The Sonic Boom begins
 Jul 1st, 2002
Advantages:
Classic Sonic gameplay, now handheld !
Disadvantages:
A bit short .
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Gameplay/Playability
Value for Money
Longevity
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  dingmeister_2k
About me:
Now a lazy uni student, I like pubbing, clubbing and hanging with friends. Also like to be a technic...
Member since:09.02.2001
Reviews:13
Members who trust:2
Review rated by 12 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
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11 years ago in 1991, SEGA developed a new mascot whowas intended to go head to head with Ninenndo's Mario. Where Mario was a very skilled game, Sonic games threw the script for platform games out the window and opted for eye blistering speed instead. Sonic enjoyed great success on the 16 bit Mega Drive before being forced to move into the 3D era. Now Sonic is welcomed back for his new gme, the 27th in his career I believe, and there are two main shocks: 1) It's back to his 2D roots and 2) It's on an Nintendo console!! OK, so this is not the first outing for ol' Blue on a non-SEGA console. Gaming enthusiasts may remember the Sonic 2-remixed Sonic Pocket Adventure on the Neo-Geo Pocket a couple of years back. however, Sonic's new game is totally new, apar from borrowing traditional ideas from past Sonic games, the levels are totally unique to the game. and come on, SONIC ON A NINTENDO CONSOLE?? Eleven years ago, people would have laughed in your face at the very thought.
The game retails at most places for the standard GBA game RRP of £34.99, but shop around and it's possible to get it
for £5 cheaper. Slam the cartridge in, turn the power on, stare in bewilderement as the SEGA and Sonic Team logos flash up on a Nintendo product, and then you're presented with a list of options. 1 PLAYER: Chose as one of 4 characters: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Amy and play through 6 zones. Each character plays through the same levels, hovwever, they may be able to access different areas through their special skills, i.e. Sonic grinding, Tails flying, Knuckles climbing walls and Amy's hammer. Each character has their own special ways of playing each level. The levels retain the classic Sonic playability through the sme sound effects, loops, collecting rings and powerul springs. There are 2 'Acts' to a Zone, with Dr Robotnik appearing in one of his mechanical creations at the end of the second zone. The Special Stages make a return as well, find a special spring through the level and be catapulted into space. you then fall though a tube with your board, collecting rings, avoiding bombs and pulling off stunts on your board in order to collect a precious Chaos Emerald. all of this is constructed in impressive pseado-3D. I say pseudo 3D because the levels aren't strictly in a 3D format. The camera gives the impression of a 3D format, and this can lead to confusion sometimes as you canot accurately line up with the line of rings appearing on the screen. the effect is beautiful though and the levels are constucted to give challenge - only Sonic hardcores will be able to complete this.
For those people who have played the older Sonic games, you will feel right at home playing this game. The graphics have gone through a major overhaul since the Mega-Drive series, the characters now ressemble the Soinc Andvnture promo art that appear on the boxes with Sonic's green eyes and cool stance. As with all sonic games, there's two ways to play this game; either explore the levels to collent all the goodies and find those precious special stages, or enjoy the speed thrill of tearing through a level in 30 seconds. There's some 'recycling' of Sonic bosses in the fnal zone, and there's also a hidden 7th level for Sonic if all Chaos Emeralds are collected. again, all sonic purists will know what the final level entails, involving a yellow, psychodelic emerald-charged alter ego... TIME ATTACK: Play the levels that you have collected and aim for the best time! This option can be used to unlock the levels in fulll and discover the best route to take to get the fastest time.Once you have completed the main game, the lastability will live here as you strive to shave precious seconds off your best time.
MULTIPLAYER: Get some friends online, bring some link adatrs and play furious 4 player games! Options include Collect as many rings as possible, team play where its 2 on 2, and characters can use their abilities to help their team mate out and general make a dash for the end! Due to the amazing GBA technology, only one Sonic Advance cartridge is needed to unlock some opf thse modes, although everyone will need the game if you wish to play some of the options. TINY CHAO GARDEN: Based on the artificial life found in the Sonic Adventure games, Sonic Advance brings the Chao to the small screen. It suses the same system; care for your chao, feed it, weed the garden, play games with it and buy it toys with your collected rings. There are 2 simplistic games to play, a version of pairs and Paper, Scissors, rock. If you want a change from the main game, it's always fun to check up on your Chao and pass the time with the disturbingly addictive mini-games. Interestingly, Sonic Advance is the first GBA game to use the GBA- GameCube link, where you can transfer your Chao to the GameCube's Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and vice-versa.
Sonic Team have recreated the classic 2D Sonic game perfectly and it rally does remind you of the early 90's when you were sitting in front of your TV, showing how fast you could get through the Green Hill Zone. The only major quibble is that the game is slightly short, however, with the challenge of collecting all the Emeralds, the time attacks and the fun multiplayer games, there's a lot to come back to, even if it's just for a quick 10 minute blast. Sonic's heading for new consoles, and if he keeps standards this high, he won't be hitting platform heroes retirement any time soon.
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03.07.2002 20:01
I've got this game too and I love it, I also have Sonic on Gamecube as well. Brilliant op.....Nick
01.07.2002 22:01
I had it and completed it in a weekend. good nethertheless.
01.07.2002 11:34
Excellent review, well done. I wih they would bring this out for the PS then, I used to love Sonic when it came out - except if you played it too long you went to bed and dreamed about it! Helen