Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Lauren Fielder
• Reviewed on: 01/28/2000
• Updated on: 02/27/2004
• Originally published on GameSpot: Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) Review

One of the first bits of text you'll see when you fire up Mario Golf on the Game Boy Color is a line that reads, "Everyone who tries golf falls in love with the sport." Nintendo obviously hasn't tried its collective corporate hand at the slew of golf titles out there that not only threaten to make first-time golfers run away screaming, but try the patience of even the most seasoned, tolerant golf-video-game fan. Nintendo's naiveté certainly has something to do with the fact that its Mario Golf game on the N64 is probably one of the coolest things to happen to the sport and that the Game Boy Color version is no exception.

There are several modes of play: tournament, match game, stroke, training, and a vs. mode for two players. You start out each game, no matter which, at the clubhouse. This is where you choose and create your golfer, go through training, and generally find out anything you need to know about the game you're about to enter. When creating a player, you choose a male or female and give this golfer a name. You then enter the Marion Club as a student. Your goal? Become a pro and meet up with Mario, the "best golfer who's ever lived."

The match game pits you against one of several other golfers. Two are available immediately, and you'll open up others as you go along. You play 18 holes, and the best score wins. Throughout the game, you'll have other objectives to meet, such as winning the longest-drive competition or earning marks for getting your ball closest to the pin on the first drive.

Stroke mode is a basic practice round that lets you train and open up characters. Tournament mode is an ongoing event that places you against strings of other golfers. Training mode teaches you how to approach different types of situations, judge the wind, and choose which club to use for what type of shot, and so forth. The vs. mode is just that - you play against a linked friend. There are four courses to start out with, and they offer a variety of terrain features, such as seaside, dunes, the basic Marion Club course and the Palm Club level. If playing 18 holes of golf on these courses doesn't grab you, there's also a minigame event that lets you compete for stars.

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