GBA Hardware Review: GBA F-Zero: Maximum Velocity Review Well, I got my GameBoy Advance about a month ago. Why did I import? I saw it at Tronixweb.com for $150 with F-Zero. That's only about $10 more than the USA price, 2 months later. So, It comes in 1 day, I plug F-Zero in and all I have to say is: Wow.
This is a handheld? Its past SNES quality. The graphics are top notch, well over the SNES version. Mode 7 is used wonderfully and this game is fast. And I mean FAST. At first, the controls are hard to get used to, but after about 15 or so minutes, I was playing like a pro. The A button lets you accelerate, the B button is brake. The L and R buttons, while hard to reach at first, are used to turn more sharply left or right.  The menu is in Japanese, but there's only 3 options, so you can get through it with trial and error. The game its self takes place 25 years after the SNES version, but it still looks the same. I started on a practice round my first time through. Again, this game is fast. And once you get a boost, hold on tight! So I go through the practice round with ease, then I decide to try a match VS a computer opponent. They are skilled, and get harder the later levels as you would think.
There's plenty of levels for you to play, and even more to be unlocked. Speaking of unlocked, there's some hidden cars too...but I'll let you find that on your own. As you can see in the picture, the box art is very cool. Also, I used some pennys to show how small the game cart really is. I haven't had a chance to play Multiplayer, but the game does support 4 players. You can even play with only one cart, but that limits you to the same car, and only one level.
This game is a must-have at launch. You will not be disappointed. If you loved the SNES version, you'll love taking this one on the road with you where ever you go. The multiplayer will make this game have tons and tons of replay value, so go pre-order now!
5/5
-Brian Link Screen shots courtesy of Nintendo.com.
Others courtesy of me.
GBA Reviews: Konami Krazy Racers
Konami Krazy Racers
What a way to make up for not having Mario Kart Advance ready for launch. Graphically and Gameplay wise, this is one of the best titles for the Game Boy Advance launch. Konami deserves a lot of credit for this game.
Gameplay: This is one of the most fun and addicting games ever. Fun cart racing, to go. If you like cart racing games, such as Mario Kart, Diddy Kong Racing, and to a lesser extent Crash Team Racing, the this is definetly a must buy. The gameplay is fun and colorful, and the game is easy to pick up and play. There is a Krazy GP mode, a Time Attack mode, a Free run mode, and Mini Battle mode, and a VS mode.
Krazy GP mode: This is the basic mode. Race the tracks, if you come in first, second, or third, you succeed. There are four cups you must race in, the Krazy Cup, the Hyper Cup, the Premium Cup, and the Champion Cup. Each Cup includes four tracks.
Time Attack: This is pretty self explanatory. Choose a track, and try and get your best time.
Free Run: This is a very simple mode, just choose a track and a character, and begin to play. Addiciting, and lots of fun.
Mini battle: A little battle mod between you and the computer, sorta fun.
VS: A versus mode that has Free run mode, Match race, and mini battle.
Graphics: The graphics in this game are simply amazing! I remember when Nintendo said that the GBC will Be on par with SNES well, let me tell you, some of the games look just as good as the 2D games on Sega Saturn, and this one is pretty close. That says a lot for a handheld.
Sound: There is such a difference in the sound quality between GBC and GBA its unbelievable. Its so much clearer, and you can turn the volume up louder.
Control: Every game has there bad points, and this is KKRs bad point. For the most part the control is good, but its hard to make a wide turn without falling off the road. Its not something horribly bad, but its a little hard to make a wide turn or something like that.
Overall: This game rocks. If you like racing games especially, make sure you pick it up, if not, pick it up anyways!
Gameplay: 10
Graphics:10
Sound:10
Controls:8
Overall: 10
-Nick Comilla (aka jetgrind)
Rayman Advance
Gameplay: 2D platforming rules. This game is so fun, 60 levels of 32 bit portable Rayman action. You go through zones, such as The Dream Forest, Band Land, and Blue Mountains, just to name some. The gameplay is fun, addictive, and is just cool. If you like platforming games you will love this game. The game may look easy, but it is just as hard as anything else you may find for the GBA.
Graphics: The graphics are good, they are cartoonish. It looks like a fairy tail kind of, but it would be neat if the graphics were 3D. They are still really nice though.
Sound: The music/sound is nice. Not much to say...
Control: The control is great! You can run, leap, climb, swing, and helicoptor. As your get further in the game, you will get more powers, you can't do all those things from the beggining.
Overall: This is one of the best platforming games ever, and it originally came out 5 or so years ago on the PlayStation and PC, and now we have a great handheld version of it.
Gameplay: 10
Graphics: 10
Sound: 10
Control: 10
Overall: 10
GBA News: Check out these amazing Mario Kart Advance screen shots! 
This game looks like it's coming along very nicely. When it comes out, we will have yet another must have game for the GBA.
Thanks to Mike from the Cloudchaser Forums for the pics.
-Nick Comilla (jetgrind) Worms on GBA! IGN Pocket reported today that the hugly populat Worms series will appear on Gameboy Advance. From IGN:
"Team 17 has announced that the hugely popular Worms series is on its way to the Game Boy Advance as Worms World Party, already set for release on the Dreamcast and PC in the next few months.
While the company hasn't offered any details on the portable version of Worms World Party, the Game Boy Advance edition of the game will feature multiplayer support (hopefully by link cable), and it will be published worldwide by EON Digital Entertainment.
Worms is a cool, cartoony hybrid of the old Artillery/Scorched Earth game where two teams of four well-armed worms try to out-gun each other and survive the battle. Worms was released on the Game Boy Color as Worms Armageddon last year by Infogrames.
We're hoping to see something on the GBA version at E3 next week.
-- Craig Harris"
Now, those that know me know that I am a HUGE Worms junkie, and you can bet I will be first one in line for this baby!
--John Sharkey
GBA Previews: Iridion 3D 
Ahhh yes. I remember the first time I saw shots of Iridion 3D. I was looking through a page with a bunch of shots of GBA games, and I get to a few STUNNING ones. That is on the GBA?! It sure is. Iridion 3D, developed by Shin'en, and published by Majesco, is looking to blow consumers out of the water with its beautiful graphics. And I am sure it will. The game runs at a fluid 60fps, with NO slowdown whatsoever. You zip in and out from a behind-the-ship perspective, raining bullets on the enemy. It looks like a supped up Star Fox SNES. That good.
The story, from what I can gather, goes like this: you are a prospector who returns to earth, to find it overrun by the insectoid Iridion Army. You must fly your ship over all sorts of terrain, through 7 huge stages, blasting the baddies. It just can't get any better than that, can it?
The video (below), although just an early demo, is still fantastic. You can see all the beautiful textures, and the speed, even only at 10% done, which is how much was done at the time. You have to see it to believe it, really.
Disappointingly, the game does not feature battery-backed saving, instead using passwords. Ugh. Ah well, you take what you can get, right?
Iridion 3D is scheduled to launch alongside the GBA on the 11th, but many stores already have it in stock and are selling it. I cant wait to pick this one up!
-John S.
The Iridion Movie (10000k) Mario Advance 
Every Nintendo console ever has launched with a Super Mario game, and the Gameboy Advance is no different. While it is a bit, shall we say, controvesial, we will take what we can get, right?
Mario Advance is actually a port of 2 classic Mario games; the original NES Super Mario Brothers, and Super Mario Brothers 2. This is where the the whole 'controvesial' thing comes in. Mario 2 is gennerally considered the worst Mario game by most gamers. (I liked it personally, but...) If you have never played the original, here is a run down: 
Mario 2 strays from the classic Mario "jumping-on-heads" idea, with an entirely new system. Instead of jumping on enemys, you pick up objects like turnips, or even other enemys. Then you throw them at other enemies. Sound simple? It is. Also, this is the only game where you paly for other charaters than the Mario Brothers (aside form Mario RPG). In Mario 2, you pick form Mario, who is an all around charater, Luigi, who jumps really high, Toad, who can pick up objects the fastest, and Princess, who can float for a time after she jumps. So its not like you don't have options. Also, appernetly some of the new sages use the GBA's Mode 7 capabilities, but I'm not sure how.
The original Mario, from what I can gather, is exactly the same, so i won't spend any time on it here. I'm sure you have all played it. :D
One of the biggest additions is a 4 player mode. Using the 4 way cable, you and 3 buddies can hook up and play battle mode, which is like what happens in Mario 3 when you go to the same stage as the other charater. You go into an area where you basically throw shells at the other 3 players. You can check out the shot to the left if you don't get what I mean.
Mario Advance launched with the GBA in Japan on March 21, and will do likewise in the US on June 11. I got my preorder!
--John Sharkey Mario Kart Advance 
Remember way back in the early '90s, when the original Mario Kart came out for the SNES? It sparked the 'revolution' of kart racers, and has seen many rip offs, some better than others. But the original remains one of the best. Now it is comeing to the Gameboy Advance. 
As you can see in the pic to the right, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Wario, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Toad and Bowser all appear in the game. The game will support the one-cart multiplayer, where one cartrage have hook up to 3 other systems and play. Also, you know longer have to share a screen, which is a BIG pluss. It will also support the cell phone hookup for online play. 
While the game lends much from the N64 version, much is taken from the SNES game. The controls are SNES-esque, with the right trigger being the jump/slide, and the left for the weapons, to accomodate the GBA's lack of buttons. The game does use the item blocks from the N64, instead of the squares on the ground. Also, many of the weapons from the N64 appear, such as multiple items and spiny shells. 
As you can see in the picture to the left, battle mode returns, in all it's multiplayer glory. They are using the ballons from the N64 version, as opposed to the balls on teh SNES, obviously. I can't wait for that goodness...
Mario Kart Advance was originally slated as a launch title, but it is being held back in order to work more on the 1 cart multiplayer. Nintendo decided against going with the F-Zero plan of only having 1 track/vehicle available, instead opting to work on having everything available. A good tradeoff, IMO. But it means MKA (no, not Mortal Kombat Advance ;) has no set release date as of yet. It looks like a sure-fire hit when it is released, though.
--John Sharkey |
