This week’s game is the beloved NES Open. This game is the precursor to the Mario Golf series and is a much deeper game than the previous entries. Once I figured out you have to pick your clubs in the clubhouse, I hit the course with Mario and promptly shot a +42.
Like the other games, the player has to estimate the distance the ball will travel, as well as determine the effect of any rough or sand surrounding the ball. The game lets you pick one of three speeds to hit the ball, and this affects distance and accuracy. Once again, short shots are frustrating, but it is possible to select a crazy backspin that will bring the ball back to the hole. Putting is fairly generous, and a cut scene shows the ball going in (or just missing).
The game also has a tournament mode and match play to show you how bad you are compared to the computer. The courses are well thought out and fun to play. Occasionally the wind has far more influence than it should, but picking a stronger club can usually fix this. Scores will drop as you play, and I even managed to get a few eagles after a while.
This game has a great presentation and is fairly intuitive. The three click system is present here with all it’s flaws, but the swing isn’t hideously affected by an inaccurate click. The addition of spin helps on short shots and I still have trouble hitting the green from a distance, but it’s not impossible. This game is very well done and shows that video game golf can be fun. Best score: +2.
-mlbradley
durden26@comcast.net