Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (GBA, 2003 NA/2003 EU/2004 JP): Turn-based tactical strategy sequel developed by Intelligent Systems, published Nintendo. Released North America June 23-24, 2003, Europe October 3, 2003. Japan release initially cancelled—released November 25, 2004 as Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2 compilation alongside original. Followed by Advance Wars: Dual Strike (2005 DS). Announced January 2003, tested by Super Mario Club.

Set on Macro Land continent. Allied Nations recovering from Cosmo Land war when Black Hole Army launches large-scale invasion under Sturm's command. Four new Black Hole COs recruited: Flak (strongman invading Orange Star), Lash (girl genius inventor invading Blue Moon), Adder (narcissistic commander invading Yellow Comet), Hawke (Sturm's trusted second-in-command invading Green Earth). Lash invented new weapons including Black Cannons, Mini Cannons, Lasers. Allied Nations eventually unite, pursue Black Hole to headquarters. Story climax: Sturm cornered after Death Ray superweapon destroyed, attempts self-destruct. Hawke betrays/kills Sturm with Black Storm Super CO Power before detonation, assumes Black Hole leadership, retreats with Flak, Lash, Adder.

Major innovation: Super CO Power system. Original Advance Wars introduced CO Powers—Black Hole Rising adds Super CO Power (SCOP) requiring longer meter charge but delivering devastating effects. Each CO possesses unique regular CO Power and SCOP. All returning COs gained SCOPs alongside eight new COs total—one per Allied Nation (Orange Star, Blue Moon, Yellow Comet, Green Earth), four for Black Hole.

New Allied COs: Colin (Blue Moon—insecure rich commander, cheaper units 20% cost reduction but 10% attack penalty, CO Power grants bonus funds, SCOP "Power of Money" increases firepower proportional to current funds—3.33% per 1000); Sensei (Yellow Comet—veteran paratrooper specialist, enhanced helicopters/infantry, CO Powers spawn free Infantry/Mech units on owned cities); Jess (Green Earth—vehicle specialist, enhanced land vehicles, transport bonus). Returning COs received SCOPs—Andy "Hyper Upgrade" (heals all units 5 HP, +10% firepower/defense, +1 movement), Max "Max Force" (direct units massive boost), Sami "Victory March" (infantry one-turn captures regardless of HP), Eagle "Lightning Strike" (air units move twice), Hawke "Black Storm" (damages all enemy units 2 HP, heals all friendly units 2 HP—countered easily by Andy's healing).

Black Hole COs: Flak (wildcard with random damage variance 0-30%—unpredictable luck-based attacks); Lash (terrain specialist, unit damage increases proportional to terrain defense value, CO Powers ignore terrain movement costs and double terrain bonuses); Adder (basic/average CO with no passive abilities, fastest-charging CO Power meter at 2 stars granting +1 movement, SCOP "Sidewinder" +2 movement—psychological warfare through frequent power activation); Hawke (110% universal firepower passive, expensive 9-star SCOP but powerful mass damage/healing).

Non-linear campaign structure replacing predecessor's linear progression. Five continents corresponding to five nations. Each continent begins with selectable missions unlocking additional missions upon completion—player chooses approach order within continent. Hard Campaign mode with remixed missions featuring Fog of War, different terrain layouts, additional enemy units.

New structures/mechanics exclusive to campaign: Black Cannons (Lash-invented destructible properties with HP represented by heart icons—massive firing range automatically targeting one non-Black Hole unit per turn dealing heavy damage, prototype version fires every two days); Mini Cannons; Lasers; Pipelines (indestructible except at seams, feeding Sturm's forces); hidden Laboratories (unlocking Neotanks for that campaign segment upon discovery). Destructible properties create mission objectives—capture/destroy to progress. New terrain: pipes, two additional types.

April 2003 screenshots confirmed unchanged graphical style from original. E3 2003 demo revealed near-identical gameplay with new content additions. IGN's Craig Harris post-E3: "doesn't have an overwhelming sense of newness."

Reception generally favorable—Metacritic positive aggregate. GameSpot: "No GBA owner should be without it...first orders of business" for new GBA owners. Named Best Game Boy Advance Game June 2003. Editor's Choice awards from GameSpot and IGN. European Computer Trade Show: Best Handheld Game of the Year 2003. AIAS 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: nominated Handheld Game of the Year.

Criticism targeted excessive similarity to predecessor—called "rehash" by GameSpot, IGN stated "number 2 in title doesn't deserve to be there," Eurogamer deemed it "£35 mission pack, probably double the price it should have been," GameSpy noted "feels too similar to first game." Despite criticism, reviewers acknowledged improvements: expanded story, enhanced graphics, new characters, better balance, more challenging AI, additional gameplay mechanics. Rare case where lack of innovation considered acceptable given strong foundation.

Player consensus: massive improvement over already-excellent original. Expanded campaign, refined mechanics, superior CO balance. Map editor and 100+ maps ensure extensive replayability. Considered best military strategy game on any platform by enthusiasts. Multiple-completion appeal—challenging enough for repeated playthroughs.

Wii U Virtual Console release 2015 (North America/Europe). Nintendo Switch remake announced E3 2021 as Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp by WayForward—delayed indefinitely March 2022 due to Ukraine invasion, released April 2023. Legacy: Refined formula established by predecessor, set standard for handheld tactical strategy. Demonstrated sequel could enhance without reinventing. Final GBA entry before series transitioned DS.