Golf: Japan Course is a 1987 sports game developed by Nintendo for the Famicom Disk System, playable here on NES emulators. Expanding on the mechanics of the original 1984 Golf, this version features Mario hitting the links across a fully redesigned 18-hole course modeled after Japanese landscapes. Originally notable for its “Disk Fax” tournaments where players could physically mail their scores to Nintendo via disk kiosks, the game remains a charming and surprisingly nuanced retro golf simulation with mechanics like wind variation, club selection, and varied terrain.
How to Play
The objective is to complete all 18 holes with the lowest score possible, accounting for wind speed, hazards, and the lie of your ball. Use the D-pad to aim your shot and switch between your clubs. Press the A button to start your backswing, press it again to set your power, and press it a third time at the bottom of the meter to determine your accuracy. In the browser, the D-pad is mapped to the arrow keys, A is Z, B is X, and Start is Enter.
Tips
Pay close attention to the wind indicator at the top of the screen; even a slight breeze can push your ball into the rough or a bunker. When putting, the grain of the green significantly impacts the ball’s curve, so aim slightly against the slope to compensate. Lastly, don’t just rely on the default club the game suggestsโswitching to a lower-power iron on approach shots can prevent you from overshooting the green.
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