• Tag Archives Game Boy Advance
  • Breath of Fire (Super Nintendo, GBA)


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    Source: Nintendo Power Advance, Issue Number 3

    Breath of Fire is a role playing game that was developed by Capcom. The English translation and localization was handled by Square Soft and the game was released in North America in 1994. Breath of Fire is a typical example of a Japanese RPG from the 16-bit era.

    Like most RPGs, Breath of Fire is fantasy based. You play the role of a boy named Ryu who is one of the last of an ancient race of beings that can transform into dragons. He has misplaced his sister and is searching the world for her. Along the way you will fight many battles (thankfully turn based) and meet up with others with similar quests.

    While originally developed for the SNES, Breath of Fire was also released for the Game Boy Advance in 2001. This version was almost identical to the SNES original. It had some minor graphical improvements but the biggest practical change was that you could save anywhere instead of only at certain places.

    Breath of Fire received generally positive reviews and ultimately spawned numerous sequels on various systems. In addition to the Game Boy Advance port, Breath of Fire was also re-released via the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2016. If you want an original copy, you’ll probably have to pay a fairly high price…something close to original retail for a used copy anyway. Emulation, as always, is an option too.

    The image at the top is the intro to the strategy guide in issue number 3 of Nintendo Power Advance for the Game Boy Advance version of the game. Other images are screen shots from the Super Nintendo version.




  • SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom

    Licensed games usually get a bad rap for a reason, they’re rushed to market, are full of generic ideas and gameplay elements and rarely ever end up being worth the $8 value ticket to whatever movie they’re promoting.  But back on PS2, Xbox and Gamecube came an unlikely entry into the pantheon of great 6th gen platforms: Spongebob Squarepants Battle for Bikini Bottom.  Unlike many of the other examples of licensed games, especially from that era, BfBB had a masterful grasp on what Spongebob was and how to translate that to a fun game that could be enjoyed by all ages, much like the cartoon at the time, which you’ll remember, was explosively popular.

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/177179027638/battle-for-bikini-bottom-captured-the-world-of

    There are three distinct versions of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, all of which were released in 2003. The first and most well known is a 3D platformer that was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. The second is a 2D platformer released for the Game Boy Advance. The third is a point and click adventure game released for Windows.

    All versions are of course based on the cartoon of the same name. The best version is probably the 3D platformer for the PS2 and other platforms. While licensed games such as these are often mediocre at best and downright awful more often than not, I’ve found that games based on cartoons are often an exception. There a a number of great games based on Disney properties and Looney Tunes among others. This SpongeBob game is also, surprisingly, a decent game.

    While it isn’t anything spectacular and the gameplay is pretty generic for a 3D platformer, the SpongeBob theme adds humor and a uniqueness that makes this one worth playing…at least if you are a SpongeBob fan. The player gets to play three characters including SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy. The goal is simply to collect various items that are necessary to progress to the next level. Along the way, you will of course face various obstacles and enemies. Each characters has their own special moves and some levels require the use of a certain character and their moves to progress.

    While this game is not particularly innovative or otherwise special, the gameplay is solid and it will certainly appeal to fans of SpongeBob. Those looking for a 2D game with the same theme should also enjoy the GameBoy Advance version. As far as I know, neither has found its way to any kind of virtual console or other modern release so you will have to track down an original or use emulation. As far as the 3D version, all of the ports are about the same so pick your favorite system (Gamecube, PS2 or Xbox).





  • Nintendo Power Advance – Issue Number 1

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    Source: Nintendo Power Advance – Issue Number 1 – 2001

    Nintendo Power Advance was a shortly lived spinoff of Nintendo Power that exclusively covered the new (at the time) Game Boy Advance. The first issue, from 2001, includes the following:

      • Super Mario Advance – An updated version of Super Mario Bros. 2 and the classic original Mario Bros. game combine for a double dose of Mario and friends in Super Mario Advance. Get every veggie-tossing Koopa-crushing strategy in our big walk-through.
      • F-Zero Maximum Velocity – Roar into the world of rocket-powered racing with our F-ZERO Maximum Velocity racing guide. After you take it all in, you’ll know how to soar past every tricky turn and unlock every machine and high-speed circuit.
      • Rayman Advance – The winning tactics for Rayman’s fist-flying GBA adventure are revealed in our complete Rayman Advance coverage. Get the goods on how to overcome every challenging boss and discover every captured Electoon.
      • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 – You’ll master the moves in Tony Hawk’s soaring skateboard sim sequel when you grind through our in-depth strategy review. Included are maps of all seven venues with every Secret Tape and S-K-A-T-E letter location spelled out.
      • Castlevania: Circle of the Moon – Drac is back from beyond in the GBA scarefest Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. Our coverage of the game offers complete maps of Dracula’s haunts, vampire-slaying tips and details on how the innovative duel setup system works.
    • Buyer’s Guide – What are you looking for in a Game Boy Advance game? Take a look at our Buyer’s Guide for information on features, ESRB ratings, multiplayer options and more on the first batch of Game Boy Advance releases.