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michael037
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Staff
System:
Game Boy Advance
Publisher:
Nintendo of America
Developer:
Nintendo R&D2
UPC: 45496731397

Released: 6-01-01
Players: 1-4
Country Origin: US
ESRB: E

Game Genre:
Action
Game Perspective:
Platform, Side-Scrolling
Game Misc:
Coin-Op Conversion

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Loose:  $9.69
Complete:  $19.98
New:  $49.99
Rarity:  3/10

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Play Super Mario Advance (GBA) - Reviews | Game Boy Advance

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Super Mario Advance

Super Mario Advance Title ScreenSuper Mario Advance Screenshot 1
Super Mario Advance Box Art FrontSuper Mario Advance Box Art BackSuper Mario Advance Screenthot 2
Rating: 9.2
(165 votes)
Plays: 32,822
M:95%
F:5%
Filesize: 2,161kb

Super Mario Advance Reviews 

Overall 9.2    Graphics 9.4    Sound 8.4    Addictive 8.3    Story 7.1    Depth 8.2    Difficulty 6.6



9
An Engaging Review of a Beloved Game   EideticMemory
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!
  Graphics 10   Sound 8   Addictive 10   Story 8   Depth 10   Difficulty 6

      Review Rating: 5/5     Submitted: 02-01-14     Updated: 02-01-14     Review Replies: 3


9.1
Super Mario Advance review   patar4097
Super Mario Advance, other known as Super Mario Bros. 2, is known as kind of the odd ball in the Super Mario Bros. series. Now why was this? One reason was, the original was a 2D platfomer, and to kill enemies, you jump on their heads, and try to save a princess. But this one is completely different. Here, jumping on the enemies gets you only a ride, and you have to throw plants at them, or other enemies to kill them. But is it really as bad as people say? Well, first off, the game we all knew as Super Mario Bros. 2 was in Japan called Super Mario USA. Their Super Mario Bros. 2 was basically a harder version of the first Super Mario Bros. game. Since it was so hard, it was never released anywhere else until Super Mario All stars. But anyway, back to Super Mario Bros. 2.  It was originally a game called Doki Doki Panic. They changed the story a bit, added some Mario sprites, changed some of the music, and BAM! Super Mario USA. And to let everyone know, I haven't played the original game myself, so I don't know all the features that were added. Now to the review.
Graphics - 9.5  Super Mario Advance had some really good graphics. They were bright, colorful, and added many newcomers to the Mario universe, such as Shy Guys, Bob-ombs and Birdo. The graphics look phenomenal, especially compared to the original NES version.
Sound - 8.5  The music in this game is great. Some classic music, like when you are in the alternate world, after going into the doors that come from the magic potions. And there are new songs also. Some of them, like the cave music, gets repetitive, especially since you will find a cave in most every level. One other thing that makes the sound's rating higher is that the characters talk. They all say something when they take damage, pull up plants, or die. Now when there are more than five plants in a row, the sound of Toad pulling up weeds may get a little aggravating, but it's nothing too bad.
Addictiveness / depth - 7.5  If this was the original Super Mario Bros. USA for the NES, this would be rated lower. But the fact that this game added both the classic Mario Brothers game, and a Yoshi egg hunt, the rating went up. Now the egg hunt went like this. Once you beat the game, random Yoshi eggs will appear in the alternate universes. Your goal is to find them, and don't die, because then you have to find them again. I actually never finished this, because of how hard it was to do. And the fact that they change places all the time doesn't help. But the egg hunt is there, and maybe you will be interested in it. They also added coins that you collect, that are like the Yoshi coins in Super Mario World, for some added depth, because you might want to collect all 100% of them. However, with only twenty levels, it is smaller than Super Mario Bros., but the levels were longer also, so I think a 7.5 is a fair score.
Story - 5  The story is something like this. Mario has a dream that he was climbing a long staircase, leading to a door. When he opens the door, he sees a world he has never seen before, which is the world that the game takes place. Then he heard somebody saying that the evil Wart, the main villain in the game, put a curse on the land, and you need to stop him. But he hates vegetables.  Then, in this dream, Mario gets struck by lightning, and them wakes up, on the floor, next to his bed. The next day, Mario and his friends are going to have a picnic on the mountains. Then they saw a small cave, and went in. They were amazed to see that the world that Mario saw in his dreams was right before their eyes. So you must stop Wart. Uh, yeah. That's the story.
Difficulty - 6.5  The first time I played this, I couldn't beat the first level. But now, since my epic skills have been dramatically improved, it wasn't too hard the last time I played. There are some parts where some characters may make it really easy, and some parts where other characters might be a pain to use. It can be difficult to hunt for the Yoshi coin things, and very challenging to get the Yoshi eggs, but it really isn't ever that hard. Some enemies are put in places that are meant for trolling, and some of the things in the ground make you think "what the heck?" But the infinite 1-up trick in the first level takes away some of the challenge of having to start the level over after getting a game over.
Gameplay - 8  This is probably the most criticized part of the game. The plants, items, and enemies replacing jumping and fireballs for killing enemies, was not taken well. But even though the gameplay is different from the first, that doesn't mean that it's bad. It was not bad at all. Maybe not as good as the first, but I found it to be a good change of pace. Some things, like the screen when going up or down was a big nuisance, and was a bit of a problem in some levels, but it didn't make it unplayable. And the choice of four differently controlled players was a fun addition.
Overall - 9.1  Super Mario Advance is a great game. It may not be Super Mario Bros. Lost Levels, but still a great game. The enemies were good, there were some fun boss battles,and some good short cuts in some levels too. If you haven't tried this game yet, I suggest you give it a try.

  Graphics 10   Sound 8   Addictive 7   Story 5   Depth 7   Difficulty 6

      Review Rating: 4.8/5     Submitted: 12-27-12     Review Replies: 0


9.5
The Mighty plumber fights this nightmare once more!   SuperCrash64
introduction:
A review by sc64. note This might be shorter, but that's because the game Can't exactly be described too well.
This is the Start of the Super Mario Advance franchise, which is Like carrying Super Mario all star games, expect that there in all seperate cart's.  Here we have the first one. This one is most likely based off of us Super Mario brothers 2, and ported from Super Mario all stars on Super Nintendo.  So Like all Game boy Advance games, There were many Snes game ports. Bringing in the games from Super Mario all stars was not a surprise here. Due to that reason.  With that said. Let's get started on the review of this game.
Graphics 10
Mario Brothers 2. or Super Mario brothers advance was indeed a well known title. for It's spare colorful and neatly designed characters. The Visuals Have much More handed out and given to them then There original Mario Brothers one counterparts.  Take a look and Mario and Luigi in the game. They have a lot more detailing to the Eye's and facial features, as well as in their total design. They don't look nearly as funny as there Super Mario brothers 1 counterparts.  to be blunt There's few difference's Between this game and The original Super Nintendo version of Mario brothers 2. in level designs and character changes. But overall differences I mainly notice. is a lot of the characters have some Higher contrast added to their parts. Still Characters are fairly neatly designed for this title.
Sound: 9
The Character voices in particular Have gotten quite a few improvements. But It still has the old classic jump, Throw and crash sound to the game. Which indeed make's the game more fun to play.
The Music however Has suffered Due to being a Compressed Snes Soundtrack. Were it sounds a bit off on some parts.  Other besides that the music is fine and it works just uniquely for this title.
Addictiveness:8
Now  I understand people are hating the game for being a clone of Japan's doki doki panic. but I've actually gotten over that.  This actually feels more true to a Mario game more then anything.  The Unique and different pace'd gameplay of this 2d platformer. Makes this game enjoyable and fun to play every once in a while. I'm mainly saying that. because the flag pole games are kind of getting boring.  This does add a new element of challenge, but at the same time it's very fun.
Story:7 basically what I understand from the storyline. is that mario is dreaming, and during one of his dreams, he hears a girl shouting for him for help, and unlike other Mario title's this time it's not peach.  So The Mario gang are figuring out what's the cause of this problem. That's the main story as far as I know it.
Depth and difficulty 9
The Game has it's fair Share of being difficult and Easy on some parts. But In general when I play through this game. it ends up being way too hard for me where I cannot finish it.  There are various Worlds, with three or more different acts to go through.  The Longest Part of the game I've reached so far was the sand levels, I'm still having trouble on that part. But still Never the less, This is a in depth and hard gem.
overall 9.5
Overall Mario brothers 2 Has a side of up and downs, but overall like other mario games it's an enjoyable classic that you should take a look at.

  Graphics 10   Sound 9   Addictive 8   Story 7   Depth 9   Difficulty 9

      Review Rating: 4.8/5     Submitted: 09-17-13     Review Replies: 1


9.1
SMB. 2 (U.S.) on the GBA   IgorBird122
The Super Mario Advance game is a great re-make of the Original Super Mario Bros. 2 (U.S. version) with a lot of other goodies added into this game.
The Graphics:
The graphics has a similarity as the SNES version so they ain't much to explain about the graphics, but this game does has a few new changes. Like having giant enemies and vegetation, and a whole lot of other additions added into each of the levels, which does add some more features with the graphics. Other than all of that, not a lot more I can explain about it
I give this a 8 out of 10.
--------
The Sound/Music:
Both the Sound and the Music is pretty much the same as the SNES version so I'm not going to much explain about this, the music on this is really nice even know it has a certain theme like with a main theme, a cave theme, a vase theme and a boss theme. Also what's new with this that you havent heard in the SNES version, the character does have some voices.
I give the Sound/Music a 8 out of 10.
--------
The Addictiveness:
The addiction level for this game, I can say, this game and it's new features makes you want to come back onto this game. Or it might not just be those new features, it can just be the game for the GBA and you happen to like SMB. 2 (U.S.), you can pretty much play this game on to-go which really can make it really addicting.
I give the Addiction level a 7 out of 10.
--------
The Story:
It's pretty much the same story that is on the NES and SNES versions, Inside a dream that Mario is dreaming, Wart has taken over Subcon and makes all the residents turn against Mario and the others and it's up to Mario and the guys to get through the worlds to get after Wart and restore Subcon
I give the story a 8 out of 10.
--------
The Depth:
A whole lot of Depth has been added onto this game that you haven'y seen in the NES nor the SNES version, a whole lot more enemies, a lot more objects to use and a lot of newer goodies to get, not just the additional goodies, you also can grab 5 "A" coins in each level you travel, not just the new stuff, but all the old things you remember the NES/SNES game as well. The player can also choose to play the Original Mario Bros. game on the title screen to play the instant classic game of Mario Bros.
I give this a perfect 10 out of 10 due to a lot more features added into this game.
--------
The Difficulty:
I have to say that the difficulty level isn't really bad, if you first played this, it might get a little tough, but once you're used to playing it, all the levels are very very easy to get though. Pretty much some of the levels can take a bunch of thinking power to get through the level, but some times, you might not need any thinking, it really depends on the level you're playing on.
So I give this a 8 out of 10.
--------
Overall:
Overall, this game is really nice to play, with the additional features added onto this game really made this game worth it, all the new enemies, all the new objects, and a few changes with all the levels that really made this game really unique for the Game Boy Advance.
Overall, I'll give this game a 9.1 out of 10.
  Graphics 8   Sound 8   Addictive 7   Story 8   Depth 10   Difficulty 8

      Review Rating: 4.5/5     Submitted: 06-04-13     Review Replies: 3


9
Super Mario Advance   SuperMarioFan64
Overall it's a fun game, it's basically a remake of a good NES game with some items and whatnot added and okay voice acting.
I find this version pretty hard just from trying to control the characters. Princess peach is probably your best choice.
The music and graphics remade were great in my opinion, I've always been a fan of the GBA.
I preferably prefer the remake of Super Mario Bros. 3 but this is great, I've been playing Nintendo games for just about my entire life and they're still doing great, but sometimes you just wan go back to that classics.
You can thank the Internet for things like this.

  Graphics 10   Sound 8   Addictive 9   Story 5   Depth 6   Difficulty 8

      Review Rating: 3.4/5     Submitted: 12-04-11     Review Replies: 0


9.3
A remake of a classic   tornadocam
Hello, The game I am going to be reviewing and critiquing is a game that everybody probably has heard of. In, fact it is a remake of Super Mario Brothers 2. Today's game is Super Mario Advance.
Story 9
The story or plot goes like this. Mario is dreaming of a world that is in danger. He hears cries for help. The residents of this world tell him "free us from Wart and remember he hates veggies". Mario discusses his dream with his friends: Luigi, Peace and Toad. Mario and his friends decide to go on a pic-nic. However, Mario and his friends start to hear voices coming from a door. The 4 friends open the door and to Mario's amazement he sees the world that was in his dreams. Mario, and his friends decide to help this world and liberate them from Wart.
Okay, I really liked the plot back in the original game. So, I was glad Nintendo did not change anything. Sometimes, a plot is very good that it does not need to be changed. Super Mario Advance's plot is very creative just like it was in Super Mario Brothers 2. It offered something new, when it first came out back in 1988. I got Super Mario Advance when it came out. Guess what, the plot still offers something new. Bowser is not in this game nor is he mentioned. So, that was some creativity. Thus, I give the plot to Super Mario Advance a good solid rating of 9 out of 10.
Graphics & Controls 10
What can I say, the graphics really blew me away in this game. I remember playing the original game in 1988 with good graphics for an 8 bit system. Then, Super Mario All Stars came out and the graphics were better as that was a 16 bit system. Now, the graphics are on a 32 bit system, and they look amazing. The backgrounds are very colorful. In fact, they are more colorful than they were on the 16 and 8 bit versions of this game. I also like how the waterfalls look like actual waterfalls in this game. That, really shows how much the graphics have improved. The trees, in this game are also more colorful. Another, neat thing is how the veggies sway to the music. I really liked the graphics in this game. I would argue this is how remakes are supposed to be done.
The controls in this game were also improved. In fact, the controls are very smooth in this game no matter which character you pick. Not, one time does the controls feel sluggish at all. The sprints in this game remained unchanged from the 16 bit version of this game. That, was okay because the sprints did not need to be changed. So, to sum it up, Super Mario Advance had good graphics and controls. I give the graphics and controls in this game a perfect score of 10 out of 10. It does not get much better than this folks.
Sound: 9
The sound in this game has really improved. First of all, the bosses even have voices and talk to you in this game. Some of them say "why hello there", "you have a lot of nerve", and "I'm to hot to touch" that was a nice touch. Also the bosses moan and groan when you defeat them. The original game did not have that, so that was an added bonus. Another, thing that is nice about the sound is when you throw a veggie at an enemy it sounds like they are getting hit. I find that sound to be very hilarious. In addition, if your character loses all there health they will moan and groan, which is also funny. Now, the sound does have one minor flaw to it. The soundtrack of this game is very short. You, have the soundtrack of this game and you pretty much hear it throughout the game. The underground part still has its original sound. The bonus levels plays Super Mario Brothers one tunes. I was hoping they might have added a few more sounds, since this is a remake. On the other hand, the music still rocks and sounds better than the original. Thus, I give the sound to this game a solid 9 out of 10 rating.
Addictiveness and Depth:9
This game is addictive for so many reasons. First of all you can chose between 4 characters. Sometimes, it is best to play through the game with a different character. To me, that adds a lot of replay value. I like games that give you a choice like that. It also broke away from the tradition of Mario games. The traditional play, was you either played as Mario or Luigi. So that is something new getting to chose. I will also argue that Super Mario Advance has a higher replay than the original game due to the depth.
The depth of this game was so much better than the original. When I was reviewing the original game; I said the game suffered on its lack of depth. Super Mario advanced kept all of the things the same as the original, except they added some things. First of all, they are ACE coins to collect in this game. Each level has 5 Ace coins that need to be collected. Second, if you find all the ace coins and beat the game, you get to unlock another challenge. Yoshi's challenge will be unlocked if you can beat the game with all the Ace Coins. I really like that concept. For me personally, it adds more depth to the game. It also adds replay value because the player has to play through the game to get the coins. The player will also have to play through the game again with Yoshi's challenge. The original game did not have that at all. Thus, due to the extra depth in this game. I give the depth rating of this game a much improved 9 out of 10.
Difficulty: 7
If you read my original review of Super Mario Brothers 2. You will notice I said the game difficulty really suffered in that game. Super Mario Brothers 2 was not difficulty at all. Guess what, Super Mario advance is not that difficult. Now, they are some difficult jumps and traps to avoid, but it is still not bad. However, the difficulty in this game has slightly improved from the original game. Collecting the Ace coins bumps up the difficulty a little bit in this game. The coins are often in hard places to get. In fact, they will require creativity to get. In addition, to the Ace coins the Yoshi's challenge also bumps up the difficulty. In Yoshi's challenge if you lose a life you have to start over again. The enemy placement is not to bad in this game, so that is not a factor. Overall, this game is more challenging then the original but it is not to bad. Therefore, at the end of the day, I give Super Mario Advance a decent 7 out of 10 concerning difficulty.
Overall: 9.3
Ever heard of a remake being better than the original. If you haven't than you need to play this game. Super Mario Advance is better than the original Super Mario Brothers 2 for several reasons. First of all, the graphics are so much better in this game. The colors and backgrounds really jump out at you. Second, the controls are very smooth in this game compared to the original. Third, Super Mario Advance has higher depth than the original game. The Ace coins and Yoshi's challenge really bump up the replay value for this game. In fact, it makes it better than the original game. I like how Nintendo added some things but they did not really change the game in a major way. The levels are still the same and the enemies for the most part have not changed either. I want to think they only added two more enemies in this game compared to the original. Nintendo really knew what they were doing in making this great game. The only negative thing I have to say about this game is its difficulty. The Ace coins and Yoshi's challenge do add more difficulty, but even then it is not too difficult. I like games that test you skills and creativity. Still, Super Mario Advance is a very great game. I even play this one more than I do the original Super Mario Brothers 2. As far as recommending this game. Yes by all means play this game. It is a good solid game and one that you will not want to put down. I got this game when it first came out and here I am still playing it till this day.

  Graphics 10   Sound 9   Addictive 9   Story 9   Depth 9   Difficulty 7

      Review Rating: 3/5     Submitted: 02-25-14     Updated: 03-03-14     Review Replies: 1


8.2
The First Super Mario Advance Game   luigi25

The first Super Mario Advance game is a port of the classic NES Mario game called Super Mario Bros. 2. It was released for the new handheld Gameboy Advance console in the summer of 2001. The Gameboy Advance is a system that I'm not familiar with at all. Throughout the early to mid 2000s a lot of the Mario games I grew up with would be re-released on this handheld gaming console that is pretty impressive. The GBA produced some games with nice graphics and sound, and I guess a few on the Gameboy Color weren't that bad either. However, I don't feel like the Super Mario Advance series is all that great.

These games are good in a way, but there are some things that keep them from being as memorable as the NES and SNES Mario games were for me. In the early 2000s, I was out of high school and working my first full time job. Super Mario Bros. games were just a memory from a decade earlier. I remember hearing about them, but I wasn't interested at the time. To some, this series is a big deal, but I don't care much about ports, remakes, or ROM hacks. There are a few exceptions, but this Mario Advance game and the other ones are about what I'd expect from these types of remakes.  

Graphics 9/10: The graphics of Super Mario Advance have been ported over from the Super Nintendo version of SMB2. The backgrounds and sprites look about the same, but the screen looks very faded. The colors aren't as rich and vibrant like in All-Stars, and the camera is too zoomed in so that you can't see much of what the game looks like. I would have to say, it does look better than the NES version, which wasn't a bad looking game itself.

When it comes to graphics, the GBA version wins out over the original SMB2. This is not a bad looking game even though it does have its issues. SMA does have more color and detail to it, and I do see an overall improvement over the graphics of the NES. I still prefer the All-Stars version, but the GBA port still looks pretty nice and full of life.

Music 6/10: Most of the music for Super Mario Advance has been ported over from Super Mario All-Stars as well. There are a few new tracks but not many. This version of SMB2 has a soundtrack that is lacking in originality. It's pretty much the exact same thing as All-Stars, and I felt like the tracks in that version didn't sound as good as they did in the NES version. Here, they are a downgrade from both versions. I guess the GBA hardware had some limitations to it even though it produced some games with memorable soundtracks. Super Mario Advance is not one of them, and these songs don't sound very good in this version overall. In a way, they don't sound terrible or anything, but this game has a pretty weak sound to it.     

Gameplay 8/10: Super Mario Advance plays just like Super Mario Bros. 2, but there are some differences. It is a platforming game, like the first, but you can play as either Mario, Luigi, Toad, or the Princess. Each character has their own special ability which I discussed more in depth in my SMB2 review. Enemies are now picked up and thrown at each other, and the player can also throw vegetables at their enemies. Subspace can be entered by finding a magic potion and dropping it. Here, you can find Mushrooms which give you more health and coins that can be used for the bonus games.

This port also contains 5 Ace Coins in each level that are optional but collecting all 5 will give you an extra life. These weren't necessary unless you wanted 100%, but they never unlocked in new levels or anything. Upon beating the regular game, the player unlocks the Yoshi Egg Challenge. In this game, you can go back and collect the Ace Coins that you missed. The ones you already found will be flashing which helps you keep up with them better. Anyway, Yoshi Eggs are hidden in some of the Subspace areas. This mode is more challenging than the regular game. Unlike with the Ace Coins, if you die on a level, you have to go back and get the egg again. There are 2 eggs in each level, and these are the same levels that you already played before, so basically you are replaying the game but trying to collect the 2 Yoshi Eggs in each level.

I don't find the Egg Challenge to be all that fun to play because of how you're just re-playing the same levels and aren't allowed to die. This part of the game is too time consuming for me. Super Mario Advance also contains the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. This game has been greatly updated from that version. The original game didn't even have any music in it! Mario has to hit enemies from underneath the floor as they pop out of the pipes at the top of the screen. Killing these enemies gives you points, and after killing a certain number of enemies, you advance to the next level.

I never got into this part much either and usually just skipped it. The real meat and potatoes to Super Mario Advance is Super Mario Bros. 2. This is the part of the game worth talking about. The Egg Challenge and Arcade games don't turn me away from Advance but don't draw me in to it either. In terms of gameplay and game design, SMB2 hasn't changed hardly any. The level design is the same, and all the stages have the same look and feel to them. This means that after I played Mario Advance several times, I knew what to expect, and it was just like playing SMB2 all over again.

This version isn't as much fun because of this and some other gameplay issues. The controls aren't very tight like they were in the NES and All-Stars versions. The players slide around too much, and I found myself dying from falling off ledges and into bottomless pits. The visibility is also a problem, and the game is too zoomed in causing a good deal of screen crunch. The Ace Coins do give the game more exploration, but the GBA version doesn't handle as well with the controls. I also don't like how everything is just the same game as the All-Stars and NES versions.

This has to be my least favorite version of SMB2 due to the lack of originality and loose controls. Then, I have to take into account: the excellent save feature, abundance of extra lives, lots of health, and the way you can always continue as long as you remember to save your game. All of these things make this version very easy to pick up and play and keep on playing without having to worry about starting all over from the beginning like in the original game. There are really a lot of extra lives, Mushrooms, and health to stock up on in this version.

Super Mario Advance is still my least favorite version, but the gameplay and design of the it isn't that bad. It is just one of those games that has more problems to it than the previous versions of SMB2 had. Nintendo did try to make up for a lot of the problems with this port by being more generous with the extra lives, health points, and continues. Some players might like this version better, but it all depends on the person. For me, the slippery controls and screen crunch keep it from being as fun as the SMB2 I played on NES and SNES in 1993 and 94.  

Story 10/10: Super Mario Advance takes place in the land of Subcon just like in SMB2. Mario had a dream one night about a voice coming from a cave pleading for someone to help them. The next day, he took his friends to this exact cave in his dream, and before their eyes was Subcon. The people of the land had been trapped in a giant vase by a frog monster named Wart. Mario, Luigi, Toad, and the Princess have to set the people free. I like the story from Super Mario Bros. 2 and how different it is from the other Mario games. It involves more characters and is still the same plot we all came to know and love growing up.

Content 8/10: Super Mario Advance, as a whole, is a very long game. Playing through the original, Egg Challenge, and Mario Bros. can take almost 5 hours. Although, I like how all of this extra content is optional and is really just there for those wanting more out of the original SMB2. I thought the 7 worlds of Super Mario Bros. 2 were enough for me. I usually spend about 2 hours on this version trying to get all the Ace Coins. However, this is mostly just a 7 world game with the same level themes from before.

Difficulty 6/10: In the old SMB2, there were only 2 continues if you got a Game Over, and after that you went back to the title screen to replay the whole game! It took me almost a year to finish that version. The All-Stars version was more forgiving, but you had to restart from the beginning of the world. In Super Mario Advance, you can continue as long as you remember to save. However, with all the extra lives and health points, how can anyone get a Game Over? It still doesn't mean this version is easy. The controls are quite slippery and this version feels too jerky for some reason.

When you scroll from top to bottom it is like the game just stops. James Rolfe called this some kind of air-suspension problem. Also, it feels like this version puts more enemies in your way to give you more chances at health, but for me, they really just get in the way and slow things down. Super Mario Advance can be a pretty time consuming game, and isn't all that easy to finish. The game isn't hard but no easier than the All-Stars version. I still think the GBA port is way more forgiving than the NES version. Like I said before, some might like the Advance version better because it is easier than the original.

Overall 8.2/10: In my opinion, Super Mario Advance isn't as good as Super Mario Bros. 2. Neither is it as good as the All-Stars version. I had some problems with the way I felt like I was just replaying SMB2 again, but it wasn't as exciting playing it on the SNES with that version's excellent graphics and tight controls. This game did not have the classic 8-bit music to it either or the music of the 16-bit SNES. The Gameboy Advance is 32-bits, but it is mainly just a port. This is the way the GBA Mario series was for me. Everything is just redone, and even though this is a decent game, I don't enjoy it as much as SMB2. The same would go for all the GBA Mario and Donkey Kong remakes.  


  Graphics 9   Sound 6   Addictive 8   Story 10   Depth 8   Difficulty 6

      Review Rating: 3/5     Submitted: 11-19-15     Updated: 02-09-19     Review Replies: 3

Super Mario Advance (Game Boy Advance) Screenshots

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Super Mario Advance Highscores

asmd69
1. 4,135,860
TimeTrial: 05:44:55
04-07-15 04:21 AM
Super Mario Advance -  - User Screenshot
MattyIce
2. 1,381,050
TimeTrial: 01:08:17
12-08-14 11:26 AM
Super Mario Advance - My best so far... - User Screenshot
My best so far...
iN008
3. 1,019,840
TimeTrial: 01:29:12
06-29-13 09:39 AM
Super Mario Advance -  - User Screenshot
YoshiSmb
4. 631,410
TimeTrial: 01:18:05
11-22-13 01:11 PM
Super Mario Advance - Oh yes! - User Screenshot
Oh yes!
Gn120
5. 449,940
TimeTrial: 01:45:09
09-28-12 07:24 PM
Super Mario Advance -  - User Screenshot
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Super Mario Advance Guides and Walkthroughs

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Users who own Super Mario Advance

Game Owner Name
Completeness
Condition
B
T
S
Play Online
Loose
Very Good
10.39
Loose
Good
Loose
Good
Loose
Good
Loose
Very Good
Loose
Very Good
Loose
Like New
Complete
Like New
Loose
Very Good
Loose
Very Good
Loose
Very Good
Complete
Like New
Loose
Good
Loose
Acceptable
Loose
Very Good
Loose
Like New
Loose
Good
Complete
Very Good
Loose
Very Good
Loose
Very Good

Game Characters in Super Mario Advance

Comments for Super Mario Advance

ganondorf4ever 09-13-15 - 11:42 AM
 Just remember: This game is a port of a remake of a ROM hack of a Japan-exclusive game!
Retrogamer1452 06-07-14 - 08:13 PM
 at first i thought down + b = pickup shy guy
SacredShadow 01-22-14 - 03:00 PM
 easy controls= fun
superstar1234568 11-04-13 - 03:16 PM
 I LOVE THIS GAME!
arizvega 07-29-13 - 01:50 PM
 This game is great for the GBA....
ninjamario 07-29-13 - 01:08 PM
 GBA
iN008 06-29-13 - 07:43 PM
 I find the controls much better for this gba remake since the controls are tighter and less floaty.
travis06 08-31-12 - 05:56 PM
 glitch: 1-2 on the carpet, touch top of screen with head as peach, and go forward and sometimes the enemies will go through you and not damage you lol.
lolman331 08-01-12 - 10:39 AM
 This has the sounds - Mario and his pals talk, but not in the SNES game.
mgharper94 07-16-12 - 11:11 PM
 ik i still need the 100% though
Alfie777 06-30-12 - 10:48 AM
 yoshi eggs only make the egg on the title screen hatch
mgharper94 06-24-12 - 11:55 AM
 i actually have this and i almost beat it 100% i just need the yoshi eggs
Yoshifan12 06-22-12 - 03:19 AM
 What does Birdo say?
PacmanSE 05-30-12 - 10:07 PM
 Game not loading !! D:
dbzsonicfan121 05-26-12 - 03:25 PM
 Sonic Advance is better
clapp 05-12-12 - 02:29 AM
 YEAH BEAT THE GAME YEAH YEAH!!!! WHAT NOW SONIC YEAH WHANT NOW SONIC WHAT NOW
blue123489 05-09-12 - 07:02 PM
 who talks
retrogamer1246 04-29-12 - 11:45 AM
 YAHOO!
NanoBarry 04-12-12 - 08:15 PM
 is anybody on?
Blooper1337 04-11-12 - 09:10 AM
 powerman 9000 is it power man from iron fist and powerman? :D
clapp 04-10-12 - 01:31 PM
 Hi guys its working now yay
NanoBarry 04-07-12 - 10:19 AM
 Im new too!
NanoBarry 04-07-12 - 10:18 AM
 and he still has it
NanoBarry 04-07-12 - 10:18 AM
 my cousin used to have a gameboy
dx1990 04-06-12 - 03:33 PM
 i love this game used to steal my brother gambeboy to play it lol

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