For the record, golf is my favorite sport, and Mario is my favorite video game franchise. So, I feel my opinion on Mario Golf: Super Rush does have some validity. It’s also worth mentioning that Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (which was made by the same company) is probably my favorite Mario Sports game of all time.

Anyway, I want to detail the many reasons why I feel the way I do about the most recent Mario Golf entry.

Lack of Content

This has been a major issue for modern games in the Mario Sports genre. Perhaps it’s because we live in an era of DLC where content can be released post-game. Regardless, this is just another game in the genre that simply doesn’t have a ton to offer. This is especially true when compared to Toadstool Tour. That entry had game modes galore and did so without a true story mode (which this version actually has).

Speaking of the story mode, it gets old in Super Rush in about 30 minutes. Nope, I’m not exaggerating as the cringy voice acting and the repetitive gameplay gets very tiresome very quickly. I guess this would be a good time to mention the new “Speed Golf” mode. To be honest, I feel the game was built around the concept and really tailored to it.

I like to take my time while playing golf, but I can see where a group of friends would find a lot of enjoyment in speed golf. My lack of care for this mode is probably a huge reason why I don’t like it, honestly.

Game Mechanics

Now, to those who’ve played this game, this might come as a surprise. The game mechanics, on the surface, are very clean and well-executed. So, what’s the problem with them? It’s quite simple, actually, the game mechanics make the game way too easy. As a person who loves playing golf in real life, I understand that a video game will never be able to truly replicate the difficulty and fun of the real thing.

However, going back to Toadstool Tour, that game at least has game mechanics that are a little harder to master. In Super Rush, all you have to do is press a button. The former was just much more immersive. Additionally, all the pre-shot controls and options of Toadstool Tour are much better.

Course Design

Wow, the course design in this game is just bad. Now, the “New Donk City” course that was added looks really cool (I haven’t tried it yet because I couldn’t care less to play this game again). However, besides that, on top of having a very limited number of courses, most of their designs are pretty bland. Yes, golf courses can easily be repetitive, but “Camelot” was able to pull off some epic courses back on the GameCube.

Back when this game was unveiled earlier in 2021, I was extremely excited about it. Literally, five hours into the game, and I realized just how bad it was. Perhaps more and more updates will continue to improve the game, but is it really too much to ask to release a $60 game that’s actually good on day one?

As for me, I’ve been golfing since I was a tyke. While I’m not a scratch golfer, I like getting out whenever I can and would consider myself to be a good golfer. So, I fully understand both sides of the coin when it comes to the game. I won’t sugarcoat it, the game of golf has its ups and downs, and it’s something that I deal with every single time I go out. But I’ve developed a deep admiration for the sport and maybe you could too. First, though, check out what I feel are the best pros and the worst cons.

Pro: Nature and Beauty

Even the people who end up hating golf, they typically still enjoy the sights and sounds. More specifically, they enjoy the sights as most golf courses offer wonderful scenery. Sure, the more money you pay, the nicer the course and layout will be, but most still offer diverse surroundings. On a sunny, 75-degree day, when you’re standing on the top of the tee box looking down at the fairway, few things are better.

Con: It Can Get Expensive

Now, this depends on how often you golf and the green fees that you’re willing to pay. You can play cheaper courses (and most of them will keep up on their greens) or you can pay top-dollar for some of the best. Most people, including me, will just opt for the more affordable courses. As that’s typically all I golf, I can say with a clear conscience that most keep their courses well-maintained even at cheaper rates. However, regardless, if you wind up golfing quite a bit, you’ll begin to realize how expensive it can get.

Pro: The Skill Involved

Make no bones about it, there is no such thing as beginner’s luck in golf. Yes, luck can come into play from time to time, but there’s too much skill involved for luck to play a huge role. This makes the game a real challenge to attempt to master (which is pretty much impossible). There’s also going to be so much to improve on that it becomes even more satisfying to get better at it.

Con: It’s a Frustrating Game

Let’s be honest, the real reason why some people hate golf is due to how hard it can be to get down. As with other activities, it’s not something that you’re going to figure out and become good at in a matter of days. It’s not easy, especially when you’re just getting started. You have to get over the beginning hurdles of learning how to strike the ball and then you can start having some fun with it.

All I have to say is give the game of golf a shot. It’s been a love of mine for many years now and it could end up being that for you too. I evened out the pros and cons, but I could’ve gone on and on with more positives. Give it a chance and who knows what could happen.