Released in 2001, Super Mario Advance was popular from its first launch. As the first Mario game for the Gameboy Advance, it led a precedent for quality graphics and can be played without prior knowledge of Super Mario Bros 2 for SNES, the game it's based on.

Currently, the game is both well-known and popular, receiving the Nintendo's Player Choice Award for the high number of copies sold.

So, without further ado, let's dive in!

Graphics – 10 / 10
The graphics are unparalleled. Their excellent quality coupled with the slight improvements made to the SNES version add to the experience of playing this game.

Comparing GBA graphics (on the left) to SNES graphics (on the right):
 and 

The difference is obvious.

Let’s not forget the bright, clear colors that are consistently seen throughout each screen. Unlike its predecessor, Super Mario Advance includes Shy Guys and Bob-ombs.

Having played both the original and this game, I did noticeably feel the impact of graphics on gameplay. The graphics of the SNES showed great signs of improvement, but the masterpiece is this remake. Older systems are expected to have older graphics but, regardless, SMA’s graphics clearly show an improved game.

When a level is difficult to pass, it is much easier to get exasperated over small details like graphics. I felt similar frustration to a small extent when playing the SNES version (and more so with the NES version). Undoubtedly, this problem has been solved by the remake.

Certainly, a 10 is most deserved.

Sound / Music – 8 / 10
The music has improved from the SNES version, noticeably. The music is the same, but the quality has improved. However, the music does not blow the game out of the water; it has room for improvement.

One clear difference are the sounds that characters now make. Now, characters speak when they pull up vegetables or die. It’s up to you whether this is actually a plus, since they do get tiresome. Admittedly, the speech does make the game more engaging and, to my ears, more than just music.

When playing the game, I found I had to lower the volume when repeating tasks several times, since the characters would keep speaking each time. For some odd reason, I did find the deaths slightly less annoying with the voices.

Overall, the addition of character voices and slight improvement of music quality warrants a high score.

Thus, an 8 is deserved.

Addictiveness – 10 / 10
Once you make decent progress, this is one game that you will return to time and time again to complete. As discussed previously, improvements in graphics and music have made failed attempts to beat levels less annoying.

Many of you might be unaware that jumping on enemies in this game does not kill them. In fact, it is picking up and throwing vegetables that does. At the start, this game felt strange for that particular change. However, it does bring a different style that kept me engaged and thoroughly addicted.

There are very few Mario games that I would rate lower than perfect. This is not one of them.

Story – 8 / 10
SMA has quite the comical story-line. Mario and his friends seek to stop the evil Wart, whose weakness is vegetables. That’s basically all there is to it. The silly story complements the addicting game and makes it fun for all ages.

I know that I loved the simplicity of the plot for gameplay filled with unintentional deaths. The simple plot keeps the game-play enjoyable instead of tedious to think about.

Thus, the story does deserve an 8.

Depth – 10 / 10
With fewer, longer levels, at first glance the depth would appear to be the same as the original. However, the Yoshi egg hunt clearly adds more depth, since the locations are random.

Moreover, to ace any level, you should find the 5 Ace Coins. This addition increases the time one needs to spend on each level to achieve full completion.

When playing the game, I spent incredible periods of time on levels without achieving full completion.

Clearly, the depth deserves a 10.

Difficulty – 6 / 10
Increased difficulty arises from the Yoshi egg hunt and search for Ace Coins.

While I do find the game difficult at points, there was no one place that I was stuck for more than a few minutes. As with all Mario games, practice at the beginning and comfortableness with the controls makes all the difference in later levels.

Thus, a 6 is deserved.

Overall – 8.6 / 10
I will round up to 9 / 10 since difficulty is not necessarily better.

I enjoyed the time I spent with Super Mario Advance and will eventually wrap up my game-play of Super Mario Advance 2 sometime in the foreseeable future.

Until next time!

I enjoyed your review, but I want to comment on your graphics section. You were comparing it to the SNES version, but you put a picture of Super Mario Bros, which is both A: a different game and B: not on the SNES. Super Mario Advance is a remake of Super Mario Bros 2, as it came included on Super Mario All-Stars, which was on the SNES. Plus, there was Super Mario Bros 2, as it originally was on the NES, which has only a slight mention. I feel more, and more accurate comparison is needed.

Oh, and one mistake you made is you put 6/6 instead of 6/10 on difficulty.

Tails the Fox : Thank you for your analysis! I fixed the 6/10 and I agree about taking another look at the comparison of the graphics.

Okay, I think it's fixed now. Any suggestions are appreciated so I know what to change for my 2nd review.

Attaching pictures is actually not allowed in reviews. Beats me why that is, but it says so in the forum rules. A picture says more than thousand words, so it's a great way to emphasize on your opinions. But still, it's sadly not allowed.

Your review on the other hand, is good. I liked it.