|  |
|
 |
Many write off handhelds because the games that are played on them fail to match the graphical standards set by modern consoles. Many fail to recognize, however, that handhelds are not restricted to areas with power outlets and give their owners the freedom to play video games just about anywhere they please. Is the trade-off equal? Some would say so. And for those who appreciate a good portable gaming experience and the invaluable entertainment it can provide, this week's Game Collector is for you.
Advance Wars - Game Boy Advance (2001)
Street Price: $29.99
Check Latest Prices »
Turn-based military strategy sims aren't a well-represented genre in the handheld market. In fact, Nintendo's Advance Wars for the Game Boy Advance is the only strategy sim to make its way to a handheld in English within the last four years. It's been an excruciating wait, but the news is good. Advance Wars is both impressive and addictive. In all, there are 30 potential missions to play and eight commanding officers to control--giving Advance Wars value that many handheld games simply don't possess.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages - Game Boy Color (2001)
Street Price: $29.96
Check Latest Prices »
As one of two Zelda games for the Game Boy Color released at the same time, Oracle of Ages delivers on every essential element of the classic Zelda formula--dungeons, puzzles, and items galore are all here. Though the game was actually created by Flagship, a Capcom developer, it fits so well with previous Zelda titles that it might as well be a Nintendo game. After you finish Oracle of Ages, you can transfer Link's attributes to its sister game, Oracle of Seasons.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons - Game Boy Color (2001)
Street Price: $28.36
Check Latest Prices »
The biggest difference between Seasons and Ages is that each focuses on a different aspect of the classic Zelda formula: Ages is puzzle-heavy, while Seasons is action-oriented. That's not to say that Ages skimps on the monster-slaying or that Seasons won't give you any puzzles to solve, but each game knows what it's going for. Of course, true Zelda fans will want to play both games because they work together to enhance each other. But really, you can't go wrong purchasing either one.
Pokémon Crystal - Game Boy Color (2001)
Street Price: $27.88
Check Latest Prices »
Pokémon Crystal is not a brand-new game by any means, but for those who are new to Pokémon or have yet to upgrade from the Red/Blue/Yellow series, it offers a great deal of value for the investment involved and stands as the best game in the series. If you've played Pokémon Gold or Silver, you might want to take a pass, but with a female character to play as, all the announced Pokémon in existence, and tweaked gameplay, Pokémon Crystal is the ultimate refinement of the series.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 - Game Boy Advance (2001)
Street Price: $26.99
Check Latest Prices »
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is one of the Game Boy Advance's best games and is considered by some to be one of the best handheld games ever. It's rare when a 3D game makes a smooth transition to a handheld platform, but that's exactly what Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 has done. The development team at Vicarious Visions has captured the essence of THPS2 and, outside of a few necessary changes, has delivered most of what made the console versions of Tony Hawk 2 such classics.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Game Boy Advance (2001)
Street Price: $25.00
Check Latest Prices »
Reminiscent of the exceptional PlayStation side scroller Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (which is much more difficult to track down), Circle of the Moon was easily one of the best of more than 20 games initially available for the Game Boy Advance. The game has excellent open-ended gameplay, amazingly detailed environments, the signature Castlevania gameplay, and plenty of challenges.
Mario Kart Super Circuit - Game Boy Advance (2001)
Street Price: $29.96
Check Latest Prices »
Since it's essentially running on Super Nintendo hardware, Mario Kart Super Circuit looks and sounds a lot like its 16-bit brethren, if not a little better. All the tracks have detailed backgrounds and various foreground sprites that do a good job of keeping up with the scaling and rotation of the ground itself. Whether you're an ardent fan of the Mario Kart series or a first-time player, Mario Kart Super Circuit is a must-have for owners of the Game Boy Advance.
Metal Gear Solid - Game Boy Color (2000)
Street Price: $19.00
Check Latest Prices »
Metal Gear Solid for the Game Boy Color offers 13 single-player levels, 180 VR missions, and a duel mode for two players. Even though the action is displayed in 8-bit color, Snake can still sneak, crawl, hide, and use a wide array of weapons and tools, just as in the PlayStation game. The plot further explores the mythos of the Metal Gear project and divulges a secret or two. Metal Gear Solid is, without equal, the best tactical-espionage title on the Game Boy Color.
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble - Game Boy Color (2001)
Street Price: $29.96
Check Latest Prices »
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble is a gimmicky game, but it's a gimmicky game done well. You control Kirby by tilting the Game Boy Color, and it's a great deal of a fun. It constantly makes you keep track of just how far you're tilting the Game Boy in relation to Kirby's momentum. While the game isn't especially difficult once you've taken the time to get comfortable with the control, it's a fun ride with lots of little diversions to keep the gameplay fresh throughout.
Mario Tennis - Game Boy Color (2000)
Street Price: $19.95
Check Latest Prices »
A lot of polish went into Mario Tennis, and it shows. The gameplay is intuitive and fun, the graphics are sharp and effective, and the replay value is near limitless. The little touches, like the ability to transfer your tour character over to the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Tennis, really make the game come together. Mario Tennis is not only an excellent and addictive tennis game, but also one of the best GBC sports games to date.
Be sure to visit GameBuyer for the best deals on video games anywhere.
|
|
