The End of the Beginning.
Name: Sonic Advance
Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic the Hedgehog Advance, Advance, Advance 1
Release Dates:
December 22nd, 2001- Japan
February 4th, 2002- North America
March 23rd, 2002 - Europe
Quality: 32-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer
Game System(s): Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Also released on:
(1). Nokia N-Gage – As Sonic N
(2). Android iOS
(3). Nintendo Wii U – Virtual Console
Developer(s): Sonic Team, Dimps
Publisher(s):
Sega Corporation – Japan
THQ Inc. – North America
Infogrames – Europe and Australia
Credits: See Sonic News Network.
Character Introductions: None.
Region Game Takes Place On: Unknown.
Concept Introductions: The first Sonic Game to be released on a non-Sega console. This is also Amy's 1st playable appearance in a 2D Sonic game. She plays – more or less – like she did in Sonic Adventure, only a bit faster.
Concept Deductions: The "search for the Special Stage" method has returned. This time you have to look for a blue and red spring, which, by the way, are out of reach most of the time. The checkpoint marker's appearance is similar to Sonic 3's, while the powerups are based off of the Adventure series, and would keep this look moving forward.
Main Framework: If you took the Genesis games, tweaked them and put them on the GBA, you’d have Sonic Advance.
Storyline: You know the drill; Dr. Robotnik wants to rule the world with the Chaos Emeralds. Sonic and Co. have to stop him. The storyline is practically the same as Sonic 1's.
Personal Criticism/Opinion (by Ryan the Game Master):
To be brief, Sonic the Hedgehog's debut as a third party mascot went well, I believe. It kept the Sonic feel while maintaining his new look and abilities. Tails is basically the best character to use in this game because of his flying abilities, especially when it's time to look for the Special Spring. Knuckles is more or less the same, but he can now tread water and (finally) use melee attacks. Amy can be difficult to use at first, as her jump attacks have to be triggered, and she's the slowest of the four, as expected. The Special Stages in this game are also the HARDEST I've ever played. They nearly make finding the required springs not worth the effort.
Sonic Advance is just an old-school Sonic game, remade to appeal to the new generation. You either like it or you don’t.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay value? Pretty solid, with the diverse cast and whatnot. There’s also a bit of multiplayer available to keep you busy, as well as the Tiny Chao Garden.
Graphics? The addition of 16 more bits helps, as the levels look pretty good; they certainly fit the standard. The sprites look awesome, too. I especially like how they managed to keep Sonic's old-school running animation and make it work with his new look.
Music & Sound Effects? Eh. It's a GBA game. Once again, Sonic Team found themselves stuck with a less than desirable quality of audio to work with. Thankfully, they were up to the challenge, as there were more than a few decent pieces found here.
Storyline? As stated, there’s next to no plot, which is always a minus.
OVERALL RANK? I give Sonic Advance a
Other Names (Nicknames): Sonic the Hedgehog Advance, Advance, Advance 1
Release Dates:
December 22nd, 2001- Japan
February 4th, 2002- North America
March 23rd, 2002 - Europe
Quality: 32-Bit, Side-Scrolling Platformer
Game System(s): Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Also released on:
(1). Nokia N-Gage – As Sonic N
(2). Android iOS
(3). Nintendo Wii U – Virtual Console
Developer(s): Sonic Team, Dimps
Publisher(s):
Sega Corporation – Japan
THQ Inc. – North America
Infogrames – Europe and Australia
Credits: See Sonic News Network.
Character Introductions: None.
Region Game Takes Place On: Unknown.
Concept Introductions: The first Sonic Game to be released on a non-Sega console. This is also Amy's 1st playable appearance in a 2D Sonic game. She plays – more or less – like she did in Sonic Adventure, only a bit faster.
Concept Deductions: The "search for the Special Stage" method has returned. This time you have to look for a blue and red spring, which, by the way, are out of reach most of the time. The checkpoint marker's appearance is similar to Sonic 3's, while the powerups are based off of the Adventure series, and would keep this look moving forward.
Main Framework: If you took the Genesis games, tweaked them and put them on the GBA, you’d have Sonic Advance.
Storyline: You know the drill; Dr. Robotnik wants to rule the world with the Chaos Emeralds. Sonic and Co. have to stop him. The storyline is practically the same as Sonic 1's.
Personal Criticism/Opinion (by Ryan the Game Master):
To be brief, Sonic the Hedgehog's debut as a third party mascot went well, I believe. It kept the Sonic feel while maintaining his new look and abilities. Tails is basically the best character to use in this game because of his flying abilities, especially when it's time to look for the Special Spring. Knuckles is more or less the same, but he can now tread water and (finally) use melee attacks. Amy can be difficult to use at first, as her jump attacks have to be triggered, and she's the slowest of the four, as expected. The Special Stages in this game are also the HARDEST I've ever played. They nearly make finding the required springs not worth the effort.
Sonic Advance is just an old-school Sonic game, remade to appeal to the new generation. You either like it or you don’t.
GAMER'S PERSPECTIVE:
Replay value? Pretty solid, with the diverse cast and whatnot. There’s also a bit of multiplayer available to keep you busy, as well as the Tiny Chao Garden.
Graphics? The addition of 16 more bits helps, as the levels look pretty good; they certainly fit the standard. The sprites look awesome, too. I especially like how they managed to keep Sonic's old-school running animation and make it work with his new look.
Music & Sound Effects? Eh. It's a GBA game. Once again, Sonic Team found themselves stuck with a less than desirable quality of audio to work with. Thankfully, they were up to the challenge, as there were more than a few decent pieces found here.
Storyline? As stated, there’s next to no plot, which is always a minus.
OVERALL RANK? I give Sonic Advance a