Namco Museum
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (11 June, 2001)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $17.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Nothing lends itself better to portable gaming than the arcadeclassics. They're addictive, replayable, and fun--plus it's nice not tohave to pump endless streams of quarters into them. That's what makesNamco Museum such a must-have title for the Game Boy Advancesystem. People too young, or too impatient, to enjoy a good coin-op hadbetter stop reading now.

Like the PlayStation and N64 versions, Namco has packed a few of itsbest games onto the cartridge. For the GBA we get only five titles(four are listed on the front of the box, but Galaxian is alsoincluded). We have two versions of Ms. Pac-Man (one that showsthe whole maze but is dreadfully small, and another that scrolls),Galaga, Pole Position, and Dig Dug. They arelovingly ported, complete with all the music and sound effects intact.What we don't get is the amusing Museum portion and trivia found onother versions.

Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga are the real winners here. Bothare perfect renditions complete with all the extras (music, colors,sound effects, and bonus stages/cartoons). The controls on these twoare also perfect. Pole Position is amusing, but features twitchycontrols and pales in comparison to other GBA racing games.Galaxian, on the surface, seems the same as its sequel,Galaga, but it isn't. The fire rate is much slower, so the paceof the game is different. Galaga is certainly better, butGalaxian is a nice addition regardless. Dig Dug is aclassic, pure and simple, and it still plays well. It rounds out thecollection nicely.

Arcade fans, especially those who used to line up (or line theirquarters on the machine) to play these games, will be very pleased withNamco Museum. Those unimpressed with retro gaming probably won'tbe converted. However, here's hoping we see more arcade classics in thefuture, because I can't think of a better platform for these than theGame Boy Advance. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Perfect recreations of arcade classics
• A nice, diverse slate of games
• Nice of them to include two versions of Ms. Pac-Man

Cons:

• Pole Position isn't so hot anymore
• No Museum features, such as trivia questions

... Read more

Features

• Platform: Game Boy Advance
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Action/Adventure

Reviews (68)

Fun,and a good game to start out with
The game is only $15 so if you do buy it, its not like your spending $30 for a game you wont like. I thought this game was really enjoyable, although i have played many games with far superior quality.The games are all pretty interesting and they all have their flaws,but when i learned that these games were invented so long ago, i cut them a little slack.I didnt "grow up" playing these games so its not a walk down memory lane for me, but they are still fun games.This was also the first game i got for gba and personaly i think its a good game to start out on, because the games are simple and easy to follow and the controls are relativly easy.Its especially good for kids who are not quite ready for hard and in-depth games yet.i also like the fact that its not just one classic game but 5.Pacman is my favorite game,but its a little hard to beat.There are two things that really get on my nerves about this game, one-you cant save any high scores,so there is absolutely nothing to beat in this game, and two-in galaga the screen is only half the size of the gameboy screen, they could have put the scores at the top and had the screen be double the size that it is.but overall this game is very fun when you just want a little something to keep you entertained.

Nameco Museum
I bought this game thinking it was a cheap game. When i played it it brought memories of the arcade up-rites that they had at the Pavilion in Myrtle Beach in my younger days. The Ms Pac-Man was the best and Dig Dug was also. The other 3 games i plade on the arcades and on the artari 2600. This is quiet a bit of nastalgia. Hours of FUN and ENJOYMENY at a very reasonable price. Check out the other games that i have rated Donkey Kong Country 2 , Legend of Zelda. ALL ARE GOOD....ENJOY
EngineMan Eric

this game is so old school and it rocks
if you like old arcade games like i do then you gotta get this game. it will entertain you for hours. it gives you a veriety of games to choose from so you dont get bored easly.ther is only on bad thing about this game on ms pacman. if you choose the full screeen its to little to even see and if you choose the larger screen it srolls when you go up and you cant always know if there will be a ghost when you go up but dont get me wrong this game rocks! you also get to choose how many lives you get for ms pacman. there is also alot of other options to choose from in the other games as well. its old school and it rocks! (so pimp)!!!*** ... Read more

Asin: B00005BZE0
Subjects:  1. Retro Arcade    2. Strategy (Strategic)    3. Video Games    4. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    5. GBA    6. Action    7. Adventure    8. Classic   

Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (22 March, 2002)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $13.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (17)

Great re-creations of the arcade originals...
Great re-creations of the arcade originals... with couple of caveats. As a hard core gamer from the 80s and a collector of the full sized original arcade games (none of which are on this cart) I have to give this a near perfect score. I will outline each of the games on the cart with brif commentary:

Frogger: A true classic. My only real complaint with this game is that it doesn't have the original music theere are subtle nuances of the original but it's just too different to be authentic. Gameplay is hindered IMO because of the verticle scrolling screen which some people may a better alternative to the micro-screen option of Gyruss (more on that later).

Scramble: I used to play this game at a grocery store across the street from my house back in the day. I was never very good at it but this is a faithfull reproduction of the original. All sounds and gameplay are exact. Again this is a screen scolling game just like Frogger but gameplay is not affected at all.

Yie are Kung Foo: I hate this game. It is a true reproduction but the game does nothing for me. Your milage may vary.

Gyruss: This also was one of my favorite games from back in the day. This game is perfect for me even if it is a little small. But even my 31 year old eyes work well enough to rack up some respectable scores (even for a full sized machine. Initially I was a little put out by the tiny size of the game field but I eventually got used to it this one of my favorite GBA games. The sounds and look of this game is an exact replica of the arcade original. The 4 direction joy pad was a little difficult to get used to but it's just fine now that I've gotten used to it. My only real complaint is that when a high score is reached you can put in your initials but they are not saved from one session to the next.

Time Pilot- This game was also a favorite back in the day but unfortunately I find it completely unplayable with the GBA joy pad.

Rus'n Attack- This is the "newest" game in the pack. I'm not crazy about this game but it's growing on me. Again a perfect port from the arcade original. Rush'n Attack is a primitive side scolling platform game in which you "kill the commies" popular in the platform scroller of the 80's.

Overview: Great product for a great price. Just a couple of annoyances for an old school gamer but overall veryy solid and great to play some of the classics on the go.

Buy it for Frogger and...
be amazed by Gyruss and Time Pilot are two of the best arcade shooting games EVER!

The games were built ground up for the gba and run flawlessly.

Frogger 9/10
Gyruss 10/10
Time Pilot 10/10
Yi Aer kung fu 7/10
Scramble 8/10
Rush'n attack 8/10

THIS PACK IS WORTH MORE THAN $9.99!!
Trust me on this one.Amazon.com is giving this gamepack away!Well anyways many classics return, and I suspect that the only people that would remember them are us old timer gamers.All of these classics I enjoyed playing in the arcades in the 80's and early 90's.It's been 11 years since I last played Yie Ar Kung Fu, and the game is still the same as I remember it!I remember going to Togo's in 1989 with my mother and brothers and playing the Yie Ar Kung Fu and Popeye arcades.We had a blast!The games are small, dont eat up allot of RAM memory or hard disk space, but heck they're fun and thats all that matters!!!Unfortunately, many gamers today think that what makes a game a good seller, is the graphics, music, sound effects, and other multimedia catches.Unfortunately, many gaming companies have hired game designers that did not grow up in the 1980's and early 90's gaming days!Man its not the graphics, its all about the fun of the game!I can tell you that Yie Ar Kung Fu may be limited, and seem like a game a 2 year old would play, but its as fun as Street Fighter Alpha, and I mean it too!!!

(...) ... Read more

Asin: B0000631W0
Sales Rank: 1192
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Classic    5. Retro Arcade    6. Strategy (Strategic)    7. Action    8. Adventure   

Atari Anniversary Advanced
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (29 March, 2002)

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Editorial Review

This anthology of classic Atari arcade games consists of Asteroids, Battlezone, Centipede, Missile Command, Super Breakout, and Tempest. With the press of a button, you can switch between vertical and horizontal screen orientations to suit your tastes. Each game is faithfully reproduced and is just as easy and fun to play as the original. The anthology also comes with an Atari trivia game.

Game Descriptions:

• Asteroids: A triangular spaceship blasts away at a crowded field of asteroids, breaking them into smaller, faster chunks with new, hazardous trajectories.
• Battlezone: Fire at enemy tanks and hoverships in a vector-drawn landscape from the viewpoint of a tank commander.
• Centipede: Keep the garden safe from spiders, centipedes, and other pests as they squirm around mushrooms and approach the bottom of the screen.
• Missile Command: Defend your city and its military bases by destroying ballistic missiles that rain down from above.
• Super Breakout: Break through a multicolored wall by batting a ball off a paddle to destroy it one brick at a time.
• Tempest: Stop all manner of aliens from breaching a 3-D cylinder by firing on them from the rim of your spacecraft.

... Read more

Features

• Six authentic Atari arcade favorites.
• Single or multiplayer action.
• Exclusive Atari Trivia Challenge game.

Reviews (16)

Back to the Future!20 years ago!
Remember when video games were in the arcades, and you had a pocket full of quarters?When Chuck E. Cheese was your favorite restaurant, and Aladdin's Castle was a place to hang out not a locale in a Disney flick?If you do this game is for you! In it you will find faithful reproductions of Asteroids, Battlezone, Centipede, Missile Command, Super Breakout, and Tempest.No updates, no "arrangements", just straight up video games from the early 80s.

Most people have noticed the controls are an issue, and I agree they do hinder you sometimes.Missle Command and Centipede were designed for a track ball, and Super Breakout really needs a paddle.Using the directional pad takes some getting used to.I ended up playing this more on my GameBoy Player for the GameCube which made them a little easier.

But fans of these now primitive games/then innovative will be glad to see them again in any form.The games are simple and immediately playable and addictive.I am a fan of the retro games, and this package has some great ones.I love being able to play ASTEROIDS just as it was in the arcades - a bunch of white lines on a black screen with just a bass line going the whole time!Even the Atari 2600 improved on it with color!

You have to see this for what it is - the dawn of video games.Its nostalgia, a living museum where you can go back to a time when video games were mainly in arcades.You won't see dazzling graphics or complicated missions to complete.Mainly geometric shapes firing dots at each other.:-)But for some reason I love the games for being simple.Just shoot and stay alive as long as you can.And no tokens!

Disappointing
I was eagerly anticipating being able to play some of my favorite arcade games from the early 1980s.Unfortunately, the reality of playing them on a Gameboy is sorely disappointing.

The trackball-based games, Centipede and Missile Command, are the biggest letdowns.Using the Gameboy's directional control to emulate a trackball just doesn't work.Centipede works adequately at first, but the inability to make swift moves quickly becomes a handicap.Missile Command is just unplayable.In the arcade version I would typically get a five-figure score; on the Gameboy I'm lucky to make it past the first level.

Battlezone is okay, but the small screen makes targeting much too difficult.I never played Super Breakout in the arcades, but as with Missile Command, the awkward controls make it nearly impossible.Asteroids and Tempest are probably the most successful of the bunch, but that isn't saying much.

The Atari trivia game is just bizarre.Do people really know the names of Atari's designers?

Amazing Retro Reproductions
Both the look and sound have been captured perfectly in this Gameboy Advance version of Atari Ainniversary. Asteroids is perfect down to the look of the high scores. Same goes for the rest of the games---truly amazing considering how small the Gameboy screen is, but every detail is there. The only difference is in the control pad since all of the original games had different types of controls. But once you adapt and get used to the Gameboy controller, this is fun play for retro gamers. ... Read more

Asin: B00005V9NZ
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Classic    5. Retro Arcade    6. Strategy (Strategic)    7. Action    8. Adventure   

Double Dragon
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (14 November, 2003)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Double Dragon Dojo Survival mode lets you test your skills against an unending wave of enemies
• All new fighting techniques and weapons
• For 1 or 2 players
• Remake of the classic side-scrolling fighting game, now for the Gameboy Advance
• New modes for enhanced version, including two player cooperative, versus mode, and more

Reviews (14)

A Classic Rebirth
Looking at the box brings back a flood of memories, the days when action video games where simple and direct, rescue the girl or save the planet from some shadowy evil that is always cloaked in darkness. The hero is small, the enemy is huge, and towering over your pixel studded character, making your victory all the more glamorous.

It's mob rule in New York after a brutal nuclear war. The streets aren't safe to walk on even in the day time. Twin Brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee, master of a mysterious martial art they created called Sou-Setsu-Ken. They run a Kung Fu dojo to teach helpless civilians to defend themselves against street gangs, the most dangerous gang being the Shadow Warriors.

The Lee Brothers received an troubling letter: "If you want Marian back, bring us the secret book of Sou-Setsu-Ken"-The Shadow Warriors

The evil Shadow Warriors want the Lee Brothers' mysterious martial art! Well like hell they will give it to them! Billy and Jimmy depart on a pummeling rampage, kicking ass and taking names, all the way to confront the Shadows head honcho, Machine Gun Willy, on his home turf.

DD Advances is a fantastic revamped of the world's most legendary Side scrolling, two-dimensional game. With polished graphics, using characters from both arcade games and the Super Nintendo game, and incorporating moves from all ports of the game NES, SNES, Arcade and Sega Genesis, Double Dragon Advanced brings back a class game playing and the prime reason to own a Game Boy Advanced.

Darek Mok is wrong!
Hey, this is the Double Dragon we played in the arcade
for hours andhours.The one thing I agree with
Darek on is the elblow punch is nearly impossible to
produce but there are other techniques to learn, like
hiding in corners and standing on top of boxes kicking
and things like that.Also, when you can get your hands
on them, those numbchuckers are great when you use
them to your advantage.I hate the train scene in mission
four, and when they pile up on you in other scenes but

that is the fun of Double Dragon, kicking some (booty).
It is a little challenging and you can win if you are like me
and never put the game down.Outside of going and finding the actual arcade game in working condition which probably would cost hundreads of dollars this is your best match
to the arcade version yet.I was upset with Double Dragon for the Sega, this is a hit.If you are counting on these reviews to decide to buy it then go get it now.Best (money)I spent ...in a while.

Best Double Dragon game ever made
This is a must have for any fan of the Double Dragon series.It is an expanded version of the original arcade game.Even though this is based on the first Double Dragon game, it does borrow moves and bad guys from Double Dragon II as well.Atlus has also attempted to beef up the story by adding cutscenes in between the missions, but most people don't play Double Dragon for its story.This game is a lot of fun to play (not to mention addictive) and is a great addition to the Double Dragon franchise.Great job, Atlus! ... Read more

Asin: B00009YEJK
Sales Rank: 2437
Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Classic    4. Retro Arcade    5. Fighting (Fight, Fights)    6. Video Games    7. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    8. GBA   

PacMan Collection
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (13 July, 2001)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $17.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

If you're still suffering the lingering effects of Pac-Man fever, you'llbe excited to hear that Namco's Pac-Man Collection repackages theinfectious original with three other Pac-Man-themed games in a new anthology forthe Game Boy Advance.

Pac-Man Collection contains the original Pac-Man, plusPac-Attack, PacMania 3D, and the never-before-seen-out-of-the-arcadePac-Man Arrangement game. Pac-Man plays like you remember, andlike Namco Museums's picture perfect re-creation of Ms. Pac-Man,it features spot-on control, graphics, cartoon cutscenes, sound effects, and,best of all, music from the coin-op (who can forget that opening theme?). Assuch, it's easily the best of this collection.

PacMania 3D is basically a 3-D version of the original, and is just aboutas uninspired now as when it came out. Pac-Attack is a cool variation onsuch puzzlers as Tetris and Columns, and as such it's perfect forhandheld gaming. Pac-Man Arrangement is an odd little game that playsmuch like the original but adds weird power-ups that, for example, make yougigantic.

Because Pac-Man Collection is a perfectly emulated package, there isn'tmuch to gripe about, save that Ms. Pac-Man is a far, far better game thanthe original, and you'll have to shell out more money if you want that one. Butfor retro gamers on the go who also want to track down ghosts and eat powerpills, this package is sure to sate your hunger. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Perfect graphics and sound
• Perfect controls
• Pac-Attack is a fun Tetris variant

Cons:

• It's missing the best Pac game, Ms. Pac-Man
• Pac-Man Arrangement and PacMania 3D aren't really great games

... Read more

Features

• Platform: Game Boy Advance
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Strategy

Reviews (49)

WARNING:DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME!
OH MY GOSH..THIS IS THE WORST GAME IN GAMEBOY GAME HISTORY!
BE AWARE!

baddddddddddddddd
its bad , dont get it, pac-man arangement is retarted and so is pac-mania, pac-attack is fun until after awhile it gets boring dont get it it a waste of money.

Pac-Man Collection
THIS IS IT , Like the Monkey on Donkey Kong Country 2 is on the LOOSE , The pellit chomping Smiley is back in 4 of his greatest adventures. He chomped his way into everyone`s heart for many years, and now " HE`S BACK " This game is worth the price and is loads of FUN, So everyone ENJOY.....EngineMan Eric
... Read more

Asin: B00005LOW5
Subjects:  1. Adventure    2. Classic    3. Retro Arcade    4. Strategy (Strategic)    5. Video Games    6. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    7. GBA    8. Action   

Greatest Arcade Hits
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (22 November, 2001)
list price: $39.99
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Editorial Review

This title offers four Midway arcade classics for one price. The games are as you remember them: In Joust, you ride a flying ostrich and try to defeat other mounted knights by bumping them from above. Clear the screen of enemies, then move on to faster and tougher enemies. In Robotron, you run around on a playing field attempting to clear the screen of evil enemy Robotrons, all the while trying to save the last human family. Defender has you trying to eliminate all the alien forces in each stage while defending the lives of the humans scattered across the surface. In Sinistar, you battle unseen enemy drones who are building the ultimate evil--the Sinistar. Sinistar can only be stopped by bombs you make out of space crystals. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Flaws aside good retro value!
Okay ... I agree with some reviews here.SINISTAR is a mess - you really can't control your ship too well with it constantly thrusting, ROBOTRON is a lacking in that you can't fire in a direction you are not moving, JOUST fares pretty well but again some control issues, and DEFENDER is hard to see even on the well lit SP screen.

But it is nice to see these 80s classics in any form.I spent tons of quarters on these games back then, and they are hard to find now.The Gameboy has the power to do them justice.Shame that the controls are not perfect, but still worth a look!

Sinistar is broken!
... I wanted Sinistar! The ship won't stop thrusting. I'ts like playing a broken arcade machine. AAAGGHH! The game's only plus is that this Defender works. The new GBA Defender is messed up just like Sinistar. Both these games were put out unfinished!

Stinks
This is absolutely the worst arcade translation I've ever seen. Defender, Sinistar, Robotron, and Joust are great arcade games, and have been faithfully reproduced on other platforms, but this sad attempt bears little resemblance to the real things. That might be okay if the games in this implementation were playable on their own terms, but they're not. Defender/Joust for Gameboy Color is much better than this pathetic garbage. ... Read more

Asin: B00005RCQQ
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Classic    5. Retro Arcade    6. Strategy (Strategic)    7. Action    8. Adventure   

Super Ghouls'n Ghosts
Average Customer Review:
Video Game

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Editorial Review

The release of Super Ghouls 'n' Ghosts marks the return of theSuper Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) classic to the Game Boy Advance. Thegame features classic 2-D side-scrolling action and all of the gameplay elementsof the original. It also includes newly designed enemies and stages.

The quest begins as a spell has been cast upon Arthur's kingdom and the evilemperor has snatched Arthur's fair maiden, Princess Prin Prin. Only Arthur canretrieve her from the creatures of the undead that haunt the land. The newArrange mode allows players to choose the next stage of the game at the end ofeach level. This adds more replay value to the game and allows those who haveplayed the original version to play new stages. The game also includes popularenemies from the original Ghosts 'n' Goblins and Super Ghosts 'n'Goblins. ... Read more

Features

• The timeless classic now on the Game Boy Advance!
• Determine your fate. Choose the next stage at the completion of each level.
• Seven challenging quests to keep you on your toes.
• Collect and uncover armor, shields and Treasure Chests to protect you from your foes.

Reviews (12)

A very challenging game that will give you MANY hours of fun
This game is DIFFICULT. It took me a few weeks just to finish the first level and kill off the first boss. But I just couldn't put it down. I played this many times (original version) back in the late 80s. Its one of the best video games ever made. The sound, graphics (pretty good even though not 3D. Its just my favorite GBA game and I have 13 games. Buy it only if you are at least somewhat smart ; ).

Hardest game I've ever beat.
Wow, what a game.The theme is just stupid cool.The soundtrack is pleasing.The gameplay....insanely difficult!Real tough!When I went through this game all the way it was on SNES....it took me 4 months on easy!I had to leave my SNES on for the whole 4 months.I wish I would have had this gameboy version that lets you save:(If you like a challenge, this is truely the game for you.

The key to enjoying this game...
...is to have the right weapon. Literally.
To reduce the difficulty in this game as much as possible, look for the weapon that fires diagonally.

The Pros:
1. Nostalgic Value: This was one of my first games for the SNES. 2. Great Music: I remember all the songs even after losing the game 10 years before.
3. Cartrage Save Feature: not only does it allow you to take a break without losing your progress, but you can also make it so you start every stage with the best upgrade.
4. Arrange mode: New stages add to the variety.

Cons: 1. You have to go through the game twice to beat it, and the item you must obtain in the second quest is very awkward and clumsy to use. However, you can get it on the first runthrough in "Arrange mode"
2. in "Arrange mode", you have to beat a level with upgraded armor(which means making it to the boss and then beating it without taking a hit) to get a new stage instead of the SNES stage

3. the difficulty CAN be annoying in several places, especially with those darn gargoyals.

4. No Sound test. The SNES Version had one, why not this?

Overall, this game is not too bad. I only gave it three stars because of the whole second quest deal and the expectation that you be an expert to see any new stages. ... Read more

Asin: B000066TS2
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure