The Game Boy Advance, the most powerful new handheld on America's video game market, has now shown it's full capabilities graphic wise, and how well a port can be done. We awed at the graphics of Street Fighter 2: Turbo, we were dazzled by the graphics of Final Fight, and how they looked exactly alike to it's cousin on SNES, but who would've ever thought, that they could port a 3D fighter, such as Tekken, to the GBA, and it turn out to be very good.

--Sound--
When I first saw screen shots, I thought hey, that looks cool, but I wonder what it will sound like. It actually sounds just like Tekken 3 on the Playstation, nothing original, but it will have you all riled up for the fight. It literally had me bouncing to the beat, and the grunts and hi-yas are all here from each individual character. I think it was smart of Namco to keep the same tunes from Tekken 3, as it gives you, the player, a classic feel. The crisp sounds of the fighters beating each other down, and that dreaded noise of the enemy blocking your attack are all there, and ready to dazzle you. Although you wouldn't expect much out of the GBA, and it's little tiny speaker, it actually does not come out to be soft, it is, in actuality, very sharp, and surpassed my idea of it's capabilities.

--Control--
Although I shouldn't complain too much, I have spotted a couple of flaws in this area. The D-Pad, being less than an inch wide and tall, made the controls less than stellar, and I found it harder than ever to pull off combos. Even though I have little hands, I still found it a challenge to maneuver. The basics are easy, but when it comes to light press down, A, hold down, B, BB+A, it becomes quite frustrating. It seems as if you are always pressing the button too many times, and that the D-Pad was always a second short, or not doing what you commanded it to do. However, over time, you will get the hang of it, and due to it's easy button layout, it makes it all the more easier. The controls (button layout) port nicely onto a small system with four buttons, the controls being:

B: Punch
A: Kick
R: Grab Attack
L: N/A (Unless under Tag, where it is then player switch.)

Simple button layout, huh? Once you begin to get precise with your motions, the control will be tolerable. You have to give it credit for having such control under a pressured release date, and the fact that you can at least get the hang of it. However, people with big hands will find it very frustrating.

--Graphics--
I got a sensation as I watched my friend play Tekken 3 on their PSX and meanwhile, I was playing Tekken Advance, I looked up, and saw the same game that he was playing on his Playstation in the palm of my hand. My jaw dropped as I fought in a fully 3-D environment. The stages remain the same, and the fact that it isn't a 2D background makes it even the more special. Paying attention to the environments, it was almost as if I could reach into my GBA and literally become a part of that world. It was that good.

--Gameplay--
Next to the graphics, this area really shines. It ported smoothly, and it's tiny hand packs a punch, and is packed up for the portable madness. The characters moved smoothly, and unlike some 3D fighters, you can think on your next move, reacting to each and every little detail. Side-stepping is easy to pull off, and once you get used to the D-Pad its a cinch to enjoy the greatness of the game. I was, however, unhappy with the lack of character variety. With no unlockable characters, and only nine to chose from, you could only tolerate the selection. Aside form that however, the gameplay is very smooth, and as said earlier, it is a perfect port. Don't miss out.

--Multiplayer--
I was truly disappointed when I was ready to play a friend in multiplayer, and it popped up saying it required two Tekken Packs, one for each GBA. I can understand they are only trying to make a profit, but satisfaction is also what they are trying to acquire...*sniff* :(

--Bugs & Technical Flaws--
N/A

--Overall--
Great port! :)



Recommended: Yes