Retro Game Friday: Mario Golf

This week for Retro Game Friday I’m covering a Mario sub-series that is fairly obscure. It’s Mario Golf!

Plot Synopsis: Wait you’re expecting a plot to a game about Golf? Seriously?

Gameplay: The gameplay is pretty boring, in fact this is a pretty lame game. The game was all about hitting the “sweet spot” by tapping the A button at the correct time while aiming towards the hole. If you could do that successfully and repeatedly, the game quickly devolved into a really boring repetition of that single “mini-game”. Now that isn’t to say this was a terrible game, by all accounts it was great for multiplayer, although I never did convince my friends to play the game with me, because “Golf is boring”, so I can’t confirm or deny that.

Art: The art is quite a bit like it came out of Mario 64, which shouldn’t be a surprise to be honest. That means it’s aged incredibly poorly, and the game looks like crap now a days.

Music: It’s Mario music, but toned down because you’re playing “Golf”.

Overall: Skip this game, it’s really, really not worth going out of your way to even bother playing it.

For those who like: Golf, Sports, Mario, Repetitive Minigames.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Retro Game Friday: Wario World (Gamecube Edition)

This week for Retro Game Friday I’m talking about a game I got for free, way back in 2003, when I visited Nintendo’s North American Headquarters with my Mother on a business trip. It’s Wario World (Gamecube Edition).

Plot Synopsis: The game begins with Wario enjoying his newly built castle, which is filled with treasures that he has collected from earlier adventures. An evil gem called Black Jewel, hidden amongst Wario’s treasure collection, suddenly awakens and takes over Wario’s castle.

Plot: I honestly didn’t even remember the plot until I looked it up for the above synopsis, so no points gained in favor of this game. The plot was so boring I completely forgot it, and that’s saying something because I remember plots of games like Diddy Kong Returns 2 that came out way before this game was even developed.

Gameplay: Honestly I didn’t mind the gameplay, but the game was way too short! That said it wasn’t amazing either, so again no points in the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia for the game.

Music: Honestly can’t remember the music for this game, so I can’t really comment on it. Must’ve been really boring to make me forget it though.

Artwork: Nothing amazing, not terrible though. Nintendo wouldn’t let anyone touch one of their IP’s without it meeting their standards, low as they may be.  No points gained again.

Overall: Don’t even bother playing this game, it’s a waste of your time. I had the choice between this game and Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour as a freebie when visiting Nintendo of America’s HQ. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I should have picked Mario Golf instead.

 

For those who like: Beat’em up games, Wario.

Not for those who don’t like: Either of the above, or games that don’t have great plot, art, music or gameplay.