The graphics are a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the characters themselves have low polygon counts and have those unsightly joints not seen since the days of PlayStation's Toshinden. This gives them a very blocky look. However, the courses themselves look fantastic. Although the scenery (trees, etc.) is sprite-based, the courses are all rendered with superb detail. The rolling hills are all rounded and there is absolutely no sign of any polygon glitching.

Since this is a golf game, the sound department doesn't really matter. In terms of music, Mario Golf delivers simple tunes that don't really deliver anything remarkable or memorable - think of it as the Muzak of games. On the other hand, you don't really notice it and it isn't annoying. However, when you putt the music changes. It becomes louder and the tune changes. When putting for a birdie, it changes into the classic theme from Super Mario Bros. (stage 1-2), which is quite a pleasant surprise. The sound effects are different, though. Each character has their own selection of little things to say, and thankfully they don't say much (as some of them are downright annoying).

Camelot has brought the Hot Shots Golf gameplay and control system virtually intact to the N64. If you strip away the Mario characters, you'll find it is basically Hot Shots with various improvements. Hitting the ball is blissfully simple: hit the button once to start the meter, hit it a second time to indicate how far you want to drive the ball and as it returns hit the button a third time as close to the line as possible for accuracy. Golf isn't exactly a simple game, however, and the game recognizes this by allowing for the more complex parts of the game. Holding Z will allow you to move the analog stick to target where you want to strike the ball-do you want to hit low and chip it in the air or hit high and apply top-spin? The controls are a breeze. 'A' hits the ball, 'B' allows you to select your shot (super powered to soft) and the 'C' buttons zoom around the course map allowing you to take a look at the layout.

There are six 18-hole courses in the game, with five other becoming available by gaining points in the various modes on the first hole. They all have a variable difficulty, and although some courses have wide fairways and a large green, others have domed greens so small that it makes Pinehurst No. 2 look like a piece of cake. Incidentally, nostalgia freaks may be interested to know that it appears course 2 is the same as the original course from the first Mario Golf on NES. There are also many hidden characters to unlock in the game. Aside from the standard staple of Nintendo characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and even Baby Mario (Mario and Baby Mario in the same game?), there are also some "normal" human characters to choose from. Each character has different strengths and weaknesses, including driving range and ability. This will keep you going for quite some time as you battle to unlock all of the courses and characters in the many modes of play.

You can't deny that Camelot is inventive. Aside from the standard tournament and match-play modes (match-play being where you unlock characters), they also threw in a bunch of rather different ways to play. There is the "Ring Shot" mode, which is all about accuracy as you have to hit the ball through hoops (Pilotwings style). Then we have the usual skins game (the winner of each hole getting a "skin" or a token), a miniature golf course and finally a time attack mode.

The best thing about Mario is that it's fun. It's a simple game which is basically true to the rules of golf. This isn't some NFL Blitz style parody where the rules are thrown out the window. Camelot has managed to simplify golf and make it fun without sacrificing the laws of the game. Not only that, but the game is so simple to pick up and play that you can pull off some extremely nice shots in a very short amount of play time. Like all great games, it is easy to learn but hard to master. You may be able to play well, but how about in gusty winds? Or in driving rain (which, incidentally, slows down the greens and forces you to putt harder)? Not to mention, some of the later holes on the other courses are really, really hard.

There isn't all that much wrong with Mario Golf 64. Aside from the annoying voice samples, the game plays as perfectly as I'd like a golf game to play. The control is simple yet not at the expense of preventing complex moves. There is also a great multiplayer mode, where you can challenge your friends on any of the courses and in any of the modes (and for those who haven't unlocked all the characters, an increased selection is available from the start for multiplayer). There is also the possibility of linking up with the upcoming Game Boy Color version of Mario Golf to trade characters and train your golfer to improve his attributes.

However, at the end of the day, Mario Golf is still a golf game. Although I feel it is sufficiently simple for anyone to jump into and enjoy, there are those who simply don't like golf. Unfortunately, this is what prevents me from giving it a higher score. If you really don't like golf, this is obviously not the game for you. However, to anyone else, Mario Golf is a truly fantastic title that you must try. It's simple and fun, while still being true to the game of golf.