Mario Golf (GC)

UncleSporky

Mario Golf is an amazing game.

I bought it a few years back because a coworker insisted it was super great. I told him I didn't play sport games, even off-sports like golf, and he told me that he didn't either and that I really just had to try it. I am so glad I did.

My favorite part is how it feels like a perfect marriage between real golf and miniature golf with a fun fantasy setting. It strikes the right blend of wacky hijinks and simulation. For example, you have surreal rock and land formations, things like giant pipes buried halfway in the ground, and yet your ball interacts with them fairly realistically. I'm playing from branch to giant branch in the treetops, but I still have to take wind into acount and put the right amount of spin on the ball.

I love the way they handled the aiming, having an arch you can fly along that shows your ball's ideal expected path but having it impacted by wind and your own imperfect timing.

And of course the courses are awe-inspiring in their design.

Watch the fantastic intro here.

I made this thread because:
- If you've never played it, you should play it at least once
- If you have it, you should play it again right now (looks great on the Wii!)
- We should make wild and unfounded speculation about a DS or Wii entry into this franchise

I never played the GBA one but I heard it was great too. Ever since that mediocre DS golf game I've expected a DS version, but so far it's not looking too likely...

earthwormadam

The game is alright, but also one of the most frustrating games I've ever played. For me, it just wasn't that fun to play.

I would have prefered it be more arcadey and less what it is. I hope they build up a Wii version from the ground up and really evaluate what makes a golf game fun.

elkatas

Yeah, Mario Gold was good, solid game, easily one of the better Gamecube games. In general Mario Sports titles have been very good, though I have heard Mario Baseball wasn't really that great.

LBD_Nytetrayn

We just need an all-encompassing Mario sports thread.

Mario Golf is a favorite. I really wish I owned it.

bruin

I'm holding out for a Wii version for the waggle.

Willeth

This game will always have a special place in my heart - NOM UK had their own course in it that was only unlockable through a code, and I wrote the guide for it in that issue. If anyone has the code for that course I'd love to play it again.

LBD_Nytetrayn

I'd expect it to play like a more elaborate, Mario-fied version of Wii Sports Golf, personally.

tulkas

elkatas wrote: »

Yeah, Mario Gold was good, solid game, easily one of the better Gamecube games. In general Mario Sports titles have been very good, though I have heard Mario Baseball wasn't really that great.

Mario Baseball was horrible.

Craveon

I passed on this one because I already played the GBA version from start to finish, and I heard that one was just like this game, except with more stuff (extensive RPQ quest/adventure mode, secret areas and modes, etc.). Is this correct or is the GC version still worth playing if you already saw every nook and cranny of Advance Tour? It does seem like just a watered down version of the GBA game in every area except graphics of course, but maybe this is an erratic judgment.

Quintile

I love Mario Golf for Gamecube!

Every Sunday I have three friends over and we play a tournament or two, and keep track of our scores (both of that match and overall) and we have rankings and stuff. It's surprisingly fun!

http://jordan.webkore.net/golf/golf.php?func=cups

Having the rankings motivates us to play better and to try and improve, but it is always just lots of fun, laughing and making fun of each others horrible shots.

Besides Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, and the golf mini-game in Super Monkey Ball 2, I've never played a golf game before, and I don't feel like I need to because Mario Golf does exactly what I want.

FaceballMcDougal

Hot Shots series kinda owns it... strip away the Mario brand and it's really not that great of a golf game.

Willeth

Craveon wrote: »

I passed on this one because I already played the GBA version from start to finish, and I heard that one was just like this game, except with more stuff (extensive RPQ quest/adventure mode, secret areas and modes, etc.). Is this correct or is the GC version still worth playing if you already saw every nook and cranny of Advance Tour? It does seem like just a watered down version of the GBA game in every area except graphics of course, but maybe this is an erratic judgment.

I'm pretty sure you can carry over your golfer's stats from Advance Tour into Toadstool Tour using a linkuparoonie.

Quintile

Willeth wrote: »

Craveon wrote: »

I passed on this one because I already played the GBA version from start to finish, and I heard that one was just like this game, except with more stuff (extensive RPQ quest/adventure mode, secret areas and modes, etc.). Is this correct or is the GC version still worth playing if you already saw every nook and cranny of Advance Tour? It does seem like just a watered down version of the GBA game in every area except graphics of course, but maybe this is an erratic judgment.

I'm pretty sure you can carry over your golfer's stats from Advance Tour into Toadstool Tour using a linkuparoonie.

I don't think you can because in Advance Tour you play as (from what I understand) a bunch of random kids as golfers, where in Mario Golf for GC, you play as Mario and friends.

There are no golfer stats or anything.

Willeth

From Nintendo.com:

"Get connected! Link up with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour on the Nintendo GameCube to unlock features and transfer your characters."

Quintile

Willeth wrote: »

From Nintendo.com:

"Get connected! Link up with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour on the Nintendo GameCube to unlock features and transfer your characters."

Yeah I don't get it. It's listed on the back of the case as well (link compatible) but it doesn't mention it in the manual or in the game.

Maybe it's a hidden feature or something.

edit: apparently it is quite hidden: linky to a FAQ

Craveon

Willeth wrote: »

Craveon wrote: »

I passed on this one because I already played the GBA version from start to finish, and I heard that one was just like this game, except with more stuff (extensive RPQ quest/adventure mode, secret areas and modes, etc.). Is this correct or is the GC version still worth playing if you already saw every nook and cranny of Advance Tour? It does seem like just a watered down version of the GBA game in every area except graphics of course, but maybe this is an erratic judgment.

I'm pretty sure you can carry over your golfer's stats from Advance Tour into Toadstool Tour using a linkuparoonie.

Oh I don't mean that, I mean how the GC game compares to the GBA game.

Dodge Aspen

I have both versions. They are very different.

The best part of the GBA one is building up your character, earning respect, and collecting the trophies for your room.

The GC one has none of that, and that's why I don't like it as much. The best part is the challenges and the awesome courses. Still terrific though.

You can bring your built up Advance Tour characters over to Toadstool Tour via the GBA link cable. The guy and the girl are rendered in the same 3D graphic style as the rest of the GC cast, and you can kick ass with them in Toadstool Tour. It is a very cool feature, that is easily read about in the Advance Tour instruction book.