Metacritic Games

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)

Mario Golf 64 features an all-star line up of 16 golfers from Nintendo's cast of video game celebrities, including incredibly realistic renditions of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Each golfer has an individual set of strengths and weaknesses. One of the highlights of Mario Golf 64 is a special Time Attack Mode where players must compete to finish a round of golf as quickly as possible. We'd like to see them try that on the PGA Seniors' Tour. Mario Golf 64 features an impressive line-up of six courses, which means you have to master a total of 108 holes. An optional Club Handicap Mode ensures that you stay close to the competition, so Luigi won't get too frustrated if he falls behind. Even though the golfers are far from realistic, the physics are as authentic as possible. The CPU calculates the exact ball movement based on wind direction, the strength of the strike, and any spin you choose to place on the ball. [Nintendo]

Nintendo
Sports
Players: 4
E (Everyone)
Developer: Camelot
Released July 1, 1999

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

91 / 100

Critic Reviews

100 GamePro
Enormously fun golfing with a variety of modes to satisfy everyone from the weekend golfer to the maniacal miniature-putthead. You couldn't ask for a better tee time than Mario Golf.
100 Hot Games
Even while he's just holding a golf club, Mario still has plenty of style and charisma - as do his similarly golf mad companions that join him. Forget all the so-serious golf sims and have a round of Mario Golf.
98 Nintendojo
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.
95 Electric Playground
Wow! What an excellent game! What's surprising about Mario Golf is just how sophisticated the simulation is. Fans of the real life sport will not be disappointed by Nintendo's cartoon interpretation of it, nor will fans of the Mario games be turned off by the complexity and "just one more time" challenge found on this cartridge.
95 Game Critics
Simply the best console golf game ever made. Mario Golf will surprise you because it's much closer to a simulation than its appearance lets on. Older gamers or golf enthusiasts should definitely do like we did and put aside prejudices and give the game a shot. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.
90 Nintendorks
An amazing number of modes, a superb physics engine, a natural learning curve and some exciting multiplayer are all par for the course (sorry, so sorry). To put it succinctly, Nintendo does it again.
90 GamerWeb Nintendo
Don't care for golf? Give Mario Golf a try anyway. It is an incredibly well crafted game, and it is one of the deepest sports games available. Even for those of us who would rather undergo all sorts of pain rather than pick up a set of golf clubs, Mario Golf is a blast to play.
87 GameSpot
There are two kinds of video-game fans who play golf games: the kind who play hard-core golf simulations and the kind who play everything else. Mario Golf is, amazingly, the kind of golf game that could appeal to both. Anyone who would turn a blind eye to Mario Golf because of its exterior qualities will be missing perhaps the best golf game on a console.
85 GameShark
Possibly the best sports title for N64, and one of the best golf games to date. Most gamers and many non-gamers will find much to enjoy in this game if it is given a chance.
84 TotalGames.net
Beautifully conceived and packed chock-full of garish Mario-isms. This is far better than any other golfing effort the N64 has spewed up in the past and we had to wait for the trusty little plumber to prove again just why he's the dog's danglies at almost everything he does.
83 Gaming Age
Although I feel it is sufficiently simple for anyone to jump into and enjoy, there are those who simply don't like golf. If you really don't like golf, this is obviously not the game for you. However, to anyone else, Mario Golf is a truly fantastic title that you must try. It's simple and fun, while still being true to the game of golf.
83 IGN
When it comes to the intricacies that make golf the most loved and frustrating game on the planet, Mario Golf has it all. Challenging, but you will be drawn into it because of the nature of golf and your fear that the "little cartoon game" is mocking you.
80 All Game Guide
Nintendo has done it again. Mario Golf takes the sport and makes it more entertaining while retaining realism. Both golf fans and non-golf fans alike will find the game highly enjoyable.
80 Games Domain
It manages to be one of those rare simple-to-learn but hard-to-master games that, for the most part, end up becoming classics. Mario Golf deserves to join them. Despite the game being such fun to play, it's a bit of a shame that the courses stay soundly within the realms of the possible.

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