bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Super Mario Advance

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Remake of classic Super Mario Bros 2

Weaknesses: If classic gaming isn't your thing, this old NES game may not be for you

Summary: Super Mario Advance was a launch title for the Game Boy Advance way back in 2001. It is a remake of the classic NES game Super Mario Bros. 2 and is pretty much just a recreation of that game for the handheld system. If you have fond memories of SMB2 or never played it but enjoy 2D Mario platforming games then this game is well worth picking up for your GBA or Nintendo DS system. There are a few tweaks to the original game including new voices for the characters to bring them in line with more current games. Some people may find this annoying but if you never played it, they will seem normal in comparison to more recent Mario games. Also, there are a few very small extras thrown into the game as well as the inclusion of the original Mario Bros game in addition to SMB2. This is a classic title that has gotten the Game Boy Advance Player's choice treatment so it ought to be fairly easy to find and cheap to boot. Pick it up for some classic retro gaming on the go.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: 4 Player Mario Bros, Redone Graphics

Weaknesses: Could Have Used More Extras

Summary: Super Mario Advance is a remake of Super Mario Bros 2 that was originally on the NES. In remaking Super Mario Bros 2 on the GameBoy Advance it is the first time in which Super Mario Bros 2 has been ported to a handheld system and along with it they also included Mario Bros which can be played with up to 4 player with one cart if you have a link cable. They upgraded the graphics for Super Mario Bros 2 but really didn't include too many extras (one being a small Yoshi egg hunt mode which is decent but short lived) it would have been nice if they added in more levels/extras or did more in order to add more new content to the game for those who have played though Super Mario Bros 2 years ago. But with all this said they did a great job of porting Super Mario Bros 2 to the GameBoy Advance and the controls are perfect with nothing messed up in the game compared to the original. I would recommend Super Mario Advance to those that are big fans of Super Mario Bros 2 that would like a portable version and for those that haven't played Super Mario Bros 2 before to other it just may not have enough new content to warrent a purchase.