• Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Dec 5, 2005
Metascore
81 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. It's beautifully constructed, funny, and exciting. It is simply jam-packed with the joy of gaming.
  2. If you're a hard-core tennis sim fan, then Mario Tennis: Power Tour might be a bit too cartoonish, mainly because of the over-the-top, unrealistic power shots. Otherwise, casual fans could enjoy this handheld-perfect title.
  3. Except for the mildly annoying audio elements and certain segments of the story mode bogging down in too much uninteresting dialogue, Mario Tennis: Power Tour really is a game you have to nitpick at in order to find any weaknesses -- nothing about the title stands out as being a serious problem whatsoever, it's that great.
  4. Its deep RPG mode and over-the-top game mechanics are perfect for gamers who are willing to try something different in the world of tennis.
  5. Except for the mildly annoying audio elements and certain segments of the story mode getting bogged down with too much uninteresting dialogue, Mario Tennis: Power Tour really is a game you have to nitpick at in order to find any weaknesses.
  6. 90
    It's the best representation of the sport on the handheld, and it offers up the same amount of depth and playability.
  7. One of those great Nintendo games that takes a somewhat interesting sport and makes it one seriously engrossing game well worth the purchase price.
  8. A rousing tennis game for the Game Boy Advance that's thick with bells and whistles in every regard.
  9. The game is surprisingly close it its bigger brother, with the same addictive charge shots and simple, satisfying play. [Nov p.100]
  10. The simple, pick-up-and-play aesthetic that Nintendo oozes from its sweaty pores will soon have you thwacking the balls around the court like Roger Federer on Sunny D.
  11. Storming through the Power Tour mode in singles and doubles is an entertaining ride, and there's plenty of replay value with the multitude of unlocked minigames and characters.
  12. 80
    A perfect example of how to bring a fleshed-out console sport onto a handheld, and all of the seemingly frivolous extras only help to enhance the experience when you're tired of battling the A.I.
  13. Power Tour is a solid title, but it's not as tight as Bjorn Borg's headband. [Dec 2005, p.190]
  14. The bulk of the gameplay in Power Tour comes from its RPG narrative, and sadly, it's fairly average at best. Most people won't even pay attention to much of the dialog, no matter how good and funny it it--and if you do decide to read it, there really are a lot of sparks of humor to be found in it.
  15. Despite the fairly deep single-player mode, the fact remains that in some ways, this title isn't as deep as its companion game "Mario Golf: Advance Tour."
  16. While Mario Tennis is by all means a decent game, it lacks the flair that would make you want to play it over and over again. [Jan 2006, p.108]
  17. Computer-controlled opponents offer a solid challenge and matches are often tense and exciting.
  18. Ew, they put RPG in my tennis... [Jan 2006, p.135]
  19. It's not that the story mode isn't deep or won't provide you with a good time if you've never experienced anything like it, but for those of us who have, it's about as dry as an overcooked piece of chicken.
  20. 60
    But the actual tennis is excellent and the various mini games are lots of fun, so if you absolutely love the Mario Tennis series and/or have a few friends that also own this game (because each player needs a copy), it's a decent purchase.
  21. The game tries to do too many things rather than focus on perfecting a single facet of the gameplay, and as a result Mario Tennis: Power Tour just misses the mark and ends up serving up a shallow, forgettable game.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Mario Tennis: Power Tour is essential for any Mario fan or sports fan with a GBA. Pros: Easy-to-learn gameplay; fun mini-games; the RPG elements surprisingly add a bit of flare within the game. Cons: The multiplayer requires more than one cartridge; some pointless dialogue that hogs up gameplay time. Full Review »
  2. For kids of all ages, sporty or not. Pros: Excellent graphics for the GBA; easy and fun to learn; single-player and multi-player mode are equally time consuming. Cons: The controls are a bit iffy; 3-D courts could've looked better. Full Review »
  3. MatthewS.
    10
    You got to love this game so many simple rules so little time. There is lots of people to talk to and cool litlle things like a cafeteria, a tube and more. The machines are cool with all those special m oves which means lots of combinations. Another awesome thing is the strategy on court. Way cool you can go to the front so you nail it off screen every time ore stay in back for defense. Every style has its ups and down(favorite isa getting speed and power and staying up front). So over all it's awesome with classes and a favorite of mine is the fact that there is in depth story. Full Review »