GAME CLEAR No. 288 -- Golf
video games game clear nintendo family computer family computer disk system hal laboratoryGolf (1984, FC/FDS/NES)
Developer: Nintendo R&D2, HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo
Clear Version: Family Computer Disk System
Clear Platform: Family Computer Disk System
Clear Date: 3/28/26
| Why should I care? |
|---|
| Rudimentary golf has great appeal for quick play. |
Forefather
Well, I’ve now worked my way backwards through Nintendo’s and HAL’s golf games to the original Golf.
It’s nearly identical to its successors, but it technically doesn’t star Mario (instead, another anonymous, portly, mustachioed man is the player character), and its mechanics are the least sophisticated. Well, really, its swinging mechanics are basically the same. You just can’t select a swing speed. The physics are less sophisticated, though, and in such a way to make them easier to handle and predict. Its course design is also the most forgiving of the three. These two things naturally combine to make it the easiest of the bunch.
It’s good for a brisk playthrough. I understand why the cart doesn’t, but it’s a shame the Famicom Disk System version doesn’t take advantage at least of the ability to save your high score. It also doesn’t use the additional sound channel, which it would have no need for since this game has no music.
Still, there’s something pleasant about sports games this old. They don’t have the bells, whistles, or graphics of modern sims, but I doubt you could play 18 any faster on any more recent golf game. That has to count for something.