Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mario Golf: Advance Tour builds on the fundamental mechanics of its Game Boy Color predecessor while weaving in a robust RPG progression system that keeps each round feeling meaningful. Players start by creating two custom characters, deciding on appearances and specialty stats, before embarking on a golfing journey filled with both solo and double-match challenges. The RPG elements are woven seamlessly into the core golf mechanics: every swing, putt, and sand trap encounter contributes to your characters’ growth.

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Progression in Advance Tour hinges on a balanced approach to experience distribution. Winning rounds of golf and excelling in mini-games both yield experience points, but the dual-character system means you must level up both simultaneously to tackle double matches and advanced tournaments. This encourages a diverse playstyle, as honing putting accuracy in one character and mastering driving distance with the other becomes a strategic puzzle in its own right.

Mini-games and skill contests serve as both fun distractions and crucial training grounds. Whether you’re aiming to perfect a hook shot or fine-tune your chip-in precision, these bite-sized challenges break up the rhythm of full courses, offering targeted experience rewards. They are cleverly designed to reinforce core golfing techniques while providing a satisfying alternative when you want a quick gameplay fix.

Beyond solo play, Advance Tour’s multiplayer capabilities add another layer of depth. Linking two Game Boy Advances unlocks head-to-head matches and cooperative double rounds, fostering friendly competition and collaboration. For those who also own Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour on GameCube, the link cable allows character transfers, further enriching your roster of skills and creating a sense of continuity between handheld and console experiences.

Graphics

Despite the Game Boy Advance’s hardware limitations, Mario Golf: Advance Tour shines with bright, detailed visuals that capture the charm of the Mushroom Kingdom’s golf courses. Character sprites are crisp and expressive, conveying emotion during victory celebrations, injury animations, and celebratory high-fives in double matches. The attention to detail, from Princess Peach’s frilly skirt to Donkey Kong’s signature tie, reflects Nintendo’s knack for character design.

The courses themselves are varied and colorful, ranging from lush green fairways to sandy desert traps and snowy slopes. Each environment feels distinct, with background elements like waving palm trees, rolling hills, and cheering Toad spectators creating an immersive atmosphere. Subtle animations—fluttering flags, ripples in water hazards, drifting clouds—add life to the static screen and help players stay engaged during longer rounds.

User interface elements are cleanly laid out, with shot meters, wind indicators, and club selection menus readily accessible without cluttering the main play area. The swing meter’s clear coloring and responsive feedback make timing drives and putts intuitive, while contextual tooltips guide newcomers through more advanced shot types such as fades and draws.

Linking up with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour on GameCube reveals seamless visual continuity between the handheld and console versions. Transferred characters retain their unique outfits and color schemes, making it rewarding to see your custom creations rendered on bigger screens. The visual fidelity may shift slightly between platforms, but the vibrant aesthetic remains consistent, reinforcing the sense of a single, interconnected golf universe.

Story

Though golf games rarely hinge on narrative depth, Advance Tour surprises by adopting an RPG-like storyline that unfolds as you progress through various golf clubs. Your custom characters begin as novices, receiving guidance and mentorship from characters like Luigi and Yoshi. Each club introduces new rivals, tournaments, and side quests that propel the story forward and keep you invested in your characters’ growth.

The overarching goal is clear: rise through the ranks to challenge Mushroom Kingdom royalty—Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, and Mario himself. Key story beats are delivered through lighthearted dialogue exchanges, trophy presentations, and clubhouse cutscenes that inject personality without overstaying their welcome. The tone remains cheerful and accessible, appealing to long-time Mario fans and golf enthusiasts alike.

Subplots enrich the journey, such as helping chain chomp out of a sand trap or assisting Wario in recovering his lost club. These episodic segments provide narrative variety and reward players with experience boosts and cosmetic customization items. They also offer a glimpse into the quirks of supporting characters, making each interaction feel like part of a larger golfing community.

While the story doesn’t aim for dramatic twists, it strikes a satisfying balance between progression milestones and lighthearted storytelling. The steady pace of unlocking new courses and opponents mirrors your characters’ development, making every new club a tangible sign of advancement in both skill and status.

Overall Experience

Mario Golf: Advance Tour offers a surprisingly deep handheld golf experience that marries the accessibility of arcade-style sports games with the rewarding progression of RPGs. The dual-character system introduces strategic considerations rarely seen in portable golf titles, ensuring that even seasoned players have to think carefully about skill allocation and match tactics.

The variety of courses and game modes guarantees hours of replayability. Whether you’re tackling championship tournaments, competing in skill-based mini-games, or battling friends in multiplayer matches, Advance Tour constantly provides fresh challenges. The link-up features with both the GameCube and other GBAs extend the lifespan of the game, rewarding dedicated players with exclusive bonuses and bragging rights.

Newcomers will appreciate the intuitive controls and helpful tutorials, while experienced golfers will find depth in mastering shot types, reading wind conditions, and optimizing character builds. The balance between pick-up-and-play fun and long-term strategic planning makes this title suitable for a broad audience.

In summary, Mario Golf: Advance Tour stands out as one of the most engaging sports titles on the Game Boy Advance. Its blend of charming visuals, solid mechanics, and inventive RPG elements creates an experience that holds up even years after its release. For anyone seeking portable golf action with a twist of Nintendo magic, this game is a must-have addition to their library.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10