Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)

Mario Golf is a video game for the Nintendo 64 released by Nintendo in 1999. It was developed by Camelot Software Planning.

Though several sports games featured Mario characters in the past, Mario Golf is considered the first game in the modern "Mario Sports" line. It would be followed by several titles encompassing a variety of sports.

The game was re-released on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2008.

Gameplay
Mario Golf is a golf game which combines largely traditional mechanics and gameplay devices with a cartoonish presentation, and a roster of characters and hazards taken from the Mario universe. It differs from the Game Boy Color version in that it does not feature role-playing game elements.

The basic gameplay uses the typical "sliding bar" mechanism of most golf video games, with several variables which must be anticipated, such as character attributes, wind strength and direction, rain, ball spin, and course topography. The gameplay modes include speed golf, ring shot, mini golf and skins match.

Interactions with Mario Golf GBC
Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64 has the ability to link and exchange data with Game Boy Color version of the same game. With the use of the Nintendo 64 Transfer Pak, the player can use his character from the Game Boy Color version to play through the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Golf.

Courses

 * Toad Highlands
 * Koopa Park
 * Shy Guy Desert
 * Yoshi's Island
 * Boo Valley
 * Mario's Star
 * Luigi's Garden
 * Mario's Power Star Holes
 * Hole 1 - Yoshi
 * Hole 2 - Boo
 * Hole 3 - Wiggler
 * Hole 4 - Cheep Cheep
 * Hole 5 - Thwomp
 * Hole 6 - Lakitu
 * Hole 7 - Shy Guy
 * Hole 8 - Piranha Plant
 * Hole 9 - Bowser
 * Hole 10 - Koopa Troopa
 * Hole 11 - Bullet Bill
 * Hole 12 - Toad
 * Hole 13 - Goomba
 * Hole 14 - Chain Chomp
 * Hole 15 - Blooper
 * Hole 16 - Princess Peach
 * Hole 17 - Bob-omb
 * Hole 18 - Mario and Luigi

Characters
The following is a list of default characters in the order of which they are unlocked. For a list of character quotes see List of Quotes in the Mario Golf Series. Kid, Joe, Sherry, and Azalea can also be unlocked through a Transfer Pak.

References to Other Games

 * Wario Land II and Wario Land 3 - One of Wario's alternate color schemes in Mario Golf is the monochromatic outfit he wears throughout these games.
 * The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Many names of characters in this game appear on the score board.
 * Super Mario 64 - Names of several characters in this game appear on the score Board, and many sound effects from this game are used. Also Metal Mario is playable.
 * Star Fox 64 - Many characters from this game appear on the score board.

References in Later Games

 * Super Smash Bros. Melee - Plum returns as a trophy.
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Plum appears as a sticker.

Reception
Mario Golf generally garnered favorable reviews. It would later be re-released as a Nintendo 64 "Player's Choice" title, indicating it sold over 1 million copies.

Trivia

 * Wario's shoes are pink in this game rather than the usual green. His shoes are green, however, in the game's artwork. The shoes would be changed back to green in Camelot's next game, Mario Tennis.
 * The European/PAL version of the game has a different intro theme.

Sequels
The game was followed by 2003's Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour for GameCube. Portable iterations of the series have appeared on Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance.