Super Mario Advance (Nintendo Game Boy Advance, 2001)

Super Mario Advance released on the same day as the Game Boy Advance (GBA) back in 2001. It’s not a brand new Mario game, but an enhanced port of the American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 which first appeared on Nintendo’s first home console.


Now I said the American version because there are two different versions – one for Japan and one for America. The Japan release was more of an expansion pack for the original Super Mario Bros. game as it was essentially the same game with amplified difficulty. If you are looking for the Japanese version of the game, then you’ll want to find ‘Super Mario Bros. Deluxe’ for Game Boy Color.


This version of the game is more of a sequel, despite it has many new elements that haven’t been seen before or since its release. Instead of jumping on enemies to defeat them, you pick up vegetables out of the ground and through them at the enemies. Bowser, Mario’s nemesis, is also missing from this game. In addition to that, Princess Peach hasn’t been kidnapped like in other Mario games, and is a playable character. In all you can play as four different players: Mario, Luigi, Princesses Peach, and Toad. Each character has strengths and weaknesses, and you will want to make use of all of them to tackle all the challenges in this game.


The truth is this game didn’t start out as a Mario game, but was modified to be a sequel after development was underway - and that is why so many things in the game seem un-Mario like.


Now I said this is an enhanced port, so the graphics received a facelift, the music is slightly better, and we now have voiceovers for the cast.


Despite not being a ‘true’ Mario game, it is a solid platformer. The controls feel tight, but they are nowhere near the level of Super Mario World (which has an enhanced port for this game's sequel: Super Mario Advance 2). If you know what you’re getting into, this game is fun, but as far as Mario games go, this is under par when stacked up against legends like Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros 3.



In addition to this, Super Mario Advance also throws in the 1983 Arcade game ‘Mario Bros.’ as a bonus. It was good back in 1983, but now it’s only ok at best. It just feels like a mini-game and hasn’t stood the test of time. I would have much more liked to see 1981’s ‘Donkey Kong’ or 1985’s ‘Super Mario Brothers’ as the bonus game, but It’s hard to complain since it’s a bonus game added in for fan service.


It's not the best Mario game on the Game Boy Advance, but in terms of 2D platformers, you can do a lot worse. it's a peice of video game history, and for that it's worth a look.


Good game, but I wouldn't spend more than $25 for it.

Well many of us grew up with this game and now we have a chance to relive it. So for those of us who did grow up with it, you're probably asking "Is anything actually different?" - Even if my answer was no (which it's not) you should still get this game because it gives you the chance to play one of the original classics anywhere, anytime. So what's different this time around? Graphics have been changed a little, some parts of the levels are different, some levels have different looks, the characters have voices, the sound is a little different; when you add all of those up, you get an exciting play. I must say I was surprised by some of the changes in the game...things I didn't remember or knew were not in the original. This is a great chance for long time fans to enjoy a little bit of nostalgia in the Nintendo world. For new comers and younger fans who may have never gotten the chance to play this game, if you've played any other Mario games and enjoyed yourself, give this one a chance. It's really different as far as game play and characters go, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. In fact, this change of scenery can be a nice break from the usual Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach/Toadstool over and over. Also, you can play the original Mario Bos. game - not the most exciting, but some people do enjoy the simple arcade play of the olden day. A great investment for any Mario fan.

This game was released in the USA after the hit, Super Mario Bro's back in the mid 1980's. Its not the true sequel, though. Here in America they took another game in Japan and remade it make it to look like a Super Mario game. The true sequel eventually was released as the Lost Levels on Super Nintendo. The Lost Levels really does look like an expansion pack rather than a true sequel. This game has no bad guy characters from the previous game. So I do understand why they did this. This game is the least favorite game by most Mario fans.

Anyway the graphics, game play, sound, and controls are all great here. The creators added extra's to make the game a little easier. The Original Super Mario 2 was a little bit difficult to defeat.

The Gameboy Advance did not have a partner game that was released along side of it, but instead they are re-releasing many of the original Mario games, the first of which is Super Mario Bros. 2. Each 'Advance' mario game also comes with the arcade game of Mario Bros. from 1981, which is also an in game mini game for SMB3. Enough chit-chat, though, lets get down to business : This game is awesome. It features all of the goods of the original SMB2 along with more freedom of character choice, new enemies and powerups, new music, and top it all of with a graphical face lift, and what you have does sound to great. However, SMB2 alone would've been a great re-release, and this rerelease kicks it up a couple notches.

This is one of my favorite Mario games ever made! I remember playing this when I was a kid and I recently played it again after MANY years and it still was very challenging and fun! My favorite part is that you get to play with all the Mario characters including..Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad and you get to pick anyone you want at the begining of each level or if you die, also instead of jumping on enemies to kill them you have to pull various vegtables out of the ground or even other enemies and throw them at enemies to kill them. This is a very challenging game and its very different than most other Mario games...it starts out fairly easy but is way more difficult the further you get. This game is definately worth trying!!