DESCRIPTION

Mario and friends break out their clubs and head to the Game Boy Advance, for a round on the system's first Nintendo-published golf game. Developed by Camelot Software Planning, which also crafted Mario Golf for GBC and N64 as well as the contemporary Toadstool Tour for GameCube, Advance Tour offers the characters and colorful Mario World courses that fans expect, with improvements to both play and presentation over its handheld predecessor.

The game uses a conventional swing system, with button-taps along a moving meter determining power and accuracy, but practiced players can exercise greater control by using the "B" button instead of the more forgiving "A" button. An emphasis on role-playing elements allows players to get to know their characters and custom-develop their skills. Single players begin as amateurs, earning prestige and custom clubs as they move up the leader board to eventually face pros like Mario or Yoshi. A selection of mini-games can also help characters hone their skills.

As many as four Advance Tour players can compete together through a link connection. Compatibility with the GameCube's Toadstool Tour offers properly equipped Nintendo-philes new options on both systems, including the ability to transfer Advance Tour characters to the GameCube game. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide