Underrated Gems: Mario Tennis (GBC)
Mario Tennis (GBC)
While I am sure many people have played the different versions of this game, Mario Tennis for the GBC has a much different feel to it. While the N64, NGC, and Wii versions all have you playing as your favorite Mario characters in intense tennis duels, the GBC version has you play as a male or female character and play your way RPG style through the game, complete with level ups ect.
Story
Check out your badass dorm. Also, they're co-ed ;)
After you pick and name both your character and your roommates/ doubles partner, you go on a quick guided tour of the Academy. You learn you are somewhat of a tennis prodigy, being the first student to be admitted to the Academy mid-term. From there, you work your way through the ranks, with the hope of defeating the grand master of tennis, Mario himself!
Gameplay and Mechanics
Like any good RPG there is an EXP and lvl system. You can train 4 stats, Power, Control, Spin and Speed. Each Stat has sub categories that change when you level them up, for example, the speed stat has Dash, Reaction, and Stop. If you neglect certain stats, they will begin to decrease and it is harder to level them up. Additionally you have to level your doubles partner as well.
Time your serve to get a "Nice!"
As far as controls and in match game play, its similar to that of all the other Mario Tennis games, with A being top spin and B being slice. There are all the same button combos for lob shots, drop shots and smashes as well. The control is good, and you can especially feel the effects of your stats as you can't smash hard, or place the ball well or at a hard angle, or even stop your players momentum if you don't adjust your stats properly.
Graphics
Being a GBC game, the graphics, especially in match are very good. While a bit flat, you have a good perception of depth. Additionally it isn't very pixelly. Each character sprite (there are about 5-6 generic sprites that only vary in color as well as about 10-12 unique ones for the main characters/ opponents) has their own signature celebration and defeat animation after each point.
Thats right. cry for me.
The over world screen is a bit generic with different parts of the academy, When you are on the over world screen you are like the size of 1/4 of the entire court, but hey whatever. There are many different areas, most of which don't do anything, but it isn't a complete eyesore or anything.
Features and Compatibility
There are a few other game modes. 1 is simply an exhibition match where you can play as Mario characters just like the console versions. There is also a link play option which should be self explanatory. Additionally there are a bunch of mini games you can play, most of which involve hitting floating objects over the net with your ball.
Gooooo random generic guy!
Additionally you can use the N64 transfer pack (aka the pokemon stadium pack) to play with your character (including your doubles partner) on the N64 version of Mario Tennis. This is pritty cool because IIRC you can actually gain EXP from it (barely any though).
Hai Guiz!
Additionally some characters like Bowser can only be unlocked on the GBC by transferring over.
Not everything is perfect
This game has its flaws. 1st off, if you don't build your character in certain ways its very hard to beat the game in doubles and singles. Speaking of doubles, yours partners AI is often very bad, when you are in the back, he wont take a side, but rather stay in the middle and run back and forth 3 feet on either side. Often you think he'll miss it and you go to cover the back on that side, he'll make a diving save, just enough for the opposing net player to smash it the other way. Or they have a high enough angle rating for them to simply put it out or reach because your partner wont just play the angle, or the line, but tries to play both.
Also the computer AI gets predictable, especially on serves. I can tell after they fault exactly what the next serve will be. Other than that, the AI is pritty good and has a different style for each character.
Additionally there are parts of the game that serve NO purpose. The Cafe, doesn't have any use, besides a bunch of dialog about eating food you can't interact with or Mario. This isn't a huge deal but meh.
Look at all this food I can't interact with!
Lastly the replay value (for some people) can be kinda lowish. My brother beat the game like 5 times in a few days he was so addicted, but other people it may get old for.
Overall
This is a very fun game. If you like Mario Tennis's gameplay, this will probably occupy you for a while. I don't even touch the other game modes like the mini games and I've probably logged over 60 hours on this game since I rediscovered it. Its replay value gets higher still after you haven't played it in a while.
Overall 8/10
Mario Tennis (GBC)
While I am sure many people have played the different versions of this game, Mario Tennis for the GBC has a much different feel to it. While the N64, NGC, and Wii versions all have you playing as your favorite Mario characters in intense tennis duels, the GBC version has you play as a male or female character and play your way RPG style through the game, complete with level ups ect.
Story
Check out your badass dorm. Also, they're co-ed ;)
After you pick and name both your character and your roommates/ doubles partner, you go on a quick guided tour of the Academy. You learn you are somewhat of a tennis prodigy, being the first student to be admitted to the Academy mid-term. From there, you work your way through the ranks, with the hope of defeating the grand master of tennis, Mario himself!
Gameplay and Mechanics
Like any good RPG there is an EXP and lvl system. You can train 4 stats, Power, Control, Spin and Speed. Each Stat has sub categories that change when you level them up, for example, the speed stat has Dash, Reaction, and Stop. If you neglect certain stats, they will begin to decrease and it is harder to level them up. Additionally you have to level your doubles partner as well.
Time your serve to get a "Nice!"
As far as controls and in match game play, its similar to that of all the other Mario Tennis games, with A being top spin and B being slice. There are all the same button combos for lob shots, drop shots and smashes as well. The control is good, and you can especially feel the effects of your stats as you can't smash hard, or place the ball well or at a hard angle, or even stop your players momentum if you don't adjust your stats properly.
Graphics
Being a GBC game, the graphics, especially in match are very good. While a bit flat, you have a good perception of depth. Additionally it isn't very pixelly. Each character sprite (there are about 5-6 generic sprites that only vary in color as well as about 10-12 unique ones for the main characters/ opponents) has their own signature celebration and defeat animation after each point.
Thats right. cry for me.
The over world screen is a bit generic with different parts of the academy, When you are on the over world screen you are like the size of 1/4 of the entire court, but hey whatever. There are many different areas, most of which don't do anything, but it isn't a complete eyesore or anything.
Features and Compatibility
There are a few other game modes. 1 is simply an exhibition match where you can play as Mario characters just like the console versions. There is also a link play option which should be self explanatory. Additionally there are a bunch of mini games you can play, most of which involve hitting floating objects over the net with your ball.
Gooooo random generic guy!
Additionally you can use the N64 transfer pack (aka the pokemon stadium pack) to play with your character (including your doubles partner) on the N64 version of Mario Tennis. This is pritty cool because IIRC you can actually gain EXP from it (barely any though).
Hai Guiz!
Additionally some characters like Bowser can only be unlocked on the GBC by transferring over.
Not everything is perfect
This game has its flaws. 1st off, if you don't build your character in certain ways its very hard to beat the game in doubles and singles. Speaking of doubles, yours partners AI is often very bad, when you are in the back, he wont take a side, but rather stay in the middle and run back and forth 3 feet on either side. Often you think he'll miss it and you go to cover the back on that side, he'll make a diving save, just enough for the opposing net player to smash it the other way. Or they have a high enough angle rating for them to simply put it out or reach because your partner wont just play the angle, or the line, but tries to play both.
Also the computer AI gets predictable, especially on serves. I can tell after they fault exactly what the next serve will be. Other than that, the AI is pritty good and has a different style for each character.
Additionally there are parts of the game that serve NO purpose. The Cafe, doesn't have any use, besides a bunch of dialog about eating food you can't interact with or Mario. This isn't a huge deal but meh.
Look at all this food I can't interact with!
Lastly the replay value (for some people) can be kinda lowish. My brother beat the game like 5 times in a few days he was so addicted, but other people it may get old for.
Overall
This is a very fun game. If you like Mario Tennis's gameplay, this will probably occupy you for a while. I don't even touch the other game modes like the mini games and I've probably logged over 60 hours on this game since I rediscovered it. Its replay value gets higher still after you haven't played it in a while.
Overall 8/10
