Banjo Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge (Rating: 9/10)
A little history lesson before I talk about the game: In 2002, the whole company of Rare was purchased by Microsoft. Honestly, I thought that was a brutal advantage for Microsoft. Not only were there lots of Gamecube games canceled, but while Rare's entries on the Xbox had mixed reactions, they eventually turned into a mere Kinect developer you see them as today.
Fortunately, in 2003/2004, before Rare's slow pain, THQ made a deal with Microsoft in which Rare could make some games for Game Boy Advance (Had this be done now, a Banjo game for 3DS would be everyone's dream). Since Microsoft doesn't have a handheld console, they agreed, resulting in a third Banjo game, Banjo Pilot, It's Mr. Pants, and probably more.
===GAME REVIEW===
Since this game came out before BK: Nuts and Bolts (Which is nothing like how a Banjo game should be), this is the real Banjo-Threeie, I guess. After all, it plays very satisfyingly and stays within the BK tradition of collecting notes and Jiggies (puzzle pieces) in a Mario 64-like fashion.
The game plays like a combination of Zelda and, of course, Super Mario 64. You roam around in semi-3D environments, battling enemies, exploring areas, etc. It's more fun than described, really. You can use collected notes to learn new attacks you could use, and once you free Kazooie (Yeah, she's kidnapped for a portion of the game), you can actually use that bird as a gun firing eggs (Which you find in various areas as well)! Not to mention being able to use her to glide to areas you may not be able to normally reach.
The graphics are amazing. Rare has done a great job to capture that Banjo-Kazooie feel. The environments truly appeal to the eye, with grassland worlds looking full of plant life, and other worlds looking quite unique as well. It might sometimes be difficult to judge distance on how you would land to the ground after jumping, but you'll get used to it quickly.
Banjo Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge is a great adventure and whether you own a Game Boy Advance, a Nintendo DS (Lite), or a mobile phone, you should definitely get this.
Fortunately, in 2003/2004, before Rare's slow pain, THQ made a deal with Microsoft in which Rare could make some games for Game Boy Advance (Had this be done now, a Banjo game for 3DS would be everyone's dream). Since Microsoft doesn't have a handheld console, they agreed, resulting in a third Banjo game, Banjo Pilot, It's Mr. Pants, and probably more.
===GAME REVIEW===
Since this game came out before BK: Nuts and Bolts (Which is nothing like how a Banjo game should be), this is the real Banjo-Threeie, I guess. After all, it plays very satisfyingly and stays within the BK tradition of collecting notes and Jiggies (puzzle pieces) in a Mario 64-like fashion.
The game plays like a combination of Zelda and, of course, Super Mario 64. You roam around in semi-3D environments, battling enemies, exploring areas, etc. It's more fun than described, really. You can use collected notes to learn new attacks you could use, and once you free Kazooie (Yeah, she's kidnapped for a portion of the game), you can actually use that bird as a gun firing eggs (Which you find in various areas as well)! Not to mention being able to use her to glide to areas you may not be able to normally reach.
The graphics are amazing. Rare has done a great job to capture that Banjo-Kazooie feel. The environments truly appeal to the eye, with grassland worlds looking full of plant life, and other worlds looking quite unique as well. It might sometimes be difficult to judge distance on how you would land to the ground after jumping, but you'll get used to it quickly.
Banjo Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge is a great adventure and whether you own a Game Boy Advance, a Nintendo DS (Lite), or a mobile phone, you should definitely get this.
Donkey Kong 3-e (Rating: 6/10)
Stanley's first and only console game never lived up to the games his cousin had starred in, and with great reason: His game isn't nearly as fun as the previous games.
The goal is simple. All you have to do is shoot up Donkey Kong's butt until he reaches the top of the vines he is climbing. Bugs will come down to distract you and take your flowers.
All the levels have almost the same layout, with the exception of the enemies.
Since it's arrived to the GBA, you might want to take a good look at the game. I mean, I sorta like the game. But it still isn't as fun as the other Mario games out there.
The goal is simple. All you have to do is shoot up Donkey Kong's butt until he reaches the top of the vines he is climbing. Bugs will come down to distract you and take your flowers.
All the levels have almost the same layout, with the exception of the enemies.
Since it's arrived to the GBA, you might want to take a good look at the game. I mean, I sorta like the game. But it still isn't as fun as the other Mario games out there.
Game & Watch Gallery 4 (Rating: 10/10)
Game & Watch Gallery 4 may say "Six Games in One" one the box, but don't be fooled by that. You may have started out with 6 Game & Watch games, but as you earn more stars, you unlock more! You start out with these titles:
Fire: Don't let the helpless victims fall on the ground as they have escaped from the fire burning in the castle.
Boxing: KO the computer player(s).
Rain Shower: Don't let anything drop on Mario's friends (In Classic mode, don't let rain drop on the drying clothes).
Mario's Cement Factory: Turn the cement into cookies for Yoshi to eat or for Toad to package. (In Classic Mode: For customers' cars)
Donkey Kong Jr: Faithful to the arcade classic, you must grab the key and rescue Donkey Kong.
Donkey Kong 3: Blow bubbles (Classic: Bug spray) at the fireballs and ghosts (Classic: Bugs) so they can harm your opponent.
You are already thrilled with the games, but as you unlock more games, you get another bunch of Game & Watch classics:
Chef: Juggle the food in the air without dropping them on the floor.
Mario Bros: Carry cakes (Classic: Boxes) into the conveyor belts to decorate it (Classic: Inserting bottles into the boxes). Fill up the truck with the packages for extra points.
Donkey Kong: Another classic arcade game that pits you against the gorilla while having to save Peach (Classic: Pauline).
Octopus: Go underwater and nab treasures from the octopus.
Fire Attack: Whack the enemies with your hammer and don't let them torch or blow up your base.
Die-hard Game & Watch fans should be in heaven by now, but now there are 9 more games! Yeah! NINE! But they have no Modern versions, though. The games are:
Manhole: Don't let people fall into the water and make bridges for them to cross over.
Tropical Fish: Like Fire, you must bounce them over to the other fish tank, but you must not let the fish fall on the floor.
Mario's Bombs Away: The only game where Mario's in the military (and where you see someone smoking in a Mario game), you must carry the bomb over to a fellow soldier to throw at the enemy's army, while avoiding to have it lit.
Parachute: Catch the falling parachutists.
Bombsweeper: As you go through a maze, you must find the bomb and don't let it blow up.
Climber: The best Game & Watch platformer besides Super Mario Bros, you must climb up mountains as high as possible.
Safe Buster: Catch the falling bombs and throw them into the fire.
Lifeboat: Catch the falling people and guide them to safety.
Zelda: Yeah, that's right. The final unlockable game is a Game & Watch version of ZELDA! You must attack your enemies until their health fades to 0. If you have 5 hearts, you can shoot lasers out of your sword. You can also find a Tomahawk to use against the boss to kill it faster, and a map in case if you want to go to the boss with less battles along the way. Life Water can heal you fully to 5 hearts.
You can also play multiplayer in Boxing and Donkey Kong 3 using the link cable.
All of these Game & Watch classics are seriously addicting, and the fun just doesn't stop when it comes to having 20 Game & Watch games on your Game Boy Advance!
So overall, this is one heck of a GBA cartridge,
Fire: Don't let the helpless victims fall on the ground as they have escaped from the fire burning in the castle.
Boxing: KO the computer player(s).
Rain Shower: Don't let anything drop on Mario's friends (In Classic mode, don't let rain drop on the drying clothes).
Mario's Cement Factory: Turn the cement into cookies for Yoshi to eat or for Toad to package. (In Classic Mode: For customers' cars)
Donkey Kong Jr: Faithful to the arcade classic, you must grab the key and rescue Donkey Kong.
Donkey Kong 3: Blow bubbles (Classic: Bug spray) at the fireballs and ghosts (Classic: Bugs) so they can harm your opponent.
You are already thrilled with the games, but as you unlock more games, you get another bunch of Game & Watch classics:
Chef: Juggle the food in the air without dropping them on the floor.
Mario Bros: Carry cakes (Classic: Boxes) into the conveyor belts to decorate it (Classic: Inserting bottles into the boxes). Fill up the truck with the packages for extra points.
Donkey Kong: Another classic arcade game that pits you against the gorilla while having to save Peach (Classic: Pauline).
Octopus: Go underwater and nab treasures from the octopus.
Fire Attack: Whack the enemies with your hammer and don't let them torch or blow up your base.
Die-hard Game & Watch fans should be in heaven by now, but now there are 9 more games! Yeah! NINE! But they have no Modern versions, though. The games are:
Manhole: Don't let people fall into the water and make bridges for them to cross over.
Tropical Fish: Like Fire, you must bounce them over to the other fish tank, but you must not let the fish fall on the floor.
Mario's Bombs Away: The only game where Mario's in the military (and where you see someone smoking in a Mario game), you must carry the bomb over to a fellow soldier to throw at the enemy's army, while avoiding to have it lit.
Parachute: Catch the falling parachutists.
Bombsweeper: As you go through a maze, you must find the bomb and don't let it blow up.
Climber: The best Game & Watch platformer besides Super Mario Bros, you must climb up mountains as high as possible.
Safe Buster: Catch the falling bombs and throw them into the fire.
Lifeboat: Catch the falling people and guide them to safety.
Zelda: Yeah, that's right. The final unlockable game is a Game & Watch version of ZELDA! You must attack your enemies until their health fades to 0. If you have 5 hearts, you can shoot lasers out of your sword. You can also find a Tomahawk to use against the boss to kill it faster, and a map in case if you want to go to the boss with less battles along the way. Life Water can heal you fully to 5 hearts.
You can also play multiplayer in Boxing and Donkey Kong 3 using the link cable.
All of these Game & Watch classics are seriously addicting, and the fun just doesn't stop when it comes to having 20 Game & Watch games on your Game Boy Advance!
So overall, this is one heck of a GBA cartridge,
Mario Bros.-e (Rating: 7/10)
Mario Bros is another smash hit arcade game that helped Nintendo by a lot back in the day.
You get to hit enemies from underneath them, and then kick 'em off the platforms!
Things are especially fun in 2-Player mode, whereas Luigi shines in and helps out his big brother.
Now this game is available at the palm of you hand. All you have to do is get these e-reader cards, scan them, and start playing.
However, what kinda docked off a star is the fact that a new version of Mario Bros is packed in with every Mario Advance game and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, all of which are on the Game Boy Advance, like these e-reader cards.
You get to hit enemies from underneath them, and then kick 'em off the platforms!
Things are especially fun in 2-Player mode, whereas Luigi shines in and helps out his big brother.
Now this game is available at the palm of you hand. All you have to do is get these e-reader cards, scan them, and start playing.
However, what kinda docked off a star is the fact that a new version of Mario Bros is packed in with every Mario Advance game and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, all of which are on the Game Boy Advance, like these e-reader cards.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Rating: 10/10)
Mario Kart: Super Circuit is the first time the Mario Kart series came onto the Game Boy. It is also the first game in the series to have a subtitle with the actual title. Once more, it is also the first Mario Kart game to have retro courses. Don't believe me? Then skip down to the near-bottom of this review.
Instead of having the same gameplay as Mario Kart 64, however, the game uses the original Super Nintendo game's gameplay and performs a major twist in it.
The graphics are awesome. For the characters, they are taken right out of Mario Kart 64, but everything else is new and a sight for sore eyes.
You get to start with 16 courses (The Special Cup is locked). Each course seems to have their own gimmicks, with the exception of some. The courses are greatly detailed and their designs are kinda clever.
The music in the game is unlike the other Mario Kart games. Although some of the soundtrack is Mario Kart-worthy, there are several songs that doesn't fit in, yet you'd love to listen to the music. Such examples are Boo Lake, Ribbon Road, Snow Land, and the game's Rainbow Road.
When racing on a track, you'll always find coins. At first glance, they look pointless to collect. But guess what? You need them. If you have no coins and someone bumps into you, you'll spin out. What's cool about the coins is that when you finish a cup with over 100 coins, you get to unlock a cup from the original Super Mario Kart! Nostalgia just beats like a human heart right there. When you enter the Cup menu, just press L or R and then it will switch to the Super Mario Kart tracks. The graphics aren't from the Super Nintendo game, though, but the tracks still play like how they used to be.
With 20 new courses and 20 ones that were brought back, this game will last for a long while.
Instead of having the same gameplay as Mario Kart 64, however, the game uses the original Super Nintendo game's gameplay and performs a major twist in it.
The graphics are awesome. For the characters, they are taken right out of Mario Kart 64, but everything else is new and a sight for sore eyes.
You get to start with 16 courses (The Special Cup is locked). Each course seems to have their own gimmicks, with the exception of some. The courses are greatly detailed and their designs are kinda clever.
The music in the game is unlike the other Mario Kart games. Although some of the soundtrack is Mario Kart-worthy, there are several songs that doesn't fit in, yet you'd love to listen to the music. Such examples are Boo Lake, Ribbon Road, Snow Land, and the game's Rainbow Road.
When racing on a track, you'll always find coins. At first glance, they look pointless to collect. But guess what? You need them. If you have no coins and someone bumps into you, you'll spin out. What's cool about the coins is that when you finish a cup with over 100 coins, you get to unlock a cup from the original Super Mario Kart! Nostalgia just beats like a human heart right there. When you enter the Cup menu, just press L or R and then it will switch to the Super Mario Kart tracks. The graphics aren't from the Super Nintendo game, though, but the tracks still play like how they used to be.
With 20 new courses and 20 ones that were brought back, this game will last for a long while.
Mario Tennis: Power Tour (Rating: 9/10)
I don't understand Mario sports games. The Mario Golf and Tennis series always have their console games filled up with game modes, but for the handheld games, there are some game modes and AN RPG. That's the case with Mario Tennis: Power Tour (Or should I say, Mario Power Tennis GBA?).
While not exactly like Mario Power Tennis on the Gamecube, the voice clips and special moves are taken from that game. Plus, the graphics are pre-rendered.
Anyways, you get these game modes: An Exhibition mode, some minigames (unlock these in the RPG), and the Adventure mode, which is the RPG. You know the drill in tennis: Serve, whack the ball, and get the other guy out. The game is a very well-done adaptation of the sport. Playing it as a video game actually makes it kind of addicting to play.
The awkward part about this game, though, is the character selection. Sure, you get Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Donkey Kong. But there's no Wario, yet there's Waluigi. What the heck? Who came up with that idea?
The RPG portion takes up a lot of the game. Instead of battling people by taking turns using attacks, you play tennis. But it gets a little deeper as it turns out you must level up your character. You also have to beat everybody at tennis in the Junior Courts to get to the Senior Courts, and so on.
Let's not forget the minigames. You unlock these in the Workout building in the RPG mode. They play like arcade games, except they were built out of tennis. You have hitting against the wall, hitting the ball to specific parts of the other side of the court, and, my favorite, the one where you jump over barrels and banana peels on a giant treadmill. They are all very fun to play.
So overall, Mario Tennis: Power Tour is worth it mostly for the RPG. The game can go pretty deep when it comes to using tennis as a basis for this kind of genre.
While not exactly like Mario Power Tennis on the Gamecube, the voice clips and special moves are taken from that game. Plus, the graphics are pre-rendered.
Anyways, you get these game modes: An Exhibition mode, some minigames (unlock these in the RPG), and the Adventure mode, which is the RPG. You know the drill in tennis: Serve, whack the ball, and get the other guy out. The game is a very well-done adaptation of the sport. Playing it as a video game actually makes it kind of addicting to play.
The awkward part about this game, though, is the character selection. Sure, you get Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Donkey Kong. But there's no Wario, yet there's Waluigi. What the heck? Who came up with that idea?
The RPG portion takes up a lot of the game. Instead of battling people by taking turns using attacks, you play tennis. But it gets a little deeper as it turns out you must level up your character. You also have to beat everybody at tennis in the Junior Courts to get to the Senior Courts, and so on.
Let's not forget the minigames. You unlock these in the Workout building in the RPG mode. They play like arcade games, except they were built out of tennis. You have hitting against the wall, hitting the ball to specific parts of the other side of the court, and, my favorite, the one where you jump over barrels and banana peels on a giant treadmill. They are all very fun to play.
So overall, Mario Tennis: Power Tour is worth it mostly for the RPG. The game can go pretty deep when it comes to using tennis as a basis for this kind of genre.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Rating: 9/10)
Donkey Kong, a smash hit in the arcades, got a Game Boy version that improved over the original by a lot. It was no wonder it sold so well back then. 10 years later, Mario Vs Donkey Kong comes in as a sequel to that Game Boy classic. Of course, since it's a sequel, it would have the same gameplay as Donkey Kong.
The main gameplay has Mario go fetch a key and then use the key to open up a locked door to move on. The levels are clever, fun to play, and just downright cool. In fact, Mario can use acrobatic skills to help him through the levels. He can somersault, flip, and perform handstand jumps.
This game includes all new levels, enemies, and puzzles. There are also some elements that were fixed or renewed from Donkey Kong, such as adding hit points in the bosses, and a counter for when the key will disappear.
In every world, before the boss, there's a level where you need to lead the Mini Marios into a toy chest. Of course, you must progress skillfully through the level to get to the chest.
After beating the last world (World 6), there are now 6 more worlds named Plus worlds, in which you must guide the Mini Mario (cleverly) to the door. If the Mini Mario dies, so do you. There are also several unlockable Expert levels that you can access by getting stars in the regular levels.
Overall, it's a challenging successor to an update of the classic arcade game that started everything Mario.
The main gameplay has Mario go fetch a key and then use the key to open up a locked door to move on. The levels are clever, fun to play, and just downright cool. In fact, Mario can use acrobatic skills to help him through the levels. He can somersault, flip, and perform handstand jumps.
This game includes all new levels, enemies, and puzzles. There are also some elements that were fixed or renewed from Donkey Kong, such as adding hit points in the bosses, and a counter for when the key will disappear.
In every world, before the boss, there's a level where you need to lead the Mini Marios into a toy chest. Of course, you must progress skillfully through the level to get to the chest.
After beating the last world (World 6), there are now 6 more worlds named Plus worlds, in which you must guide the Mini Mario (cleverly) to the door. If the Mini Mario dies, so do you. There are also several unlockable Expert levels that you can access by getting stars in the regular levels.
Overall, it's a challenging successor to an update of the classic arcade game that started everything Mario.
Mortal Kombat Advance (Rating: 2/10)
Alright. I had no idea what to expect from Mortal Kombat Advance. I loved the series from MK1 to its fourth game on the N64 and Playstation. Then there's this....Okay...Maybe I should mention that I loved the CONSOLE GAMES. The only handheld game I like in the series is Mortal Kombat 2 for the Game Boy.
So, I was treated with a rather glorious presentation. The graphics are still really colorful on the Game Boy Advance, and the sound is top-notch. Oh, and there's a huge variety of characters, including the off-beat versions of some of them from MK3. Oh GOD does it fall from there.
Since I was new to this particular game, I tried the "Warrior" (aka Normal) difficulty. MY BUTT WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED BY SCORPION THE SECOND I CAME IN. Not once did I even inflict damage on him, and I was trying the hardest as possible to even give the tiniest bit of damage!
Apparently, I knew I couldn't handle that difficulty. The next logical thing to do was try the "Novice" difficulty. After all, that is the easiest difficulty setting available at all, right?
Okay...I'm not making this up: It. Didn't. Change. A. Freaking. THING. This game is impossible! It's at the same standards of horrendous as Dragon's Lair on the NES!! Do NOT play this! It's a total waste of money. Avoid it and play something better! Like...MK: Deadly Alliance on the GBA. Same system, totally better game.
So, I was treated with a rather glorious presentation. The graphics are still really colorful on the Game Boy Advance, and the sound is top-notch. Oh, and there's a huge variety of characters, including the off-beat versions of some of them from MK3. Oh GOD does it fall from there.
Since I was new to this particular game, I tried the "Warrior" (aka Normal) difficulty. MY BUTT WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED BY SCORPION THE SECOND I CAME IN. Not once did I even inflict damage on him, and I was trying the hardest as possible to even give the tiniest bit of damage!
Apparently, I knew I couldn't handle that difficulty. The next logical thing to do was try the "Novice" difficulty. After all, that is the easiest difficulty setting available at all, right?
Okay...I'm not making this up: It. Didn't. Change. A. Freaking. THING. This game is impossible! It's at the same standards of horrendous as Dragon's Lair on the NES!! Do NOT play this! It's a total waste of money. Avoid it and play something better! Like...MK: Deadly Alliance on the GBA. Same system, totally better game.
Mr. Driller 2 (Rating: 9/10)
Mr. Driller...Just when you think you can't do anything more with colorful blocks, this game comes in and combines Dig Dug gameplay with puzzlers. Of course, this game is too awesome to be just in arcades, so it went to Playstation, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Color.
This sequel is pretty much more of the same. You get a few more options this time around. There's Easy (2500 ft), Normal (5000 ft), and now a Hard mode that extends to 10000 ft. Oh, and there's Endless mode and a Versus mode.
The gameplay is pretty straightforward, yet very addicting. Basically, you just have to drill down the colorful blocks. Of course, you'd have to look out for any blocks that may possibly fall on you? Is that all? Nope. You also have to keep track of the amount of Air you have, so you'll constantly have to fill it up a bit by finding capsules. Seems like this whole paragraph may be a little much to describe the game, but once you jump into it, you'll see how simple and fun it can all be.
Since this is on Game Boy Advance, the graphics are exactly like the arcade version of the game: Crisp 2D visuals that appeal to the eye. The soundtrack, unlike Mr. Driller for Game Boy Color, is much better and catchier.
Overall, definitely pick this one up if you're a puzzle fan. It will surely last for a long, long time.
This sequel is pretty much more of the same. You get a few more options this time around. There's Easy (2500 ft), Normal (5000 ft), and now a Hard mode that extends to 10000 ft. Oh, and there's Endless mode and a Versus mode.
The gameplay is pretty straightforward, yet very addicting. Basically, you just have to drill down the colorful blocks. Of course, you'd have to look out for any blocks that may possibly fall on you? Is that all? Nope. You also have to keep track of the amount of Air you have, so you'll constantly have to fill it up a bit by finding capsules. Seems like this whole paragraph may be a little much to describe the game, but once you jump into it, you'll see how simple and fun it can all be.
Since this is on Game Boy Advance, the graphics are exactly like the arcade version of the game: Crisp 2D visuals that appeal to the eye. The soundtrack, unlike Mr. Driller for Game Boy Color, is much better and catchier.
Overall, definitely pick this one up if you're a puzzle fan. It will surely last for a long, long time.
Namco Museum 50th Anniversary (Rating: 6/10)
It's nice to see Namco hold a 50th Anniversary celebration for the company, but the celebration is only one to participate in if you had bought the console version of this particular release of Namco Museum, which contained 14 games. If you bought this Game Boy Advance version, you'd be left out of the party easily.
So what does this offering of Namco Museum bring you? Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Rally-X, Galaga, and Dig Dug. They are all great, great arcade games. I don't dislike any one of them. But you see, this collection falls flat due to the fact that there are lots of better offers for the Game Boy Advance. In fact, you can just buy the regular Namco Museum and Pac-Man Collection on the same system (See my reviews for both of those collections), and leave this release alone...unless you're dying to play Rally-X on the go.
So what does this offering of Namco Museum bring you? Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Rally-X, Galaga, and Dig Dug. They are all great, great arcade games. I don't dislike any one of them. But you see, this collection falls flat due to the fact that there are lots of better offers for the Game Boy Advance. In fact, you can just buy the regular Namco Museum and Pac-Man Collection on the same system (See my reviews for both of those collections), and leave this release alone...unless you're dying to play Rally-X on the go.
Pac-Man (Rating: 5/10)
Pac-Man, before Donkey Kong, was an even bigger smash hit in the arcades.
The NES port of the game does pretty well.
The graphics, sounds, and gameplay are all at least the same as the original arcade game.
Sadly, since this is the port of the NES game, that's the one thing that's on the cartridge.
Pac-Man can do a lot better in modern consoles if it either costs less or is in a game collection (Namco Museum).
For $25, you can find tons of better games that fit that price.
The NES port of the game does pretty well.
The graphics, sounds, and gameplay are all at least the same as the original arcade game.
Sadly, since this is the port of the NES game, that's the one thing that's on the cartridge.
Pac-Man can do a lot better in modern consoles if it either costs less or is in a game collection (Namco Museum).
For $25, you can find tons of better games that fit that price.
Pac-Man Collection (Rating: 9/10)
Pac-Man Collection is a compilation of four incredibly awesome Pac-Man games. The games are:
Pac-Man: Play the original arcade hit that started it all! You should know what this classic is like by now.
Pac-Mania: A fake 3D take on the original, in which there are new mazes and worlds.
Pac-Attack: A cool spin off of Tetris. Every 3 blocks Pac-Man drops, and then he would eat any ghost in his path.
Pac-Man Arrangement (HIGHLIGHT OF THIS CARTRIDGE): The best arcade Pac-Man game yet! 5 worlds with nonstop munchin' fun!
So I'm pretty sure all fans would get a kick out of this collection. With these titles, what can go wrong for you in the fun factor?
Pac-Man: Play the original arcade hit that started it all! You should know what this classic is like by now.
Pac-Mania: A fake 3D take on the original, in which there are new mazes and worlds.
Pac-Attack: A cool spin off of Tetris. Every 3 blocks Pac-Man drops, and then he would eat any ghost in his path.
Pac-Man Arrangement (HIGHLIGHT OF THIS CARTRIDGE): The best arcade Pac-Man game yet! 5 worlds with nonstop munchin' fun!
So I'm pretty sure all fans would get a kick out of this collection. With these titles, what can go wrong for you in the fun factor?
Pac-Man Pinball Advance (Rating: 7/10)
It seems like everyone's getting into the pinball craze when this was released. Mario romps through a Mario 64-esc adveture being bounced around by flippers, and even Metroid Prime, a FPS series, enters the pinball table on DS. And now, we get a Pac-Man Pinball game.
Pac-Man Pinball Advance looks like it has a storyline behind it. When you start playing, there's an intro scene with Professor Pac warning Pac-Man about what had happened. However, this is straight-up pinball that doesn't head toward the direction Mario Pinball Land did.
There are 2 tables, each with 2 different styles. They also differ in obstacles, offering a bit of variety. Of course, when playing a table, Pac-Man elements would be thrown into the scene. You can eat dots, chase after ghosts, collect fruit, etc. It plays pretty well.
I'm not sure if this is really a must-have, though. After all, dare I say it again, Mario Pinball Land is a whole adventure game in pinball form, and it's on the same system. But then again, this game has better controls. Whatever the decision may be, you can't doubt that today's price for this game is unbeatable. You may as well get both games.
Pac-Man Pinball Advance looks like it has a storyline behind it. When you start playing, there's an intro scene with Professor Pac warning Pac-Man about what had happened. However, this is straight-up pinball that doesn't head toward the direction Mario Pinball Land did.
There are 2 tables, each with 2 different styles. They also differ in obstacles, offering a bit of variety. Of course, when playing a table, Pac-Man elements would be thrown into the scene. You can eat dots, chase after ghosts, collect fruit, etc. It plays pretty well.
I'm not sure if this is really a must-have, though. After all, dare I say it again, Mario Pinball Land is a whole adventure game in pinball form, and it's on the same system. But then again, this game has better controls. Whatever the decision may be, you can't doubt that today's price for this game is unbeatable. You may as well get both games.
Pac-Man World 2 (Rating: 8/10)
Pac-Man World on Playstation proved that in a world where people would rather prefer games with guns, explosions, etc, there would still be a gem that wouldn't need any of that stuff. That stayed the same for the sequel, which was released on the Gamecube, the Playstation 2, the PC, and the Xbox. In 2004, Namco decided to re-release Pac-Man World for the Game Boy Advance. It had only 12 levels from the Playstation original, but it was still a great game to play. Now that PMW2 is released (in 2005, the year after), can I say the same?
This version of the modern classic plays just like the first game, only except that there are fruit crates rather than fruit doors. There are also a lot more switches to press.
There are 15 levels in this game. Since the levels in the console game are big and are in 3D, this game has all-new levels of the same names as the originals.
Pac-Man can Rev-Roll, which is basically a Pac-Man version of Sonic's Spin Dash, Butt Bounce, and flip kick in the air, a move he couldn't do in the first PMW game.
The music is amazingly the same as in the console versions, and in great quality, too. Although the Pac-Village music is missing (It got replaced by an underwater level's theme), The music still matches every level you play through.
The graphics are also very detailed. As the first game was ported on GBA, though, it had 3D-rendered graphics. The graphics here are all 2D to begin with, but that makes the game look cartoonish in a nice way.
One major flaw that I have with the game is the frustration that I have with the volcano levels and beyond those. In those levels, if you Rev Roll too low in some cases, chances are that you'd fall in the lava and lose a life. Even worse is when a fireball jumps up in the air unexpectedly! There are also ramps that dump you into deaths. You gotta know to Butt Bounce on the ramps to survive. These parts are just really annoying and frustrating.
At least there is a Password feature. Yeah, I know. In the first game on GBA, there are 3 save files, but here, it's downgraded to a Password feature....
Thankfully, you can skip those hard levels, I guess.
Overall, it's a good game, but be sure to expect a tough challenge later in the volcano+ stages.
This version of the modern classic plays just like the first game, only except that there are fruit crates rather than fruit doors. There are also a lot more switches to press.
There are 15 levels in this game. Since the levels in the console game are big and are in 3D, this game has all-new levels of the same names as the originals.
Pac-Man can Rev-Roll, which is basically a Pac-Man version of Sonic's Spin Dash, Butt Bounce, and flip kick in the air, a move he couldn't do in the first PMW game.
The music is amazingly the same as in the console versions, and in great quality, too. Although the Pac-Village music is missing (It got replaced by an underwater level's theme), The music still matches every level you play through.
The graphics are also very detailed. As the first game was ported on GBA, though, it had 3D-rendered graphics. The graphics here are all 2D to begin with, but that makes the game look cartoonish in a nice way.
One major flaw that I have with the game is the frustration that I have with the volcano levels and beyond those. In those levels, if you Rev Roll too low in some cases, chances are that you'd fall in the lava and lose a life. Even worse is when a fireball jumps up in the air unexpectedly! There are also ramps that dump you into deaths. You gotta know to Butt Bounce on the ramps to survive. These parts are just really annoying and frustrating.
At least there is a Password feature. Yeah, I know. In the first game on GBA, there are 3 save files, but here, it's downgraded to a Password feature....
Thankfully, you can skip those hard levels, I guess.
Overall, it's a good game, but be sure to expect a tough challenge later in the volcano+ stages.
Rayman 3 (Rating: 10/10)
Rayman is a great platforming series. In fact, Rayman 2 remains to be one of the greatest 3D platformers of all time. The original Rayman is also heavily recommended by critics alike. On handhelds, the Rayman series had followed the original's 2D platforming, as well as expanding upon it.
So how does Rayman 3 stack up? Well, it captured the first game's 2D gameplay the best out of the 3 handheld games, considering that the other two games were released for the Game Boy Color (Not counting Rayman Advance). Instead of being a 3D adventure like its console siblings, Rayman 3 breathes new life on the Game Boy Advance by using its 2D platforming gameplay at its finest.
The game also borrows things from the console versions of Rayman 2. You can place spheres onto the triangles to open doors, ride Shells (walking missiles), and even fight the first boss the same way as you do in Rayman 2! Heck, even the familiar battle music plays when you fight an enemy! It's almost as if this game was closer to Rayman 2 than the Game Boy Color game. You know....to come to think of it, it was rumored that this was originally going to be a version of Rayman 2 for the Game Boy Advance. That could have been possible, but it's unknown why that was scrapped.
You can't help but to bring up a smile as you play through Rayman 3's gorgeously detailed levels. They are all filled with fun and gimmicks. So overall, this is a must-have for your Game Boy Advance. If you want to play a 2D Rayman game for a console again, buy this for the Game Boy Player (add-on for the Gamecube).
So how does Rayman 3 stack up? Well, it captured the first game's 2D gameplay the best out of the 3 handheld games, considering that the other two games were released for the Game Boy Color (Not counting Rayman Advance). Instead of being a 3D adventure like its console siblings, Rayman 3 breathes new life on the Game Boy Advance by using its 2D platforming gameplay at its finest.
The game also borrows things from the console versions of Rayman 2. You can place spheres onto the triangles to open doors, ride Shells (walking missiles), and even fight the first boss the same way as you do in Rayman 2! Heck, even the familiar battle music plays when you fight an enemy! It's almost as if this game was closer to Rayman 2 than the Game Boy Color game. You know....to come to think of it, it was rumored that this was originally going to be a version of Rayman 2 for the Game Boy Advance. That could have been possible, but it's unknown why that was scrapped.
You can't help but to bring up a smile as you play through Rayman 3's gorgeously detailed levels. They are all filled with fun and gimmicks. So overall, this is a must-have for your Game Boy Advance. If you want to play a 2D Rayman game for a console again, buy this for the Game Boy Player (add-on for the Gamecube).
Rayman Advance (Rating: 10/10)
Rayman is awesome. The PC/PS1/Atari/Saturn classic now returns onto a handheld system....again. But this time, everything is how you would remember it in the original (Well, almost everything). Sure, the limitations of the Game Boy Advance brought down a bit of the quality in the game's music, but the tunes are still cool to listen to.
Before there was Ly, Lums, Razorbeard, the Rabbids, or even Globox for that matter, there was Rayman, the fairy that created him, and the evil Mr. Dark. This was a platformer that just suddenly improved upon everything people loved about platforming games. It had great gameplay, catchy music (as noted), and amazing graphics that reveal hugely detailed environments.
As you start the game, you only start out with the basics: Running and jumping. But that as you progress through, you get newer powers, such as being able to hang on platforms, THROW your FISTS at enemies (Man, that's cool), and >GASP< being able to fly for a short period of time! Sure, later games have these powers as staples to Rayman's character, but back when this was this only game out, you have to work your way to get these....and you would have fun doing it.
The problem is that younger gamers may be put off by the game's difficulty. Yeah, it is challenging, but some find it to actually be TOO challenging. Nevertheless, this is a gem that you should buy in case you have a Game Boy Advance lying around.
Before there was Ly, Lums, Razorbeard, the Rabbids, or even Globox for that matter, there was Rayman, the fairy that created him, and the evil Mr. Dark. This was a platformer that just suddenly improved upon everything people loved about platforming games. It had great gameplay, catchy music (as noted), and amazing graphics that reveal hugely detailed environments.
As you start the game, you only start out with the basics: Running and jumping. But that as you progress through, you get newer powers, such as being able to hang on platforms, THROW your FISTS at enemies (Man, that's cool), and >GASP< being able to fly for a short period of time! Sure, later games have these powers as staples to Rayman's character, but back when this was this only game out, you have to work your way to get these....and you would have fun doing it.
The problem is that younger gamers may be put off by the game's difficulty. Yeah, it is challenging, but some find it to actually be TOO challenging. Nevertheless, this is a gem that you should buy in case you have a Game Boy Advance lying around.
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Rating: 8/10)
Rayman has always been Ubisoft's best mascot. He's been in games that have been considered some of the greatest platformers of all time (Rayman 2). While Rayman has still been moving around in 3D games, he still ventures through 2D platformers on handheld releases, such as Rayman 3 and Hoodlum's Revenge for Game Boy Advance. Also over the past few years, the Rabbids came and, according to some Rayman fans, stole the show. While the Rabbids games were funny at first, the humor began to grow stale later on. So how does this Game Boy Advance version of the first Rabbids game hold up?
Well, as soon as you press Start on the title screen, you hear the Rabbid's famous scream as he shakes back and forth rapidly. I cracked up there, but that was really a false impression. There isn't really any humor elsewhere in the game, other than the final boss, in which you hear the scream again every time you hit the boss. The game was supposed to be a not-so-hilarious-but-fun platform game, anyway, so this is only a minor complaint.
As Rayman, you advance through levels in a traditional 2D Rayman platformer. It's very easy at first, but of course, the challenges pop up later on. It is pretty fun, like all Rayman platformers out there. There are also some cool new features, such as the ability to switch into different goofy-looking costumes for special powers. There are also some bonus levels that differ in one of these three gameplay types: Platforming, fake 3D racing, or shooting gallery.
The bosses, once you know what to do (And you WILL know what to do) are very easy to beat (except for the final boss). All you have to do is wait as the boss to keep trying to hit you until the boss exposes himself so you can be able to attack. Actually, to think of it, It's the same boss character over and over again. The only different boss is, again, the final boss, in which it's a Mecha Rabbid.
The game is actually shorter than I expected (5 worlds), but it still manages to be as fun as other Rayman games. The ending is also very stupid and rushed (There isn't even a credits sequence), but you can easily ignore it.
So overall, it's not a bad game, and it lives up to the other Rayman games very well. I would have liked it if the comedy from the console versions translated to this version, but if you can get past that flaw, you will have a neat 2D Rayman experience. This is also probably the best version of Raving Rabbids you can find, since it's your average 2D Rayman game.
Well, as soon as you press Start on the title screen, you hear the Rabbid's famous scream as he shakes back and forth rapidly. I cracked up there, but that was really a false impression. There isn't really any humor elsewhere in the game, other than the final boss, in which you hear the scream again every time you hit the boss. The game was supposed to be a not-so-hilarious-but-fun platform game, anyway, so this is only a minor complaint.
As Rayman, you advance through levels in a traditional 2D Rayman platformer. It's very easy at first, but of course, the challenges pop up later on. It is pretty fun, like all Rayman platformers out there. There are also some cool new features, such as the ability to switch into different goofy-looking costumes for special powers. There are also some bonus levels that differ in one of these three gameplay types: Platforming, fake 3D racing, or shooting gallery.
The bosses, once you know what to do (And you WILL know what to do) are very easy to beat (except for the final boss). All you have to do is wait as the boss to keep trying to hit you until the boss exposes himself so you can be able to attack. Actually, to think of it, It's the same boss character over and over again. The only different boss is, again, the final boss, in which it's a Mecha Rabbid.
The game is actually shorter than I expected (5 worlds), but it still manages to be as fun as other Rayman games. The ending is also very stupid and rushed (There isn't even a credits sequence), but you can easily ignore it.
So overall, it's not a bad game, and it lives up to the other Rayman games very well. I would have liked it if the comedy from the console versions translated to this version, but if you can get past that flaw, you will have a neat 2D Rayman experience. This is also probably the best version of Raving Rabbids you can find, since it's your average 2D Rayman game.
Sonic Advance (Rating: 10/10)
It is the year 2001. SEGA's console department was falling apart. The Dreamcast was pretty awesome, but when it came down to the Nintendo 64, Playstation 1 & 2, and the Xbox all together, it seems like SEGA couldn't keep up with them, as the company began to turn into a third-party developer/publisher. So what do they do? THEY MAKE A SONIC GAME ON THE NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE (With publishing help from THQ)! How cool is that?! Sonic has arrived onto a Nintendo system! Sure, Sonic Adventure 2 on the Gamecube may have technically been his Nintendo debut for us, but Sonic Advance was a whole new game. And even better: It was 2D Sonic fun.
Sonic Advance featured what made the Sega Genesis games so great and added a much faster pace to it. Fortunately, that did not ruin the flow of the game's oh-so-great platforming. In fact, the level design itself is flat-out brilliant, as it's generally multilayered, allowing Sonic and co. to travel through many different pathways. There's also a lot of variety of obstacles and enemies, some of which are exclusive to the environments the levels take place in (Such as casino pinball flippers, ziplines, etc), keeping the game fresh and fun.
Being able to play as different characters also adds to what you can do in the game. For example, Sonic can somersault and perform a move in which a flash shaped like lightning will cover Sonic for a split second (a la Sonic 3 & Knuckles). Tails can fly and attack with his....tails. Knuckles can climb, glide, and punch. Lastly, Amy uses her hammer to attack. All of what the characters can do affect gameplay within the game and could possibly make things more satisfying to the player. For example, reaching areas with Tails or Knuckles could make the game a bit easier, but not to the point where the whole game's a cakewalk.
All in all, Sonic Advance is awesome! Definitely get it for your Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS (Lite). The mobile version is also pretty neat, but some levels have been cut from that version, so it's best if you get yourself a copy of the game for the GBA or DS.
Sonic Advance featured what made the Sega Genesis games so great and added a much faster pace to it. Fortunately, that did not ruin the flow of the game's oh-so-great platforming. In fact, the level design itself is flat-out brilliant, as it's generally multilayered, allowing Sonic and co. to travel through many different pathways. There's also a lot of variety of obstacles and enemies, some of which are exclusive to the environments the levels take place in (Such as casino pinball flippers, ziplines, etc), keeping the game fresh and fun.
Being able to play as different characters also adds to what you can do in the game. For example, Sonic can somersault and perform a move in which a flash shaped like lightning will cover Sonic for a split second (a la Sonic 3 & Knuckles). Tails can fly and attack with his....tails. Knuckles can climb, glide, and punch. Lastly, Amy uses her hammer to attack. All of what the characters can do affect gameplay within the game and could possibly make things more satisfying to the player. For example, reaching areas with Tails or Knuckles could make the game a bit easier, but not to the point where the whole game's a cakewalk.
All in all, Sonic Advance is awesome! Definitely get it for your Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS (Lite). The mobile version is also pretty neat, but some levels have been cut from that version, so it's best if you get yourself a copy of the game for the GBA or DS.
Sonic Advance 2 (Rating: 9/10)
It was 2001. SEGA's console department fell apart. The Dreamcast was pretty awesome, but when it came down to the Nintendo 64, Playstation 1 & 2, and the Xbox all together, it seems like SEGA couldn't keep up with them, as the company began to turn into a third-party developer/publisher. So what do they do? THEY MAKE A SONIC GAME ON THE NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE (With publishing help from THQ)! How cool is that?! Sonic has arrived onto a Nintendo system! Sure, Sonic Adventure 2 on the Gamecube may have technically been his Nintendo debut for us, but Sonic Advance was a whole new game. And even better: It was 2D Sonic fun. Fast forward a year or two later, we get another offering of said 2D Sonic fun.
Sonic Advance 2 is a more speed-orientated game compared to its predecessor. Most of the time, you'll be running through levels in an incredible pace. It's like a 2D rollercoaster ride. Nevertheless, it was really satisfying.
The level design is HUGE, and is well multilayered. Sonic Advance 1 had multilayered level design as well, but here, it's totally expanded. There are lots of areas to explore if you're not a big fan of this "go to end of the level" thing. In fact, to get to the Special Stages in the game, you gotta find 7 "special rings" scattered in each level. Everyone's gotta love Special Stages, eh? But even without the exploration factor, the levels are still very fun to blast through. I just wish there were a few more enemies in each level.
Of course, the graphics were really detailed, colorful, and vibrant all around. Actually...It seems like they IMPROVED on the graphics department. These new zones look all the more better than they did back in Sonic Advance.
Speaking of improvements, the soundtrack managed to be catchier, too. And with level themes such as a Techno Base and a Music Plant, it's obvious we'll be expecting some good music out of here.
The only major flaw with Sonic Advance 2 is that it does sometimes feel like it's not offering as much platforming gameplay as it should have. It's speed, speed, SPEED. At least there's still some platforming, but not as much as its predecessor.
But all in all, Sonic Advance 2 is definitely worth your while, and if you're into this Sonic stuff, then you're in for a good time.
Sonic Advance 2 is a more speed-orientated game compared to its predecessor. Most of the time, you'll be running through levels in an incredible pace. It's like a 2D rollercoaster ride. Nevertheless, it was really satisfying.
The level design is HUGE, and is well multilayered. Sonic Advance 1 had multilayered level design as well, but here, it's totally expanded. There are lots of areas to explore if you're not a big fan of this "go to end of the level" thing. In fact, to get to the Special Stages in the game, you gotta find 7 "special rings" scattered in each level. Everyone's gotta love Special Stages, eh? But even without the exploration factor, the levels are still very fun to blast through. I just wish there were a few more enemies in each level.
Of course, the graphics were really detailed, colorful, and vibrant all around. Actually...It seems like they IMPROVED on the graphics department. These new zones look all the more better than they did back in Sonic Advance.
Speaking of improvements, the soundtrack managed to be catchier, too. And with level themes such as a Techno Base and a Music Plant, it's obvious we'll be expecting some good music out of here.
The only major flaw with Sonic Advance 2 is that it does sometimes feel like it's not offering as much platforming gameplay as it should have. It's speed, speed, SPEED. At least there's still some platforming, but not as much as its predecessor.
But all in all, Sonic Advance 2 is definitely worth your while, and if you're into this Sonic stuff, then you're in for a good time.
Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis (Rating: 1/10)
Okay....Sonic the Hedgehog is a terrific game. But only on anything but the Game Boy Advance. See my review for the original Genesis version if you are curious about the REAL thing. This port....is awful. Utterly awful..
How did Sega mess this up? They could have just simply ported the Genesis game onto the GBA, and call it a day. But nope. They had to "update" it to the horribleness that is at Sonic 2006 standards.
So why is this game so bad on the Game Boy Advance? Well, first off, the camera is a bit more zoomed in than in the original. That way, you'll never know if an enemy or some other projectile would fly at you from above. The control is actually WORSE than the original! There would actually be a bit of lag! It doesn't take long to get Sonic to run, but you don't get that speedy feel. And when you jump, you actually move a bit clunkier!
And then there are glitches. Come on? Really? Why did Sonic slip backwards into a space where he'd be crushed? Why did I go through Robotnik's wrecking ball? But those are only a few of some pretty fatal glitches you'd find whenever you play.
The music for Sonic the Hedgehog is some of the best tunes you'd ever hear from the Sega Genesis. The Game Boy Advance is CLEARLY capable of it. Actually, it's capable of anything from the 8-Bit consoles to Super NES and Genesis. But the music happens to be poorly done on this port. It's like as if a sound chip from the NES was borrowed, with a measly 2 notes from the Genesis sound chip...By the way, the sound effects were wonky, too.
The so-called Anniversary Mode sucks. It's only the inclusion of the Spin-Dash move from Sonic 2.
The only good thing about this trashy port is that you can save. Games like Sonic could possibly be unforgiving without any save feature. Only experienced gamers could beat it under one sitting. Now, anyone could step into the action (Somewhat...) and still continue progressing.
Overall, it's easy to see that this game would've be seen as the end of the Sonic franchise, along with Sonic 2006. Actually, even if Sega just directly ported the original Sega Genesis game without any changes, it would still be something to overlook, considering the fact that that version has been released on so many game collections (Sonic Jam, Mega Collection, Ultimate Genesis Collection, Sega Genesis Collection, to name A FEW).
How did Sega mess this up? They could have just simply ported the Genesis game onto the GBA, and call it a day. But nope. They had to "update" it to the horribleness that is at Sonic 2006 standards.
So why is this game so bad on the Game Boy Advance? Well, first off, the camera is a bit more zoomed in than in the original. That way, you'll never know if an enemy or some other projectile would fly at you from above. The control is actually WORSE than the original! There would actually be a bit of lag! It doesn't take long to get Sonic to run, but you don't get that speedy feel. And when you jump, you actually move a bit clunkier!
And then there are glitches. Come on? Really? Why did Sonic slip backwards into a space where he'd be crushed? Why did I go through Robotnik's wrecking ball? But those are only a few of some pretty fatal glitches you'd find whenever you play.
The music for Sonic the Hedgehog is some of the best tunes you'd ever hear from the Sega Genesis. The Game Boy Advance is CLEARLY capable of it. Actually, it's capable of anything from the 8-Bit consoles to Super NES and Genesis. But the music happens to be poorly done on this port. It's like as if a sound chip from the NES was borrowed, with a measly 2 notes from the Genesis sound chip...By the way, the sound effects were wonky, too.
The so-called Anniversary Mode sucks. It's only the inclusion of the Spin-Dash move from Sonic 2.
The only good thing about this trashy port is that you can save. Games like Sonic could possibly be unforgiving without any save feature. Only experienced gamers could beat it under one sitting. Now, anyone could step into the action (Somewhat...) and still continue progressing.
Overall, it's easy to see that this game would've be seen as the end of the Sonic franchise, along with Sonic 2006. Actually, even if Sega just directly ported the original Sega Genesis game without any changes, it would still be something to overlook, considering the fact that that version has been released on so many game collections (Sonic Jam, Mega Collection, Ultimate Genesis Collection, Sega Genesis Collection, to name A FEW).
Super Mario Advance (Rating: 9/10)
In 1988, when Nintendo was developing Super Mario Bros. 3, someone said "Oh my god! We forgot to make a Mario 2 for North America!"
So they made one out of Japan-only game Doki Doki Panic. And everybody liked it...until they found out what was done to make it.
Super Mario Bros 2 differed a lot from the first Mario game. Mainly because of its origin. You throw veggies at your enemies, there's a mini-boss at the end of every level, you get to choose from 4 characters, and Bowser isn't the main enemy. And you know what? All that was awesome. The music and sounds were kind of what you expected in a Mario game, but note: Doki Doki Panic had the same music and sounds. Just that this is in 32-Bit.
This Game Boy Advance version is a great re-release of Mario 2. It featured lots of improvements over the original. First, notice the score system. Mario 2 never kept track of score, and neither did the Super Nintendo version (in Mario All-Stars). There are also new GIANT Pow Blocks and Shy Guys. Hearts now appear a lot more often. Of course, there are now voices.
The biggest difference I know is the new Yoshi Challenge after you beat Wart for the first time. You have to go around all the levels of the game, looking for hidden Yoshi eggs (Don't worry, you can select the levels). Get all 40 and then you beat the whole game. The eggs, though, are hidden in the Subspace (Where you find the mushrooms), and they are not beside the mushrooms. The Yoshi Challenge made the game's replay value go up higher.
There's also a version of Mario Bros (the arcade game) included with Super Mario Bros 2. This version is also pretty updated. You can do the Super Jump from SMB2 and you can also pick up and throw Pow Blocks. You can also run, which is a bit helpful. You can also link up to play with 3 friends in co-op.
Think that's enough? NOPE! There's also a 4-Player VS mode that uses Mario Bros. This time, you need to either collect 5 coins or be the last one standing to win. There are some cool items you can use, but they are found in a trash can (gross). Stars, hearts, shells, you name it.
Overall, it's an awesome cartridge.
So they made one out of Japan-only game Doki Doki Panic. And everybody liked it...until they found out what was done to make it.
Super Mario Bros 2 differed a lot from the first Mario game. Mainly because of its origin. You throw veggies at your enemies, there's a mini-boss at the end of every level, you get to choose from 4 characters, and Bowser isn't the main enemy. And you know what? All that was awesome. The music and sounds were kind of what you expected in a Mario game, but note: Doki Doki Panic had the same music and sounds. Just that this is in 32-Bit.
This Game Boy Advance version is a great re-release of Mario 2. It featured lots of improvements over the original. First, notice the score system. Mario 2 never kept track of score, and neither did the Super Nintendo version (in Mario All-Stars). There are also new GIANT Pow Blocks and Shy Guys. Hearts now appear a lot more often. Of course, there are now voices.
The biggest difference I know is the new Yoshi Challenge after you beat Wart for the first time. You have to go around all the levels of the game, looking for hidden Yoshi eggs (Don't worry, you can select the levels). Get all 40 and then you beat the whole game. The eggs, though, are hidden in the Subspace (Where you find the mushrooms), and they are not beside the mushrooms. The Yoshi Challenge made the game's replay value go up higher.
There's also a version of Mario Bros (the arcade game) included with Super Mario Bros 2. This version is also pretty updated. You can do the Super Jump from SMB2 and you can also pick up and throw Pow Blocks. You can also run, which is a bit helpful. You can also link up to play with 3 friends in co-op.
Think that's enough? NOPE! There's also a 4-Player VS mode that uses Mario Bros. This time, you need to either collect 5 coins or be the last one standing to win. There are some cool items you can use, but they are found in a trash can (gross). Stars, hearts, shells, you name it.
Overall, it's an awesome cartridge.
Super Mario Bros. (Rating: 9/10)
Back then, ET and the Atari version of Pac-Man had the gaming industry destroyed in 1983. Two years later, Nintendo created the NES and, along with Super Mario Bros, it saved the gaming industry.
Super Mario Bros is a terrific NES game that would always remain fun until the day we die.
The gameplay is what you would expect from a 2D Mario game: Collecting powerups, top-notch platforming, coins, enemies, etc...
The graphics were good at the time.
The sounds and music were great, especially at the time. To think some of those noises became iconic ones in Nintendo's world of games.
The game is pretty long: You have to go through 8 worlds (4 levels in each) and, if you want, do the harder quest, which replaces Goombas with Buzzy Beetles.
Overall, you have to get this game, especially if you are a Mario fan or you want to learn about the video game history.
Super Mario Bros is a terrific NES game that would always remain fun until the day we die.
The gameplay is what you would expect from a 2D Mario game: Collecting powerups, top-notch platforming, coins, enemies, etc...
The graphics were good at the time.
The sounds and music were great, especially at the time. To think some of those noises became iconic ones in Nintendo's world of games.
The game is pretty long: You have to go through 8 worlds (4 levels in each) and, if you want, do the harder quest, which replaces Goombas with Buzzy Beetles.
Overall, you have to get this game, especially if you are a Mario fan or you want to learn about the video game history.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (Rating: 10/10)
Super Mario Bros 3 is often considered to be the greatest game on the NES and as the best Mario game of all time (Although I prefer Mario World).
This GBA version includes more than what meets the eye. The differences between this and the original are:
-Closer camera view (Something I forgot to mention in my Mario Advance 1 review) for the GBA
-Small color differences (Not including lighter palliate)
-Voices
-Get to play as an updated Luigi
-Level select after beating the game once. Just press B on the map
-The updated version of Mario Bros carried over from the first Super Mario Advance
The best difference is the fact that you get to use the e-reader GBA add-on to be able to unlock/use all-new levels and power-ups. Heck, you can even use the cape from Super Mario World! The levels you can unlock are full of fan-appealing Mario goodness. You can throw veggies, like in SMB2, against enemies from Mario World! If you're lucky, you can find a card that lets you play the first level from the original Super Mario Bros! There's a lot more awesomeness coming your way. You just gotta buy cards.
Like I said just now, this game also includes the GBA version of Mario Bros, where you actually get to run, throw Pow blocks, and play as the Mario from Super Mario 2.
The multiplayer modes are also present. You can play with or against a friend, collecting 5 coins, or just sabotaging him/her.
This GBA version includes more than what meets the eye. The differences between this and the original are:
-Closer camera view (Something I forgot to mention in my Mario Advance 1 review) for the GBA
-Small color differences (Not including lighter palliate)
-Voices
-Get to play as an updated Luigi
-Level select after beating the game once. Just press B on the map
-The updated version of Mario Bros carried over from the first Super Mario Advance
The best difference is the fact that you get to use the e-reader GBA add-on to be able to unlock/use all-new levels and power-ups. Heck, you can even use the cape from Super Mario World! The levels you can unlock are full of fan-appealing Mario goodness. You can throw veggies, like in SMB2, against enemies from Mario World! If you're lucky, you can find a card that lets you play the first level from the original Super Mario Bros! There's a lot more awesomeness coming your way. You just gotta buy cards.
Like I said just now, this game also includes the GBA version of Mario Bros, where you actually get to run, throw Pow blocks, and play as the Mario from Super Mario 2.
The multiplayer modes are also present. You can play with or against a friend, collecting 5 coins, or just sabotaging him/her.
Super Monkey Ball Jr. (Rating: 9/10)
The Super Monkey Ball series made a pretty sweet debut on the good ol' Gamecube. But apparently, somebody had the idea of bringing the experience on the GO! It's not today in which the games are mere iPhone apps. Back then, it was kinda revolutionary to bring the experience to a handheld system. Sega bravely handled it well.
The game does an amazing job at replicating the looks of the console games (if not a bit pixelated). Sometimes, I felt as if the GBA was secretly connected to my Gamecube wirelessly or something, because the graphics are THAT advanced.
But enough about looking pretty. It's the game that matters, not the sprinkles. That said, the concept of tilting the entire playing field to move your Monkey Ball to the goal translates onto here flawlessly. In fact, the game really gets you thinking. There are oh so many opportunities in which you have to wisely plan your way through. This creates a big challenge factor for the game. The difficulty fairly ramps up after each level, and BOY do you need to plan some strategy! The result is addicting and fun.
The game does an amazing job at replicating the looks of the console games (if not a bit pixelated). Sometimes, I felt as if the GBA was secretly connected to my Gamecube wirelessly or something, because the graphics are THAT advanced.
But enough about looking pretty. It's the game that matters, not the sprinkles. That said, the concept of tilting the entire playing field to move your Monkey Ball to the goal translates onto here flawlessly. In fact, the game really gets you thinking. There are oh so many opportunities in which you have to wisely plan your way through. This creates a big challenge factor for the game. The difficulty fairly ramps up after each level, and BOY do you need to plan some strategy! The result is addicting and fun.
Urban Champion-e (Rating: 8/10)
Urban Champion is one of the many arcadey-styled NES games for the system. It doesn't really have any features, but the gameplay is just plain addicting.
1-Player mode has you pit against a CPU player. You must punch him into a manhole to win, but that manhole's pretty far away. You have to keep punching him until he falls in. You can punch either in his face or in the gut. It depends on where he blocks himself.
2-Player mode has the same setup, except that it's you're friend that you are facing.
Oh yeah, and watch out for police. Who knows what they'll do if you get caught?
When you win, I just find the scene to be funny, since someone from the building you're in front of cheers for your victory.
Overall, it's a stellar fighting game that you might want to try out. But please note its lack of features.
Now that it's on the GBA released in these cards, the appeal might increase.
1-Player mode has you pit against a CPU player. You must punch him into a manhole to win, but that manhole's pretty far away. You have to keep punching him until he falls in. You can punch either in his face or in the gut. It depends on where he blocks himself.
2-Player mode has the same setup, except that it's you're friend that you are facing.
Oh yeah, and watch out for police. Who knows what they'll do if you get caught?
When you win, I just find the scene to be funny, since someone from the building you're in front of cheers for your victory.
Overall, it's a stellar fighting game that you might want to try out. But please note its lack of features.
Now that it's on the GBA released in these cards, the appeal might increase.
WarioWare Inc. (Rating: 9/10)
Minigame collections are, admittedly, wearing out their welcome. Seriously. It was annoying to see party games fly out into shelves for people to go out and buy those, thinking they would be as good as promised. While there are exceptions, the minigame genre is fading away quickly. BUT, you know what makes Wario Ware so special? It's unlike anything else out there (Until Spongebob Squigglepants came and went).
Wario Ware, Inc. consists of several stages in which you play some of the most bizarre and shortest minigames in the world that fit with a certain genre that each stage contains. For example, there are minigames based off of Nature, Reality (Term used loosely?), Strange, Science Fiction, etc. My favorite stage is >SPOILER ALERT< the one with Nintendo-themed minigames, in which they would be based off of classic games like Super Mario Bros, F-Zero, Dr. Mario, and arcade game Donkey Kong.
Each minigame would last only a few seconds (Except for Boss minigames, which aren't timed), and they would show a one-word command (Catch!, Collect!, Stomp!, Get it!, Smash!, to name a few). You use the D-Pad and/or the A and B buttons to figure out how to succeed in the minigame. The result is pretty addictive and fun (Although it could be a bit frustrating at first), especially since there are hundreds more where these minigames came from.
After beating all of the stages, you may think that that's all the game has to offer, but NOPE! It turns out that there are bonus games rewarded to you if you either beat all the stages and/or go on to beat all the individual minigames! Ah, Nintendo....you are always so generous to your fans.
Some bonus games are remakes of Nintendo's classics, like FULL VERSIONS of Dr. Mario (Despite it being Dr. Wario here) and late 70s arcade game Sheriff! Other addicting unlockables are Pyoro, Pyoro 2, Paper Airplane, and some Vs minigames that have you and your friend play against each other by holding both sides of the Game Boy Advance!
Overall, even if the bonus content were absent, this would still be one heck of a game collection! Who would've thought that few-second minigames would spark huge innovation?
Wario Ware, Inc. consists of several stages in which you play some of the most bizarre and shortest minigames in the world that fit with a certain genre that each stage contains. For example, there are minigames based off of Nature, Reality (Term used loosely?), Strange, Science Fiction, etc. My favorite stage is >SPOILER ALERT< the one with Nintendo-themed minigames, in which they would be based off of classic games like Super Mario Bros, F-Zero, Dr. Mario, and arcade game Donkey Kong.
Each minigame would last only a few seconds (Except for Boss minigames, which aren't timed), and they would show a one-word command (Catch!, Collect!, Stomp!, Get it!, Smash!, to name a few). You use the D-Pad and/or the A and B buttons to figure out how to succeed in the minigame. The result is pretty addictive and fun (Although it could be a bit frustrating at first), especially since there are hundreds more where these minigames came from.
After beating all of the stages, you may think that that's all the game has to offer, but NOPE! It turns out that there are bonus games rewarded to you if you either beat all the stages and/or go on to beat all the individual minigames! Ah, Nintendo....you are always so generous to your fans.
Some bonus games are remakes of Nintendo's classics, like FULL VERSIONS of Dr. Mario (Despite it being Dr. Wario here) and late 70s arcade game Sheriff! Other addicting unlockables are Pyoro, Pyoro 2, Paper Airplane, and some Vs minigames that have you and your friend play against each other by holding both sides of the Game Boy Advance!
Overall, even if the bonus content were absent, this would still be one heck of a game collection! Who would've thought that few-second minigames would spark huge innovation?
Yoshi's Island (Rating: 10/10)
1995 seemed to be a great year for a gamer. The Donkey Kong Country series went portable with DK Land, Rayman was a surprise full of perfection, and Vectorman appealed to Sega Genesis players with its colorful pre-rendered graphics that DKC had done. All of these games were great, but Yoshi's Island was the best of all. While Rayman would have been my favorite game of all time, it suffered from the most extreme difficulty EVER. Yoshi's Island has amazing graphics, catchy sound/music, awesome gameplay, AND forgiving difficulty alike.
This is not the average Mario game, but rather is it what fans would call a Yoshi game, since it plays a lot differently. As Yoshi, you romp through levels like usual, but now you can throw eggs at enemies, as well as eat enemies to make eggs. There is also a huge variety of obstacles, like boulders, loads of unique platforms, collectible flowers, the enemies doing all kinds of stuff, etc, etc. But the thing is: It is all well-crafted and carefully put together for one of the ultimate platforming experiences. Don't believe me? Go on some video websites and watch some gameplay footage. One look and you'll agree that it looks beyond terrific.
There are also some bonuses in the game to help you on your quest to defeat the evil Bowser Jr. For example, there are small houses that you may possibly find in a level (It requires a key, though). Once you are able to enter in, you must compete with an enemy in a certain challenge (Collect most coins, Pop most balloons, etc). There's also bonus challenges when the goal chooses a flower you had collected (In a roulette-like way).
Overall, it's definitely one of the greatest platformers I have ever played. I may prefer Super Mario World as the best of all, but this game certainly comes close to winning that title. Oh, yeah. The GBA remake of Mario Bros contained in this cartridge rocks, too.
This is not the average Mario game, but rather is it what fans would call a Yoshi game, since it plays a lot differently. As Yoshi, you romp through levels like usual, but now you can throw eggs at enemies, as well as eat enemies to make eggs. There is also a huge variety of obstacles, like boulders, loads of unique platforms, collectible flowers, the enemies doing all kinds of stuff, etc, etc. But the thing is: It is all well-crafted and carefully put together for one of the ultimate platforming experiences. Don't believe me? Go on some video websites and watch some gameplay footage. One look and you'll agree that it looks beyond terrific.
There are also some bonuses in the game to help you on your quest to defeat the evil Bowser Jr. For example, there are small houses that you may possibly find in a level (It requires a key, though). Once you are able to enter in, you must compete with an enemy in a certain challenge (Collect most coins, Pop most balloons, etc). There's also bonus challenges when the goal chooses a flower you had collected (In a roulette-like way).
Overall, it's definitely one of the greatest platformers I have ever played. I may prefer Super Mario World as the best of all, but this game certainly comes close to winning that title. Oh, yeah. The GBA remake of Mario Bros contained in this cartridge rocks, too.