Much like the Game Boy Colour version of Mario Golf, Mario Golf: Advance Tour has transferred all the good things from the pervious console version, in this case, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, that made it a spectacular experience for home golfing. The most notable inclusion is the simplistic control scheme, which allows first timer gamers an extremely simple layout of button configuration. However, since the GBA can’t produce fantastic 3D environments like the Gamecube, Mario Golf: Advance Tour does make up for it with the game’s exciting new features and great gameplay.
The golf mechanics in Mario Golf: Advance Tour are a surprisingly accurate take on the gameplay of Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour for the GameCube. The traditional three-click swing mechanic is in effect. Advance Tour adds some finesse to this system, letting you change your point of impact on the ball with the D-pad as you pull back your swing.
Probably the one thing that Toadstool Tour lacked in was having an efficient camera system, lucky Camelot devised a new system that allows the gamers a better look of where their ball is going. Gamers can switch to camera mode with the select button and zoom in or out using the trigger buttons, but the aim cannot be adjusted in this mode, and the camera zooms back out when adjusting the aim, which is a little bit of a downfall for this new camera system. Gamers will aim for a specific spot on the course, all in a rendered overhead/partial Mode-7, by selecting a club and determining the distance the club can handle. The 3D shot view, optionally shown before the start of a swing, is impressively rendered and often more useful for determining the shot path and distance.
Visually the game is very good, however, the game does suffers from a few quirks that could’ve made it an amazing experience, more so. The game showcases some fantastic rendered third-person viewing perspectives, whilst the Mode-7 environment gives gamers a rather flat view of the objects on the course. Objects such as tress, tunnels and hills are painted flat on the view and also give off an awkward angle on the map. Of course a 3D view for the entire game wouldn’t have worked, the reason why most handheld golf games have failed in the past. The only gimmick is where the elevation of a particular area becomes hard to predict where the ball will sway, however, it’s easy to get use to after a few hours of game time.
Each course in the game has an unlockable star version that features elements familiar from the Mario franchise, such as Rubbery Mushrooms, warp pipes shortcuts, the Mario Kart zipper strips that give the ball extra distance, Piranha Plants, Chain Chomps and heaps more Mario themed characters and items that can easily be recognized throughout the courses. Another unseen element is the addition of course triggers, which pop up shortcuts, or sometimes hazards, to enhance the excitement factor of the game. This feature allows for gamers to escape from the reality of golf and to enjoy a more low back type of golfing, which is rather refreshing after a while.
In keeping with the game’s RPG design, Advance Tour ties together with the typical golfing elements, whilst maintaining a clever RPG design to allow gamers to play with a new approach to each outing. Once you begin to play the game you’ll be able to notice that Camelot have transferred a lot of the Golden Sun’s elements into the golfing world. Advance Tour utilizes from the same technology, sound and graphics from the Golden Sun franchise, which the game benefits from quite well.
Advance Tour allows gamers to take control of a male or a female character in story mode. There are six courses to conquer (plus the alternate Mario-themed version) and several singles and doubles golfers to challenge along the way. The most intriguing feature for the game is the new twist in gameplay with the inclusion of being able to level up your characters, there being two characters in your control this time round. Levelling up comes from gaining experience from winning tournaments and challenges through the story mode. This idea allows the gamers to now tweak the individual’s abilities such as increasing your drive, impact and spin to improve your character’s game.
This time round the game mainly revolves around Doubles play, rather then singles. In the double games, teams of two characters compete against one another, with each player on the team alternating their turn after each shot. This is basically where the levelling up plays a big part in the game. If you direct all your experience on a single character it’ll certainly hurt you once the other character, the lesser experienced character, has his/her shot. This allows gamers to be a little wary to who they give their experience to.
In the advantages of being able to level up in the Game Boy Advance game paying off, it also pays off greatly when you take advantage of the connectivity between the GBA and the GC. In addition of the connection between Mario Golf: Advance Tour and Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour you’re able to transferred your personalised character from the GBA game to Toadstool Tour, which, with the levelling up, can outclass the competition completely. With a little time, 400yard drives are a breeze. Apart from that, the connection also allows gamers to unlock hidden characters for both versions.
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