TBT - King Of The Links

With Campeau talking about Mario Tennis the other day, it's a funny coincidence that I planned on talking about the Game Boy (GB) version of Mario Golf for my throw back this week. This game (along with Mario Tennis for the GB) was like the "Be A Pro" mode in an EA Sport's game before it ever existed, and was arguably the ultimate mix between RPG and Sports game.

When Mario Golf originally came out for the N64, I was all over it. Don't ask me why I like golf so much, it's not even a sport I'm good at in real life, but there is just something about the gentleman's game. Mario Golf for the N64 was a pretty basic golf game, nothing extravagant, just solid golf. A few different modes here and there but it ultimately came down to it being a multiplayer game.

The GB version however couldn't have been more different and my god, do I wish Nintendo would just start making console games like this! My point being that for the most part, when Nintendo makes console games, they are always so focused on multiplayer (local multiplayer of course, since their online infrastructure is atrocious). Ever since the N64 came out and had built in 4 player support, they took complete advantage of it. The only problem is that all their genius single player games moved over to the handhelds. Case and point: Pokemon will never be the same on console as it is on a handheld, but why Nintendo; why!?

Like I mentioned earlier, it's a sport-RPG. You create your own character and traverse the world playing golf. As you continue to play rounds you gain XP points and level up. Just like in any other RPG, when you level up you get to put attribute points into whichever stat you so desire. Want your drive distance to be longer? Done. How about a better putting ability? You can do that too!

As you continue along your path to becoming the greatest golfer in the Mushroom Kingdom, you can get invited to tournaments. You even meet and play skins matches against the "pros"—of course pros being Mario and his posse of regulars—you can even purchase new gear with your winnings.

One thing Mario Golf has over any of the "Be A Pro" modes in an EA sport's game is that golf is an individual effort. No need to worry about anyone on your team letting in a softy or giving up the ball at a very inopportune time: that right there just removes any anxiety or frustration rooted in this type of mode. Tiger Woods PGA Tour games try to do the same thing, but I just don't get the same feeling as when I was a kid playing on my Game Boy.

I think the main reason why would be the lack of real progression. In Mario Golf, you started off pretty shitty, but were able to achieve something awesome by the end of the game. In Tiger Woods, I feel as though it just sort of starts you off as a pro, and the amount your character's skills actually progress vs. how much equipment does for you is practically negligible.

If Nintendo has this version of Mario Golf on the Virtual Console for the DS/3DS, I would highly recommend picking it up, well worth your time.