TheSuper Mariofranchise loves its spinoffs. Nintendo is always finding creative new game types for Mario to jump into other than platforming, and for good reason. Generally theseSuper Mariospinoffs are received warmly by fans and go a long way to adding to the Mushroom Kingdom, sometimes even introducing fan favorite characters. One major type ofSuper Mariospinoff is the series ofMario Sportsgames, which has had some big hits over the years. Although this area of spinoffs hasn’t gotten much recognition for a while, it’s poised to make a comeback.Mario Golf: Super Rushaims to bring a high-quality addition to theMario Sportsfamily.
Well beforeMario Golf: Super Rush, this franchise started a presence on Nintendo Switch viaMario Tennis Aces,and althoughMario Tennis Aceswas mostly well received, some were critical of its multiplayer and story mode. Now Nintendo has the chance to topMario Tennis Aces,albeit with a different sport.Mario Golf: Super Rushwas a total surprise announcement, but Nintendo is being really supportive of it so far. The new ideas thatSuper Rushis bringing to the table are a big deal, too. It almost seems like Nintendo has picked up a new surge ofinternal enthusiasm for theMario Sportsgamesand wants to make them flourish on the Switch.
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Mario Golf: Super Rush’s Innovations
There’s a lot of things aboutMario Golf: Super Rushthat make it stand out from its predecessors so far. One of them is its renewed emphasis on a story mode. While plenty of previousMario Sportsgames have provided story modes,Super Rushhas a unique take in thatthe player plays as a Miiinteracting with denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom, rather than following the plot as Mario or some other traditional hero. It’s also not just about playing a bunch of standard golf matches connected by a narrative either. Nintendo seems eager to excite and surprise, promising intense boss-like encounters with enemies that’ll push players' golf skills to the limit.
Mario Golf: Super Rushalso brings some solid contributions to multiplayer. It features traditional golf modes, but it also adds Speed Golf, a free-for-all battle to sink the golf ball. Speed Golf’s fast-paced gameplay centered around rushing to the hole and using power-ups and special abilities to the player’s advantage sound like a great change of pace for anyone who gets tired of traditional golf. The same goes for Battle Golf, a similar concept that takes place in an arena with specific rulesets rather than out on the green. On top of all that, Nintendo promisesMario Golf: Super Rushwill launch with online multiplayer, which is crucial for games built around their multiplayer like this one.
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Mario Golf: Super Rush and Mario Sports' Return
All these new game modes and game improvements are great forMario Golf: Super Rush,but they also say a lot about what futureMario Sportsgames could look like. Nintendo is really heavily advertising these new ideas, which suggests it wants to sell futureMario Sportsgames the same way. The franchise could really use some consistent innovation. If games likeMario StrikersorMario Baseballwant to make a comeback on the Switch, they ought to have the same level of innovation and experimentation thatSuper Rushhas. If Nintendo’s enthusiasm is anything to go off of, new ideas and risk-taking mightbecome the standard forMario Sports,and that’s a good thing. That’s exactly what has to happen to refresh a franchise that’s fallen by the wayside.
Mario Golf: Super Rushis a really important Switch titles. Nintendo traditionally generates a lot of revenue on multiplayerSuper Mariospinoffs like these, but lately these games haven’t left the impact on the industry that they’ve meant to.Super Mario PartyandMario Tennis Acesare good games, but they’re overshadowed a little bit by some mixed reception. Although it’s admittedly too early to call a final verdict onMario Golf: Super Rush’s quality, there’s lots of good signs in place. If Nintendo can deliver on its many big promises aroundMario Golf: Super Rush,then not only will the game itself prosper, buta crucial line ofMariospinoffshave a better chance at a new life.
