A golfing RPG!?! Believe it!
User Rating: 9.2 | Mario Golf GB GBC
Mario Golf for the GBC is more than just an N64 port, it is a completely differnet game than it's big 64-bit brother but in many ways a better game. If you've ever played Hot Shots Golf or Mario Golf on the N64 or GameCube before, then you have a basic idea on how the golf-aspect works in this game. To swing, you tap the button, then tap it again at the end of the meter for the desired power and then you want to tap it as close to the sweet spot on the way back as possible (this controls how straight your shot will be). This 3-tap system has been used many times before in Hot Shots Golf (the first HSG was made by the same company as Mario Golf) and is quite similar to the one used in Golf for the GB and NES Open. This system works and makes sense. At the start of the game, you pick a new golfer who will start at level 1. You start out at the Marion Golf Club and get a basic tutorial on how the game works. Mario Golf is pretty easy to get into and the tutorial clears up anything you might have a question about. You can walk around exploring the club house for items and info. Sometimes there will even be people who will give you "quests" or challenge you. The quests are simple score targets to scaring away crows from a putting green (by chipping ball as them of course). As you play games of golf, participate in tournaments or help people out you will gain experience and gain levels. When you gain a new level, you get to distribute points to your attributes. You can increase things like your control and shot distance, but a lot of times increasing one stat too much causes another one to wane. If you continually increase your shot distance, your control will dip and you will gain a hook or slice. Leveling up is a constant balancing act. The eventual goal of the game is to get to the Mushroom Kingdom Cup to face off against Mario. There are 5 18-hole courses to play on, each with its own tournaments and goals. The gameplay is very polished, every bit as good as Hot Shots Golf. The graphics are nice for the GBC and do a good job representing golf courses. The audio is clean but forgetable. Overall, Mario Golf for the GBC is a very good golf game to travel with, or even play at home as it is a decidely different experience than console versions of Mario Golf or Hot Shots Golf.
