Super Mario Advance - GBA

Here it is, the Advance game many people have been waiting for. Nintendo have a habit of releasing a Mario game with every console they launch. Super Mario Advance is an enhanced, portable version of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s Super Mario 2.

What’s interesting is that the American and European versions of Super Mario 2, and the Advance version, are the only Mario games that are not true pedigrees. In Japan the sequel was called the Lost Levels, which can be seen on the SNES Mario compilation All-Stars. Super Mario Advance is a conversion and adaptation of the quirky Japanese game The Dream Factory.

History aside, Mario Advance is a highly playable game. It features four characters, Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess. Each character has their own attributes that make the gameplay slightly different for each of them. Princess, for example, has the ability to hover after a jump and that allows her to reach places in the game the others can’t.

The graphics have been enhanced over the original game. If you enter the massive pots, you can witness the Advance demonstrating its sprite rotation abilities with revolving platforms. Some of the game’s baddies have been increased in size and Mario Advance features a surprising amount of speech.

Super Mario Advance features a four-player multi-player game based on the very first Mario Bros game. Not only is this cool to play but you only need one cartridge and the link-up lead.

Overall, a classy presentation and worth the wait, but we can’t wait for Super Mario Bros 3 on the Advance.
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