Mario Golf: World Tour

Mario Golf: World Tour
Packaging artwork released for all territories
Developer(s)Camelot Software Planning
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Shugo Takahashi
Producer(s)Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shugo Takahashi
Toshiharu Izuno
Designer(s)Hiroyuki Takahashi
Shugo Takahashi
Norisumi Osawa
Writer(s)Hiroyuki Takahashi
Composer(s)Motoi Sakuraba
SeriesMario Golf
Platform(s)Nintendo 3DS
Release
  • JP: May 1, 2014
  • NA/EU: May 2, 2014
  • AU: May 3, 2014
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mario Golf: World Tour[a] is a 2014 golf video game developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS.[1][2] The game was first announced on February 14, 2013, in a Nintendo Direct presentation.[3] It is the fifth game in the series, and is the first one in a decade, since 2004's Mario Golf: Advance Tour for the Game Boy Advance. The game was initially scheduled for the second half of 2013,[4] but was eventually delayed to May 2014.[5]

Gameplay

World Tour is a golf simulation video game with the basic premise mirroring the basis of golf. Controlling characters from the Mario franchise,[6] the player aims to hit a golf ball with a golf club across a golf course in order to hit it into the target hole in the lowest number of strokes. The game in particular employs an arcade-like approach to golf, emphasizing simple, straightforward controls and faster-paced gameplay over realism.[1] Despite this, some courses are modeled to look like real-life courses,[1] while others are Super Mario themed environments.[7] The game continues to employ the gameplay mechanic of "Super Shots"; when chosen by the player, they allow for extra distance when hitting the ball, although only a limited number of them are allocated per course, creating a strategic aspect to their use.[8]

The game also contains online multiplayer golf tournaments,[9] and a feature to find other players to play golf with.[10]

Reception

World Tour has received generally favorable reviews from critics. Many critics praised the gameplay and online functionality, but criticized the Castle Club mode for being confusing. The game holds an average score of 78 on Metacritic.[11]

Destructoid gave it an 8.5 saying that the learning curve is steep and praised the online multiplayer, but criticized the camera and aiming control.[12] IGN gave World Tour an 8.6 rating, summarizing "You don’t have to be a hardcore golf fan to get hooked on World Tour. It rewards good play, gives plenty to do, and is a great teacher."[15]

Notes

  1. ^ マリオゴルフ ワールドツアー (Mario Gorufu Wārudo Tsuā)

References

  1. ^ a b c McElroy, Griffin (2013-02-06). "Mario Golf: World Tour announced for Nintendo 3DS, coming this summer". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  2. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (2013-02-14). "Mario Golf: World Tour Announced for 3DS". IGN. IGN. Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  3. ^ Plante, Chris (2013-01-22). "Nintendo Direct for Feb. 14: Mario Golf, Animal Crossing and more". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  4. ^ Liebl, Matt (14 February 2013). "Mario Golf World Tour brings golf to the 3DS". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2015-10-19. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  5. ^ Krupa, Daniel (13 June 2013). "E3 2013: Mario Golf World Tour Delayed To 2014". IGN. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  6. ^ McFerran, Damien (2013-02-14). "Mario Golf: World Tour Tees Off On 3DS This Summer". Nintendo Life. Nintendolife.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  7. ^ Totilo, Stephen (2013-02-14). "New Mario Golf Coming to 3DS This Summer From Camelot [Video added]". Kotaku. Kotaku.com. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  8. ^ King, Ryan (2013-02-14). "Mario Golf World Tour Announced". NowGamer. NowGamer. Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  9. ^ Green, Andy (2013-06-13). "Mario Golf: World Tour Pushed Back To 2014". Nintendo Life. Nintendolife.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  10. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (2013-08-03). "Mario Golf: World Tour still on track for 2014". VG247. VG247. Archived from the original on 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  11. ^ a b "MARIO GOLF: WORLD TOUR". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b North, Dale. "Review: Mario Golf: World Tour". Destructoud. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  13. ^ Schilling, Chris (24 April 2014). "Mario Golf: World Tour Review". Eurogamer.net. Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  14. ^ Gilbert, Henry (24 April 2014). "Mario Golf: World Tour Review". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  15. ^ a b Albert, Brian (24 April 2014). "Mario Golf: World Tour Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  16. ^ Whitehead, Tomas (24 April 2014). "Mario Golf: World Tour Review". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  17. ^ McElroy, Griffin (25 April 2014). "Mario Golf: World Tour Review: Mixed Greens". Polygon. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.