Nothing was lost in translation when the game was ported to the GBA handheld. Actually, the version seen here in Mario Advance 4 is not the original NES game, but rather the SNES version from Super Mario All-Stars as it boasts the same impressive and timeless visuals from the 16-bit era. The Mario All-Stars version of Mario 3 was also an identical version of the original, just with the improved visuals and SNES sound effects. Anyway, Mario Advance 4 adds a few small surprises and nuances throughout the game. Extra visuals here or there, like a "Level Clear" screen at the end of each world is added for eye candy. Other slight adjustments like added enemies here or there are noticed, but I would say 98% of the game is exactly the same as it was back in the day - and that is a good thing.

     With the few liberties taken in Mario Advance 4, it is a game I will obviously recommend considering how much I have enjoyed it on the NES and SNES. It's only shortcomings are that the game simply plays better on a regular console and television. Perhaps I am so used to playing it as a console game for so many years that I can't see past my own preferences, but regardless, it is still my preference. Naturally a game with a bigger screen is easier to play and navigate, and it's just the same with Mario 3. Also, the controls themselves are not quite as stellar as they were on the console versions. Perhaps that is my own perspective, but it just seems that the controls on the DS are just a tad looser than on a regular control - at least for Mario 3, because many DS control wonderfully. I must state though, that these are merely minor gripes and DO NOT detract from the overall experience.

     What you will get is the greatest game of all time in a portable form and you really couldn't ask for a better one. Super Mario Bros. 3 is the finest example in Nintendo's vast library of great games with supremely designed levels and incredible gameplay. Mario Advance 4 is a valiant effort to bring the greatest game and usher it in to a new generation of gamers by way of a medium of portable handhelds whose technology nowadays is top notch. Whether you play it on the GameBoy Advance, the DS, or DS Lite (which is my choice of play), it is a great game. You won't be disappointed by this - and how could you be? It's the greatest game ever in a portable form.

-Kurt L.

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     Without question, I'm a huge fan of the Super Mario Bros and nearly every game associated with the princess saving plumbers. Needless to say, my collection of Mario Bros games has grown quite a bit over the years. I've even been known to buy gaming systems specifically to get my hands on a new addition to the franchise. This was the case with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga for Gameboy Advance.

     Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is an RPG very similar to that of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Superstar Saga is a very story driven game, character leveling, and turn based fight sequences. Yet there are some additional features that keep the game play feeling fresh, while at the same time keeping true to key elements of the Mario Bros franchise.

     Superstar Saga begins with the Mario Bros going about their business in their Mushroom Kingdom home, when Toad comes busting onto the scene with news of Princess Peach being stuck in yet another predicament. Since the Princess can't seem to keep herself out of trouble, the always brave Mario and his reluctantly brave brother Luigi are off to the castle to see what all the fuss is about. And wouldn't you know who is there...Bowser!!! Yeah, big surprise right? Anyway, Mario and Bowser exchange their blows, and after Bowser admits defeat the real problem presents itself when the Princess tries to speak. As Princess Peach was awaiting an ambassador from the Beanbean Kingdom, a bizarre villain named Cackletta has stolen Princess Peach's pure voice, and now it has been replaced with a more "explosive" vocabulary which detonates every time she opens her mouth. With Bowser's plans to kidnap Peach once again foiled by the Mario Bros, and the Princess's new extreme dialect, Bowser decides that he will allow Mario to tag along with him as they go off to the Beanbean Kingdom to get Peach's voice back...so he can later kidnap her once again. Luigi is dragged along into the adventure by force, and the Mario Bros are off to the Beanbean Kingdom with their passports in hand. As you might have guessed, things don't go exactly as planed. From there, Mario Bros mischief ensues.

     Superstar Saga's game mechanics revolve around the use of both Mario Bros simultaneously. Mario & Luigi are always side by side, one in front of the other. Where one brother goes, the other is right behind. Jumping and using special abilities are broken down into the A button for Mario, and the B button for Luigi. So, if you are trying to jump over an obsticle with Mario, you must also push B to activate Luigi's jump so you can continue on your path. Failing to do so will stop the leading brother's advance in his tracks until the other can catch up. For the most part, maneuvering around the maps and keeping the brothers in tune with each other is a pretty simple task. I doubt it will cause much of a hang up for anyone, although the game's slightly over head view does result in some complications as pathways, and obstacles may not be clearly defined as they blend into the flat background at times. On occasion, in some locations I personally even walked off a ledge by mistake, and would have to jump my way back up to where I need to be. This is a minor flaw, but an annoying one none the less. On a better note, unlike many RPGs Superstar Saga has no random battle sequences. As players move throughout the game, any threats are clearly displayed moving around, and can easily be avoided if the player desires to do so. This also works when entering combat, as Superstar Saga allows the player to make the first strike by jumping or using one of the other abilities on the enemy. This will cause the enemy to be stunned upon entering the fight, on top of dealing out some damage right off the bat which is a nice touch. Combat, as I mentioned before is turned based. However, there is a twist. Anyone who as ever played Mario RPG, or even Paper Mario knows that hitting the attack button at the right time will do a boost in damage, and can also defend against incoming attacks. That premise continues on in Superstar Saga, and works great to keep players involved in an otherwise mundane and uninspired turn based process. Like when roaming around the environment, Mario and Luigi are again controlled by A and B specifically, and their enemies will give a brief hint on who their next attack will be against. With a keen eye, and good sense of timing, its is not impossible to make it through even some of the toughest of fights without taking any damage whatsoever. However if one of the Bros becomes unconscious its up to the remaining brother to either bring them back with a 1Up, or defend them by piggybacking them and jumping to avoid incoming danger. Mario and Luigi can also use Brother Points which allows the bros to do a double team attack, which when times perfectly can have devastating results. After a fight is over, experience is rewarded and the Mario Bros will level up individually. Each brother will be rewarded some points into their stats, and the player will be allowed to pick one of these stats to give a little boost giving Mario and Luigi an edge over one another in certain areas. If you are looking for a bit more traditional Mario Bros action, the Original Mario Bros is packaged together with Superstar Saga cartridge. Obviously I will not go into detail about that particular game, we all know it, and it is what it is about. The fact that is there, is a plus. I mean...who doesn't like a free game?

     Sound quality is decent for a hand held system. Musical themes are generally lighthearted, and really aren't bad although after awhile I did find them to get a bit momentous. There is also a bit of voice work mixed into the game, although they're used more as sound effects. Players will read all of the actual dialog, and say Mario and Luigi speaking tidbits of Italian (if you can call it that) as punctuation. They're not consistently use, so don't become annoying which if they were used more could easily have been a problem.

     One area Superstar Saga truly shined was with the nostalgia factor. Like many Mario Bros games, Superstar Saga plays off of previous Mario Bros titles. So, we see many familiar faces, and all of them have their place in this new adventure. Characters are treated with a certain respect, all though Superstar Saga doesn't take itself seriously in the least bit. There is a constant humor, and it simply just feels right as another great Mario Bros game, if that makes any sense. Any fan of Mario and Luigi, and enjoy playing RPGs would get a kick out of Superstar Saga. It is a genuinely fun game, full of memorable moments, and is easily my favorite title released for the Gameboy Advance.

Written by RB

Over and Out!

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