Video game system using terrain profile information

A video game system for simulating a golf game displays three-dimensional image information indicative of the terrain profile of a golf course and image information of a golf ball on the display screen of a television monitor. The golf ball is moved on the display screen based on the image information indicative of the terrain profile and a command from a controller operated by the game player. A guide comprising a matrix of lines is displayed on the display screen, and the luminance and length of each of said lines are established based on the image information indicative of the terrain profile. The guide is three-dimensionally displayed over the three-dimensional image information indicative of the terrain profile on said display screen. The three-dimensionally displayed guide allows the game player to visually recognize heights and distances of various areas of the golf course in an intuitive fashion, and hence allows the game player to operate the controller in a manner to match terrain features of the golf course in the game space.