Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)
- This article is about the Game Boy Color game named Mario Golf. For the Nintendo 64 game of the same name, see Mario Golf (Nintendo 64). For the series as a whole, see Mario Golf (series).
| Mario Golf | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 For alternate box art, see the game's gallery. | |||
| Developer | Camelot Software Planning | ||
| Publisher | Nintendo | ||
| Platform(s) | Game Boy Color, Virtual Console (Nintendo 3DS), Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online | ||
| Release date | Game Boy Color: Template:Release Virtual Console (3DS): Template:Release Virtual Console (3DS) (Promotional Release): | ||
| Language(s) | English (United States) Japanese | ||
| Genre | Golf | ||
| Rating(s) |
| ||
| Mode(s) | Single-player 1-2 player multiplayer | ||
| Format | Nintendo Switch:  Digital downloadGame Boy Color:
 Game PakNintendo 3DS: Digital download | ||
| Input | Nintendo Switch: Game Boy Color:
Nintendo 3DS:
| ||
- Everyone
Mario Golf is the second installment in the Mario Golf series and its first handheld installment. It was released for the Game Boy Color and provides the capability to interact with its Nintendo 64 counterpart. It was released four months after the Nintendo 64 version.
Gameplay
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 the series. The player could also Level Up, allowing characters to be more successful at golfing.
New features
Mario Golf for the Game Boy Color has the ability to link with Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64. With the use of the Transfer Pak, the player can transfer data from one version of Mario Golf to the other. By doing so, the player can play as characters specifically in the Nintendo 64 installment on their Game Boy Color installment of Mario 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.
Characters
Default
Story mode characters
These characters can only be played as after being chosen for use in the story mode.
| Kid | Sherry | Joe | Azalea | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| ||||
| Distance | 202 Yards | Distance | 200 Yards | Distance | 205 Yards | Distance | 204 Yards |
| Trajectory | Draw +1 | Trajectory | Straight | Trajectory | Draw +2 | Trajectory | Fade +1 |
| Height | -2 | Height | -1 | Height | -2 | Height | -1 |
| Meet Area | +2 | Meet Area | +3 | Meet Area | +2 | Meet Area | +3 |
| Control | +1 | Control | +3 | Control | +2 | Control | +2 |
Super Mario characters
| Mario | Luigi | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Distance | 270 Yards | Distance | 220 Yards |
| Trajectory | Draw +2 | Trajectory | Fade +2 |
Unlockable
Story mode characters
| Putts | Grace | Tiny | Gene Yuss | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
|
| ||||
| Distance | 200 Yards | Distance | 220 Yards | Distance | 250 Yards | Distance | 240 Yards |
| Trajectory | Draw +1 | Trajectory | Straight | Trajectory | Draw | Trajectory | Fade |
| Unlock Criteria Beat in Match Play |
Unlock Criteria Beat in Match Play |
Unlock Criteria Beat in Match Play |
Unlock Criteria Beat in Match Play | ||||
Super Mario characters
| Wario | |
|---|---|
| |
| Distance | 250 Yards |
| Trajectory | Fade |
| Unlock Criteria Beat in Match Play | |
Non-playable characters
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- Princess Peach
- Yoshi
- Donkey Kong
- Baby Mario
- Bowser
- Bob-omb
- Shy Guy
- Toad
- Bloober
- Plum
- Lime
- Lily
- Flint
- Golf Guru
- Charlie (Mentioned)
- Sonny (Mentioned)
- Harry (Mentioned)
- Maple (Mentioned)
- Metal Mario (Mentioned)
- Link (Mentioned)
Courses
- Marion Club
- Palm Club
- Dune Club
- Links Club
- Peach's Castle (Unlockable)
- Golf Guru's Pitch and Putt (Unlockable)
Field courses
- Windy Valley Special Hole
- Mini-Mini Lake Course
- Tiny-Tots Golf Grounds
- Raven Woods Golf Course
- Golf Guru's Pitch and Putt
Other locations
Reception
Mario Golf received highly positive reviews. IGN gave Mario Golf a perfect score of 10 out of 10, calling it one of the few must-buy games for the Game Boy Color. They also praised it for extending the standards for audio quality in a Game Boy Color game.[1] 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 the console version.[2] In Japan, 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
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario Golf (Game Boy Color).
Staff
- Main article: List of Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) staff
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | マリオゴルフGB[?] Mario gorufu GB |
Mario Golf GB | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 马力欧高尔夫 GB[?] Mǎlì'ōu Gāo'ěrfū GB |
Mario Golf GB | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 瑪利歐高爾夫 GB[?] Mǎlì'ōu Gāo'ěrfū GB |
Mario Golf GB |
Trivia
- In the game, three 1-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 can't find the character that the player uses.)
- By holding select while choosing a character the player can play left-handed. This does not include the four main characters (Azalea, Joe, Kid, and Sherry.)
- This game, along with Mario Tennis on the Nintendo 64 and the Game Boy Color, can no longer be transferred on the Virtual Console release because the Nintendo 3DS is not compatible with the Nintendo 64 / Game Boy Color Transfer 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 by Charles 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 for The Super Mario Bros. Movie).[3]
References
| 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 • 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 | Gallery • List of golfing terms • Power Shot • Staff | |
| Game Boy Color games | |
|---|---|
| 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 & Watch Gallery 2* (1998) • The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX* (1998) • Game & Watch Gallery 3* (1999) |
