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How Metascores Are Calculated
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 GAMES: 
The Mushroom Kingdom has hosted tennis tournaments before, but never one as explosive as this one. The wild multiplayer action of the smash Nintendo 64 hit, Mario Tennis, returns with even more powerful shots and new, character-specific power-ups guaranteed to make for the craziest matches ever. Everyone's favorite Mushroom Kingdom characters are here! Donkey Kong and Bowser can hit insanely powerful Megaton Balls, finesse players like Shy Guy can use instant Tornado Returns and defensive masters like Luigi have all kinds of tricks in their bags. Players of all ages can pick up the game and instantly start whacking tennis balls around and yet a deep level of skill awaits those willing to master it. Build up more and more skill points as you play to use stronger and stronger shots with all kinds of spin. [Nintendo]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 95
Da Gameboyz
The variety of game modes, the spice of the power shots, the unbelievable graphics, and the endless amount of replayability make Mario Power Tennis possibly one of the best Nintendo games on the market.
 95
NintendoWorldReport
Whether you classify it under sports, party, or fighter, Camelot has produced a fine game. If you are looking for an awesome pick-up-and-play multiplayer game this holiday season, you cannot go wrong with Mario Power Tennis.
91
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
A delicious blend of pleasure and pain. Everyone should own a copy of this (and practise lots as well). [NGC]
91
XGP Gaming
Courts range from Standard to Gimmick. Standard courts are just as they sound. Gimmick courts are courts with bizarre little features added on to make it either easier for you or harder for you, depending on how you play.
90
GameBiz
Although it might not be much of a tennis simulator with a realistic attitude, it is still tennis at heart and will test your skills even if you’re a pro in real life.
90
eToychest
As a Mario game, it is bursting with charm and laughs from all your favorites, and as a tennis game it is both solid and fun to play - Mario Power Tennis comes Heartily recommended.
89
GameSpot
This is hands down the single best GameCube tennis offering, and it's also one of the most enjoyable tennis video games around.
89
Armchair Empire
Great control, fun, lots of stuff to do and solid tennis? Mario Power Tennis is a great game even for those that don't generally like tennis unless Anna Kournikova is playing.
89
Pelit (Finland)
A great tennis game despite the overly gimmicky special arenas and extra game modes. The AI plays too predictably, too. [Apr. 05]
87
IC-Games
The graphics are what you would expect from a Mario franchise, colourful, loveable and damn right cute. From the initial opening movie to the closing credits your left in no doubt that this is pure marketing genius.
86
Nintendo Insider
As long as you are not in tournament mode, the game can be the most normal game of tennis you've ever played, or the most ridiculous one you've ever played.
86
BonusStage
One of the best tennis games to come along in a long while, maybe even since its N64 parent. The controls are tight, the gameplay is easy to get into and highly addictive, and the graphics look superb.
85
IGN
The core is still intact, and it still works. That said, some of the additions are a mixed bag. The new power moves, while cinematic and certainly pretty, can jar the flow of matches and make it difficult to continually follow the ball.
85
Weekly Famitsu
9 / 8 / 9 / 8 - 34 gold [Oct 2004]
85
Kombo
Don't be fooled by bounty hunters; Mario Power Tennis is one of the best games you'll play this holiday season. Alone or with friends, you'll have a ball.
85
WHAM! Gaming
An alright game when you play it against one friend, but it gets real fun as a title when you play it with three other friends.
85
1UP
Camelot's finessed, perfected tennis engine means that Mario Power Tennis -- for all its bizarre features and explosive moves -- is one of the best choices for tennis buffs on the market today.
85
Game Informer
An extremely solid game that maintains the great tradition of the franchise. While I doubt it will be remembered as a classic, it will definitely provide fans with many great moments of fun. [Jan 2005, p.127]
85
3DAvenue
The familiarity of the characters will allow all gamers to relate to the game plus the fact it offers both serious and not so serious game modes really enhances the game and makes it one of the better tennis games around, even when compared to proper simulation titles.
84
Gaming Target
If you own and still play the Nintendo 64 version, I still believe that it is worthwhile to pick up the GameCube version because of the updated graphics, new power shots, characters and courts.
83
Nintendophiles
If you're looking for a quick, fun game that demands reflexes, has replay value by the bucket loads, and is a blast to play with friends, check it out.
83
Game Revolution
A reliable, fun game that puts some nice, new spin on an old sport. If you can look past its limited depth, you'll have a ball.
82
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Playing solo does grow old, and a few of the minigames are more tedious than fun, but the solid gameplay will have you and some buds up till all hours of the morning to get in more more round. Good times. [Holiday 2004, p.140]
80
GamePro
Nintendo's got the party magic when it comes to four-player multiplayer good-times, too. No matter how you might manhandle the A.I., playing with your pals is the best way to enjoy this tennis match.
80
Siliconera
It may be simple, but it's addictive. Add in a couple of friends to the mix and you'll be happy you picked this up. [JPN Import]
80
DarkStation
I am just really disappointed that the game didn't include more in the single player portions of the game, but luckily make up most of its ground in the multiplayer side of the game.
80
G4 TV
The lack of a true career mode or create-a-player feature is also a letdown, as is the inability to acquire additional special moves or to put points into improving a character's core abilities.
80
GamerFeed
Mario Power Tennis is all about a great game of tennis, with responsive controls, colorful graphics, and a nice, lighthearted style. Fans of the sport shouldn't be surprised if they find one of the best tennis games out there.
80
GMR Magazine
MPT may not reinvent the game, but it definitely whacks it up enough to warrant a revisit. [Jan 2005, p.120]
80
Yahoo! Games
Excels in fresh, exciting gameplay, especially when battling or playing cooperatively with friends. The many different courts, characters, and moves should keep you busy for months.
80
GameSpy
It's based on excellent gameplay mechanics that are taken in really interesting directions through gimmick courts. Mastering each player will take dozens and dozens of hours. Multiplayer games are a total riot.
80
EuroGamer
Compared to "Virtua Tennis," the undisputed king of the tennis franchises around here, Mario Power Tennis is a bit fuzzier and more forgiving in every respect, but, unless you turn them off, the power shots shift the dynamic in quite a different direction.
80
Sydney Morning Herald
Winning solo tournaments can be frustrating due to difficulty spikes, but treats to unlock include additional characters, gimmick courts and amusing mini-games to help hone your skills.
79
TotalGames.net
You can criticise it for not being a perfect reproduction of tennis and sometimes getting a little over-excited with its colours and power moves but you can't hate this game just because it wants you to have fun.
75
PALGN
Such a hard game to review as the core gameplay is so much fun, but many things are holding back from achieving greatness. The 'power shots', while a good addition, should never have been made compulsory for Tournament play.
75
GameCube Europe
It’s solid fun, but rarely anything more – if you owned the N64 version, I strongly advise that you stay away from this.
75
Play Magazine
Impeccably made, and full of Nintendo-land cheer. [Jan 2005, p.70]
74
Nintendo Power
The initial abbreviated matches against CPU-controlled swingers may seem too easy, but the game ramps up in difficulty at a steady pace. [Jan 2005, p.138]
60
Gamer.tv
It's like Wimbeldon gone weird... But if you strip it down to its essence, there's still a fast and solid tennis game underneath.
58
My Gamer
The poorly designed power shot idea is enough to force any buyer of this game to ship their copy on a one-way trip to hell.
55
netjak
Mario Power Tennis certainly has a lot going for it, but there are several factors that keep it from being truly enjoyable, most notably the lack of a decent doubles mode, the problematic Power shot, and the poor menu navigation.
50
Edge Magazine
Power Tennis has depth only insofar as there’s a great deal to do – medals to win, records to beat and tournament trophies to hold aloft – but all the frills and gimmicks overcomplicate something that wasn’t broken in the first place. [Jan 2005, p.92]
50
games(TM)
With so much going on, getting any enjoyment out of the multiplayer modes is far too much work and the simple, fun aspect found in titles like Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour and Mario Kart: Double Dash!! has been replaced by, well, clutter. [Jan 2005, p.112]
Jack B. gave it a9: Jonny L. gave it a2: Pedro R. gave it a10: Harry H. gave it a10: Will gave it a10: Blue Falcon gave it an 8: [Anonymous] gave it a 10: |
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