Through the years, Mario and his friends have been quite the athletes. From golf and tennis to soccer and basketball, kids have hit the virtual fields with their favorite characters on Nintendo systems. Mario Golf: World Tour continues Mario’s decades-long showcase of athletic ability as he hits the course for the first time in 3-D on Nintendo 3DS.
In this game, players can drive, swing, and putt using Mario and his fellow characters from Mushroom kingdom, such as Luigi and Peach. They can also use their own Mii character, which can be decked out with outfits and equipment. Each piece of gear can enhance the Mii character’s golf attributes and add power and control to their shots. This game was fun for me to play, especially because I loved the (super old) version for Nintendo64, and this updated version of Mario Golf was far more beautiful visually and gives players a lot more options for play. Plus, my short game was far better than it usually is out on the course.
Mario Golf: World Tour can teach kids the basic rules of golf (as played in the real world), but also flips those rules upside down, changing the game with fun new power-ups and courses that can’t exist in real life. Kids can enjoy nature-themed courses as well as wilder ones with a Mario twist, such as courses that are underwater. They can aim shots into a Warp Pipe, avoid giant Piranha Plants, or tee off next to Yoshi eggs in courses inspired by the Mushroom Kingdom. The Castle Club features these courses, a training area to hone your golf skills, and a pro shop where players can get unlockable gear and outfits. Players can also adjust the game to play on different expertise levels, helping you master your golf game. For an added challenge, players can also choose to manually adjust their shots, as they train to become the Bubba Watson of Mario Golf.
It is true that golf is a game of patience, but you spend enough time on the real course waiting for the rest of your two-, three-, or foursome to hit their balls before it’s your turn again. In Mario Golf: World Tour, up to four players can play through courses simultaneously in local wireless or online matches, making each round more fast-paced and exciting. They can also choose from a selection of emoticons to cheer or taunt other players.
Even cooler: kids can compete online in worldwide tournaments to win gear and in-game coins. Scheduled tournaments range from nine-hole tournaments to smaller-scale events, such as longest drive, coin gathering, and speed golf challenges. They can also create and play in online communities with unique tournament rules.
Mario Golf: World Tour with launch on May 2.
