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NES Open Tournament Golf Package Art
 GENRE
  Golf
 DEVELOPER
  Nintendo
 PUBLISHER
  Nintendo
 NUMBER OF PLAYERS
  1-2
 WORTH PLAYING TODAY?
  yes
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NES Open Tournament Golf

NES Open Tournament Golf is most accurately described as Mario Golf’s spiritual predecessor, before the new name was instituted for brand recognition purposes. Though Camelot had not yet entered the picture, Nintendo had an instant classic on its hands; one which could stand alongside other 8-bit legends of old.

gameplay
Albeit still shots, the on screen presence of Golf was nothing short of awe inspiring. Unlike the static, indiscernible shit that usually flew about the screen in other games, Golf was comprised almost entirely of hand drawn, frame-by-frame action. It was very pretty to watch; I shudder to think of how a real time golf simulation would appear. Although the player’s view was altered to an uglier overhead perspective when the ball went into motion, those shots that danced around the lusted holes would revert back to a hand drawn cartoon sketch -- in real time! Seemingly meaningless by today’s standards, such an animation was unprecedented at that time.

gameplay
I’m sorry; I cannot help but smile as I write this. Mario Golf (oops, wrong name) features no orchestrated soundtrack. Birds will not chirp about the course. Wind cannot be heard rustling through the trees. Mario and company appear to be mute. Above all, you won’t hear the thud of the guy you just gave a concussion by way of reckless swinging. Then again, this isn’t Mario Golf. This is NES Open Tournament Golf, and the tinny audio showcased throughout the experience is pitch perfect. Bleenk, blenk, bleenk!

gameplay
In an almost uncanny fashion, NES Open Tournament Golf plays just like regular golf! One stroke at a time, you work your way towards that elusive, dismal void, marked only by a cheerful flag that stands sturdy with pride.

Move cursor in proper direction, press ‘A’ -- ball go flying. Wash, rinse, repeat. Or, let lonely little ‘B’ in on the action, tap the ball around in search of hole -- ball go forward. Wash, rinse, repeat, mix; wash, rinse repeat. Crucial to this process is accuracy in one’s aim, as well as the amount of power applied to a special barometer thrown to the side. (Sorry kids, no pressure sensitive buttons; such a function is still in early, limited usage.) While overtly simple, this format of gameplay is intuitive and fun.

multiplayer
Like regular golf, the man farthest from the hole continues shooting. In driving the ball, it is two-player alternating play akin to Super Mario Bros, minus the platforming and adding the golf. The player with the least number of strokes wins.

overall
A primitive golf simulation at its finest, NES Open Tournament Golf is a fine sports title for those who own an NES and have come looking for old school Nintendo fun!

final score 7.7/10




WRITER INFORMATION
Staff Avatar William Jacques
Staff Profile | Email
"Oh oblivious, naïve Humanity... How ignorant we really are - safe only in our blind "superior" view of the world."


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