Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island Review by Funguz
Game Boy Advance Reviews
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Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island Review

Time to grill Nintendo's 3rd Mario/SNES upgrade

Gameplay
Controls: OK then. I’ve played both this games predecessors, and for those of you that don’t know, this game involves running around on Yoshi’s back (you don’t play as Mario, but Yoshi). In Super Mario World (Super Marion Advance 2), you could ride Yoshi around a bit. But he’s a lot harder to control in this game, so you’ll find yourself running off edges quite a bit.

Amusement: Nice animation, using the Nintendo GBA “cartoon” style, so it looks enjoyable. Mario games are always fun to play, and this doesn’t steer off course either. It could be a bit better in the amusement department, but overall, it’s a great game that will keep you going, and won’t want you to put the GBA down

Difficulty: It really takes you straight into the line of fire. One very small practice level, and you’re off. It’s fairly easy to start with, but as I said, Yoshi runs around like a headless chicken (or dinosaur) so it can be quite hard until you get used to it. And like most Mario games, their isn’t a difficulty level, so you can’t think you can get away with it.
Score: 8/10

Storyline
Fairly easy to learn. Mario, as a baby, is dropped from the sky (by a stork, most likely), and is met by a group of Yoshi’s. Baby Mario has been split up form his brother Luigi, and so therefore, the Yoshi’s decide to reunite the brothers, by relaying him to Baby Luigi. But every time the Yoshi is hit, Mario floats away, and it’s up to Yoshi to get him back, before the evil Magikooper whisks Mario away.
Score: 9/10

Sounds
The usual (yet again) Mario sounds. Each level has a theme, that’s often repeated over levels. However. As the GBA’s sound system isn’t that good, it makes speaking that bit harder, so don’t expect much, if any in the game. But overall, it’s a good lot of music.
Score: 8/10

Yoshi and Baby Mario in a grim situation when they encounter a Blargg

Visuals
The GBA can manage 32 bit graphics, and project 3D shapes, as V-Rally 3 showed. Mario however, doesn’t need 3D graphics, as it's a side-scrolling platformer. The graphics have been given a face-lift since the SNES version, but they still match it’s predecessor. However, they look good anyway. Just don’t expect gaming miracles and a revolution.
Score: 8/10

Replayability
This game will keep you going for a while. To get absolutely everything, but after you’ve done it first time, there’s not need to do it again. But, it still has that Mario magic that makes you want to come back to it again and again.
Score: 8/10

Value for money Sky Blue Yoshi throwing eggs
US Price: Around $30
UK Price: Around £25-£30
I don’t exactly think that you can rent GBA games, but it may be possible, so I have to mention it. It’s obvious that with the amount of gameplay in this game, you should rent it. There’s no question about it.
Verdict: Buy.
Score: 10/10

A game like this
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World – Another Mario GBA platformer, where you also get to ride Yoshi. And lots of levels too

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