Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)
| Mario Golf | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 For alternate box art, see therelated gallery. | |||||||||
| Developer | Camelot Software Planning | ||||||||
| Publisher | Nintendo | ||||||||
| Platforms | Game Boy Color,LodgeNet,Virtual Console (Nintendo 3DS),Game Boy - Nintendo Classics | ||||||||
| Release dates | Game Boy Color: August 10, 1999[1] October 5, 1999[2] October 26, 1999[?] October 26, 1999[?]Virtual Console (3DS): October 3, 2012[?] October 11, 2012[?] May 29, 2014[?] May 29, 2014[?]Virtual Console (3DS) (Promotional Release): | ||||||||
| Languages | English Japanese | ||||||||
| Genre | Golf | ||||||||
| Ratings |
| ||||||||
| Modes | Single-player 1-2 player multiplayer | ||||||||
| Format | Nintendo Switch:  Digital downloadGame Boy Color:  Game PakNintendo 3DS: Digital download | ||||||||
| Input | Nintendo Switch:  Joy-Con (horizontal)Game Boy Color: Nintendo 3DS: | ||||||||
| Serial codes | CGB-AWXJ-JPN CGB-AWXE-USA CGB-AWXP-EUR | ||||||||
March 12, 2024
March 12, 2024
- Everyone
- Three years and older
- All ages
- General
Mario Golf is the fifth installment of theMario Golf series and its first handheld installment. It was released for theGame Boy Color in 1999, a few months after theNintendo 64 version. It provides capability to interact with its home console counterpart.
The game was re-released via theNintendo 3DS'sVirtual Console on October 2012 in Japan and North America, and on May 2014 in Europe and Australia, as well as forGame Boy - Nintendo Classics on March 2024.
Gameplay[edit]
Though this game has the exact same name and a similar cover as its 64-bit predecessor, it has many variations.Camelot made a normal mode of golfing, similar to that of the Nintendo 64 version, in which the player chooses one of four characters to conquer the challenges of the golf world. However, the developer also included a new, more-involved mode of gameplay.
This new mode of gameplay had traits similar to that of a role-playing game. The player was granted the ability to control their character more freely. This game mode allowed much character interaction and environmental exploration, making this game have a slightly more detailed story than those in the rest of theseries. The player can alsolevel up, allowing characters to be more successful at golfing.
Mario Golf can link with the identically titled Nintendo 64 game viaTransfer Pak, allowing the player to transfer data from oneMario Golf to the other. By doing so, the player can play as characters specifically in the Game Boy Color installment on their Nintendo 64 installment ofMario Golf. The game also features a multi-player mode (unavailable in the Nintendo 3DS emulation), allowing separate players to interact in one game. It also features a special free-play mode for players interested in the golfing portion of the game; this gaming mode has no effect on the main quest.
After clearing theDune Club tournament, the player can participate in a single-player-only, alternate-rules game (a doubles match) withLime,Lily, andFlint.
Characters[edit]
Default[edit]
Story mode characters[edit]
These characters can only be played as after being chosen for use in the story mode.
| Character | Distance | Trajectory | Height | Meet Area | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kid | 202 Yards | Draw +1 | -2 | +2 | +1 |
 Sherry | 200 Yards | Straight | -1 | +3 | +3 |
 Azalea | 204 Yards | Fade +1 | -1 | +3 | +2 |
 Joe | 205 Yards | Draw +2 | -2 | +2 | +2 |
Super Mario characters[edit]
| Character | Distance | Trajectory |
|---|---|---|
 Mario | 270 Yards | Draw +2 |
 Luigi | 220 Yards | Fade +2 |
Unlockable[edit]
Each of the characters are unlocked by defeating them in Match Play.
Story mode characters[edit]
| Character | Distance | Trajectory |
|---|---|---|
 Putts | 200 Yards | Draw +1 |
 Grace | 220 Yards | Straight |
 Tiny | 250 Yards | Draw |
 Gene Yuss | 240 Yards | Fade |
Super Mario characters[edit]
| Character | Distance | Trajectory |
|---|---|---|
 Wario | 250 Yards | Fade |
Non-playable characters[edit]
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- Princess Peach
- Yoshi
- Donkey Kong
- Baby Mario
- Bowser
- Bob-omb
- Shy Guy
- Toad
- Bloober
- Bud
- Pro
- Plum
- Lime
- Lily
- Flint
- Golf Guru
- Charlie (mentioned)
- Sonny (mentioned)
- Harry (mentioned)
- Maple (mentioned)
- Metal Mario (mentioned)
- Link (mentioned)
Courses[edit]
- Marion Club
- Palm Club
- Dune Club
- Links Club
- Peach's Castle (unlockable)
- Golf Guru's Pitch and Putt (unlockable)
Field courses[edit]
- Windy Valley Special Hole
- Mini-Mini Lake Course
- Tiny-Tots Golf Grounds
- Raven Woods Golf Course
- Golf Guru's Pitch and Putt
Other locations[edit]
Reception[edit]
Mario Golf received highly positive reviews. IGN gaveMario Golf a perfect score of 10 out of 10, calling it one of the few must-buy games for theGame Boy Color. They also praised it for extending the standards for audio quality in a Game Boy Color game.[4] GameSpot did not enjoy it as much, giving it a 7.2 of 10. They criticized it, saying that some of the mechanics could have used some work, such as putting. However, they feel it to be an excellent adaptation of theconsole version.[5] Famitsu gave the Game Boy Color version a 30 out of 40.
| Reviews | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release | Reviewer, Publication | Score | Comment |
| Nintendo 3DS | Philip J Reed,Nintendo Life | 7/10 | "The GBC version of Mario Golf is a lovely, fun little game to have on the go. It's all down to personal preference whether this is a step forward or a step back from NES Open Tournament Golf, but there's little to complain about here. The RPG elements are wisely optional, which means that they're here for anyone who might enjoy them, and can be totally absent from the experience for those who find it a distraction. Mario Golf provides a solid golfing experience with a stellar presentation, and should be worth a download for fans who don't already have an alternative on their 3DS." |
| Game Boy Color | Lauren Fielder,GameSpot | 7.2/10 | "All in all, Mario Golf is an excellent adaptation of the N64 title, and it's a Game Boy experience that stands well on its own. The music is even reflective of the N64's - it varies, depending on how well you're doing, and it's constant without being annoying. The only thing missing, audiowise, are the taunts, and frankly, you'll probably do just fine on your own." |
| Game Boy Color | Craig Harris,IGN | 10/10 | "Guys and gals, I don't care if you're not into golf, you must add Mario Golf to your library of Game Boy Color games. This game is the perfect title to complement your collection. It's got it all, tons of variety, pick-up-and-play controls, N64 connectivity... and it's great fun, especially in the later levels. The early challenges from the pros are decidedly easy to get through, you'll see them throw easy, five foot putts to give you the lead. But when you go up against Mario in the Tournaments, watch out. Mario Golf is by far the best portable version of golf ¿ and it even comes close to toppling some of the PC golf offerings as well." |
| Aggregators | |||
| Compiler | Platform / Score | ||
| GameRankings | 87.65% | ||
Gallery[edit]
- For this subject's image gallery, seeGallery:Mario Golf (Game Boy Color).
Staff[edit]
- Main article:List of Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) staff
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | マリオゴルフGB[6] Mario Gorufu GB | Mario Golf GB |
Notes[edit]
- In the game, four1-Up Mushrooms can be found scattered around the map which reward the player with a level up.
- Similarly, the four main characters of the game can be found hidden in various areas (note: players cannot find the character that the player uses.)
- By holding
while choosing a character, the player can play left-handed. However, this does not apply to the four main characters (Azalea, Joe, Kid, and Sherry). - This game, along withMario Tennis on theNintendo 64 and theGame Boy Color, can no longer be transferred on theVirtual Console andNintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online release since theNintendo 3DS andNintendo Switch are not compatible with the Nintendo 64 / Game Boy ColorTransfer Pak.
- This game has a television commercial in which Mario appears placing a purple Game Boy Color as a golf ball, ready to hit it. In the Latin American version of this commercial, Mario is also voiced byCharles Martinet, marking the first time that Mario is seen speaking officially in Spanish (the second instance being in the European and Latin American Spanish dub forThe Super Mario Bros. Movie).[7]
- The Japanese version of the game swaps Lily and Lime's names.[8]
- Mario Golf's cover and artwork portray Mario and Luigi as wearing their standard attire. In the actual game, both brothers wear short-sleeved polo shirts in their respective colors and long white pants.
References[edit]
- ^マリオゴルフGB.Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Japanese). Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^Super Smash Bros. BrawlChronicle
- ^@NintendoAmerica (March 11, 2024)."Oh yeah! Three classic games featuring Mario are now live for #NintendoSwitchOnline members! #GameBoy: ☑️ Dr. Mario Game Boy Color: ☑️ Mario Tennis ☑️ Mario Golf".X (American English). Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^Harris, Craig (October 6, 1999).Mario Golf.IGN (English). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Fielder, Lauren (January 28, 2000).Mario Golf Review.GameSpot (English). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Japanese logo
- ^nidorino (August 29, 2013).Mario Golf (GBC) (Comercial latino).YouTube (Spanish). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^The Cutting Floor: Mario Golf (Game Boy Color).
External links[edit]
 | The Cutting Room Floor has an article onMario Golf. |
[Edit] Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Default | Azalea •Joe •Kid •Luigi •Mario •Sherry |
| Unlockable | Gene •Grace •Putts •Tiny •Wario | |
| Non-playable | Peach •Yoshi •Donkey Kong •Baby Mario •Bowser •Bob-omb •Shy Guy •Toad •Blooper •Bud •Pro •Plum •Lime •Lily •Flint •Golf Guru | |
| Locations | Marion Club •Palm Club •Dune Club •Links Club •Peach's Castle •Windy Valley Special Hole •Mini-Mini Lake Course •Tiny-Tots Golf Grounds •Raven Woods Golf Course •Golf Guru's Pitch and Putt •Golf Clinic •Club Maker's Hut | |
| Further info | 1999 Nintendo Power Awards •Gallery •Golfing terms •Power Shot •Staff | |
[Edit] Game Boy Colorgames | |
|---|---|
| Super Mario franchise | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (1999) •Mario Golf (1999) •Mario Tennis (2000) •Mobile Golf (2001) •Mario Family (2001) |
| Donkey Kong franchise | Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong (2000) •Donkey Kong Country (2000) |
| Wario franchise | Wario Land II* (1998) •Wario Land 3 (2000) |
| Other | Game Boy Color Promotional Demo (1998) •Game & Watch Gallery 2* (1998) •The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX* (1998) •Game & Watch Gallery 3* (1999) |
* Backwards compatible with theGame Boy | |
