28-Oct-2001 Only Nintendo could do a war game and make it a) look cute, and b) one of the finest GBA games available yet. Only Nintendo could do a war game and make it a) look cute, and b) one of the finest GBA games available yet.
You're a rookie Commanding Officer in charge of enough mobile firepower to take out a small country or two, and that's exactly what you have to do to save your own homeland from invading forces. Advance Wars is turn-based strategy heaven and is every bit as essential for your GBA as Mario Kart.
SIR, YES SIR! Nintendo knows you've probably had no interest in strategy games so far in life, and has done everything possible to craftily tempt you into wanting to play the game. It's impeccably presented for one thing, and there's a cracking story with strong characters to keep you hooked. By the time you've got through the ten mandatory - and very lengthy! - training missions you'll be the ultimate CO, versed in the ways of combat and ready to wage war across land, sea and air.
Like any strategy game, from chess to Pokemon Stadium, your different units - in this case submarines, infantry squads, planes and such - all have different strengths and weaknesses. You have to figure out the best way to use these attributes to either take out all of the opposing force's units, or by capturing their HQ. Only then will you feel victory licking at your lobes.
THE PERFECT WAR The fun comes from the careful plotting of attacks, which are brilliantly animated, and from the sheer amount of depth of play. There are dozens of different unit types, more than 100 maps and a whole host of multiplayer games to play. You can even design and trade your own arenas with mates. Advance Wars is challenging, addictive and highly original. It's also an outstanding example of what can be achieved on GBA with a little thought and effort. Absolutely blinding.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
