Here’s what the critics think of Mario Golf: Super Rush

Believe it or not, it’s been nearly twenty years since we last got a Mario Golf game on a Nintendo home console. Yes, we’ve had a handheld entry, but not since 2003’s Toadstool Tour on the GameCube have we had the pleasure of hitting up the Mushroom Kingdom links on the big TV.

Well, the wait is over, as Camelot’s latest entry in the long-running golfing series is here in the form of Mario Golf: Super Rush.

So, how is it?

The game was released for Nintendo Switch on Friday, June 25 — and early reviews are somewhat lukewarm. The game has been praised for trying new things, but whilst also noting that those fresh mechanics don’t quite hit the mark.

The consenus seems to be: it’s good, not great. A lot of reviews also seem to pin hopes on the game getting better post-launch, via the promised free content that’s on the way. We shall see.

Anyway, here’s a round-up of choice quotes from critics:

Japanese magazine Famitsu was one of the first to publish a review, giving the game a 33 out of 40. They said the new Speed Golf mode is amazing adding that it “turns the golf concept on its head”.

Alex Donaldson, writing for VG247, claims this latest entry doesn’t “exactly have the greatest story mode, but its core gameplay and modes are excellent”. He adds that these modes “are absolutely vital, too, since their dynamism helps to offset a low number of courses and the shortcomings of the adventure mode”.

Chris Scullion over at VGC said this latest Mario Golf instalment “lays down solid foundations, but feels a bit safe”, adding that “at its core this is a brilliant take on the sport with hugely satisfying controls”, but right now at launch “it’s merely entertaining, not essential”.

Shannon Liao writing for The Washington Post’s Launcher praises the game for having a robust core mechanic, but shares that overall its “small scope feels like it merits a lower price” and unless you find yourself playing with a gaggle of friends who love golf, “falls flat on its own”.

Simon Cardy for IGN calls Mario Golf: Super Rush “comfort-food” gaming. Noting that the the Speed Golf mode introduced in this new entry “is a bright point that shakes up the formula”, but the actual main adventure mode is sadly “a short and not overly sweet few hours” resulting in something that:

“lacks the variety, replayability, and general amount of content needed to be considered a standout in the series”

A fun but underwhelming entry into the series.

Marc Deschamps at Comicbook.com was notably keener on Camelot’s latest slice of Mario golfing action, saying this vibrant take on the Mushroom Kingdom has “just about everything a player could want out of a Mario sports title”.

Writing for Nintendo Life, Thomas Whitehead shared how the game left him with an “inescapable feeling that, despite a premium price-point, this is a mid/B-tier first-party release from Nintendo”. Adding that “there is a good level of content” here “but it lacks spark”.

That said, he does go on to conclude, noting that this is “a game that in many respects hits its marks” but one that at times suffers from “an absence of creativity”.

Colette Stirling at My Nintendo News explains how Mario Golf: Super Rush on the Nintendo Switch is:

“both challenging the status quo with fast-paced Speed Golf and returning to its roots with a story mode”.

However it seems the overall experience is possibly a bit lop-sided as she goes on to call this entry one for “players who want to experience the thrills of golf at quadruple the pace” before adding that those looking for a more traditional Mario Golf experience “may feel snubbed”.

Ben Tyrer for Games Radar said that Super Rush does have “moments of surreal charm” but ultimately:

“swings in multiple different directions without a convincing impact”.

Eurogamer’s review, by Christian Donlan, didn’t seem overly taken with the new Speed Golf mode opting instead for the “certain magic” that’s to be found in the “ever soothing standard mode”.

Finally, Nathan Birch at WCCF Tech calls this a master stroke, claiming it’s:

“the plumber’s best sports outing in a good long time, featuring smartly-revamped core mechanics, beautiful, varied courses, clever new modes, and a single-player Adventure full of fun twists.”

Mario Golf: Super Rush for the Nintendo Switch is out now.