Game Boy Advance Reviews M-R

Being a pinball fan that actually owns a full-sized table, I had mixed feelings about Mario Pinball. On one hand, Nintendo has done a fantastic job of creating a large set of screen-sized tables that effectively convey that distinctive Mario flavor. You'll see all of the ghosts, coins, stars, pipes, bombs, rounded green hedges, and zany characters you would normally associate with a Mario title. On the other hand, most screens look awfully sparse compared to typical pinball games. In fact, some have only two or three targets to hit! I was expecting more sophisticated scrolling tables, but Nintendo took the opposite approach, keeping them as simple as possible. After playing Mario Pinball a few times I decided they had made a wise decision. The tables are "stacked" upon one another with doors at the top which lead to new areas. Predictably, you'll find bosses lurking at the highest levels. Your "pinball" is actually Mario rolled up into a ball, who humorously yelps each time he hits a hard object. By "clearing" tables (hitting all the targets), you collect stars which open doors to new areas. Your two flippers are spaced widely apart, so it's very easy to lose the ball between them. One thing I don't like is how your score is rarely displayed on the screen. In regular pinball, scoring is your main goal so you always want to see it. Then again, since Mario Pinball has the additional element of "forging ahead" to new areas, this lack of emphasis is understandable. Ultimately I found Mario Pinball to be madly addictive and perhaps the most enjoyable Gameboy Advance title in my collection. I especially love the power-ups that double the size of your "ball", add an extra ball into the mix, or place a pipe between the flippers. The bouncy soundtrack is loaded with catchy, playful tracks, and some of them are pretty amazing. The festive snow stages in particular really put me into the holiday spirit. The cartridge saves your progress, but there's only one slot. For those still having painful flashbacks of Sonic Spinball (Genesis, 1993), rest assured that this game is ten times better. Some critics may question its simplistic approach, but maybe that's why Mario Pinball is so hard to put down. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

This high-quality title combines puzzle-solving with arcade elements inspired by the original Donkey Kong games. In a typical stage, you guide Mario around a single screen filled with platforms, elevators, and vines. Your goal is to reach a key and carry it over to the exit door before time runs out. Each stage introduces a new mechanism or technique, like vaulting from horizontal bars, walking on your hands, and performing double-jumps. Three colored buttons can be found on most screens, and pressing one will cause the platform configuration to change. It's not hard to clear each screen, but collecting all of the bonus items is tricky and adds to the replay value. Despite a healthy dose of nostalgia, I found the whole button-pushing/puzzle-solving affair only mildly entertaining. I prefer the older games where you don't have to think so much! The seventh stage of each "world" is inspired by the old PC game Lemmings, where you lead a bunch of toy Marios around obstacles and into a box. Only in the final stage of each "world" do you face off against Donkey Kong, but these confrontations aren't particularly dramatic or exciting. Typically you toss barrels or drop fruit on him while avoiding his projectiles. As you would expect from Nintendo, Mario Vs. Donkey Kong's production values are through-the-roof, with polished graphics, entertaining sound effects, amazing background music, and crisp control. The only control issue I had was difficulty jumping off the vines. Charming little details like the hammer from Donkey Kong (along with its original theme music), and the hilarious animations like cymbal-clapping monkeys elevate the game's average gameplay. The cartridge automatically saves your place and records the high scores for each screen. Mario Vs. Donkey Kong is an interesting twist on an old theme, but it's not as fun as the games that inspired it. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

I don't play many RPGs, but I did enjoy this "mini-RPG" while on vacation at the beach. Its reasonable premise involves a witch who has magically stolen Princess Peach's voice, and our two mustached heroes must get it back. Mario and Luigi's scaled-down gameplay is a large part of its charm. Both characters move as a pair, with one button assigned to each. Not only must Mario and Luigi work together to navigate platforms, but they can also team up to perform devastating "brother attacks" during battle phases. These battles are more interactive than most RPGs, letting you hit a button at critical moments to maximize the damage or dodge an attack. Even so, battles can run long and get awfully repetitive. You always have the option to flee, but powerful monsters have a knack for chasing you down and sucking you in for more punishment. Mario and Luigi also incorporates a series of mini games, including jumping rope and a mine cart ride. There's quite a bit of dialogue to page through (some very corny), and I found odd lines like "I have fury!" quite amusing. The controls are okay, but it does get tedious to constantly switch between lead characters using the Start button. Also, jumping between the layered 2D ledges is hard to judge until you get a feel for it. Your quest begins slowly, but gradually sucks you in. Like any RPG, each mission is broken into a series of smaller tasks, and sometimes you forget what your original goal was. A revamped version of the original Mario Brothers arcade game is included, but it's disappointing. Even so, Superstar Saga deserves a thumbs up. It's very challenging, incorporates a great deal of action, and its thoughtfully-designed stages have Nintendo written all over them. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

This scaled-down version of Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance is arguably more engaging than the full-blown edition, thanks to its tight, simplified gameplay. The graphics are a slick hybrid of the old 2D style (pre-MK4) and the new 3D look. Scaling sprites effectively convey a sense of depth and facilitate side-step moves. There are fifteen warriors in all, including old favorites like Johnny Cage, Raiden, and Scorpion. New faces include the club-armed Drahmin and the winged vampire Nitara. The fighters look slightly pixilated (especially when they scale in) but the controls are dead-on. With no load times, easy-to-execute special moves, and only two fighting styles per character, I found the gameplay to be far more accessible than Deadly Alliance. The CPU is a worthy opponent, and up to four players can link up for multiplayer mayhem. Occasional bonus stages test you "might" or "sight", and these provide a nice break from the one-on-one action. The ring-shaped arenas are wide-open and mostly outdoor, but to be honest, I miss the dark, mysterious indoor settings of the original MK games. The audio is amazing. Warriors are announced by name, and their grunts and screams sound like something from an old martial arts flick. The pulsating, edgy electronic music is equally impressive. Winning fights earn you coins for opening coffins for prizes in the "Krypt" room. Unfortunately, it's far too much work to unlock the really good stuff. Also, a move list really should have been incorporated into the pause menu. Despite these minor quibbles, MK fans should be thrilled with this portable edition. It's the best fighter I've played for the Game Boy Advance. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

In my early Genesis days I was a huge fan of Road Rash, and Moto Racer rekindled fond memories of that franchise. Barreling over hills and weaving through traffic is always great fun - even on the small screen. Considering the modest graphic capabilities of the Gameboy Advance, this motorcycle racer is absolutely superb. Its lush scenery, fluid frame-rate, and tight controls make Moto Racer arguably the ultimate Game Boy racer. You view the high-speed action from behind your biker, and while an arrow alerts you to upcoming turns, it's actually very easy to see the track far ahead. The sense of speed is so effective that when you go flying off a hill and drop into the valley below you can almost feel your stomach drop! Don't hesitate to tap your brake on tight turns to execute controlled skids, because falling off of your bike will cost you valuable seconds (it takes a while to get started again). Each of the 19 track locations offers a distinctive color scheme and interesting scenery. The sunny beach course is pure eye candy, and there's even a respectable San Francisco track! There's plenty of cool roadside scenery, and occasional surprises like a chicken crossing the road. A multi-player is included, but the heart of the game is its lengthy "progression" mode that lets you gradually unlock new tracks and bikes. It's great fun, and all of your progress is saved automatically including best lap and course times! If I had a complaint about Moto Racer, it might be the lack of music during races - you only hear the whining of engines. And is it just my imagination, or does the bike selection screen prompt you to "Choose your monster"? Technically impressive and addictively fun, Moto Racer is one of those quality games that you'll return to again and again. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

Living in a world of endless conflict and mindless violence, kids today could use a kinder, gentler video game experience. It's a sentiment I've always held near and dear to my heart. That's why I took a break from ripping out spines in the latest Mortal Kombat to review Noddy: A Day In Toyland. Designed for kids ages three and up, Toyland offers platform action similar to Super Mario Bros., except slower and simpler. Noddy is a jumping elf who collects coins in fairy-tale worlds that scroll both left and right. Spicing things up are occasional side-scrolling driving stages. To lend some perspective, I recruited the help of my 4-year-old nephew Jordan and 2-year-old niece Brooke. As I read the intro text to them, it dawned on me that Noddy might be better suited to kids who can read to some extent. Once the action kicked in, Jordan offered a number of insightful comments, including "it's neat". Translation: he admired the psuedo-3D appearance of the characters, but was less impressed with the flat, uninspired background graphics. And when he mentioned, "I have to go poo poo", it was clearly in reference to Noddy's crisp controls and sensible stage designs. In his final analysis, Jordan boldly asserted, "It was a good game", although in the interest of full disclosure, he later admitted he would rather have Rescue Hero. Brooke also gave Noddy a workout, bobbing her head while exclaiming, "I'm winning! I'm winning!" Evidently that singsong music I found so irritating was quite appealing from her point of view. A Day In Toyland serves its purpose as a "starter" video game for kids, allowing them to learn basic game concepts without becoming too frustrated. It's a sensible way to get kids headed down the road to video game addiction. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Believe it or not, this was the game that finally convinced me to purchase a Game Boy Advance - my first portable! Being a avid fan of the House of the Dead (HotD) light gun games, I didn't want to miss out on this odd but wonderfully conceived spin-off. Pinball of the Dead offers three separate vertically-scrolling tables rendered in the distinct House of the Dead style. For the uninitiated, that means plenty of shambling zombies, gallons of blood, and maniacal bosses. Each table features several sets of flippers and numerous bumpers and targets. The gameplay is fast, fun, and challenging as hell. Tiny zombies (which can be hard to make out) march around the table, and terrific scream effects are heard as they are splattered with the ball. It's hard to find this kind of instant gratification on the consoles anymore. Each ball begins with a brief first-person target-shooting sequence where you can win a bonus. Pinball's high-octane soundtrack is unmistakable, and there's even some of the trademark bad voice acting. The first table has a clock-tower theme, and its decrepit, weathered look makes it my favorite. The second has a sterile "scientific lab" look, and it doesn't offer as much to do. The third table is a real treat, constructed entirely of human flesh! Now there's something you don't see everyday! Sega didn't skimp on options either, allowing you to customize every aspect of the game from the number of balls to the color of the blood. Not only does the cart record high scores, but you can even save games in progress. If Pinball of the Dead has a weakness, it lies in the lame "tilt" control. Sure it jostles the table a bit, but never enough to affect the ball movement. Pinball of the Dead is a highly underrated game, and House of the Dead fans are sure to have a ball with it. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

With so many Pirates of the Caribbean titles coming out this year (many of which have been described as "unplayable"), who would have predicted that the Gameboy Advance version would trump them all? But it's true - this engaging little game kept me playing for weeks on end, thanks to its reasonable learning curve and old-school sensibility. You set sail on the open seas, searching out new destinations and engaging in ship-to-ship combat. Actually, you often need to engage in sea battles whether you want to or not, which can be frustrating. Once you disable a vessel, you can board it, battle the crew, and gather valuable booty. Upon reaching a port, most towns have shipyards where you can purchase ship upgrades, weapons, and other helpful items. Dead Man's Chest is structured similar to Sid Meier's Pirates (Xbox, 2005), but there's less strategy and more action. Each island has a number of locations to explore in the form of 2D platform stages. Brandishing your sword and pistol, you'll battle your way through English troops, spear-toting tribesman, and vicious wild animals. When you slash at foes, little numbers display the amount of damage inflicted - it's like Castlevania on the high seas! The graphics aren't as rich as Castlevania, but they're certainly attractive and well defined. The game is brilliantly paced, maintaining your interest by gradually introducing new moves and challenges. You can save at any time, and the rousing theme music keeps the excitement level high. The developers did an extraordinary job of creating a captivating adventure with balance, polish, and a steady difficulty progression. If you were disappointed with the recent spate of 3D pirate games, this little gem is sure to lift your spirits. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Not often does a game come around exuding as much old-school charm as Qwak. Originally available for the Amiga computer, the author has graciously ported this sweet slice of the past to the Gameboy Advance, and it's a perfect fit! In Qwak, you control a duck in a series of progressively difficult platform challenges. You'll collect fruit for points, toss eggs at wandering spooks, and collect keys to open doors. It sounds like every video game made in 1983, but Qwak is still surprisingly fresh. Exceptionally well-programmed, it sports clean graphics, crisp collision detection, and responsive controls. It's especially satisfying to jump on a pile of fruit and see a bunch of point values bubble up in their places. Not only can you toss eggs in a rapid-fire manner, but they even bounce around, allowing you to "play the angles". The stages contain elevators, disintegrating floors, secret rooms, and items galore. Besides gobs of fruits, you'll collect keys, gems, flowers, mushrooms, pendants, hearts, and six different types of potions. While these items add complexity, they also add another thing: confusion. Qwak looks like a pick-up-and-play game, but you'll want to peruse the manual first. While the gray potions provide layers of "armor", your current armor level is not displayed on the screen, so you're never quite sure if the next hit will be your last. It's especially problematic when you consider the mandatory hits required to reach certain keys. Still, Qwak is great for a quick fix, and top scores are recorded to a high score screen that's conveniently saved to cartridge. The easy-listening soundtrack is pleasant enough, and I love the "quack" sound effect when you bite the dust (and turn into a roasted duck in the process). Qwak is easy to play but difficult to master - the hallmark of all great games. If you're looking for a slick title with an old-school sensibility, be sure to purchase a copy of this limited-edition gem. Qwak is available at www.qwak.co.uk. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

This is my favorite Gameboy Advance game ever! Yes, I do say that all the time, but this time I really mean it (I think). An old-fashioned overhead racer at heart, Racing Gears features tiny cars on winding tracks in various locales and weather conditions. The view is isometric (tilted overhead), allowing for a more detailed view of the scenery and road ahead. When trees or tall buildings obstruct your view, your car's position is clearly indicated by a superimposed circle with an arrow indicating your direction. Racing Gears has "old school" written all over it. I've seen other games like this (including Rally Chase for the Neo Geo, Combat Cars for the Genesis, and Power Drive Rally for the Jaguar), but never executed this well. For one thing, the camera is pulled back far enough that you easily anticipate upcoming turns and keep an eye on opponents. That's critical, because you can also employ weapons like oil slicks, smoke screens, rockets, and mines. In order to prevent utter chaos at the start of each race, weapons are disabled during the first few seconds when cars tend to bunch together. The weapons are easy to deploy and very effective. Being the victim of a smoke screen attack causes your entire screen to cloud up - pretty neat! You'd expect the digital control to be a detriment, but I could navigate the courses and perform controlled power-slides with minimal effort. Racing Gears is instantly playable, and even gives you a "mini-boost" when you wander off the track. The scenery is a nice mix of city streets and country roads, with undulating terrain and strategic ramps that add depth to the otherwise 2D graphics. Inclement weather conditions include realistic rain and gorgeous snowstorms. With one or two minor exceptions, the electronic tunes are outstanding, and the car engine sound effects are mercifully understated. But what makes Racing Gears extra addictive is its championship mode, which lets you soup up your car as you compete in progressively difficult circuits. The upgrade screens are easy to use, and the game saves your place automatically. In an era when most console games are more concerned with realism (Gran Turismo) or chaos (Burnout), Racing Gears delivers what really counts: the fun! Remember that? © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.