A portion of a Nintendo Power interview with Hiroyuki Takahashi (Camelot) and Toshiharu Izuno (Nintendo)...
NP: In the past, portable Mario Tennis titles have featured an involved, RPG-styled single-player mode. Why does this game not feature such a mode?
Takahashi: This version may be for a handheld system, but we approached it like a console title. With aspects like download matches and online matches made possible by the hardware, the game has a feature set more similar to console games. Another reason is that the game's cast includes Mii characters in addition to characters from the Mario family, which are difficult to work into an [RPG] scenario. It didn't feel right to have already-existent Mii characters appear in an original storyline. But there are RPG-like elements in the form of costumes. I hope people will enjoy collecting the various costumes to customize their own characters and expand their abilities.
NP: If you could introduce another Nintendo character (not from the Mario universe) into Mario Tennis Open, who would it be? Why?
Takahashi: Characters from the Pokemon series, like Pikachu, might be a good fit. I think that might be a good way to get new players interested in the game.
Thanks to Alejandro for the heads up!
NP: In the past, portable Mario Tennis titles have featured an involved, RPG-styled single-player mode. Why does this game not feature such a mode?
Takahashi: This version may be for a handheld system, but we approached it like a console title. With aspects like download matches and online matches made possible by the hardware, the game has a feature set more similar to console games. Another reason is that the game's cast includes Mii characters in addition to characters from the Mario family, which are difficult to work into an [RPG] scenario. It didn't feel right to have already-existent Mii characters appear in an original storyline. But there are RPG-like elements in the form of costumes. I hope people will enjoy collecting the various costumes to customize their own characters and expand their abilities.
NP: If you could introduce another Nintendo character (not from the Mario universe) into Mario Tennis Open, who would it be? Why?
Takahashi: Characters from the Pokemon series, like Pikachu, might be a good fit. I think that might be a good way to get new players interested in the game.
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I really enjoyed the RPG elements in the other games. It was definitely a bold choice to lock pretty much all the Nintendo characters from play from the beginning, but the single player was so in depth and engaging it made it more than worth the time playing through to unlock them. Had a feeling we wouldn't see it again though.
Would be nice to see them add characters from other franchises. Link would just use his shield lmao. =P
...Because they added miis they took out the RPG elements? wut?
I don't mind it being more like the console games.
I can't help but feel that there's an excuse here. Perhaps its laziness. Or it's Nintendo wanting to get the game out quicker. This would be a must have title if it had all the elements it does now, plus adding a full RPG experience. I'll let this one slide, but I sincerely hope they make another Mario Golf with full RPG and online for the 3DS. That I'd buy day 1.
I hate when Nintendo interviews have such wafer thin excuses, no RPG because Mii's are in this game? That's crap.
I don't even care about that stuff given that I only ever bought and loved 64/GCN outings, but that reasoning is just lame.
Nintendo does it kind of frequently
Taking out RPG elements because of Miis? Here's a solution: take out the Miis.
Mii's have ruined my life. If they announce a handheld Mario Golf title and not continue the RPG mode trend, I will literally go insane.
I don't see how miis affect this; it's not like your player character from the other handheld sports games talked a lot in the first place.
I would love to see an all Nintendo tennis game like Sega did instead of just Mario characters. Make it happen Nintendo.
Give me Golden Sun 3DS Camelot.
That'd mean I'd have to cover it for the site. Interesting idea :p
I remember people coming to my site for Brawl stuff upon launch, this could be similar.
I'm game, Nintendo. Are you?
A bit of a stupid reason, I reckon its more like "we wanted to do it quicker so we took out RPG elements".
I'm skipping this one unless its cheap to buy, had it had the RPG bits then I'd be all for it.
Have to agree with above responses. I hate when developers make up some weird excuses trying to link variable Y and variable Z when they're totally unrelated. How would a Mii suddenly break the RPG mold?
This issue sounds like they just wanted to possibly patch a 3DS release window with a high profile game.
@Serebii
Joe on GoNintendo eh? SAWP
THAT'S FUCKING BULL shovel!!
I hate these excuses! One after another
My interest has quickly wafered.
What? THAT'S why there isn't any kind of RPG element? Really? The Miis are the ultimate player avatar. Having them in such a game would be amazing!
It doesn't detract from the RPG experience at all! It expands it!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this though, after reading the comments... I'll still get the game whenever I can, but this is still obvious lazyness. We want our Tennis RPG, that got me into RL Tennis again
Did everyone of you guys suddenly forgot there's a relatively robust online mode for this game? The Mii excuse was not the only reason he gave. That was actually the second reason from that quote.
It sucks that this won't have both RPG mode and an online portion, but IMHO, it would be much worse to exclude taking advantage of the 3DS's online capabilities for the RPG mode that has already been done twice before.
If it didn't feel right to include Mii characters in the story line, then they didn't have to do it. Also, just because there is online doesn't mean people still don't want a single player mode. I don't think those are valid excuses.
Also, adding Pokemon to a game pretty much guarantees it will sell. Probably second only to Mario in that regard. lol
That reasoning does not follow and therefore explains nothing.
Well swapping out RPG elements for Miis means that the game went from a $40 worth to a $20 worth. I'll still buy, but not at full price.
I for one don't much care about the RPG elements and look forward to picking up this game. Loved the console versions, and I'm looking forward to picking up my 3DS (which had been gathering dust) again for this one.
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