Mario Golf: Super Rush Review

Mario Golf: Super Rush hits the links on the Nintendo Switch with its own fresh twist on the green.

Mario and the gang teamed up once again to hit the links in fun, zany new ways in Mario Golf: Super Rush. Nintendo is no stranger to the genre, producing a wide breadth and depth of sports titles since 1987. Three decades and 7 golf games later Nintendo has synthesized all that knowledge for tee time on the Nintendo Switch.

"Three decades and 7 golf games later Nintendo has synthesized all that knowledge for tee time on the Nintendo Switch."

They’ve also teamed up with developer Camelot to deliver the long-awaited next installment in the franchise. Camelot knows a thing or two about the series as they are responsible for the stellar Mario Golf 64 and well over a dozen Mario-themed sports games. The developer is undoubtably a “Nintendo Sports Hall of Famer” delivering some of my favourite franchises on the Nintendo 64 and beyond. Fast-forward to 2021 and it’s been 7 years since the last Mario Golf iteration, let’s hit the green and see if Mario’s latest sporting adventure is a hole in one.

Become a Mushroom Kingdom Ace

From the very start of the Super Rush experience, you have quite a few options in how you approach the links. You can use button-only controls or opt for full motion play with the Joy-Con controllers. I personally played most of the game with the button option, but the Joy-Con controllers offer a lot of Nintendo Wii-era style fun. I also found the motion controls very accurate with the power of my swing.

"I personally played most of the game with the button option, but the Joy-Con controllers offer a lot of Nintendo Wii-era style fun."

In terms of the standard control option, Camelot has brought back the 3-button formula. This provides golfers the opportunity to adjust their swing, power and accuracy with well-timed presses. The learning curve isn’t very steep with either control scheme, you’ll be on your way to becoming a “Mushroom Kingdom Ace” in no time!

A (Mario) Golf Adventure

One of the big highlights in the Mario Golf: Super Rush experience is the single player Golf Adventure mode. It’s a ton of fun to play on the go and really kept me engaged during my playthrough. The story mode begins with you as a Rookie at Bonny Greens trying to qualify for your opening tournament and earn that elusive first badge.

The character building is fun as you can add a personal touch playing as your own customized Mii character. Unfortunately, you cannot play through your career as one of the 16 included mascot golfers, which might be a drawback for some. As you progress completing various challenges and tournament you earn experience points to upgrade your player. These XP points can be spent on improving various skills such as drive distance, ball spin, control and more.

"The Adventure Mode also does an excellent job acting as a tutorial to introduce the game’s new modes and features."

The Adventure Mode also does an excellent job acting as a tutorial to introduce the game’s new modes and features. As you naturally progress through your career you’ll experience modes like Speed Golf, Solo Challenge, Battle Golf and more. It’s a great place to start, especially if you are a rookie to the Mario Golf experience.

Tee time with friends

The multiplayer component offers a lot of fun with friends on the course with a wide variety of modes. Whether locally or online you can challenge friends in modes like Standard Golf, Speed Golf and Battle Golf. Each of these modes has a unique set of features and challenges, let’s look at each one:

Standard Golf

If you are looking for a pure golf experience with a cast of classic Nintendo characters this is the mode for you. You get the option to choose either the button or full motion control schemes, then it’s off to the green to tee-off. In the Standard Golf mode every stroke counts, and the lowest score wins. You can play with 1-4 players via local wireless and online play. There are 6 unlockable courses with the option to play 3, 6, 9 or 18 holes of golf. Depending on how much time you have you can individually tee off or play all at once to expedite the game.

Speed Golf

If you’ve got a need for speed when it comes to golf (like me) this mode is for you! Speed Golf lets you compete with up to three other players in a mad dash to sink your ball first. Like Standard Golf you can play with up to four players locally or online. There are 6 courses, the option for 3, 6, 9 or 18 holes of golf and play at the same time. Things can get tedious running to your ball, but it is a fun twist added to the vanilla golf formula.

Battle Golf

Think of “King of the Hill” but with golf and you start to get an idea of what to expect with Battle Golf. The game starts with all the holes being open, when an opponent sinks the ball it then permanently closes. Add in various obstacles and you’ve got some frantic fun on your hands. The first player to win three flags is the champion! Just like the other games modes there are a total of 6 courses, option for 3, 6, 9 or 18 holes of golf and all players tee-off at the same time.

Just short of the green

For all the fun modes and great gameplay there are parts of Mario Golf: Super Rush that have missed the mark. One the biggest areas that the Super Rush experience could improve upon is the number of available courses. At time of writing there are a total of 8 courses, 6 main stages are available for Standard Golf and Speed Golf modes. The Super Golf Stadium has 2 unique course layouts, but they are exclusive to the Battle Golf mode.

Nintendo has promised more are on the way and recently delivered a free content update adding Toadette to the lineup and the New Donk City course. Out of the gate, the game is a little light on courses and characters, but it seems like this is getting remedied over time.

"Out of the gate, the game is a little light on courses and characters, but it seems like this is getting remedied over time."

In the same vein, it would be great to see a bigger character roster, especially considering the wide stable of characters Nintendo could draw from. Outside of these areas, Mario Golf: Super Rush is a fun experience that shouldn’t be passed up on.

A golf experience full of charm and fun

Mario Golf: Super Rush is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously unlike other sports games, and that’s a good thing. There’s plenty of room for whimsical fun and larger than life showdowns. I really enjoyed playing through the Golf Adventure mode, it was an enjoyable way to learn the ropes before facing off against other golfers online. The game is a little light on courses and characters which I’m hoping will be improved with more DLC. Aside from that, Super Rush is an entertaining sports game that always is a “hole in one” when it comes to fun.

Mario Golf: Super Rush Pros

+ Single player Golf Adventure mode is a blast

+ Both motion and button-based control options feel great

+ Excellent online and local multiplayer

Mario Golf: Super Rush Cons

-The game is light on courses

-Player roster needs to be further expanded

Overall Game Score

Gameplay: 8/10

Graphics: 7.5/10

Sound: 7/10

Replayability: 8/10

Overall Rating:

30.5/40 (76%)

A copy of this game was provided by Nintendo for the purpose of this review.