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Computer & Video Games - Systems - Game Boy Advance - Best Gameboy Advance Games (List 2)

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    Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
    Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (11 September, 2003)
    -- our price: $34.99
    (price subject to change: see help)
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Features

    • Impartial judge decrees specific rules during every battle
    • Speed-based system that falls in between real-time and turn-based action
    • Gorgeous character illustrations and 2D sprites harken back to Square's 16-bit glory days
    • Players assume the role of young Marche in a world of strategic combat and conquest
    • 3D-viewpoint battlefield offers clear view of playing characters
    Reviews (171)

    5-0 out of 5 stars Well after two years...
    One day I was bored, hadn't played my gameboy in a year, final fantasy, 2 years. Well, guess what I did? Played it for as much as I could. I've already beaten this game TWO times and it is STILL is extremely fun. This is still by far the best game I have played on GameBoy.

    Graphics: 9/10
    Extremely good for GameBoy, when you select a unit it has a beautifully drawn portrait, the graphics are to drool over.

    Gameplay: 10/10
    I love it. Some people may get bored of it, but it is so fun...egad...

    Story: 9/10
    WHOA, who ever knew that Nintendo would come out with a good story? Usually it's all crap (MARIO....) sheesh...It is orginal, yet with a big twist: A boy get's trapped in another world, and tries to get out of it. Yet your friend is wanting to stay, and your other friend, well, was basically the Prince of this whole world.

    To put it in a more explanatory way.... YOU get trapped in that world, called Ivalice. Your friend, Mewt has a magic book that somehow sends you and him, and this chick Ritz with you. Ritz wants to stay...Meewt is ruler and stays....you...want to get out! You have to kill these Totema(as so it seems) to get out. I won't get furthur, because it's a good, and suspenseful story...One final word: It's NOT MARIO!!!

    Moving on to the gameplay: Well it's "tactical" of course. You take turns moving units of your clan facing evil fiends, fierce clans, and powerfulTotema. No, you never face Mewt, you face his Mom thought (HA!) Actually she turns into an extremely powerful witch-spirit-totally-wack-powerful..thing. As I was saying you take turns, as well as the other team, and fight until you win the match, sadly, if one of your character units falls in battle it says he is KO'd (Come on just a bit of blood?)
    Which is nice because you will have that unit the next battle.

    There are 5 races: Humans, Bangaas, Viera, Nu Mou, and Moogles.

    Humans- You know.... They do just about everything, just not exactly like those other races, many jobs, so fun to develop.

    Bangaas- Masculine Lizard-Like Warriors based on brute strength.

    Viera- Chicks that have bunny ears, good with stealth and elemental magics.

    Nu Mou- Cross between sheep and cow (well they look like that) by the way none of these races looke silly, Just my explanations are wack. Nu Mou are based on healing magics and other magics.

    Moogles- Bunnies. No, really. My favorite race. Based on stealth and silly, yet deadly, antics.


    Well, this is an awesome game, nobody can deny it( fine..some...)
    I have been amazed by this game for nearly two years....

    A MSUT BUY FOR RPG FANS. Trust me. Final Fantasy Tactics is different than some FF games, but a giant hit for the GBA! Take my advice, buy it.

    5-0 out of 5 stars Fun, no complaints
    This game is addicting.Like caffine addicting.Seriously, this game is fun.The story starts out rather childish with apperntly shallow charecters, but as it progress, say about, for me, twenty hours into the game, you see that it's actually closer to a story about escapeism.The battles are just sweet, though sometimes (Very begining) there appears to be too much talking.The discover new areas thing was fun too.Now off to face down the final boss who I hate because my most powerful charecter is a paladin, paladins only do holy damage, and it's immune to holy damage.

    4-0 out of 5 stars Swords, and bows, and nukes, oh my!
    Okay, to be frank, this game owns. I didn't like FFT because of the permanent death thing, but in FFTA, Marche can die and die and die and not die permanently.

    ---Graphics-wise, this game is dumbed down from FFT, but the class sprites look good and the mugshots are far better than FFT. They are quite repetitive, but that's only a slight problem. Also the bright colors make up for the dark nature of the gameboy screen.

    ---Sound-wise, this game is very good, many good tracks and very few problems, but its exceptional for a handheld.

    ---Story-wise, I thought it leaned more to the childish side, but it was okay, it was still good. I didn't like the end and the fact that Marche was dense as all hell to Ritz's behavior towards him was kind of funny... but odd.

    ---Gameplay-wise, this did damage to the score. Gameplay is fun, and addicting but it gets too old after awhile and enemy hordes have very simple patterns and the only time that changes is when you get stuck in a jagd, which are lawless parts of Ivalice, so you get pwned. (Yes I put pwned on purpose.)

    All in all its a good game, albeit a slightly flawed one, but its worth the price, trust me on this one. ... Read more

    Asin: B00009WAUK
    Sales Rank: 454
    Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    4. Video Games    5. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    6. GBA   


    $34.99

    Super Monkey Ball Jr
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (25 November, 2002)
    list price: $29.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Features

    • Based on the best selling Nintendo GameCube title.
    • AiAi, MeeMee, Gon Gon, and Baby make their Game Boy Advance debut!
    • Over 60 tables filled with steps, bumps, moving platforms, and more!
    • Includes 4 of your favorite party games - Monkey Fight, Monkey Race, and Monkey Golf, and Monkey Bowling.
    • Multi-player madness supports up to 4 players with the Link Cable.
    Reviews (29)

    4-0 out of 5 stars Great traveling extension --------
    My kids and husband LOVE this game on the GameCube.I bought this for our cruise.My kids love this game almost as much as the other one.Insanely fun and funny game..........

    1-0 out of 5 stars not so great at all
    I am sorry but, this is a horible gamefor this series. It has bassicly no mini games, low graphics, horrible levals, NO PLOT OR STORY AT ALL!!!!, and the levalsstink, if you want to play super monkey ball get super monkey ball deluxe!!!!!!!! it rocks!

    4-0 out of 5 stars Slight control issues.
    Other than that, once you get used to the control and anticipate turns and gaps in the floor it is pretty fun. Take this on your next plane trip to pass the time. The mini games are what round this out. The monkey golf one is really cool. And Monkey Fight is so frantic and fun you'll laugh your @$$ off just because you're having so much fun (sort of like how Mario Kart did for me all those years back). So far I've played this game more than I have any other GBA game that I own.

    Basically it's marble madness in 3D. Instead of a trackball or analog stick you have the D-pad. Not the best control for something like this, but the game is playable and that's all I ask when it comes to gameplay. Rather than you moving the ball around you tilt the floor to get the monkey-in-a-ball to move. This can be disorienting to those expecting to have a stable floor to move around on but a tiltable floor lends challenge to the gameplay in my opinion. The camera can get frustrating, but the stages are simple enough so that you can anticipate/memorize what's behind the camera. No action buttons used except in the menu screens and mini games. And even then it's not too complicated.

    Those looking for a challenging game that you can get into right away and that doesn't require a couple hours reading a strategy guide will find this game very enjoyable. This is arcade puzzle action. Not a RTS or a MMORPG.

    ---
    Proper criticism doesn't complain and not explain. ... Read more

    Asin: B00007D02M
    Sales Rank: 1768
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Strategy (Strategic)   


    Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (01 March, 2002)
    list price: $29.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    Based on the popular PlayStation2 title, Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars is a 2-D, turn-based strategy game in which players take control of an army of trucks, tanks, fighters, and giant anime-styled robots, called LEVs, to fight for liberation as part of the Mars underground resistance. Players must carefully select their actions, move around large battlefields, and think tactically when engaging enemy units. Battle experience will make you more powerful, and you will be able to optimize and upgrade your units. ... Read more

    Reviews (20)

    5-0 out of 5 stars One of the Best GBA Games
    ZOE: The Fist of Mars is easily one of the best Game Boy games ever made. The story is intriguing as are the characters. The graphics are very good during Battle Sequences and cut scenes. For any fan of anime series with giant robots, some romantic elements and plot twists, this is one game you have to buy. Even if you're not a big fan of anime, this game is still worth your money. Outside of the battle sequences, primarily in the map, the graphics aren't very good. The landscapes are not well made. Most of the scenarios are also simple, destroy all enemies maps. There is also a hands-on element called the IAS which allows you to go inside the cockpit of your vehicle to either dodge or hit an enemy vehicle. While this can become tedious and prolongs the fight, you can turn this off along with battle animations, which brings me to the next point in this game. The battle sequences are amazing and are some of the best elements in this game. The scene shows a highly detailed animation of your vehicle performing its attack. The game runs HEAVILY on story and plot, and players who don't like to read and want to get right down onto the battlefield should NOT buy this game. To enjoy it the most, you must have PATIENCE and read through all the scenes.

    4-0 out of 5 stars I think this is a very enjoyable game
    addmittedly, once you can aim well it is a little easy but it is still really, really fun.get it if you don't have anything else to get. : )

    4-0 out of 5 stars For Anime/Mech fans.
    This game is classified as strategy, yet the game takes no strategy to win. The game is VERY easy even for people who have never played strategy games before. The enemies are very easy to beat and the missions usually consist of "Eliminate the Enemy" objectives. In addition, the IAS system (which is basically a targeting minigame) basically lets you choose whether or not you want to be hit or hit the enemy. If you use the IAS all the way through the game you can beat the game without ever getting hit once. The only problem is that the IAS becomes tedious and annoying, so you'll turn it off midway, and the game will still be a piece of cake.

    So why did this game win a place in my hcollection? Because it's absolutley beautiful. The battle animations are wonderful and very pleasing to the eye. The mech designs are very cool, and you grow to care for each one, like a collector's item. The battlefields are well detailed as well. The CG pics are far and few inbetween, but put the cherry on the sundae. And to top it with sprinkles, Konami added an amazing musical score to the game, making you feel each part of the game through the music. When a hyper-insane mad-scientist is burning down a city, the music depicts the atrocity and horror through the music, making you all the more eager to stop him.

    But the main draw is the story. The game is played through a mission-by-mission basis, but seems more like episodes to an amine series. The game starts out with lots of mysteries and finishes off with 2 different endings, making the game even more replayable. The dialouge inbetween missions help you relate to and get to know the characters and you actually care for what happens to them next. Not many plot-twists, but the story remains constantand well contructed till the end. Very little cheesiness here. My favorite part of the dialouge are the character portraits that come up when a each charater is talking. Each character has 3-8 pics for different emotions, and they are beautifully drawn. The story itself is very well translated and flows smoothly.

    So click "Add to cart", and get yourself some headfones too, because this is a theatrical experience for any anime fan, but too easy for a strategy buff. ... Read more

    Asin: B00005UNW2
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   


    Tetris Worlds
    Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (27 September, 2001)
    list price: $39.99 -- our price: $14.95
    (price subject to change: see help)
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    Deceptively simple and completely addictive, Tetris Worlds adds colorful graphics, all-new gameplay variations, and intense multiplayer action to this classic game. Six modes of play challenge you with new rules, while its six different worlds evolve in complexity and difficulty as you clear one level and move to the next. Compete with up to four players to see which one clears levels the fastest. And best of all, this game is so straightforward that you can play it right out of the box. ... Read more

    Features

    • Six modes of gameplay, each with unique rules for playing Tetris.
    • Multi-player game lets up to four players see who can clear levels the fastest.
    • Play Tetris in six different worlds, each evolving as you clear levels.
    • Increasing levels of complexity and difficulty as players complete each level.
    • Simple gameplay, easy to pick up without instruction, and completely addictive!
    Reviews (35)

    3-0 out of 5 stars Good tetris, Bad backgrounds
    I just bought this Tetris game.I grew up with the black and white computer game "Nyet", before it was even called Tetris, so I love the Tetris game.The Tetris game itself was fine.

    However, the backgrounds were horrible - mostly dark, with animated animals and an annoying flying cube with eyes getting in the way.The distractions might be good for building my concentration, but the backgrounds were so darkly colourful that I had trouble seeing the blocks properly.So they were a) cheesy, b) distorted the outline of the tetris blocks, and c) walked/swam/flew around a lot, so that it made the tetris blocks even harder to see.

    I bought this game despite the mostly negative reviews because there wasn't another tetris gameboy advance game at the stores around my place.So it's enough to satisfy my Tetris fix, but I really wish it were better.That is, simpler, like white blocks on a black background, so I could concentrate on the game more than the bad graphics

    3-0 out of 5 stars Great game, new ideas...
    This newest breed of Tetris starts out like any other. You have the option to play the classic Tetris game that everyone, including Homer Simpson, has played. But, there are also 5 new play modes, included Fusion which is the most unlike classic Tetris. Each of the games offers hours of reply.

    This game also includes an outline option to help you see where your piece will land, for newer or less skilled players. As well as being able to see the next four pieces ahead.

    Additionally you can swap out one piece by pressing the L or R button, and trade that piece with any piece later in the game... this option is very helpful for storing straight pieces.

    Unfortunatly each game only has 15 levels, unlike the nearly limitless play of the origional title.

    Another flaw on my system is that most of the backgrounds are so dark you have to be in a very well lit area to play, this is a typical flaw of all gameboy games without an SP, but the purple pieces are almost invisible without some serious overhead lighting.

    All in all this game offers a new look at a great game, and offers at least a month of solid replayablity, plus it's great to pick up for a 5 minute distraction.

    -- nemo54321 (3 1/2 stars)

    4-0 out of 5 stars Not bad
    This game is okay.The game portion of the display takes up only 1/3 of the screen.The other 2/3 are graphics on the left and right side.At first I thought this would be a problem, since the tiny screen of the GBA gives me headaches at times.But it plays fine, and no problems seeing things.The controls are fairly smooth, but take a little getting used to.The "Ghost" feature is helpful.It shows you where and how a piece will lie, as it is still falling. ... Read more

    Asin: B00005NECC
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Classic    5. Retro Arcade    6. Strategy (Strategic)   


    $14.95

    X-Men: Reign Of Apocalypse
    Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (28 September, 2001)
    list price: $39.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    You and your fellow X-Men are lost in an alternate reality, only to discover that supervillain Apocalypse reigns supreme. Not only do you find yourself at the mercy of his minions, but also the line between foe and friend is dangerously blurred in this mirror universe. Your only hope is to fight your way through numerous enemies and threats until you reach the Warp Gate and return home. Will you survive long enough to make it there?

    X-Men: Reign of Apocalypse is the first X-Men game release for the Game Boy Advance platform. It offers side-scrolling gameplay combined with fighting-game action. Best of all, you become your favorite X-Men character--Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, or Rogue--and do battle using the character's signature moves.

    While in story mode, you'll battle Apocalypse's minions as you try to return to your own dimension. In versus mode, you can compete head-to-head in a deathmatch or join forces to battle enemy hordes, unlock X-Men friends, and capture the flag.

    Reign of Apocalypse's fighting system lets you score experience points using your brute strength and special mutant powers. At the end of each level, you can use these points to increase your damage potential, agility, or mutant power to unleash the ultimate X-Man! ... Read more

    Reviews (30)

    1-0 out of 5 stars A Feeble And Careless Attept
    I got this game today and I was pumped. However, that enthusiasm died. The graphics are o.k., the play is repeatitive and the moves are simple. So, to put it bluntly, IT SUCKED!!!

    5-0 out of 5 stars This is an awsome game.
    This is an awsome game. If you Buy an Action Replay for your Game Boy Advance you'll be able to play as Night Crawler, Bishop, Cable, Silver Samuri, Appocolypse, Sabretooth, Gambit, Magneto, a Sentinel, Accolyte, Mystique, and many more characters.It's a really cool game and has lots of replay value if you have an Action Replay.

    5-0 out of 5 stars This is a cool game if you have an Action Replay.
    This is an awsome game if you have an Action Replay.With an Action Replay for Game Boy Advance you can play as Appocolypse, Juggernaut, Sabretooth, Magneto, Cable, Pyro, Bishop, Nightcrawlwer, and even as a Sentinal.All the codes to this game are on the Action Replay for Game Boy Advance.If you're an X-Men fan this is the perfect game for you. ... Read more

    Asin: B00005ME6F
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Fighting (Fight, Fights)    7. Strategy (Strategic)   


    Wario Ware, Inc.:Mega Microgame$
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (26 May, 2003)
    list price: $34.99 -- our price: $29.99
    (price subject to change: see help)
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France
    Reviews (79)

    5-0 out of 5 stars Best GBA game of all time
    When I first got the game, it was all I could play. 200+ 5 second games that you have to figure out how to do while playing them. What could be more fun? My favorite genres are 9-volt's Nintendo and Orbulon's I.Q. games. I highly recommend this game to anyone with a gba.

    5-0 out of 5 stars Hungry eye hi yeah
    Well it seems obvious that this the game of all time... I had to laugh when I read the minimal amount of 1-2 star ratings (only about 4 out of 77) anyways this goes and shows the very idea of video games, they are pointless!Video games are pointless, there is no such thing as a "serious" game, all games to the very core of thier being are a waste of time.This game is great as in it is a light game that doesn't take forever to beat (ITS CALLED REPLAY VALUE GUYS, REPLAY VALUE) yes you will "beat" the game pretty easily, that doesn't mean it's over, you can play them even more.The concept is sound and the game is funny (unless you have a dignified sense of humour or your just too serious to laugh at something goofy) I think the funniest part is where that monkey is throwing the bananas at the cop cars, FUN-E!As I was saying this is a light game it is just to have fun with, there is no engrossing story line and what not.So if your playing a game for story line and character development (read you are a nerd) then please skip this game, it will be too "easy" for your advanced gaming (spare me!).This is one of the few breaths of fresh air I have seen in gaming in a long while, though video games are making more and more money every year they are losing focus.Ummm so yeah, this game is fun (E) and entertaining, if your a nerd you won't like it sooooooo this is a game for the "casual" gamer (read non-nerd) and cool people who don't read gaming magazines all day and have deep conversations about Final Fantasy.The end.

    5-0 out of 5 stars The best reason to buy gameboy.
    The gameboy is a cool concept of taking games anywhere but most of the games for it are either intensive action arcade games or long RPG or strategy games.This is a game that makes the gameboy do what it was designed for.Plug in wario ware and play for five minutes, you'll have a blast and you'll advance to unlocking more of the minigames.Makes it so that you can use your gameboy while you're standing in line at the bank. ... Read more

    Asin: B00008KUA3
    Sales Rank: 1063
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Strategy (Strategic)   


    $29.99

    Spyro: Season of Ice
    Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (23 November, 2001)
    list price: $39.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Features

    • Over 30 levels including: Autumn Falls, Honey Marsh, Space Age Speedway and more more.
    • Revolutionary gameplay with 3 different engine technologies.
    • Cool Minigames like Hockey and Thief Chases.
    • Speedway Races and Speedway Time Trial modes.
    Reviews (97)

    1-0 out of 5 stars This game is awful! Absolutly, positively DON'T buy it.
    I own the first three Spyro games and when this one came out I coudn't wait to get it. However, I made a serios mistake. Spyro can't move very well, and you die the second you come near water, which I think is terrible seeing as this game is supposed to take place AFTER he learned to swim. This game has bad graphics, annoying speedways and Sparx levels, and can't show elevation. As a general rule, everything looks completly flat so when you go to make a glide, you find out the place you're gliding to is too high. Furthermore, enemies with missles and fireworks take about two seconds aiming at you then they just blow you up. In conclusion NEVER, EVER buy this game!

    2-0 out of 5 stars Annoying!
    I have all the Spyro games for PS1 & PS2, and I LOVE them, so when I got my GBA I bought Season Of Ice right away....and was very annoyed.At first I thought it would be cool, because there are fairies and mermaids, but the controls are much more difficult on the GBA than the Playstations.I have trouble getting Spyro to go the direction I want him to, especially on diagonals.I think it's because you're using directional buttons instead of a joystick.I don't think it can be the fault of the button on my individual GBA, because I bought it brand new and this is one of the first games I've played on it.Anyway, I have trouble crossing bridges and just moving around in general; it makes it incredibly obnoxious, because every time you fall in water you die.I say, if you have a Game Cube and a Game Boy Player (so you can use a joystick) this could be a great game, but if you just have a GBA, don't bother, it's more frustrating than it's worth.

    2-0 out of 5 stars A frustrating let-down
    OK, first of all, I have the 3 original Spyro games for Playstation, and I love them, so when I got my GBA, I immediately bought this Spyro game and the second one, Season of Fire. I haven't played the second one yet, but I'm almost afraid to, because this one was so disappointing. The graphics are great, I'll give you that, but that's about where it ends. The gameplay is horrible, like others have said. The controls seem to be opposite of what I would expect, and charging always makes my arm ache from trying to control him in tight turns. Also, the fact that you die if you put your toe in a puddle is really annoying, especially since the storyline shows that it's supposed to be after Spyro learned to swim. The most frustrating level so far for me is the hummingbird port, where you have to glide to different platforms, most of which you can't see without moving the camera to search for them, and all of them are impossible to tell which are above and which are below you. I've found that a basic rule is that if it looks higher, it's below you, and if it looks lower, then it's above you. I gave up on that level when I couldn't find any more sections to go to, and just kept going in circles. I do like the speedways, and also Sparx's worlds, but that's not quite enough to off-set the frustration from the other levels. It probably wouldn't seem so bad if I hadn't already gotten so good at the playstation versions, so if you are just looking for something to pass the time on the road or something, go ahead and buy it. But if you are looking for a Gameboy version of the original Spyro games, don't bother. Though, I'll try Season of Fire, and maybe Spyro Orange, which my stepmom owns, before giving up on GBA Spyro.
    As a side-note, when are we going to get to play Bentley the Yeti? He was my favorite. I'd buy the game if he were in it. ... Read more

    Asin: B00005NCCA
    Sales Rank: 1978
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Strategy (Strategic)   


    Iron Man
    Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (13 December, 2002)
    list price: $29.99 -- our price: $14.98
    (price subject to change: see help)
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France
    Reviews (6)

    2-0 out of 5 stars wait
    im a iron man fan and all i can say is by 2007 the new iron man movie will be out along with a video game so buy it then

    4-0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good
    Activision has made a few great Spider-Man games (and one nearly terrible X-Men game) for the GBA; and now they try their luck with another Marvel super hero: Iron Man.Iron Man for the GBA is a good example of how a comic hero should translate into a video game (especially a portable one without getting to formulatic).Shell head's repulsar blast is at full effect, plus you havea shoulder tackle and you can fly around all over in the huge 8 levels.Eventually your suit will run out of power and you'll have to recharge by collecting energy items throughout the area.You'll also come across different power orbs which range from Iron Man having a massive cannon spring from his chest to detonating a bomb to clear an entire screen full of enemies.There are hundreds of enemies throughout each area, and they have a degree of intelligence (as opposed to the Daredevil GBA game) and the game does require bits of strategy now and then instead of just mindless run from the left to the right of the screen mowing down enemies.The only real complaints with Iron Man is that the action can get a bit repetitive from time to time, and even though the 8 levels are huge, a bit more length would have made this game really great.The graphics are nicely animated and the control is pretty dead on for the most part, and fans of the comic (or the short lived cartoon) will appreciate the graphics.All in all, fans of comics in general or 'ol shell head himself will get a nice bit of joy out of Iron Man.

    3-0 out of 5 stars A fun few levels, but it falls vastly short of its potential
    Iron Man is an excellent character for a video game.With an array of weapons and a complex story, it could make for an excellent romp.Unfortunately, Activision slapped the license on a medicore game, which appears to have been thrown together by a pack of rookies.The graphics are nice, but gameplay is extraordinarily tedious at times.Only two Iron Man villains in the game don't provide for many fanboy chills... in fact, nothing does.If you want a game to kill some time on a short flight, pick this up used, definitely not new.Think before you shell out $ ... Read more

    Asin: B00005BRJ6
    Sales Rank: 4381
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   


    $14.98

    Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (09 May, 2003)

    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France
    Reviews (51)

    5-0 out of 5 stars May be quite possibly the best Castlevania ever...
    While the past two GBA Castlevania's were good, this one is leaps and bounds ahead of them.

    The Soul system of this game is brilliant and is quite addicting. However, getting the souls of every monster in this game can be quite time consuming. Though, one expensive ring does make this task much easier...

    And the main character, Soma, just looks downright cool.
    Plus the dozens of swords, hammers, spears, and even guns he can get all behave differently and are unique. No two weapons look or act the same.
    And its just plain fun to swing a sword twice the size of your main character. :)

    The challenge in this game can be a bit high in some areas but never leaves you frustrated.

    Add to the fact that this game has hidden final bosses, hidden areas, a special arena mode which earns you rare and awesome weapons, a hidden playable character, and a mode which allows you to restart the game with all your items intact makes this game a gem and a real joy to play. Also, there is a special Hard mode which can earn you rare items like Deaths Scythe and a werewolf killing Silver Gun.

    All in all, this game plain old rocks and will give you plenty of enjoyment and fun for your money. Pick it up, you wont be sorry.

    5-0 out of 5 stars Every bit as good, and better, than Symphony of the Night!
    For people who fell in love with Castelvania: Symphony of the Night for the PSX, prepare to be dazzled yet again by Aria of Sorrow! The Soul system is easy and fun to use, the locales you'll explore in the castle are beautiful, the music is awesome, and plays as smoothly as you could ask.

    If you are a big fan of Castlevania, this is THE Castlevania to pick up. If you aren't a big fan of Castlevania, then this is still the one game you should run out and buy! I couldn't recommend it any higher.

    5-0 out of 5 stars If HoD was the Test...This is the Result.
    Iga's second game on the GBA, Aria of Sorrow, triumphs over Harmony of Dissonance, and while it's nothing revolutionary, it presents a few fresh ideas, and manages to be a satisfying and engaging adventure, if lacking in some areas.

    Soma Cruz, a high school exchange student studying in Japan, is making his way to his friend's shrine, when he loses consciousness. What's going on? Right off the bat, Aria of Sorrow scores points for *actually* having a very fresh and interesting story.

    Continuing the tradition started by Circle of the Moon, AoS has a new gameplay addition, called the Soul Steal System. Soma has the power to take the souls of monsters that he defeats. This factors into the game in that it's a necessity to have Souls to get further into the Castle, and the powers of some can also aid in defeating certain enemies, or raising your attributes. There are a great many souls, as there as over 100 enemies in AoS, and some include using a massive axe gained by obtaining the soul of the Red Minotaur, or summoning the Familiar Alastor, which kind of is a less cool copy of the Sword Familiar in SotN. Unfortunately, a lot of the Souls will go unused, as some are simply pointless, such as the Killer Doll's, or the Zombie Soldier. It's too much trouble to have to constantly switch back and forth to utilize all of the Souls to their full extent, so once you find a good one, such as the Lightning Doll's, you'll probably stick with that one for a long time until you find a better one.It's an interesting idea, but again suffers from Iga's desire to have myriads of options for the sake of amount, not for the sake of functionality.

    Dracula's Castle looks absolutely stunning. This game is many steps above Harmony of Dissonance's neon-like and static, boring backgrounds. Notice the Castle Corridor's slightly broken walls which expose swarms of bats and a brightly glowing moon and clouds, or the foreboding Top Floor's sinister architecture, with the pillars engulfed in flames; this game is a visual treat. The artistic beauty of this game shines all over, with places like the Floating Gardens and its flowing sea of clouds in the higher structures. Stop and take a look while you're in the Underground Waterway to admire the brilliant speckles of light reflecting on the overhanging surfaces above the water, and the faintly luminescent rock formations in the immediate and far background. There are little details like this all over, and it's a feast for the eyes. Soma looks more graceful than the floaty and stiffly animated Juste. The animation of his jacket is just great, and every move he makes looks much more believable. Another area in which Aria of Sorrow succeeds in terms of graphics is its huge number of enemies, which total over 100. The great thing about them all is that they're all interesting, and some are actually quite aggressive, like the Rubicant Demons. This is very welcome, when I compare it to the poor direction Harmony was going with its repetitive and goofy looking monsters, which all seemed to want to be killed. However, AoS still struggles with having boring enemy death animations, which mostly consist of the beast bursting into flames and disappearing. Still, the sheer diversity of their designs and habits overshadow this little problem.

    Considering the Castle's layout this time compared to HoD's, I found it to be noticeably improved, though still lacking, when compared to CotM. The good parts? First of all, there are no pointless little blocks in your way (Like HoD's Skull Key Doors) that make you needlessly backtrack to get somewhere else. AoS also sports eight Teleporter Rooms, as opposed to HoD's few, making getting around easier. Castlevania has never seemed so populated with enemies, and the decent amount of actual platforming, such as a certain huge room in the Underground Waterway, is a blessing when I compare it to HoD's insulting overuse of completely straight, nearly empty corridors and unpleasant, redundant vertical corridors. However, there is nothing in the design on the structures in the rooms that is truly hard. Perhaps truly involving in a few instances, but nothing that will ever really make you sweat due to the pressure of intensity, and that's where AoS really could have stood to improve itself. Iga's games still rely too heavily on the major obstacles only coming from the enemies, and not from the actual environment, as well.

    This time, since the main character is not a Belmont (and is not restricted to using a whip), the player is treated to a huge array of weapons to use. Some can be found in secret rooms in the castle, others can be bought at the shop near the Castle's Corridor, and still others can be obtained by defeating enemies or beating the Boss Rush Mode under a certain time.Most of the weapons in this game are interestingly designed, though I guess the designers got a little lazy in some areas (The Kaladbolg Sword looks exactly the same as the Burtang Sword, except with a red outline). Regardless, I found it to be much more fun than simply finding a bunch of whip add-ons which really didn't contribute much to your fighting (*cough*HoD*cough*). Ranging from the stylish Valmanway sword to the popular Claimh Solais, you'll have lots of fun collecting and using all of these items, since mixing up your weapons actually makes a difference in this game. Have low HP and encounter a Flame Demon? Switch up your current sword for Rahab's Sword, which has elemental properties for more than double the damage of which you would have done if you had not switched. You'll even get a gun later on, to reflect the sign of the times, but it's very weak.

    Sound-wise, and compositional-wise, this game also runs rings around Harmony of Dissonance's mainly forgettable and sometimes depressing soundtrack. It sports more songs than CotM's, though whether they're on the same level of the masterfully done ones in that game is left up to you. I personally still prefer CotM's much more. Sound-wise, AoS just goes to show that great graphics don't bring down a game's music quality, as the sound composers of HoD said. Michiru Yamane, composer of games' soundtracks, such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and partial contributor to HoD, finally has joined in on the soundtrack for most of the songs, I believe, if not all. The Castle Corridor's theme has a good pace and is memorable, though definitely not in the same league as "Awakening" or "Dracula's Castle."The Chapel has a suitably urgent and powerful beat to it, and the arranged version is divine (unfortunately, it's available on a Japanese-only soundtrack, as are the arranged versions for the Castle Corridor and Top Floor). The Arena's action-based theme is very catchy, as is the Top Floor's "dance-sonata" tune. The Clock Tower level of the Castlevania series is famous, partially due to almost always having one of the most memorable songs of the soundtracks played there. AoS is no different; starting off quietly, it projects a feeling of seclusion and airiness, and then descends in to a much more intense tune and erratic flow, to go along with one traversing deeper into the structure. However, AoS also sports a ridiculous amount of merely adequate or simply forgettable songs, which is inexcusable for a series such as Castlevania. Examples include the Inner Quarters' theme, which is rather too reserved and uninteresting, and the music for the Dance Hall is simply silly sounding, which makes me wonder what the composer was thinking when they were wondering what kind of mood they wanted to create with their composition. As far as the soundtrack goes, there are a few great, though not incredible, pieces, and a lot of merely "decent" pieces. There are a TON of voice samples and sound effects. Succubae slur devilish erotic words as you come near them, and demons scream in rage as they try to spear you with their tridents. There is a lot of personality behind all these sounds, and it's where AoS's sound truly succeeds.

    Control is spot on. Whereas in HoD you felt like your character was very either too stiff or too airy, Soma controls almost like a human Alucard. Jumping and maneuvering in the air are flawless, and when you get hurt, you know it was because you messed up, not because the control sucked. It's more along the likes of its GBA brother, CotM, only more fluid in some ways, and a little less heavy. You ALWAYS feel like you have complete control over your character, and that's truly something that stands out in AoS.

    Aria of Sorrow is actually the first Castlevania game where you can get Level 99 without taking your whole life to do it. Whereas HoD basically lost all reason to fight any enemies when you got to level 50 because most monsters gave 1 EXP by then, AoS's experience-reward system never changes (a.k.a., if an enemy gives 250 experience the first time around, it won't give 10 experience points the next time, due to you being a higher level), and therefore, the fun and purpose of fighting enemies remains intact. Enemies will also drop weapons and armor that can't be bought at the shop. In addition, it also helps for the Boss Rush Mode if you're at a high level. AoS scores again the RPG-Leveling aspect.

    AoS has probably the highest replay value of all the 3 GBA Castlevania games. When you beat the game for the first time, you can restart on Hard Mode, and additional modes become accessible, as well as a secret character. Boss Rush Mode actually rewards you for good times with very cool items.Plus, there are almost certainly things you missed your first time through that you'll experience your second time around, or maybe your third, or more! AoS is, without a doubt, a replayable game that won't be put on the shelf after you've beaten it and left to collect dust.

    Final Score (Not an average): 8.5/10 ... Read more

    Asin: B00008KU9T
    Sales Rank: 1159
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   


    Bomberman Tournament
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (02 July, 2001)
    list price: $39.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    Bomberman has been around forever (OK, since 1990), and hasstarred on console systems as diverse as the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64.Consistently great gameplay makes it one of the few series you can always counton. Fortunately, the brand-new Bomberman Tournament for Game Boy Advanceis certainly no exception--it's a classic, through and through.

    The reason is stellar gameplay and simplicity, all combined with a heapinghelping of action. It features a simple single-player quest mode, but it's inthe multiplayer option--you face off against up to three computer opponents orfriends over a network of GBA units--that the full potential of the franchise isrealized.

    The puzzle-style gameplay is simple even for those new to the series. You've gotto lay time bombs that trap your foes or obliterate them. Bombs also destroyobstacles and collect power-up tiles that give you new powers. Once all youropponents are destroyed, you win the level.

    In the past, Bomberman's single-player modes have been for practice, butthis outing stretches the gameplay with eight large cities and a handful ofdungeons. Bomberman is sent to destroy the enemy, including six giant bosses,and save the world in a somewhat Zelda-like environment. Yes folks, itactually has a plot, and it's not bad for such a simple game.

    The graphics are simple but well animated, and the music is straight out of theprevious games, including the stirring Bomberman theme song. Thesingle-player quest is worthwhile, but taking on a friend in head-to-head combat isstill what the game is all about. It's the best of both worlds, and perfect fora handheld. --Andrew S. Bub

    Pros:

    • Solid single-player quest
    • Great multiplayer mode
    Cons:
    • The graphics are a bit bland
    ... Read more
    Reviews (43)

    5-0 out of 5 stars Just got this game but bomberman ROCKS!
    I won a brand new-shrinkwrapped-never before played (you get the idea) copy of this game off ebay. I played some japanese versions of bomberman games on the gameboy my friend had before he moved. It was like a 12 pack on one gameboy cartridge an i remember there was pocket bomberman, bomberman GB, Warios blast (starring bomberman), an a bomberman game where you could get armor kinda looking like a hovercraft which was possibly bomberman GB 3, possibly bomberman GB 2(included), and the rest were games like super mario land and doctor mario (all in japanese), i rented bomberman 64 (US version) an it was fun an i own and beaten pocket bomberman (US version) for the gameboy. I read reviews an this game looks great. I will update as soon as i receive the game.

    5-0 out of 5 stars WHAT a surprise!!
    I have never been disappointed with a Hudson based game :) I thoroughly research a game before purchasing it. Read reviews on here and on Game Faqs.comThis is one of the few, unadulterated games I have played, apart from Golden Sun, in awhile. The quest is VERY original-Zelda-type and addictive. ACTUALLY enjoyable. This is Bomberman fun with a nice blend of RPG..unfettered. I cannot stand those platform RPG combos (The latest Zelda games)...very few pull that off effectively. Bomberman Tournament is a great game for those days when you don't want to break your fingers and controller. SURPRISINGLY fun game!!If you want epics this is not for you. If you want fun gaming with some challenge...this is it!PS: BTW according to Nintendo The Legend of Zelda is not an RPG but has always been classified as an action adventure. Was I surprised with that one :)

    1-0 out of 5 stars squirrl
    i've never played this game before, i just like to mess with information. ... Read more

    Asin: B00005LOY9
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    7. Strategy (Strategic)   


    Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (26 September, 2002)
    list price: $34.99 -- our price: $29.89
    (price subject to change: see help)
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    Oh no! It looks like your granddad was right--things really were better in the old days. At least they were if you liked 2-D platform games, and Yoshi’s Island is indisputably one of the best ever made.

    Yoshi’s Island goes back in time to recount the touching story of the various Yoshis' attempts to unite Baby Mario with his parents. You don’t actually control the Italian plumber-to-be but instead his dinosaur pal, who has the curious ability to eat his enemies and then immediately turn them into eggs, which he can then fling at more enemies.

    Since Yoshi isn’t particularly fast and can float in midair for a few seconds after making a jump, the whole dynamics of the normal Mario gameplay have changed, but the same incredible attention to detail and endless imagination that mark all of Nintendo’s best efforts are still here in full effect. In fact they’re joined this time, after the rather plain-looking prequel, by some wonderful pastel-shaded graphics that were jaw-dropping when the game was originally released in 1995 and still manage to impress now.

    As with the other Super Mario Advance titles, this game also contains a four-player version of the original Mario Bros. arcade game, making it even more of a bargain than it already was. --David Jenkins, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

    Features

    • Pair up with Yoshi and all his multi-colored friends to tackle Kamek and Baby Bowser in this fun-filled quest to reunite the separated twins.
    • Guide Yoshi over the island's perilous landscape and around the devious traps set by Kamek and his foot soldiers.
    • Find morph bubbles and change into unique characters with special abilities. Become a mole-machine and dig your way around the island or change into a helicopter and suddenly go places you couldn't go before.
    • Master Yoshi's legendary moves including jumping, stomping, pounding the ground, laying eggs, eating enemies and throwing eggs using a targeted egg-throwing system. Clearing enemies out of your way is now more fun than ever!
    Reviews (109)

    5-0 out of 5 stars Mario's back...except he whines...a lot
    I remember the commercial for Yoshi's Island when it was about to be released. A guy who obviously ate too much explodes and the room looks all messy. It was a weird commercial for this and even today I still don't get what the hell it meant. It just happened to advertise one of the best games ever so I'll let it slide.

    Story: A stork is travelling with babies and one gets kidnapped while another one falls on Yoshi's Island right on Yoshi's back(which must've at least hurt his spine but oh well). That baby just happens to be Nintendo's resident mascot Mario, only in baby form so now Yoshi has to return him back to his parents while dealing with Baby Bowser.

    Graphics: Back when this game was released, this graphics looked trippy. And they still look cool. The graphics almost seem to ooze with color as the locales look very vibrant. Much better looking than the first Mario World.

    Sound/Music: My title refers to whenever Yoshi gets hit. You don't know suspense and heart pounding like when you have to rescue Mario. As soon as that whining starts, you make a mad dash for that kid. It's super annoying of course. Oh and the music's good too.

    Gameplay: What really sent this game up the critical/fan favorite stratosphere was here. Whenever Yoshi eats an enemy, he makes an egg which he can throw at enemies or clear special paths in terrain. Also here is Yoshi's ability to turn into different vehicles such as the helicopter or a mole.

    Taking the Dragon coins from Mario World and expanding on it, every single stage on Yoshi's Island as items that you need to find and if you find them all you get rated out of 100. Get 100 on all stages and you get a surprise. Things like coins, stars, flowers are scattered throughout and you have to find them which adds big time replay value.

    See why this game is touted as one of the best games released on the SNES and one of the best available on Gameboy Advance.

    5-0 out of 5 stars Too MUCH Fun
    This game is AWESOME! It was my first GBA game. BUT, there are some cons. Some levels are just too long and/or impossible. Many times I think i just get lucky. Anyway, my dad saw it and didn't put it down until he beat the game. (no, he didn't play for 24 hours straight.) A fantastic game for mario lovers (like me.) A great idea would be to BUY IT!

    5-0 out of 5 stars yoshis back
    yeah, and its just as cool as it was on snes, man this game owns!!! i used to play it on the old system for almost 10 hours sraight, and now its back and better than ever! this is a must have for any gba owner! ... Read more

    Asin: B00006FWTW
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   


    $29.89

    Golden Sun: The Lost Age
    Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (17 April, 2003)
    list price: $34.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    The story of Golden Sun: The Lost Age picks up right near the end of the first game. Golden Sun veterans will be surprised to learn that The Lost Age is played from the point of view of the party being chased as they try to light the remaining two lighthouses, which will unlock the power of alchemy for the world--or will it instead unlock the world's destruction?

    Also, players who have finished the first game can transfer their party into the The Lost Age, either through the separately sold game link cable or through a password. ... Read more

    Features

    • Continue the adventure you started in Golden Sun, or start out fresh as a new player. Golden Sun: The Lost Age presents the perfect starting point for players who have never experienced Golden Sun, and for players who have, it expands immensely on the adventures of the original game.
    • Transfer your characters from Golden Sun with all their items, abilities, and Djinn to unlock more secrets. Use up to eight characters in combat, doubling your party size and adding depth to an already complex and compelling battle and magic system.
    • Astounding graphics and impressive summon effects surpass anything seen before on a handheld game system. New magical abilities offer even more ways to battle and to solve challenging and elaborate puzzles.
    • Link up with a friend to pit your parties against one another in a two-player duel.
    Reviews (118)

    5-0 out of 5 stars this is a good game
    This is a good game! First of all, this is a good game^_^ Second of all this is a good game THen if you pass the game this is a good game and also if beat a boss it turns out to be a good game ^_^ good gam e ggood game GOOD GAMEEEEEEE!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    5-0 out of 5 stars The best RPG ever made, ''PERIOD'' !
    When I first bought this game I thought that this would be another stupid role playing game after the failure of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. But then as soon as I turned on the game boy advance the Music, graphics, complexity, and sheer size just completely blew me away. Even the story was better than I have ever seen on any other RPG. Then they brought out a second one which had the best summons out there. If I had to compare any other games to the two Goldens it would be Final Fantasy #7 and FF 1&2 as well as Fire Emblem. The only problems, toooo much talking ( as with all RPG's ), limitations ( like trying to trip over a fellow villager which is best left to Fable ), you can't attack an enemy that you have selected but died before your guy could attack it, and I have heard of people liking to change the plot but why would you want to because the plot is that good. The advantages: phynergy (magic) is more than attack and you can't beat the game with out it, and the summons are the best in the business.

    5-0 out of 5 stars superb japanese atmosphere
    This game is worth at least $30 (i got an original secondhand for about e14) and is a must have. It sets the standard for the GBA games. You really do need a walkthrough at a few points - I did, and haven't even finished the game (did about 60%) The puzzles are great and breathe that old 80's sokoban style. Absolutely amazing and lovely for older gamers.

    One more thing: Buy all the Feathers in the shops, using them puts an end to the random encounters "Monsters won't attack you so often" it says. So much for that complaint! ... Read more

    Asin: B00008KU9Z
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    7. Strategy (Strategic)   


    Breath of Fire
    Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (18 October, 2001)
    list price: $39.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    Since the early '90s, the Breath of Fire series has been a staple onboth the Super Nintendo and Sony PlayStation systems. This version for the GameBoy Advance is a perfect handheld port of the original Super Nintendo game thatstarted it all.

    The story is standard, but solid, fare--you are Ryu, a member of the WhiteDragon clan, and your task is to save the world from the Black Dragon clan. Intimes past, the two clans were actually one clan, but split in a horrendous wardue to an evil and meddling goddess. While the White clan has maintained peacesince then, the Black clan hasn't. Get the drift?

    While the story is fairly black and white (pardon the pun), the gameplay itselfis where the game shines. Each character has unique skills and abilities thatunlock special areas of the game. For example, Ryu can fish if he finds afishing pole. Later in the game, he can transform into a dragon during battle.Another character can walk through forests unimpeded and shoot animals for food.What's neat about this system is that as you gain companions with differentskills, you can go back to earlier parts of the game to unlock areas that areonly accessible via their skills. This adds to the replay value and depth of thegame.

    The battle system is the standard turn-based, random-encounter biscuits andgravy that most console gamers have come to expect. While not as engrossing as,say, Golden Sun's battle system, the shape-shifting at higher levels addssome enjoyment while fighting the ubiquitous nasties. Two added feature for theGBA version are automatic fighting, which is good for when you don't want to gothrough all the motions of turn-based combat, and an ability to swap items witha friend's version of the game through the separately soldlink cable.

    The graphics and sound are decent, but largely unimproved from the original SNESversion, so they will seem dated. However, if you are into 16-bit, 2-Drole-playing games, you'll find that the graphics look good on the GBA's screen.The sound is a faithful reproduction, but can sound tinny at times. --BryanKarsh

    Pros:

    • Fun skill system that allows you to unlock hidden areas in the game
    • Link option to trade items with friends
    • Auto fighting option for those endless battles
    • A nice story and a huge world to explore
    Cons:
    • Too many random battles
    • Graphics are dated
    • Sound is a little tinny
    ... Read more
    Reviews (37)

    5-0 out of 5 stars Right up there with Final Fantasy
    Im a big rpg player and out of all the games ive played, BOF is one of my top favotites.It has a solid story line with Ryu who is out to stop the dark drangons whom threaten to take over the world with the power of the goddes Tyr and find his sister who was captured by the dark dragon clan.Along the way Ryu meets up with seven companions who in turn are out to stop the dark drangons who have wronged them, Nina, Bo, Carn, Gobi, Ox, Blue, and Mogue.Each character posses their own unque abilities as which is common in all rpgs and are essential to the game.What is unique is that Ryu can transform himself into the dragon and you must searc the continents to find his other dragon forms and eventually transform into the ultimate dragon, Angi (not sure of the spelling).

    For those of you who wish to obtain all of Ryu's dragon forms, all you have to do is aquire the Rod 5 which is in a chest under Gust and then fish in all the wells to obtain the dragon armors needed to be allowed in the dragon shrines.In one such well you will obtain a slab inscribing how to obtain the ultimate dragon power.Once you have all the other powers (not angi) you go to the water canve and go all the way to where you got the ring and decend the steps into the water to go underwater to a small cave....that is where angi lies.

    The most diffucult part of this game for me was getting thru the dream worlds where things get twisted and walls disappear...you'll know what i mean once you play...it is very frustrating...but the game is a lot of fun, and i would recommend it to anyone who needs to find a good rpg to play.

    For anyone who wants hints to the game you can email me at sailor_moon_4evah@yahoo.comive played this game thru five times and know it inside and out.Play it, im sure you'll love it.

    4-0 out of 5 stars hate
    I bought this game and couldnt wait to play it when I first got my GBA, but then I kept getting stuck in the same place and had no patience and then when I saved it didnt show and I had to keep starting over,uggh maybe that just my game but man im staying away from breath of fire and most roleplaying games (no patience). The only thing I liked was the graphics, but if you have great patience go ahead and buy, be my guest.

    4-0 out of 5 stars Very engaging RPG
    Final Fantasy aside, Breath of Fire is one of the longest-running RPG series around, and the handheld version of the first adventure gets decent treatment. Yet despite the re-appearance of the game's fresh visuals and unique play aspects, the lifeless narrative doesn't provide the immersive experience that you'd expect. Originally released by Square on the Super NES in 1994, Breath of Fire arrives on the Game Boy Advance with enhanced cinemas, but otherwise remains unchanged. You play as Ryu, a lone hero who can also transform into a variety of powerful dragons. During the course of Ryu's quest, various characters join your party, each with their own personal demons and diversions that involve the entire team. An RPG's lifeblood is a strong story, but BoF's narrative is remarkably uninvolving. You'll spend a lot of time engaging in mundane tasks-"talk to A, then B, then A again, and then C"-and navigating a series of seemingly endless mazes. Even the turn-based battles lack flair, except for the boss battles. Be prepared to spend a lot of time with this one, but a new Dash feature speeds you through the game and saves batteries. BoF delivers a tight visual and audio package. Colorful sprites fill the screen with arresting colors and special effects, while the soundtrack provides decent music accompanied by muted sound effects. Workmanlike controls feature easy menu navigation and responsive character movement. On the whole, Breath of Fire is an enjoyable RPG that easily kills spare time. Just don't expect a thoroughly involving adventure on the same level as later games in the series. ... Read more

    Asin: B00005NCD0
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)   


    Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku II
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (20 June, 2003)
    list price: $32.99 -- our price: $19.99
    (price subject to change: see help)
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Features

    • Train, fight and fulfill quests as players advance their way to battle the evil Cell
    • Over 10 massive game maps to explore
    • For 1 player
    • Play as Trunks, Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan or Goku
    • Spans the Trunks Saga, Androids Saga and Cell Sagas
    Reviews (75)

    4-0 out of 5 stars Just as good (or bad) as the first
    This isn't really the best 'cause I mean at the end when your Super Sayajin 2 as Gohan it takes like three or four hits to beat Perfect Cell. Also what with the needing to be a certain level to pass now that was stupid. But it was a pretty decent game. I give this game a 4.17 out of 5 and a 8.34 out of 10.

    4-0 out of 5 stars Now this is a dbz game!
    Yes... i'm the guy who hates Buu's Fury but this is good. The sidequests are fun, the bosses are harder than the Buu ones and there's more of em. This game took me 2 days to beat and Buu took me 6 hours. This one also has more puzzles. LOG2 = Hot Buu = Not

    2-0 out of 5 stars DBZreview
    It was okay but wherever u went you'd be attacked and if you aren't at a good level you would die. You'r attacks like spirit bomb is cool but they don't get you very far so this game is a piece of junk!!!!!! ... Read more

    Asin: B00008KTLZ
    Sales Rank: 2538
    Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)    4. Video Games    5. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    6. GBA   


    $19.99

    Lunar Legend
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (20 December, 2002)

    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Editorial Review

    Continuing the time-honored tradition of repackaging old console games, the Lunar RPG series has come to the GBA with Lunar Legend.

    You play Alex, a young boy who hopes to one day be a Dragonmaster like his dearly departed hero Dyne. One day, a wizard named Nash comes into town, and needs an escort to a nearby shrine in the woods. You, your childhood friend Luna, and your flying cat-like pet Nall accompany Nash to the shrine, and your adventure begins.

    Lunar Legend is an indirect port of a 10-year-old Sega CD game. The locations and characters are the same, but the dialog has been significantly shrunk to fit on the cartridge. This is a minus for true Lunar fans, since much of the story is lost. However, even with "Lunar Lite," you get a very satisfying game.

    The game play is standard RPG fare: You walk around, randomly attack monsters, explore dungeons, and talk to villagers in various towns for quests and clues. The battle system, like most RPGs, is turn-based, and has some nice additions like the "Arts Gage" system, which allows special attacks after your character makes enough attacks during a battle. Lastly, you can collect cards throughout the game, and trade them with friends via link cable or sell them in various shops. Strangely, that's all you can do with them. It would have been nice if there was a mini card game of some kind.

    The graphics in Lunar Legendare spectacular--on par with Golden Sun. The sound is top notch too, though the Luna's singing can get a little tiresome.

    If you're looking for an easy RPG experience, or would like to relive part of the classic Lunar Series, give Lunar Legend a shot. You won't be disappointed. --Bryan Karsh

    Pros:

    • Amazing graphics
    • Funny cat-like sidekick
    • Trade game cards via link cable
    • Great story
    • Simple, yet fun battle system

    Cons:

    • A shadow of the original CD version of the game--may upset true fans of the series
    • What use are collecting cards, if there is no mini card game?
    ... Read more
    Reviews (38)

    4-0 out of 5 stars First RPG Game I Played-
    Besides Poke'mon (which isn't a /rea/ rpg thing --) This was the first RPG I played. I had gotten it Christmas, when I was 9. It took me /3/ years to beat. I put it down after I couldn't beat the final boss. It's incredbly fun to play though, great grahics and awsome characters. (Go Nall!)

    3-0 out of 5 stars A decent RPG, especially for the RPG starved GBA
    There isn't anything particularly amazing about Lunar ... the graphics are amazing, but the story is just alright, the battle system is pretty much standard fare. And yet despite all the medicority of all the individual parts Lunar still manages to be a fun playing experience.

    The gameplay pretty much follows a linear path ... you talk to people in town, they direct you to the next dungeon, you fight a lot of random battles, you make it to a boss, you beat him, you go back to the town to get praise and directions to the next town in distress. Pretty standard fare. There aren't any side-quests, no real item custimization (other than the normal weapon and armor sellers), and you can't even customize your party (people come and go at various points in the story).

    And yet, somehow Lunar manages to still be a solid game to play. While it won't leave you awed at its greatness (like FF Tactics Advance) it still won't leave you feeling cheated either. It's not the greatest RPG out there for the GBA, but it has some intangibles that do make it a quality play.

    5-0 out of 5 stars Lunar Legend truly is a Legend
    If you want an RPG for your Gameboy Advance besides Golden Sun that can actually stand up to those found on the console then Lunar Legend is the RPG for you!While it isn't nearly as good as its release on the Playstation or even Sega CD it is worthwhile for a handheld.

    The first thing about Lunar Legend that's cool is that for the GBA the graphics look great! The game doesn't lag much and it looks smoother than most GBA games do.It reminds of the look it had on the Playstation... only better suited for the GBA.

    Lunar has a typical storyline that isn't too hard to follow but it has been reveered as a classic.What makes the story interesting is not the way it unfolds, but its characters.Without a doubt Lunar has characters that you may not like at first but over time you grow to love them.The characters are extremely well developed and you get time to know these characters.

    The game features random battles and much like the console RPGs, have you going from place to place.The random battles are nice but this brings about a problem for Lunar.The game is relatively easy. Most battles won't take long but the random encounters become tedious because they don't take long and they're too easy.

    In battle you can have your characters select commands such as to attack, use magic and the like.The battle system is fairly easy to learn but again the game is too easy.Even the bosses in the game are easy.For someone who played the Playstation or Sega CD version they may find the game to be dimmed down a bit too much.

    The sound in Lunar isn't special really.It can be rather annoying actually.The spoken dialogue isn't too bad though and it really brings out the essence of the game.Unfortunately the story isn't dragged out by full motion anime cutscenes like before since the GBA isn't really capable of doing such a thing.The dialouge is also humorous and constructive and again shows why the story is so engrossing.

    Lunar isn't really a long game though.It's rather short.In fact it can be completed in 15-18 hours.The game has extras such as an art gallery and collecing a 150 cards but nothing extreme is offered.

    Overall, for the GBA this is a great RPG to play.It won't keep you busy for several hours or weeks on end but on a trip its nice to have along.

    The Good
    +Awesome Graphics
    +Good storyline
    +Loveable characters
    +Easy to learn battle system

    The Bad
    -Can't say the same for the sound as the graphics
    -Short game
    -Too easy
    -Not very many extras and such to keep you busy
    -While the storyline is good it isn't original ... Read more

    Asin: B00007B9MY
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure    6. Role Playing Games (Game, RPG, RPGs, CRPG, CRPGs)   


    Donkey Kong Country
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (12 June, 2003)
    list price: $34.99
    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

    Features

    • The first Donkey Kong game on the Game Boy Advance is one of the best side-scrolling games of all time, updated with all-new features!
    • The groundbreaking side-scroller that introduced the world to Diddy and the rest of the Kong clan is in the palm of your hands! Switch between Diddy and Donkey Kong as you swing through the treetops, blast out of Barrel Cannons, and take wild mine cart rides!
    • Link up with a pal's Game Pak and play new mini-games like Funky's Fishing and Candy's Dance Studio.
    Reviews (75)

    3-0 out of 5 stars This game is not really difficult
    I found this game, ok... i guess. it wasnt really all that great. I mean, sure, at first it's fun but then I simply began to play for the pleasure of finding out what the next level was about. I was also playing the Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 and I played more often because it was more fun and then I beat the game. Once I beat the game I began to play Donkey Kong and it was SO easy. I beat it in a few days of 1 hour per day. If you want a game that is really difficult and will last quite a while, dont pick this game. It was extremely boring.

    5-0 out of 5 stars Still my favourite game ever
    Donkey Kong Country is the number one videogame of all time, as far as I'm concerned. I'm hardly what you'd call a videogame connoisseur, but my brother (who is) agrees that this game is a classic. The music is excellent, too!

    4-0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY THIS GAME IF YOU HAVE ANGER MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
    This game is a lot of fun, the graphics are very nice, and the music is okay.Plus it has two new minigames which are pretty good.But some of the levels, especially the later ones, are very very very very very... (3 hours later) ...very very very very hard.I remember I was stuck, on one infamous occasion, on the level "Millstone Mayhem" (they like to alliterate) and it was so difficult that I went so far as to renounce all monkeys before clearing it.It's a lot easier for me now than it was, though.Oh, and after defeating Normal Mode and getting about ninety percent of it completed (I think), you can unlock Hero Mode, where you just play as Diddy Kong.I liked this because I got to play as one of my very favorite Kongs, but I also disliked it because there aren't any Save Barrels and Diddy has all the disadvantages.
    Overall, this game is a lot of fun, and it's pretty much worth buying, unless you get easily frustrated at harder levels.Then you might want to think about it. ... Read more

    Asin: B00008URUF
    Sales Rank: 2128
    Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Action    5. Adventure   


    Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance
    Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    Video Game (20 September, 2002)

    US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France
    Reviews (39)

    3-0 out of 5 stars Fun but falls flat on its face.
    Sure the graphics are much more colorful than the last GBA Castlevania but the graphics and enemies look downright like cartoons in most parts.

    Plus whats the deal with your main characters blue shadow?
    I think that was a bit of a overkill.
    And the magic system has been severely, and badly, toned down from the Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.

    And the two identical castle system really lacks imagination and makes the game very very tedius near its end.
    Exploring every area of the game TWICE does make the game longer but it definitely doesnt make it funner...

    1-0 out of 5 stars Depressingly Dissapointing
    Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance is Koji Igarashi's second take on the CV franchise (his first being the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for the Playstation). While many have dubbed this as "heir apparent to Symphony of the Night," I beg to differ.Even as SotN is one of my favorite games ever, and even as I am a Castlevania fan, Harmony of Dissonance (HoD) has come across as an incredibly disappointing gaming experience in many respects.

    Please read: I love Symphony of the Night to death.I hate Harmony of Dissonance.

    Displaying different play mechanics, level layout, atmosphere, and many other traits, it is quite radically different from SotN, and pretty much any other Castlevania.Is this good, or bad?We'll take a look and see.

    Let's start out with the story and the beginning of the game.Juste Belmont, grandson of Simon, decides to follow his friend, Maxim, to the area where Maxim saw a castle appear out of nowhere, and where he believes their friend, Lydie, is being held captive.Could it truly be the legendary Castle Dracula?
    The characters certainly have some personality, such as Juste's "newcomer" characteristics as a Vampire Hunter, but, overall, it's nothing special or deep.The dialogue in HoD is quite mundane and forgettable. Castlevania has never really been about story, but after SotN's excellent plot and nearly "biblically-quotable" dialogue that was pure gold, I'd hoped to see better from Igarashi than what is here.Sadly, the girl, Lydie, is just another pretty face with basically no personality, and who is basically seen in less than 1% of your game playing time.

    I've heard a lot of people praise this game's graphics, and say they are incredible step up from CotM's.I will indeed say that the graphics are more varied than CotM's, in that CotM's look was basically was comprised of brick-walls/pillars background, one after another.Oddly enough, though, CotM evoked so much more atmosphere than HoD does.With its huge rooms, and majestic and shadowy architecture, it truly gave off a sense of your smallness and its magnificence, and was quite unlike anything I'd ever experienced before in a game.In short, CotM pretty much got it right in making me feel like I was in a castle of darkness, mystery, and evil.HoD, unfortunately, leaves behind all notion of atmosphere in its more varied locales (except in the Entrance and the Chapel), something that is crucial in a video game, especially in a series such as Castlevania. The Castle Treasury is the first biggest piece of evidence for this subject.Offering us a mainly drab, gray background with various bits of unexceptional detail, it is randomly interspersed with unique, yet still unsatisfying, backgrounds, like the crystal filled hallways, which pale in comparison to CV4's lovely treasury, and are pretty much boring in their own right.There is no real level of progression.Rooms feel so randomly connected and unrelated that one sometimes gets an unnecessary feeling of confusion or longing for some type of continuity or relation.The lack of transition rooms between areas makes this more potent.

    Numerous examples of HoD's boring level design can be seen in the "Aqueduct of Dragons," HoD's "sewer area."Besides the areas' rooms being basically 2 rooms repeated over and over, the lack of pretty much any details that catch our eye is depressing.The exceptions to HoD's dominant drab areas are the Corridor in the Air/Sky Walkway (HoD's chapel), and the Cave of Skeletons.The Chapel is such a breath of fresh air.Lovely, curvy architecture fleshes out this area, and there are all sorts of neat details all over, such as the statues.The scrolling clouds effect from SotN is back, though in a less impressive version, yet it's still nice, if a little disappointing that they so blatantly ripped something off from SotN and didn't come up with something new.In the "Alternate Castle" Chapel (more on this later), as you get farther and farther up in the towers, lightning will flash, and shadowy faces will randomly appear in the windows.Inversely, it also breaks my heart that more of this care to detail and beauty couldn't be dispersed throughout more of the Castle.The Cave of Skeletons isn't really pleasing as it is interesting in some parts, in that there are nods to other Castlevanias in the various backgrounds, such as the skeletons of Slogra and Gaibon displayed on a wall in the lower parts of the level.Other than that, it's another one of the forgettable places in HoD.In HoD, to put it simply, the "real castle" is too colorful, and the "alternate castle" is just way too gray and uninteresting.Areas like the Luminous Cavern and the Room of Illusion in the Marble Corridor are meretricious and colorful to the point of neon-vulgarity.Some may like this; I found it to be rather repulsive.HoD gives up the feeling of being in a true castle to the idea that certain aspects have to grab your attention, no matter how unattractive it is in its display, and in so, loses that subtle, wonderful progression of your realization of the surrounding environment, which SotN and CotM so excellently displayed.

    Level design...something very, very crucial in games.It can make or break a game.Sure, a game can have spectacular gameplay mechanics and other special features, but can be brought down significantly by shoddy level layout (Lament of Innocence, I'm looking at you).HoD has some parts that are just great and fun to traverse, like the Chapel area, but ends up failing miserably on almost all accounts with its extremely repetitious nature.80% of the time, the room you'll be in will be some straight corridor with nothing to do but pretty much run down it and kill the small number of enemies populating it.Without a doubt, the low point of HoD's level layout is its vertical rooms, which, unfortunately, make a lot of appearances, including the infamously bad "elevator rooms."A description of these rooms are as follows: a room, which basically consists of a vertical route with multiple levels which you reach by walking to the left to, jumping up, walking to the right, jumping, walking to the left, and so on to get to the top.These are just horrifically, mind-numbingly boring rooms, and really detract so much from the experience.You'd have to experience them to see what I am describing.The Clock Tower is chock full of these rooms, some of the biggest ones in the game, in fact, and, as such, is one of the most dull areas in HoD.Other things that come to mind are the "Skull Doors," doors that require a certain key in order to get past them, and which are placed in your way to, more or less, make backtracking to areas even more difficult and less convenient.They're not blocking anything interesting, like some helpful equipment or armor.They're merely there just to extend the game's playing time by making the player needlessly backtrack through areas the player does not want to go through again, since they block off entrances which would make transitioning from area to area much easier.I'm all for backtracking, as the previous "Castleroids" are full of it.But, HoD just has such a boring and strangely laid out Castle when compared to SotN and CotM that it's more of a chore than a pleasure.As a whole, Harmony of Dissonance feels very unfinished and unplanned in the execution of the castle's layout.It's impractical in its design.

    HoD's alternate castle is not turned upside down like the one in SotN.It pretty much is the exact same thing, with slightly different enemies and color schemes.HoD's alternate castle has different items to collect in different places, and different bosses, and that's about it.This time, it's crucial to traverse through it in order to beat the game, whereas in SotN it's more of a joyful revelation.As HoD's castle was not interesting to me, finding out that I had another nearly identical castle to explore was more of an unpleasant surprise than a godsend.

    Exploring the castle is closely tied in with gameplay, and how the game feels, so I'll move onto that, next.You'll instantly notice that Juste feels "airy" when compared to CotM's protagonist, Nathan.His jump is more "floaty," and right from the get-go, he already slightly runs.Each shoulder button on the Game Boy Advance is used for the new dash feature, which allows Juste to slide across the ground in a burst of speed, either to traverse through areas more quickly, or to dash back from an enemy's attack.However, I felt that the dash attribute really dumbed the game down to feel like you're ice-skating through the castle.That's not something you want to be reminded of when you want atmosphere.You will pretty much use the dash feature to go everywhere.Why walk when you can dash?It was just an unpleasant experience for me that felt overused.It was almost as if the developers wanted you to rush through all the areas in hopes that you wouldn't notice the startlingly unimpressive level design.Juste loses in terms of his whip-handling skills when compared to Nathan, as when you whip and jump, you cannot change your direction until you land.This, obviously, leads you to accidentally jump into the enemy more than you care for.A lot of the time I just felt like the character was controlling me, not him.Not a good thing.This game controls nothing like SotN, or CotM.Don't believe otherwise.

    On to the designs of the main character and enemies.Again, Juste loses in terms of believability and fluidity when compared to Alucard and Nathan.His gait is quit humorous and graceless, comparable to someone doing a strange type of running workout.His falling animation is quite pathetic as well.Hair half turned up, as well as his coat, and his legs completely vertical, it's actually quite comedic to see in action.While he has more frames of animation than Nathan, his actions are much less believable, and look more outlandish.There is also the sense that parts of Juste are too large or goofy looking, such as his hands.Iga chose to put some type of blue glow around Juste, and give him an after-image, as well.I suppose this was to let the player see him easier, but this made me cringe; first of all, it's ripping off Alucard's trademark of essence trailing out behind him (though it is still a lot less graceful than Alucard's), and second of all, it just looks too bright and silly.It really just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.I would've been able to see him just fine without it.

    Some of the enemies are reused from SotN, though they're all a little less impressive looking, as the graphics are being displayed on a system with Super Nintendo capabilities, not Playstation.Generally, though, the legion of enemies this time is much less impressive than SotN's and CotM's.Perhaps this is due to most of them being comprised of variations of a single enemy, such as the Skeleton enemy, or the Living Armor.I was left feeling unimpressed.The enemies' A.I. is stupid and non-aggressive for the most part, and they usually won't attack until you wait a few seconds, and when they do attack you, they hurt very little.There are no "super enemies" in this game, like the Guardians from SotN, and the Dark Armor from CotM.The bosses are equally lame, usually not moving around much, always extremely easy, and having uninspired designs, such as the "Biggie" enemies, like the Giant Merman, or Peeping Big.Only three bosses caught my eye.It's evident that all the bosses in HoD were made merely to show off the G.B.A.'s capabilities, rather than to present a fun or challenging fight.

    HoD is quite possibly the easiest game I've ever played.SotN was easy, too, but made up for it by being pretty much perfect in all other aspects.CotM was going the right direction with its difficulty, exploration and combat-wise.For HoD, the only slight difficulty one may encounter during the travel through the castle is finding all of Dracula's Relics, and probably the final Spell Book.As far as status effects go, "Poison" basically has no effect in HoD, whereas CotM's poison status was a beast."Curse" status mak