Advance Wars

Advance Wars (GBA, 2001 NA/2002 EU/2004 JP): Turn-based tactical strategy game developed by Intelligent Systems, published Nintendo. Seventh entry in Wars series (launched 1988 as Famicom Wars in Japan), first released outside Japan. North America September 10, 2001, Europe January 11, 2002 (delayed from 2001 due to September 11 attacks). Japan release October 12, 2001 cancelled to avoid competing with Game Boy Wars 3 (Game Boy Color)—eventually released November 25, 2004 as Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2 compilation bundled with sequel. Directed by Makoto Shimojo.

Originally announced Space World 2000 as Game Boy Wars Advance. Development began alongside GBA launch titles—Nintendo requested Intelligent Systems assist due to workload. Designed for GBA's younger audience with "pop design"—bright colors, rounded characters, comedy tone. Despite child-friendly aesthetic, majority of purchasers teenage boys. Shimojo compared pacing to films introducing "waves of excitement" with calm periods for balance. Nintendo feedback during development often deemed early mechanics "too sophisticated" or "not balanced for general audience," requiring adjustments.

Set on fictional continent Cosmo Land. Four nations—Orange Star, Blue Moon, Green Earth, Yellow Comet—exist in fragile peace disrupted by mysterious Black Hole Army under commander Sturm. Story begins with Orange Star at war with Blue Moon. Player as tactical adviser follows campaign across all countries. Protagonist Andy (Orange Star CO) falsely accused of attacking Yellow Comet and Green Earth unprovoked using clone doppelganger created by Sturm, inciting worldwide war designed to weaken/confuse nations for Black Hole conquest. Four nations eventually unite discovering truth.

Commanding Officer (CO) system central—11 COs total across five armies, each with unique passive abilities and special CO Power activated when power meter fills through combat. Campaign initially limits player to Andy, Max, and Sami (Orange Star), unlocking additional COs through completing specific missions. Final battle permits any unlocked CO except Sonja. Orange Star COs: Andy (12-year-old mechanical wizard, balanced all-rounder with no strengths/weaknesses, CO Power "Hyper Repair" heals all units 2 HP); Max (direct-combat specialist, 150% firepower for direct units but 90% for indirect/reduced range, CO Power "Max Force" further boosts direct units +24% plus +1 movement); Sami (16-year-old special forces commander, infantry 120% firepower with 1.5x capture rate, transport units +1 movement, direct non-infantry 90% firepower, CO Power "Double Time" grants infantry +1 movement).

Other nations' COs: Blue Moon—Olaf (CO Power "Blizzard" causes snow slowing opponents), Grit (long-range specialist); Green Earth—Eagle (air unit specialist), Drake (naval specialist); Yellow Comet—Kanbei (high offense/defense but expensive units), Sonja (enhanced vision, hides HP in multiplayer); Black Hole—Sturm (final antagonist), plus Clone Andy. Players choose CO per map affecting unit performance through passive bonuses and activated powers.

Square grid-based maps with diverse terrain affecting movement/defense. 30+ unit types across infantry, vehicles (tanks, artillery, anti-air), air (fighters, bombers, helicopters), naval (battleships, submarines, cruisers), transport classes. Units consume fuel/ammo requiring replenishment at owned buildings. Victory conditions: capture enemy HQ, eliminate all enemy units, or mission-specific objectives. Fog of War in select missions limits vision. Campaign features 18 main missions, War Room mode with 100+ maps, Design Mode for custom battlefields.

Comprehensive tutorial "Field Training" with CO Nell teaches mechanics without requiring manual reading—designed alleviating Nintendo's fear Western audiences wouldn't embrace complex turn-based strategy. In-depth yet instantly accessible through manageable presentation. Multiplayer supports up to four players. Hot Seat mode (pass-and-play on single GBA)—players issue unit orders then pass system to next player viewing results. Link Cable mode connects 2-4 GBAs (requires multiple cartridges for full features). Turn-based nature perfectly suited for Hot Seat play despite sounds limiting—praised as well-executed. Map editor increases replayability.

Critical acclaim universal. Metacritic: 92 (one of GBA's highest-rated). GameSpot: Best Game Boy Advance Game 2001, nominated Biggest Surprise (lost to Metal Gear Solid 2). IGN called "Nintendo's positively stunning turn-based strategy title" and "absolute must-have for GBA." 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Hand-Held Game of the Year. Official Nintendo Magazine 2009: "almost faultless blend of fiendish strategy and Nintendo magic," ranked 72nd greatest Nintendo games. Edge October 2013: retroactive perfect 10/10—one of only 23 games receiving score in magazine's 20-year history. AllGame: "Ingeniously designed...manages to be both in-depth and instantly accessible." Praised shrewd AI continually surprising even after multiple campaigns, seriously addictive despite cartoonish graphics, deep strategic gameplay accessible to newcomers and veterans.

Legacy transformative. Success credited as driving force for Nintendo localizing Intelligent Systems' Fire Emblem series internationally—both share tactical genre/developer. Introduced Western audiences to Wars franchise previously Japan-exclusive. Spawned sequel Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003 GBA), Advance Wars: Dual Strike (2005 DS), Advance Wars: Days of Ruin/Dark Conflict (2008 DS). Nintendo Switch remake Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp developed by WayForward announced E3 2021 (delayed indefinitely March 2022 due to Ukraine invasion, released April 2023). Established Intelligent Systems as premier tactical strategy developer alongside Fire Emblem franchise. Remained dormant 13 years between Days of Ruin (2008) and Re-Boot Camp announcement (2021). Considered defining GBA title—one of system's most beloved IPs during GBA/DS eras.