Finding Nemo
When clownfish Nemo is captured by a diver on his first day at school, you find yourself assuming the role of his father, Marlin, in an attempt to, well, find Nemo. But no Disney character goes it alone, and so pesky sidekick Dory joins his side for the ride.
Swimming though Finding Nemo’s many levels, you’ll become familiar with some classic elements of platform gaming. Item collecting is a common element in 2D platform games, and is heavily featured for the GBA version of Finding Nemo. There are also numerous other obstacles to avoid as you progress too, and the underwater locales are surprisingly varied considering the aquatic theme of the game.
Considering Game Boy Advance is primarily a 2D handheld, you would expect that Finding Nemo GBA would have distinctly different 2-dimensional gameplay compared with the 3D console versions, but this is not the case. Vicarious Visions has solid reputation for creating stunning GBA games and Finding Nemo is another corker. Though not a true 3D game, there are some great looking 3D sections that involve Marlin swimming 'into' the screen, a la Crash Bandicoot. The rest of the game is a side-on scrolling affair, but looks great nonetheless.
Finding Nemo is another great handheld title that reinforces Vicarious Visions’ reputation as a fine developer for GBA.
Monsters Inc.
Boo is in trouble after returning to Metropolis, and if he falls into the clutches of the CDA and evil Randall, his Monster life could be doomed forever!
This is where you come in. Taking control of both Mike and Sulley you must come to the rescue of your old pal. You must search every nook and cranny of Monstropolis, defeat the most daunting of monsters and avoid the most devious traps to succeed in accomplishing your goal.
Monsters Inc. on Game Boy Advance is a little more polished than its GBC counterpart. As well as the obvious graphical enhancements such as improved colour and a higher level of detail, there are several exclusive bonus games, puzzles and mini-games. The main game is spread over approximately 20 levels, all themed to match the style of Disney’s film.
Like with Game Boy, the controls are relatively simple, and only require the player to perform simple platforming actions such as run and jump. Signature ‘attacks’ such as the Roar attacks and the dreaded laugh launcher have also been included to give a little variety and comedy to the game.
The end result is well thoroughly enjoyable game that succeeds purely because it’s simple, light-hearted fun. If you need a break from the intense Tomb Raider and Resident Evil games, Monsters Inc. will be right down your alley.