Ace Combat Advance

Game Boy Advance
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Feb 23, 2005
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 13
  2. Negative: 5 out of 13
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  1. Pocket Games
    65
    Very different from the PS2 games, but still a fast-paced and somewhat fun dogfighting sim. [Spring 2005, p.68]
  2. The story has been whittled away to the barest of plots, just enough to tie the missions together, and the movies and voice acting are obviously gone.
  3. A fairly playable, albeit generic, portable air combat game with a passable selection of fake planes and simple missions.
  4. This game will only last you few for a few hours, if you're lucky.
  5. If the developers had focused on making this title more of a 2D shooter on rails instead of trying to recreate the Ace Combat experience on the GBA screen, it could have been more enjoyable.
  6. A pretty average-and notably short-videogame.
  7. Nintendo Power
    48
    Although your jet fighter naturally stays at one altitude, the game's unusual control scheme allows you to dive for a moment by pressing Up on the Control Pad. [Apr 2005, p.100]
  8. 45
    What they created here just doesn't work for sky battles.
  9. Play Magazine
    38
    The thrill of the series has always resulted from engaging in semi-realistic dogfights amidst some of the most gorgeous visuals ever seen - features that are sorely lacking in the GBA version. [Feb 2005, p.81]
  10. 90
    Once you get the hang of the game engine and acquire better strike craft, the game becomes a very pleasurable experience. Ace Combat Advance is the perfect stopgap between an air-combat sim and an arcade top-down shooter.
  11. 60
    When compared to the rest of the Ace Combat games before it, it feels like a letdown, limited in so many areas and also forgiving in terms of fighting against a supposedly invincible enemy army.
  12. 40
    After spending a while with this game, you'll realize you're not actually playing Ace Combat. You're playing a quick-and-dirty flight game with the words Ace Combat slapped on the box, and entering eight-digit passwords whenever you want to pick up where you left off. This undercooked turkey barely earns its wings.
  13. Cheat Code Central
    40
    It may have a sophisticated graphics engine and a good assortment of aircraft but for a game that should be presented in 3D, it falls flat.

Awards & Rankings

47
40
#40 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
28
#28 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Oct 11, 2015
    7
    This game can be summed up in one word. Meh.
    Would I recommend it? 10 years ago, I would've said yes. Now? Not a chance.
    Graphics are dated,
    This game can be summed up in one word. Meh.
    Would I recommend it? 10 years ago, I would've said yes. Now? Not a chance.
    Graphics are dated, singleplayer only, lackluster soundtrack, but...It does have a nice plane list, some kinda fun/challenging missions, and varied environments.
    It is pretty easy though, once you get the hang of dodging SAMs.
    Full Review »
  2. GabyH.
    Feb 22, 2005
    9
    A pretty good game for a GBA iteration of the popular Ace Combat franchise.