and other multiplayer features and it's almost maddening how great this damn game is!!!!

Because of the intense challenge of this golf fest you will be trying to defeat the different modes of Mario Golf for a long time to come. I love games that never seem to end. They make you feel like your money was well spent. Believe me when I say that this game earns every cent.

multiplayer

Hey, throw in some betting, a few beers and some good friends and you've got a wack of fun. Now throw in the taunting audio that you can harrass your opponents with and shazam! Instant multiplayer success!

overall

C'mon, what do you think I'm going to say?? This game is a hole in one. You simply can't go wrong with Mario Golf whether you're a golf fan or not. If you enjoy a true challenge and great depth in your games then you'll love Mario Golf. If you are an impatient ninny that finds San Francisco Rush to be a rewarding challenge then please go buy something else.

For the rest of us--buy Mario Golf. It's a game that you'll never truly master. This is a good thing. It's a game that has a great multiplayer mode. It's a game with tonnes of unique and fun ways to enjoy the sport of golf. And most of all, it's a great game. Period. Games like this are few and far between for the 64.

9.8/10