Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

Not content with bouncing on Goomba’s heads, saving the princess and tearing around in karts, our favourite hairy-lipped plumber can also crack a drive like Tiger. The N64’s Mario Golf proved you can have a ball teeing off in the Mushroom Kingdom, and this long-awaited sequel is again hugely entertaining.

Toadstool Tour includes plenty of content to keep you playing, and Aussies even get bonuses not found in overseas versions. There are six standard courses plus several hidden tournaments, including a par-three challenge in Donkey Kong’s treetops. The first two courses: Lakitu and Cheep Cheep, feature traditional greens. But then it’s onto the more exotic Egyptian-inspired Sands Star Classic, the water-filled Blooper Star Open, Peach’s Star Invitational complete with warp pipes and Chain Chomps, and finally the fabulous Bowser Star Championship, with tricky lava lakes and constant island hopping.

The tournament, character matches and other traditional modes will keep players busy, but the range of fabulous mini-games is also extensive. Our favourites are Ring Attack, where you must hit the ball through giant rings as well as score par, and Club Slots, which limits your club selection by means of a poker machine. Speed Golf and Coin Attack are also fun. Most modes can be played with mates, which is frequently hilarious.

What might baffle fans of the game’s predecessor is why the control system was tampered with. You can now have the timing of your shot handled automatically, which removes much of the game’s challenge. We would welcome an automatic option to cater for youngsters and the severely uncoordinated, but it seems odd to make it the default. In GamePro tournaments, anyone using automatic is immediately labeled a pussy. Other grumbles are too-tricky short putts and a frequently annoying camera which often denies necessary angles for approach shots and can even miss the ball landing in the cup.

Niggles aside, there is loads of fun to be had thanks to the well-designed courses and big cast of 16 gorgeously animated Nintendo favourites. Mario Golf mightn’t be as deep as the likes of Links and Tiger, but will keep you smiling.

Verdict: 8

Endless fun but not as polished as expected

Pros:
- Some imaginative courses
- Brilliant multiplayer
- Extensive play modes

Cons:
- Annoying camera
- Default controls too simple
- No analog swing option