Mario Golf: Super Rush marks the series’ return back to consoles after more than a decade of handheld games. The new entry was announced and released within a short time frame and promised some new additions and an adventure mode, but is it worth the long wait for a full-fledged console game?
One of the new additions that were being marketed in promotional materials is an Adventure mode. This is the perfect point to start if you are a newcomer to Golf games. Camelot, who has developed Mario Golf: Super Rush, appears to focus on providing an arcade-like experience that is easier to settle in even for newcomers. Aside from that, the game also frequently reminds the players with tutorials to learn more about the mechanics. If you are looking for a proper Golf game that takes into account all factors that goes into this sport, there is no such thing here
Adventure mode plays out like an RPG. You have an avatar that will roam around a town. This is also the place to learn more about the mechanics by going through the tutorials. You can improve your skills here just like a classic RPG. The more experience you gain, the more your stats will improve leading you to become a better Golfer over time. This style of Adventure mode reminds me of the superb Mario Tennis game on the Nintendo Gameboy Advance developed by Camelot, who has worked on this new entry as well. While I prefer Tennis over Golf, this is still an enjoyable experience.
Adventure mode itself won’t take you that long to beat. You spend just a few hours in it before you see the end screen. In Adventure mode, you will be able to obtain better clubs by purchasing them. Your skills will also gradually improve just like an RPG. The cool thing here is that your Mii character will be able to carry over any upgrades to the other gameplay modes. This mode also offers an opportunity to try out some unique challenges that won’t be possible in any other gameplay mode. These challenges make some fundamental changes to the rules of Golf allowing you to pull moves that are normally not possible in other gameplay modes.
One of the new mechanics that is introduced in Mario Golf: Super Rush is called Speed Golf. This is available as part of the Battle Golf mode in which players are in a race to complete the hole before their opponents and have to rush to their golf ball every time. Players take their next shot after each swing by sprinting across the course, dodging other players and obstacles along the way. Each character in the game’s roster has their own Special Shot and Special Dash skills.
Aside from the Adventure mode that will take a significant chunk of your time if you are playing the game alone, Mario Golf: Super Rush also includes solo challenges in which you try to beat your own score or time. There are also additional multiplayer modes like the above-mentioned Battle Golf. Online multiplayer and split-screen are supported for those seeking to compete with friends and increase the game’s replayability.
The game supports both standard controls as well as motion controls. The gameplay is a bit finicky when you are playing in the Battle Golf mode especially as your characters rush to the next checkpoint. In motion controls, you can use the JoyCon controllers to mimic the motion of swinging the golf club but it gets old fast. Thankfully, the game still offers traditional controls so you can just switch to them and they seem to work fine to play normal golf. It feels like Nintendo wanted to check a box for casual gamers so they just dropped motion controls in the game. It is nice to have it as an option nonetheless.
There are a total of six courses, and Nintendo might add more with free updates. As for the playable characters, there is a decent variety of them including the likes of Waluigi and Wario, so most fans will be satisfied with them. The issue though is the lack of content if you are planning to stick to solo-only gameplay. The game offers a split-screen and online multiplayer mode but needs a partner to work, so if you are thinking that Adventure mode should be enough to justify its price tag as a solo game, you need to reevaluate your priorities again.
While our expectations were a little too high considering the lack of courses, but the rest of the game is silly fun especially if you can get some friends over to have some Mario Golf. Just like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Mario Party work best when they are played with friends, Mario Golf: Super Rush is aimed at the same crowd. As a solo game, you might get some enjoyment out of it but it truly shines with its multiplayer and new gameplay modes like Battle Golf.
Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher