Well, it has been a while since I wrote a review here, but this is a game that I have great memories of playing it on my Game Boy Advance SP when I found the cart in a system I haven't touched or charged since 3rd grade (which is like 10 years ago, still has a green light somehow!) I restarted the game, played it through, and was addicted to it for days. Well, enough rambling, here is a review for Dragon Ball - Advanced Adventure.
Graphics: The graphics of the game are fantastic. For the first time ever we see the characters from the original Dragon Ball fleshed out in beautiful colors under the capabilities of a GBA. The older games on the Famicom were also able to show us in detail in some areas what Son Goku and his buddies looked like, but here is where we finally get a player sprite of Goku that is undeniably "Goku". All characters animations are seen with style and care, the moves are there (Jackie Chun's kick is faithfully represented, etc.), and spit, drool, and all other common liquids are represented in an anime-like fashion, in homage to the anime it is named after. However, if there is one flaw with the graphics: the enemies. The enemies you encounter in the game are generally repetitious and vary only in their color scheme and small details such as armbands and whatnot. Although this is a handheld game, it is on the "World's most advanced handheld system" (back of the box of Super Mario Advance), so it is fair to expect a bit more from the game. Other than that, very well done Banpresto. You have again impressed me with a game, though I don't remember if you've ever disappointed me with a game at all.
Sound: The sound of this game, like the aforementioned graphics, is fantastic. The attack, landing, and etc. All have appropriate sound effects, and the music, though using almost none of the original tracks from the anime (the Japanese release had "Makafushiki Adventure", which is somehow missing from the US release), the newly composed tunes are a welcome addition.
Addictiveness: Dragon Ball - Advanced Adventure is a button mashing beat-'em-up sort of game, with a generally repetitive nature, so the addictiveness isn't so high gameplay-wise. However, the sheer amount of collectibles, goodies, character icons, Dragon Balls, and minigames keep the game fresh, though a few things must be considered: some collectibles are hidden so well (cough **Character Portraits** Cough) that you may be forced to check every pixel of a level until you find it (exaggeration). They may be hidden in enemy vents, at the bottom of a instant-death pit, among others. This will frustrate you to no end when you are so close to finding a hidden item, but it is just out of your reach, or, in my case, that I've taken the wrong route and cannot retrieve it until I finish the level and start over. Bring a walk through when you want to play this game to avoid smashing your fist through your monitor or burning your GBA.
Story: The story of this game is an abridgement of the original Dragon Ball story. Well crafted, but lacks the Piccolo Jr. Story arc, and so, doesn't receive full credit.
Depth: As I go further in the review, I run out of stuff to talk about. Again, much of the depth thing comes from the collectibles. Bring a walk through.
Difficulty: For all gamers wishing to challenge this game, I would recommend that younger and rookie gamers start with "easy" mode to get familiar with the game, However, be prepared to become babied by this mode. It is much too easy. Normal mode is a good enough challenge on its own. Keep away from expert until you are able to do one handed push-ups with a thumb.
Overall: DBAA is a beautiful and masterful game. The graphics, sound, and controls are smooth and perfect, and the minor flaws with this game can mainly be attributed to the fact that it is a handheld. I highly recommend it to all gamers, and so, have a go at it! Well, it has been a while since I wrote a review here, but this is a game that I have great memories of playing it on my Game Boy Advance SP when I found the cart in a system I haven't touched or charged since 3rd grade (which is like 10 years ago, still has a green light somehow!) I restarted the game, played it through, and was addicted to it for days. Well, enough rambling, here is a review for Dragon Ball - Advanced Adventure.
Graphics: The graphics of the game are fantastic. For the first time ever we see the characters from the original Dragon Ball fleshed out in beautiful colors under the capabilities of a GBA. The older games on the Famicom were also able to show us in detail in some areas what Son Goku and his buddies looked like, but here is where we finally get a player sprite of Goku that is undeniably "Goku". All characters animations are seen with style and care, the moves are there (Jackie Chun's kick is faithfully represented, etc.), and spit, drool, and all other common liquids are represented in an anime-like fashion, in homage to the anime it is named after. However, if there is one flaw with the graphics: the enemies. The enemies you encounter in the game are generally repetitious and vary only in their color scheme and small details such as armbands and whatnot. Although this is a handheld game, it is on the "World's most advanced handheld system" (back of the box of Super Mario Advance), so it is fair to expect a bit more from the game. Other than that, very well done Banpresto. You have again impressed me with a game, though I don't remember if you've ever disappointed me with a game at all.
Sound: The sound of this game, like the aforementioned graphics, is fantastic. The attack, landing, and etc. All have appropriate sound effects, and the music, though using almost none of the original tracks from the anime (the Japanese release had "Makafushiki Adventure", which is somehow missing from the US release), the newly composed tunes are a welcome addition.
Addictiveness: Dragon Ball - Advanced Adventure is a button mashing beat-'em-up sort of game, with a generally repetitive nature, so the addictiveness isn't so high gameplay-wise. However, the sheer amount of collectibles, goodies, character icons, Dragon Balls, and minigames keep the game fresh, though a few things must be considered: some collectibles are hidden so well (cough **Character Portraits** Cough) that you may be forced to check every pixel of a level until you find it (exaggeration). They may be hidden in enemy vents, at the bottom of a instant-death pit, among others. This will frustrate you to no end when you are so close to finding a hidden item, but it is just out of your reach, or, in my case, that I've taken the wrong route and cannot retrieve it until I finish the level and start over. Bring a walk through when you want to play this game to avoid smashing your fist through your monitor or burning your GBA.
Story: The story of this game is an abridgement of the original Dragon Ball story. Well crafted, but lacks the Piccolo Jr. Story arc, and so, doesn't receive full credit.
Depth: As I go further in the review, I run out of stuff to talk about. Again, much of the depth thing comes from the collectibles. Bring a walk through.
Difficulty: For all gamers wishing to challenge this game, I would recommend that younger and rookie gamers start with "easy" mode to get familiar with the game, However, be prepared to become babied by this mode. It is much too easy. Normal mode is a good enough challenge on its own. Keep away from expert until you are able to do one handed push-ups with a thumb.
Overall: DBAA is a beautiful and masterful game. The graphics, sound, and controls are smooth and perfect, and the minor flaws with this game can mainly be attributed to the fact that it is a handheld. I highly recommend it to all gamers, and so, have a go at it! |