Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tennis, Anyone For More?, December 18, 2004
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
Nintendo really has found so many ways to really make Mario a real household name again the past few years for the Nintendo Gamecube. He has been in so many wonderful video games including the vigorous racing game Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, the challenging and strategic Mario Party games 4, 5, & now 6, and the golf game that isn't just like any ordinary game, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. Those games have all done well, and yet from another Nintendo 64 classic, Mario Tennis, the game proved so well as one of the final games for the N64 system. Yet, the people at Camelot and Nintendo knew there had to be a sequel that was even more challenging, and yet it has happened.
Mario Power Tennis, follows through very well in the same path that Mario Tennis had for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. The game features Mario, Luigi, Bowser and company through several different and challenging courses including the traditional courses, as well as themed courses just like the Nintendo 64 version. The game also fatures new games and challenges like Artist On The Court, Mecha-Bowser Challenge, Ring Shot, and many more. The tournaments also range into differnt patterns as well, with a Gimmick version that has obstacles all over the tennis court, on themed courses for Donkey Kong, Wario Ware, and the original Mario Brothers games. The graphics are outstanding and improved the detail of each of the characters nicely in detail beyond the N64 version, and the gameplay is very challenging.
There are some downsides however: one of them is the overused motions for the power shots during the game. In exhibition mode, they can not be available if optional, but in tournament mode that is another story. Another is the control, on some of the characters which can be frustrating in certain cases including Yoshi who is very weak, but gets a power-up bonus later on, before he is as skilled as the other players. Yet, with a lot of practice, anyone can be the ace.
Mario Power Tennis happens to be a very well put Gamecube game, since there really isn't anyone out there for the Gamecube, unlike the other systems. This is a very enjoyable game for all gamers alike. It is exciting playing it alone, but better with a partner against you. I really know that his game is a must for any part of your Gamecube library.
Graphics: A
Sound: B+
Control: B-
Fun and Enjoyment: B
Overall game: B+
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61 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A review from someone who has actually played this game!, November 12, 2004
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
OK so most of these reviews were written by people BEFORE the game came out. I own the game and have played it and need to gove my 2 cents about it. If you have played the N64 version you will find this very similar. Same cartoonish graphics, same nostalgic Nintendo characters. So similar that you really don't notice that you are now playing on a Gamecube - but I don't think anyone would buy this game for the graphics. This is a fun game with great replay value. The new feature is the power-up hit. This allows both offensive and defensive moves and allows stronger shots or allows you to hit a shot normally out of reach. This can be fun but very annoying as well. Annoying because when playing a tennis game (like Top Spin for XBox or Smash Court 2 for PS2) you can get into longer games becase of the many returns but yet on this game you get interrupted to allow for the animation of the power hits. The other annoying thing about this game is that the noises that the characters make are very repetitive and sometimes very annoying (especially Luigi) to the point where I had to turn the vloume off.
So basically if you enjoy golf games like Tiger Woods as opposed to Mario Golf or Hot Shots for PS2 and are looking for the tennis equivalent then I highly doubt you will like this game. It has elements of regular tennis games but is very arcade style with the cartoony graphics that you love (or hate) that makes Nintendo games famous.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not the most serious, but the most fun to play, October 30, 2004
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a kid's review too, but hopefully with a bit more intelligence and comments badsed on the actual game, not screenshots.
I have a copy of the Japanese version, have only played on it for 6 - 8 hours, but can safely say that this game is better than Mario Tennis 64.
It is redundant to speak of Nintendo overusing the Mario name when games of this quality are being produced. I could care less if who fronts the game, at the end of the days what is most important is if it plays well and is good value for money.
The mechanics of the game are very similar to the N64 version, easy to get into, deep enough for those who want to take the game more seriously.
The courts are fabulous looking, animation is wonderful, even the crowds look good this time. Like the last game, ach of the players have different skills, and actually FEEL different when you play them, not like many other more "serious" tennis games.
Those worried about the flashy super shots with cut scenes needn't fear, they can be switched on or off so purists can also enjoy this game, it's not just a simple party game.
Although there are lots of party modes, more than in the previous game and better done, too.
Comparing this with top spin for XBOX...while top spin uses its "special" shot structure better (in this game I have found drop shots to be difficult and a bit unrealistic) Mario Power Tennis plays a better game, as you are able to use the court much more, in that the game is less about simply overpowering your opponent, but rather out thinking them.
Wait for the American release though, there is lots of Japanses text in the game.
If you are reading this, I wont insult your intelligence by saying that "fans of shooters and FPS might want to stay away"... if you like tennis games thi one MUST be played.
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