-INTRO-
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The fighting genre encompasses a wide variety of games in the two different classifications of 2D and 3D each with there own different styles of playing. 2D fighting is based a more open style of combat that specializes in special attacks and projectile attacks. 3D fighting is concentrated on close range combat in which you have to learn the specialized techniques of each character through a series of button combinations to form combos. The most popular and successful 3D series would have to be Tekken that came out in the early 90’s. Tekkenhad good success in the Arcade format and each greater accomplishment converting to the various console formats.

Namco wanted to take Tekken a step further by a transition to the handheld domain of Nintendo. The Fighting genre has not converted well to this format due to the lack of graphic and gameplay capabilities and the complex requirements. Tekken Advance is a great miniature version of the Arcade fighter and despite it’s simple stripped down version, it will provide countless hours of entertainment for your on the go fun.

-GAMEPLAY: 9.5-
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Despite this being a simplistic stripped version that looks like the beginnings of Tekken, the main fighting interface and visual element surprisingly stays intact with some changes required to react well with this smaller system. Tekken Advanced contains several modes which provides a huge load of replay value especially against other players. The three modes in TA, are Arcade, 3 on 3 arcade, Survival and 3 on 3 battle that contains 10 playable characters to choose from without any that are hidden.

Arcade is the standard single player mode where players defeat each fighter until they face of with Heihachi himself. The 3 on 3 Arcade takes on the Tag aspect in a Arcade mode as you select up to three characters to face off against the computer which you can tag out characters at any time during battle. The 3 on 3 battle is the same thing except you use the multi-tap link to go against real players and battle it out

-CONTROLS: 9.0
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One of the major changes any player will notice right away is the conversion of the controller scheme into a more simple button layout. This is practically required in any kind of handheld situation involving fighting games due to the lack of buttons, GBA has only two face buttons and two triggers at the top. The face buttons are your punch and kick buttons and the shoulder buttons are used as your throw and when required you have your tag button. You also have the ability to select a punch+kick button to use in combat.

The control configuration can be adjusted in the options menu. Despite the lack of buttons here, the combat is still very effective in this simple version. The combos and the limited counters maybe rather difficult to get off at times but with a little practice you get used to them.


-GRAPHICS: 8.5-
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The visual element is always a concern in a handheld version due to the lack of processing power, but Namco does a great job at converting the 3D quality into more of a 2D feel without it looking like an entirely different game. TA does not contain any of the 3d polygon characters but instead contains more of a 2D pixel fury that surprising says intact and gives a illusion of more that a 2D dimension.

The 2D images of the characters are quality detailed renders despite the limitations of the system. TA doesn’t lose all of it’s 3D aspects due to the great textured appeal of the backgrounds as well as the rotating floors and the camera movements. Essentially TA offers the look and feel of a handheld but offers much more on level of a console in terms of the gameplay.

-SOUND: 9.5-
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The audio element is what is to be expected in a handheld format since there a limit in the speaker quality. This is especially the case with GBA, since the audio qualities seem lacking at certain times. TA blasts out the familiar tunes here that have a clear quality for the most part and it’s constant throughout. Slap on some headphones if you want to enjoy the full effect, but there nothing to get carried away here since, well this is a fighting game.

-PROBLEMS-
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-Well, it’s a handheld
-D-pad
-One hidden character
-Single Player limitations

Well this is on a handheld format, so if your at home your not going to grab this before you would your console. Tekken Advance has it’s limitations especially revolving around the single player mode. Don’t get me wrong your going to be entertained in the replay value but more of the game features are meant for a multi-player frenzy. The one major problem with the controls is the ridiculously small D-pad that causes more soreness that being effective.

This pad seems ideal for a 2 year olds hands that anybody else’s. If only they would have applied the original GB D-pad to the GBA that they got right over 11 years ago. I couldn’t even imagine playing Street fighter on this system and pulling off some of the movements of Tekken are really difficult at times.

-CONCLUSION-
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Despite any of the faults, TA is a surprisingly great translations from a console format and if your are a fan of the Tekken series will keep you addicted when you can’t reach a console. This is perfect for a quick fix or on a restricted time frame such as commuting to work and even at work because you play immediately. This is a more simplistic version without much focus on the counter side of it but it provides more of a straight out fun approach that ideal for any fighting fan, must have for the system.





Recommended: Yes