Pros: Graphics, gameplay, game length, fun factor
Cons: Golf with Mario characters is a little strange
The bottom line: Mario Golf is the best golf game for Nintendo 64, and it is a good buy whether you are interested in golf or not.
In Mario Golf, you take control of up to 18 different golf characters with different strengths and weaknesses including Mario, Luigi, Wario, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, and Donkey Kong. There are six 18-hole courses, and the earlier ones look like conventional golf courses while the later ones take place in unique backgrounds. Imagine playing golf in a jungle or forest!

There are quite a few different game modes as well. Tournament puts you in an 18-hole course with a leader board, and it gives the most points to open up new courses. Get Character allows you to go against computer opponents with increasing difficulty, and defeating an opponent allows you to play as him/her. In Ring Shot you have to shoot the ball through certain rings and make par. There are also 2 mini-golf courses, a Speed Golf mode, a training mode, and the Stroke mode. For 1-4 players, you can place bets in Stroke mode, play in a Match Game, a Skins Match Game, or Club Slots, in which clubs are determined by a slot machine.

The game offers different levels of challenge based on skill level. The Get Character mode and the six courses of the game start out relatively easy and progressively get significantly more challenging. As you play the Get Character Mode, you get better golfers like Mario and Bowser. Factors such as wind, type of weather, the effects of the terrain, and the lie of the ball are all well represented in the game’s physics.

The graphics are good on the Nintendo 64, and whole golf course and characters are represented with attention to detail. It is amazing that there is no fog in environments that are relatively huge golf courses. The music is alright, and it remains lively and upbeat. Each course has its own music as well as different music for different golf shots. The sound effects are appropriate.

8.5/10 (Very Good)