Golf: Japan Course

Famicom Disk System

Famicom Disk System

An update of sorts to Golf. Players get to take control of Nintendo's mascots Mario and Luigi (in the 2 player game) and play over 18 holes of golf on courses modeled after real courses in Japan. Players can choose to either try their skills in match play or stroke play. Match play involves tw...

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Developer
HAL Laboratory

Released on
1987

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Famicom Disk System

Requirements
Nintendo Famicom Disk System

Downloads
Sports

Publisher
Nintendo

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

An update of sorts to Golf. Players get to take control of Nintendo’s mascots Mario and Luigi (in the 2 player game) and play over 18 holes of golf on courses modeled after real courses in Japan.

Players can choose to either try their skills in match play or stroke play. Match play involves two golfers trying to win the most holes. They win holes by getting the better score than their competitor. Stroke play differs as it just involves the golfer trying to get the best score possible by completing each hole in as few strokes as possible.

When on the golf course, players can choose the club they want to use, adjust the speed and strength (from a 1 to 3 scale) of their swing, and aim in the direction they want to hit the ball. Hitting the ball involves the use of a meter with an icon that goes back and forth, which gauges the distance the ball is hit. Players can take a step back from the tee and take practice swings so they can get into a rhythm using this meter.

This game also contained a now defunct feature where players could record their personal information and their best scores and then bring the game disk to a Disk Fax machine. Inserting the disk into this machine would fax over the player’s information to Nintendo’s headquarters. This information was used for a contest. Being selected a contest winner would award the player with a golden colored disk version of this game. This golden disk version of the game contained an exclusive course that was not present on the original version of this game.

Golf: Japan Course

Overview & History

Released in 1987 exclusively in Japan for the Famicom Disk System, *Golf: Japan Course* served as a sophisticated follow-up to Nintendo's seminal 1984 NES classic, *Golf*. Capitalizing on the rewritable disk format, Nintendo crafted a dedicated 18-hole simulation that traded the original's fictional links for realistic, beautifully rendered topography inspired by famous Japanese golf destinations. While it lacks a narrative storyline, the game captures the focused isolation and tension of professional stroke play, challenging players to conquer punishing water hazards, narrow fairways, and strategic doglegs against par.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike its predecessor, *Golf: Japan Course* introduces enhanced depth through meticulous course design and physics. Players choose their club—ranging from drivers to putters—while accounting for wind speed, elevation shifts, and the lie of the ball. The signature three-button swing mechanic remains the heartbeat of the experience: press once to start the meter, a second time to determine power at the peak, and a third time to set accuracy at the bottom. Misjudging that final tap results in dreaded hooks or slices that send your ball careening into deep rough or sand traps. The putting green utilizes a subtle grid system, requiring players to read the slope and distance meticulously. Character animations are simple yet effective; your golfer addresses the ball, shifts stance, and follows through with every stroke, responding with distinct postures based on the shot's success.

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Aim direction, select clubs, and navigate menus
Action Keys: Initiate swing meter, set power, and execute shot (A/B buttons)
Enter: Start / Pause