Mario Golf Advance Tour review:5 stars (The Most Fun You Can Have Playing Portable Golf) - Anyone who's played Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour for the Gamecube will notice some major differences when they pick up its handheld version, Advance Tour. While also created by Camelot, the developers of Golden Sun went back to what they do best this time around, offering gamers the same great golfing experience, now blended with the company's talents in RPG programming. The end result is a game that's not only unique, but also extremely fun.

The influence of Camelot's previous RPG efforts is on full display with Mario Golf Advance Tour. The game's story mode is traditional...your goal is to work your way up through the golfing ranks, developing your skills in practice, matches and tournaments until you reach the ultimate contest...a match with the golfing great himself, Mario! This mode is well executed, giving you countless options in developing your skills, whether it be choosing which elements of your characters' abilities to boost (both you and your computer-controlled partner), which of the characters needs the most focus, or choosing the right strategy to minimize the effect of your weaknesses (especially if your computer partner is still shaky). There are so many variable in Advance Tour, it's hard to make yourself a master of the game...and the challenge of doing so makes the game that much more fun.

Of course, no amount of effort with the aforesaid would matter without solid gameplay, and rest assured, they compliment each other beautifully. The controls are taught as you go and are easy to learn, and the graphics and animation flow smoothly, making it easy to keep track of what's going on. The game is also very deep and complex, making it a pleasant challenge no matter how much you've played. It's the kind of game you can play forever, and there's still feels like there's something new to try or overcome. This, coupled with a wide array of unlockable challenges, allows for an endless replay value, meaning the game still goes on, even after the story's been completed.

The sound department is typical for Camelot. There are a few voice clips, while most of the dialogue is accompanied by a somewhat-irritating squaking/screeching/squeaking (take your pick). The rest of the sound is efficient, getting the job done where it has to. As for music, Advance Tour has a few tracks that feel at home with the Mario Golf franchise, but the influence of Camelot's past efforts (specifically Golden Sun) is quite apparent in other tracks. This isn't bad, though...Camelot is often solid with its music, Advance Tour's score has a good feel to it, blending in well with the gameplay.

The only real issue with this game is that Mario and company seem to take a backseat to a collection of Camelot originals, making it seem like Mario was thrown into the game as an effort to add familiarity...kind of like when Star Fox was added to Dinosaur Planet (see Star Fox Adventures for Gamecube). Still, the transition into Mario's world is cleverly done, and players can still use Mario and his closest pals whenever the desire comes to just go out and play a round (provided they're unlocked). It may not feel like a genuine Mario game, but the game's too much fun to get worked up over it.

Overall, Mario Golf Advance Tour is hands down the best portable golf game you can buy. Innovative, slick and fun, Camelot has ushered in a whole new level of sports games with their RPG Golf effort. It's definately an experience like no other.5 stars (Unputdownable) - I own four GBA games which I play every now and then, usually to pass time in between lectures and on long bus rides etc. However, after purchasing Mario Golf, I soon realized just what a great game this is, and have barely let my console rest!!

The golf is fun, and not overly technical. You don't have to have any outside knowledge of the sport to be good at this, as you learn everything you need to from caddies and other golfers in the game.

The storyline is full of adventure... typical of Mario games. You have maps and venture different courses, worlds and experience new challenges all the time.

Indeed, you start off as a novice, and work your way up until you become the creme de la creme. There are so many things you can do, and so many nice courses to utilize.

It's the one GBA game that I would give ten stars out of five, because the graphics are great, the gameplay is absolutely superb, the music is refreshingly fun, and the story is top notch.

If you do decide to get this, you'll know what a gem it is. 5 stars (A fun game for any time!!!) - Mario Golf is a great game. As soon as you think you have beaten the game you find out that there is another challenge for you to beat, and then once you have completed that challenge there is another. Plus each course that you play on, whether it is the Dunes or the Links, are effected by the weather. You might have a sunny day or a windy rainy day. You are always getting better, and always coming across more challenges. I would recommend this game to anyone.
Mario Golf Advance Tour Features:
Video Games
Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)
GBA
Sports (Sport)
Outdoors (Out Doors)
Sports
Outdoors
Play as Mario, Peach, Donkey Kong, and other famous Shot Makers
Link up with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour on your GameCube for hidden extras, additional characters, and more
For 1 player, or up to 4 players using Game Boy Advance link cables
Golf Mario-style on your Game Boy Advance
Compete in singles and doubles tourneys, practice your swing, and master side games

Mario Golf Advance Tour is the Video Game version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around 24.48USD.