Software:Mario Golf: Advance Tour

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Short description: 2004 video game

Mario Golf: Advance Tour
North American box art
North American box art
Developer(s)Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Yasuhiro Taguchi
Producer(s)Shinji Hatano
Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shugo Takahashi
Designer(s)Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shugo Takahashi
Composer(s)Motoi Sakuraba
SeriesMario Golf
Platform(s)Game Boy Advance
Release
  • JP: April 22, 2004
  • NA: June 21, 2004
  • AU: July 8, 2004
  • EU: September 17, 2004
Genre(s)Sports, role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Golf: Advance Tour[lower-alpha 1] is a 2004 sports role-playing video game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The game is the sequel to the Game Boy Color version of Mario Golf[1] and the Game Boy Advance counterpart of Software:Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.

Story mode

Overworld

Advance Tour features an overworld map, where the player can walk around and interact with different courses and objects. On the overworld are the four golfing "clubs" (Marion, Palms, Dunes, and Links) which hold tournaments. The player must play in these tournaments to prove themselves to be an "ultimate golfer", and earn the right to golf with Mario. There are also side courses, as well as the Custom Club Shop, where a metalsmith will make the player special clubs if they give him a Custom Ticket.

Courses

Screenshot of gameplay

In each of the four clubs available in Mario Golf: Advance Tour, there are three places of interest: the golf course, the practice area, and the student lodging. The golf course is accessed by entering the tourneys or by playing a practice round. The practice area allows the players to hone their skills by doing various mini-games, as well as play a match against the course leader. Each practice area also features a secret challenge that allows the player to obtain useful items. The student lodging area is only accessible in the Marion course, where Neil and Ella live. One can talk to their doubles partner here, as well as save their game.

Characters

At the beginning of the game, the player must choose between one of two characters, Neil or Ella, and play as that character for the rest of the game, with the other character as their doubles partner. Neil and Ella have different strengths: Neil has stronger hitting and a slight draw, while Ella has more precise hitting and a slight fade. By progressing through the game and completing its various elements, the player can gain experience to distribute among the two characters to enhance both their drive as well as their hitting capabilities. As a character levels up, they gain stat points to improve their abilities.

Multiplayer

Advance Tour features four multiplayer modes. In the "Without Game Link" mode, two to four players take turns playing on one Game Boy Advance. They can choose a player from the unlocked list of players, pick clubs, and then pick a gameplay mode. Other than the previous mentioned features, this is the same as standard free-play mode. In the "With Game Link" mode, each player can select from their own list of characters and clubs, but courses must be mutually unlocked. Otherwise, this is the same as the Without Game Link mode. The Wireless Adapter mode only shows up when the Wireless Adapter is attached to the Game Boy Advance. Otherwise, this is the same as With Game Link mode. In the Club Exchange mode, two players can trade the clubs which they have earned throughout the game via a Game Link Cable or a Wireless Adapter. In the Get Clubs mode, one can receive exclusive Special clubsets (up to 16) from a Wonder Spot using a Wireless Adapter. However, this mode was never used.

Development and release

Advance Tour was revealed in late 2003, and created largely by the same team who made Software:Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour for the GameCube.[2][3][4] Initially shipped on April 22, 2004 in Japan, the game was also released on June 21, 2004,[5] and September 17, 2004 for North America and Europe respectively. The game also was bundled in Japan with a Wireless Adapter, to go along with the Pokémon releases at the time.[6]

The game was designed by Shugo Takahashi and Hiroyuki Takahashi, and directed by Yasuhiro Taguchi, all of whom have contributed to the Golden Sun series, which had graphical elements that were reused in this game and Software:Mario Tennis: Power Tour.[3][7]

In 2014, the game was re-released on the Wii U Virtual Console on August (PAL) and September (Japan and North America).

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic84/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[9]
EGM8.67/10[10]
Eurogamer8/10[11]
Famitsu32/40[12]
Game Informer8/10[13]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[14]
GameSpot8.2/10[15]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarHalf star[16]
GameZone9/10[17]
IGN9.5/10[18]
Nintendo Power4.4/5[19]
Awards
PublicationAward
GameSpyEditors' Choice[20]
IGNEditors' Choice Award[21]

Since its release, Advance Tour received "generally favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[8]

IGN hailed Advance Tour as "one of the best golfing games ever", bestowing the game with an Editors' Choice Award, GameSpy said "aside from the quirks in graphics and music, there's almost nothing wrong with Mario Golf: Advance Tour", and Game Informer concluded that in Advance Tour "handheld golf has never been as much fun."[13][16][18]

The RPG elements have also been praised, with 1UP saying "[the] simple act of leveling up is addictive in itself" and according to Electronic Gaming Monthly "all the extraneous questing, character building, and item collecting just works."[10][22]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Mario Golf: GBA Tour (Japanese: マリオゴルフ ＧＢＡツアー)

References

  1. ↑ "Nintendo.com Games : Mario Golf: Advance Tour". Nintendo. http://register.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=bb1809cc-93a9-4de5-984d-f2b278c593a9. Retrieved June 17, 2008. 
  2. ↑ "Game Credits for Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/gamecube/mario-golf-toadstool-tour/credits. Retrieved July 8, 2008. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Game Credits for Mario Golf: Advance Tour". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/gameboy-advance/mario-golf-advance-tour/credits. Retrieved July 8, 2008. 
  4. ↑ Harris, Craig (September 24, 2003). "Metroid & Mario Golf Early 2004". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/24/metroid-mario-golf-early-2004. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  5. ↑ Harris, Craig (2004-06-08). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/08/mario-golf-advance-tour-3. 
  6. ↑ IGN staff (February 25, 2004). "Mario Golf Goes Wireless". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/25/mario-golf-goes-wireless. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  7. ↑ "Game Credits for Golden Sun". MobyGames. http://www.mobygames.com/game/gameboy-advance/golden-sun/credits. Retrieved July 8, 2008. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mario Golf Advance Tour for Game Boy Advance Review". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/mario-golf-advance-tour/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  9. ↑ Edge staff (July 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". Edge (138): 109. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 EGM staff (July 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". Electronic Gaming Monthly (180): 106. 
  11. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (September 20, 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_mariogolf_gba. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  12. ↑ "マリオゴルフ ＧＢＡツアー". Famitsu 802. April 30, 2004. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Kato, Matthew (June 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". Game Informer (134): 138. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/2F1AC17E-43F7-45D9-A59D-0C84292C4D17.htm. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  14. ↑ Star Dingo (July 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro: 86. Archived from the original on April 4, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050404075547/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/36153.shtml. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  15. ↑ Davis, Ryan (June 21, 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-golf-advance-tour-review/1900-6101047/. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Padilla, Raymond (June 25, 2004). "GameSpy: Mario Golf: Advance Tour". GameSpy. Archived from the original on November 10, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051110102940/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/mario-golf-advance-tour/526437p1.html. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  17. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (July 7, 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour - GBA - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080828232614/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22323_GBA.htm. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Harris, Craig (June 11, 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/11/mario-golf-advance-tour-2. Retrieved January 18, 2015. 
  19. ↑ "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". Nintendo Power 182: 121. August 2004. 
  20. ↑ "Game Boy Advance: Reviews Index". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061015221356/http://gba.gamespy.com/index/reviews.html?constraint.bool.article.is_editors_choice=is_true&constraint.return_all=is_true. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  21. ↑ "IGN.com Editors' Choice Awards". IGN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051212052058/http://gameboy.ign.com/index/choice.html. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 
  22. ↑ Gifford, Kevin (June 21, 2004). "Mario Golf: Advance Tour". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/reviews/mario-golf-advance-tour_2. Retrieved January 19, 2015. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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