Editing Mario Golf (series)

|image=[[File:Mario Golf Series Logo.png|280px]]<br>The current logo of the ''Mario Golf'' series

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The '''''Mario Golf''''' (マリオゴルフ ''Mario Gorufu'') series is a sports video game series primarily developed by [[Camelot Software Planning]] and published by [[Nintendo]] as a spinoff to the previous [[Golf (series)|''Golf'' series]]. The series brought the extended ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' universe to {{wp|golf}}. The first installment, ''[[NES Open Tournament Golf]]'' (or ''Mario Open Golf'' in Japan and ''Mario's Open Golf'' on the [[Nintendo PlayChoice-10]]) was a variation on the previous games in the ''Golf'' series. ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'', the first Camelot game to use the ''Super Mario'' branding and to be developed for a Nintendo system, debuted on the [[Nintendo 64]] in 1999 and was given a much different counterpart on the [[Game Boy Color]]. Releases followed of one game for both the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and the [[Game Boy Advance]], while the sixth installment was released for [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2014, and a [[Mario Golf: Super Rush|seventh installment]] released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] in 2021. Some games in the series feature role-playing game elements.

In the original NES game, the holes are located in [[Japan]], the [[United States]], and the [[United Kingdom]], with other locations appearing in the Japanese version. In single-player mode, only Mario is playable, but Luigi is playable in multiplayer, and other pre-existing ''Super Mario'' characters make smaller appearances. Luigi and several original characters appear as opponents.  

In Camelot's ''Mario Golf'' games, players can play as a variety of recurring ''Super Mario'' characters, including Mario, [[Luigi]], [[Princess Peach]], [[Baby Mario]], [[Yoshi]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Wario]], and [[Bowser]] among others. The first and second generation ''Mario Golf'' games also feature original human characters created by Camelot specifically for these games, such as [[Kid]], [[Plum]], [[Sonny (Mario Golf)|Sonny]], or [[Harry (Mario Golf)|Harry]]; none of these characters have made any reappearances outside of the series save for Plum, who has appeared as a trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and as a sticker in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and Kid, who has appeared in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' as a spirit.

''Mario Golf'' games are typical golf games, where the player's objective is to hit the ball into the hole using as few strokes as possible. The games in the series specifically have simplified "pick-up-and-play" type gameplay, which does away with many of the complicated real-life aspects of golf as found in other games relating to the sport. However, despite the simplicity of the games' appearance and play style, they run on very deep {{wp|game engine}}s. Before each swing, the player chooses a club, a general direction, and a range for the ball to travel. During the swing, the player determines power by timing a button press for a marker to stop at the desired point on a power meter; at this point, the player can choose to influence the direction of the ball by applying spin. Players can alternate between auto and manual shots, with the latter providing the player with more control, albeit at a higher risk of a poor shot. Many of these gameplay aspects, such as spin, are affected by characters' individual statistics. These relate to features such as control of the ball and the general height of shots, which determines how much the character's play is affected by environmental factors like wind, rain, and relief of the land. The first- and second-generation ''Mario Golf'' home console games also have characters use recorded voice samples to comment on their opponents' shots.

''Mario Golf'' games contain several gameplay modes and variants of golf, including the traditional stroke and match play, speed golf, ring shot, mini golf, and skins match. The main mode is "Tournament Mode", where the player competes against {{wp|artificial intelligence}} (AI) opponents on a series of courses to win trophies. With the progression of the series, new modes were introduced, such as "Character Match", where characters battle computer-designated AI opponents to be upgraded into "star characters" and gain statistical enhancements; "Coin Attack", where players can collect coins scattered around courses; and "Ring Attack", where players are required to direct the ball through rings of varying locations, angles, and diameter while keeping on or under par.

The handheld ''Mario Golf'' games are styled after {{wp|Role-playing video game|role-playing games}}. They feature an overworld map, where the player can walk around and interact with different courses, characters, and objects. There are golfing clubs which hold tournaments. The player controls a golf player (either male or female) and aims to win the aforementioned tournaments. There are also side courses where the player can train or earn special clubs. Each of the courses has two places of interest: the main golf course and the practice area. The main course is accessed by entering tourneys or playing practice rounds, and the practice area allows players to test their skill with minigames.

In the first handheld ''Mario Golf'' and ''Advance Tour'', the golfing clubs are named [[Marion Course|Marion]], [[Palms Course|Palms]], [[Dunes Course|Dunes]], and [[Links Course|Links]]. The player character achieves the goal of becoming the "ultimate golfer" by winning the tournaments in the aforementioned clubs, defeating their champions in match games, and earning the right to engage in a one-on-one match against Mario, who in the context of these games is the world's ultimate golfing champion. In addition to its main course and practice area, Marion features a third place of interest: the clubhouse, which is where the player characters are based and can talk to other golfers. By progressing through the game and completing its various elements, the player can gain experience to distribute among the two characters to enhance both their drive as well as their hitting capabilities. As a character levels up in those games, they gain stat points to improve their abilities.

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:NESOTG cover NA.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|Japan|September 20, 1991}} [[Family Computer|FC]]/[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]</span>

|'''''NES Open Tournament Golf''''' is a golf game released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. The game features [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] as playable characters along with [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]] and [[Princess Daisy]] as their caddies. Additionally, various other humans made their appearance, including [[Steve (NES Open Tournament Golf)|Steve]] (beginner), [[Mark (NES Open Tournament Golf)|Mark]] (amateur), [[Tony (NES Open Tournament Golf)|Tony]] (semi-professional), and [[Billy]] (professional). Despite using ''Super Mario'' branding, the game gives Mario title billing in the Japanese release only. In the American version, the graphics differ slightly, and the soundtrack has been changed.

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Mario Golf 64 box.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|Japan|June 11, 1999}} [[Nintendo 64]]  

|'''''Mario Golf''''', for [[Nintendo 64]], is a 3D golfing simulator featuring the standard cast of ''Super Mario'' characters along with a new cast of human characters exclusive to the game. Players could choose to play through tournaments and special challenges in the single player mode. The ordinary basics of the multiplayer side of the game were the strokes and match play modes, with special modes including a mini-putt mode (called "Putt-Putt") and a practice mode.

It was rereleased for Wii initially in 2008 and for Wii U in 2015 through Virtual Console, and for [[Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online]] in 2022.

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MarioGolfGBCBoxArtCover.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|Japan|August 5, 1999}} [[Game Boy Color]]

|'''''Mario Golf''''', for the [[Game Boy Color]], was released shortly after the home console game. This version has a very different premise apart from its Nintendo 64 counterpart with much of the single player mode played like an RPG, where players can choose one of four characters and conquer the challenges of the golf world. The game also features a multiplayer mode and special free-play modes for players interested solely in the golfing portion of the game and those who had finished or wanted a break from the main quest.

 

The portable game could link up to the Nintendo 64 version via the use of that console's [[Transfer Pak]], and characters trained in the Game Boy Color version could then be played in the Nintendo 64 version like any other character.

It was rereleased for Nintendo 3DS through Virtual Console, initially in 2012, and for [[Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online]] in 2024.

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Mario Golf Toadstool Tour.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|USA|July 28, 2003}} [[Nintendo GameCube]]</span>

|'''''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour''''' was the next entry in the series, released for the [[Nintendo GameCube]]. The game takes the basic formula of the N64 version with some minor revisions made. The main appeals of this entry were the highly updated graphics and improved swing system. New guides on the interface showed players exactly how much power they needed to land the ball exactly where they wanted it. Players still need to factor in the wind, the ball lie, and deal with their slicing or drawing the ball.  

 

New playable characters added in this installment include Daisy, [[Koopa Troopa]], [[Diddy Kong]], [[Waluigi]], [[Birdo]], [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Boo]], [[Shadow Mario]], and [[Petey Piranha]].

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Mariogolfgba.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|Japan|April 22, 2004}} [[Game Boy Advance]] </span>

|'''''Mario Golf: Advance Tour''''' is another title for the series, it was released for the [[Game Boy Advance]], and is the handheld counterpart to ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour''. While the gameplay is identical to that its home console counterpart, as well as the game's new visuals impressed with pre-rendered sprites and [[wikipedia:Mode 7|Mode 7]] scaling for the golf courses, the content is very similar to that of its handheld predecessor, continuing the RPG-style. The main story follows two fledgling golfers named [[Neil]] and [[Ella]] in their quest to become world-class golfers.  

 

This game can be linked to its home console counterpart via the Nintendo GameCube - Game Boy Advance cable as can be use to unlock new features such as Neil and Ella, after being trained up, could be transferred onto ''Toadstool Tour'' as playable characters, where they also gain their own custom taunts and support messages like the other playable characters. Additionally, [[List of Mario Golf: Advance Tour star courses|star versions]] of various courses and new characters can be unlock in the game based on the number of [[Best Badge]]s earned from ''Toadstool Tour''.

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Box NA - Mario Golf World Tour.jpg|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|Japan|May 1, 2014}} [[Nintendo 3DS]]</span>

|'''''Mario Golf: World Tour''''' is a title released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. It introduces a number of new features into the series, including gyroscope support, online multiplayer, Item Shots, and downloadable content. Like ''[[Mario Tennis Open]]'', it feature [[Mii]]s as playable characters (a first for the ''Mario Golf'' series) and [[List of Mario Golf: World Tour Mii gear|unlockable outfits]] for them. The game also includes Castle Club, a story mode where the player's Mii can compete in different tournaments.

 

Beside Miis, new playable characters to the series introduced in this installment include [[Toad]], [[Kamek]], and [[Koopa Paratroopa]] as unlockable characters, as well as [[Gold Mario]], [[Toadette]], [[Nabbit]], and [[Rosalina]] as characters available through add-on content.

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:Mario Golf Super Rush NA cover.png|145x145px]]<br><span style="font-size:8pt">June 25, 2021<br>[[Nintendo Switch]]</span>

|'''''Mario Golf: Super Rush''''' was released for the Nintendo Switch. The game includes many new features and several modes, as well as a reimagined version of Speed Golf, where players must travel across the courses to physically run to their ball in-between shots under time pressure. A Story Mode, called Golf Adventure, is also included, where the player's Mii can go through a variety of unique challenges and level up on their stats. Motion or button controls can be used to play either way.

===Related===

|style="text-align:center"|[[File:MarioSportsSuperstarsBoxArt.png|145x145px]]<span style="font-size:8pt"><br>{{release|Europe|March 10, 2017}} [[Nintendo 3DS]]</span>

||A Nintendo 3DS game that was released in March 2017. Golf, developed by Camelot like the main series, is included as one of the five sports available. [[Metal Mario]] returns after being playable once in the Nintendo 64 version of ''Mario Golf'', and [[Baby Luigi]] and [[Pink Gold Peach]], both characters that have yet to be playable in the main ''Mario Golf'' series, are playable characters in this game.

! width=8%|''[[Golf: Japan Course|Japan Course]]'' / ''[[Golf: US Course|US Course]]''

!style="background:darkgray" data-sort-value="zz" | [[Ken (Mobile Golf)|Ken]]