Sonic Advance

 Game Boy Advance
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Feb 3, 2002
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 131 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 131
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 131
  3. Negative: 7 out of 131
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  1. GamecubeLover
    Aug 6, 2016
    10
    DarknessDude needs to shut up cause the level design is bomb and from my reading I can see he just sucks at the game. I'm a master at it and this game is fun listen to the reviews 8 and higher.
  2. AmyRoses
    Nov 26, 2016
    9
    Sonic Advance is everything Sonic the Hedgehog 4 should have been. High-paced yet precise sidescrolling. Physics that rival the original trilogy. Characters that provide new levels of fun. It's tragic that the Advance series as a whole has fallen into obscurity.

    The story is very much standard for the old-school 2D Sonic games. Eggman has captured a bunch of animals, and has decided to    Sonic Advance is everything Sonic the Hedgehog 4 should have been. High-paced yet precise sidescrolling. Physics that rival the original trilogy. Characters that provide new levels of fun. It's tragic that the Advance series as a whole has fallen into obscurity.

    The story is very much standard for the old-school 2D Sonic games. Eggman has captured a bunch of animals, and has decided to take over the world. Why? For plot convenience, of course. It's not the most interesting story, but it's a Sonic game, and gameplay takes priority.

    The gameplay is almost as if it was ripped from the genesis games themselves. The physics are pretty much perfect, and the level design is, for the most part, enjoyable. There are a few levels where trial and error are involved, but this is true of all 2D Sonic games. After playing it through once or twice, you'll know where to control your speed, and you will do absolutely fine.

    However, there is of course, a catch, as is tradition for Sonic games. The special stages are absolutely horrendous. They're slightly reminiscent of Sonic 2, which is fine in itself, but it involves a 3D plane, which really doesn't work well on the Gameboy Advance. It's incredibly difficult to determine where to place yourself, and as a result, makes collecting Chaos Emeralds tedious and frustrating. Fortunately, they're not necessary to enjoy the bulk of the game.

    The graphics are truly some of the best GBA games have to offer. Most of the environments are vivid, and the character animations are incredibly detailed. Sonic Team did an amazing job of the spriting. Even idle animations capture my attention, giving the characters a huge amount of personality.

    The game features four playable characters; Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and most interestingly, Amy. All play in a unique way, offering different paths and speeds. Sometimes these differences will benefit you, and at other times, you'll wish you picked another character. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles play as they did on the original Genesis games, albeit with a few extra moves, such as Tails' (useless) tail swipe, and Knuckles' (useless) punches. This game introduces Amy as a playable character for the first time in a 2D Sonic game. Amy is most certainly the most enjoyable character to play as- She offers a whole new level of depth to the game, requiring you to master your timing, as she lacks the ability to curl up. Instead, she can use her hammer to attack, which is actually advantageous in many situations. For example, she can jump higher using a special move, and has a longer range than Sonic's insta-shield. She can even defeat certain bosses easier than the other three, as her range far exceeds the others. It is a common complaint that Amy is "not fun" and "too hard", but to that, I say, unironically: Get good. These characters introduce a large amount of replay value, as well as fun, new ways to play.

    The sound of this game is, as always, very memorable. Sonic games almost never get this wrong. However, whilst the tracks are memorable and the sound effects are great, it definitely suffers due to the limitations of the GBA sound card. This doesn't stop them from being catchy and appealing, though.

    Overall, Sonic Advance is a brilliant game, and most certainly the best out of the trilogy. It keeps speed to a good pace, but isn't too fast, and also has 4 unique ways of playing. It's not without flaws, but it's still an extremely solid experience. I definitely enjoy them more than the Genesis games, myself... but that's a matter of opinion.    … Expand
  3. DarknessDudeTOB
    Apr 24, 2012
    4
    Don't read any of the reviews here. Only trust reviews below 6 for this game. It's terrible for me. Why? I'll explain it to you.
    Sonic Advance is supposed to be basically what everyone calls "itz awsme, lik Soonic CD". I don't agree with any of that. This game is like an insult from Sega, telling everyone to screw off until next time. Why do I say this? Because the level design is    Don't read any of the reviews here. Only trust reviews below 6 for this game. It's terrible for me. Why? I'll explain it to you.
    Sonic Advance is supposed to be basically what everyone calls "itz awsme, lik Soonic CD". I don't agree with any of that. This game is like an insult from Sega, telling everyone to screw off until next time. Why do I say this? Because the level design is terrible. The first two levels were enjoyable. But that's the issue, it's ONLY those two levels. While it makes sense that the later levels are supposed to get harder, it already loses my patience, reaching the "maximum ragequit" mode. You want a collection of hates? Here you go.
    First of all, the spikes. They. Are. EVERYWHERE YOU SEE. And plus, they place them at the rudest places ever. There's a spike where you are going to land. There's a spike where you are running. There's a spike where you are stopping at. There's a spike near your rings/items. There are so many freaking spikes, there is no way you can speedrun this game without dying at LEAST once. Another thing is the new enemy, the robot mole thing. It's exactly like spikes, except you can destroy it. And the level design has so many of these guys, like the spikes. I don't need to go through the same rant of how they are everywhere. And also, near the final levels, there is an overkill of enemy spawns. It's like the TMNT game for NES, where every house has hundreds of enemies on your screen. That's what the final levels do. What, are Sega the inventors of that game too? Are they trying to bring back "classic" frustration?
    Now let's get on with good things. You can become the awesome speedy guy that you saw in the older games. No, not those terrible older ones. I mean the classic Genesis ones. Those ones were fast. So is this game. That's a good thing, children! But the overkill of enemies of the levels just limit the speed, because you have to keep stopping, and then you go. The original Sonic games never wanted you to stop, you could keep going! Nope, not with Advance. And the extra moves for the characters don't help. Sonic has a roll attack thing like he does in Sonic Adventure. He also has an extra jump attack if you hit the A button twice. What help does an extra jump do?
    Oh, did you hear me again too? If you are a grammer person, that's right. MULTIBLE CHARACTERS. It was bad enough in Sonic Adventure. It was even worse in Sonic Adventure 2. Don't tell me you're gonna screw up classic Sonic with this. You have the following characters. Tails is basically the clone of Sonic, except it's a tiny bit slower but he can fly. Knuckles is an EXACT clone of Tails, and his punching moves don't help at all. Amy is useless, and the hammer doesn't help.
    Now the final two things I want to talk about are VS. mode and Tiny Chao Garden. VS. mode is the multi-player mode for this game, and it's fun. At least, if both players are equaly skilled. And the level design is terrible with all the stupid loops everywhere. What it is, explaining. You and a partner try to kill each other with loops and stupid power-ups. Done deal. The rings kind of take out the fun though.
    Tiny Chao Garden must be the main reason this game was created at all. To use it, you must BUY a GameCube and BUY Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Then you BUY a GameCube-to-Gameboy Advance cable and get some Chaos and other stuff in the GameCube version. Connect the two games. Do something that I can't explain. You have your Chao in Sonic Advance. The thing is that you can basically raise him on the go on Gameboy, send him back on GameCube, and his upgrades are there. The thing is, the only way to raise him is get food, and the food is crazily expensive. And the two minigames have the most stupidest amounts of points you get when you win. Not worth the time.
    If you see this game, find it for a price of free, or at least $1 buck. Don't get this game at all on any of other price. The game is frustrating, stupid, and is NOT like Sonic CD at all. Don't even try calling it the masterpiece it was. Get the 2nd or 3rd, those two were so much better than this. Nope, don't even reach for this game because it has Tiny Chao Garden. Not for VS. mode either.    … Expand
  4. HamishB.
    Jul 26, 2005
    6
    This game could have been excellent, but it is completely ruined by levels that are too long and too frustrating. It's totally unbalanced. You can't have sudden bits of precision platforming in a game that encourages you to zoom around at high speeds!!! You'll constantly die from things that weren't your fault and there's nothing more annoying in a video game than This game could have been excellent, but it is completely ruined by levels that are too long and too frustrating. It's totally unbalanced. You can't have sudden bits of precision platforming in a game that encourages you to zoom around at high speeds!!! You'll constantly die from things that weren't your fault and there's nothing more annoying in a video game than that. Do Sonic Team even test their games anymore? Former Sonic games have always just about managed to stay on the right side of this little misdemeanour, like running into enemies that suddenly appear as your hurtling at breakneck speed. But this oversteps that line completely, it's a nightmare. And as for the number of blind jumps? It's totally unacceptable.… Expand
  5. BobRichardsin
    Oct 7, 2012
    0
    No platforming what so ever. THis game features four characters to play as and the only interesting one in Amy Rose.....wow. Why is there no platforming. This game basically took everything cool about Sonic and took it away
  6. KaineC.
    Apr 30, 2005
    10
    It's the best like all of them.
  7. AndrewC.
    Feb 18, 2003
    8
    The levels are excellent, but raising chao is pretty much pointless unless you buy Sonic Adventure 2. With SA2 it's excellent!
  8. KarlA.
    May 17, 2003
    10
    Sonic advance is cool. with cool music, characters and backgrounds.
  9. Luigibarqs
    Jan 7, 2013
    7
    Sonic Advance is the first game in the Sonic Advance series and, ironically, is for the most part better than the two sequels that followed it. The first Sonic Advance doesn't contain poorly implemented team gimmicks and brokenly convoluted level designs from Sonic Advanced 3, nor does it have the hurling a million miles an hour through bland empty levels filled with cheaply placedSonic Advance is the first game in the Sonic Advance series and, ironically, is for the most part better than the two sequels that followed it. The first Sonic Advance doesn't contain poorly implemented team gimmicks and brokenly convoluted level designs from Sonic Advanced 3, nor does it have the hurling a million miles an hour through bland empty levels filled with cheaply placed bottomless pits and obnoxious enemy placement from Sonic Advance 2. Sonic Advanced instead borrows from the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Sonic trilogy game roots for inspiration. There is a nice balance between platforming segments and speedy segments in all of the levels, going out of your way to slow down and explore your surroundings is rewarded with new routes, unique springs that lead to Special Stages and various kinds of power-ups. the boss battles are very creative and are a decently difficult without feeling too cheap. There are multiple playable characters each with unique controls and abilities to make the experience playing with each character different. The level design is kind of both good and bad, although it does borrow amazing concepts from the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Sonic trilogy, it kind of plays too safe for the most part leading to only very few truly new objects or concepts to explore, another problem is that the level design from the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Sonic trilogy is designed for a larger screen resolution and when converted to the screen resolution of the Gameboy Advance, doesn't work as well as it could have unless you where able to see farther ahead of yourself and therefore more of your surroundings, it would make enemies and traps like spikes much easier to avoid due to more visibility giving the player more reaction time. The music is decent with both classic sonic music from the Genesis/Mega Drive games and music completely original to this game both coexisting, and doing a pretty decent job at it. For those that like other things to do, you have a Mini Chao Garden, Time Trials and a Multiplayer VS mode to mess around with. overall, the game is decent and a nice tribute to the classic games in the series of old from the early 1990s, it has it flaws, sure but it is a fun game that is easily superior to the absolute wrecks that where the two sequels, Sonic Advance 2 and Sonic Advance 3.… Expand
  10. Tokyochuchu
    Jun 18, 2012
    7
    Sonic Advance is a great title that places more focus on precision platforming and less focus on the speedier elements of Sonic's gameplay. It feels nicely old-school as a result and comes the closest to the original trilogy of the more recent 2D games. There are a few annoying faults that restrain it from true classic status, though. These would be the game's cruel placement of spikesSonic Advance is a great title that places more focus on precision platforming and less focus on the speedier elements of Sonic's gameplay. It feels nicely old-school as a result and comes the closest to the original trilogy of the more recent 2D games. There are a few annoying faults that restrain it from true classic status, though. These would be the game's cruel placement of spikes (usually waiting at the end of an 'autopilot' ramp jump) and the way that the enemies always fire their projectiles either while they're off screen or as soon as they appear on it. Basically speaking, both those obstacles are neigh on impossible to avoid, ninja reflexes notwithstanding. The final boss also deserves a mention for being a huge disappointment, requiring more luck than skill. Sonic Advance is a great game in the franchise but it doesn't quite rank up there among the best.… Expand
  11. KendylKlownfish
    May 1, 2011
    8
    Even if it's a bit formulaic, Sonic Advance is one of the funnest Sonic titles since Sonic CD. Pros: Rich, colorful graphics; basic controls; it's fast, but easy to learn; fairly decent multi-player mode. Cons: Regardless of the control's will to run faster and never stop, a lot of the levels were designed to refrain you.
  12. krazeeKidd102
    Apr 20, 2011
    9
    Let's see. Classic Physics? Check. Long, platforming-challenging levels? Check? Result. The closest thing to a classic Sonic game since Sonic 3&K. It has beautiful graphics and fluid gameplay.

    However, it does have problems that keep it from being perfect. There are a few moments where there are cheap bottomless pits. It's good to have four playable characters, but some of them don't do    Let's see. Classic Physics? Check. Long, platforming-challenging levels? Check? Result. The closest thing to a classic Sonic game since Sonic 3&K. It has beautiful graphics and fluid gameplay.

    However, it does have problems that keep it from being perfect. There are a few moments where there are cheap bottomless pits. It's good to have four playable characters, but some of them don't do anything to improve the replay value of the game. I always use Tails to find the special stage springs, but that's pretty much it. Knuckles doesn't have walls or routes specified for him, and Amy is COMPLETELY WORTHLESS. Also, the special stages aren't anything special.

    Still, awesome game for awesome GBA fanatics.    … Expand
  13. ohaiKendyl
    May 20, 2011
    8
    It's not "groundbreaking", but at least it sticks to its roots, resulting with one of Sonic's fastest adventures to date. Pros: Beautiful graphics; fast and fun gameplay at classic Sonic speed; excellent multiplayer; lots of characters. Cons: "Hit-or-miss" level design; nothing "brand new".
  14. MrSonicFan
    Dec 15, 2013
    8
    I find it weird how DIMPS could pull of classic Sonic style physics on the GBA with the Sonic Advance trilogy and on the Neo Geo Pocket Colour with Sonic Pocket Adventure, but can't get it right with Sonic 4, anyway. Sonic Advance is a fantastic game, and in my opinion, the real Sonic 4, it has classic Sonic style physics, multiple characters that play similarly with their own uniqueI find it weird how DIMPS could pull of classic Sonic style physics on the GBA with the Sonic Advance trilogy and on the Neo Geo Pocket Colour with Sonic Pocket Adventure, but can't get it right with Sonic 4, anyway. Sonic Advance is a fantastic game, and in my opinion, the real Sonic 4, it has classic Sonic style physics, multiple characters that play similarly with their own unique abilities, a fantastic soundtrack, great graphics, and overall fun gameplay, all of which, for the most part, Sonic 4 lacks. I recommend both Sonic Advance and Sonic Pocket Adventure if you have both a GBA and a Neo Geo Pocket Colour.… Expand
  15. rhaynes7
    Nov 23, 2013
    8
    I've recently replayed through this game boy classic. It's still just as enjoyable now than it was before. With a more classic style, this Sonic game brings 2-D Sonic back on the Game Boy Advance.

    The levels are all enjoyable, but most not beyond the classics. There are also different characters (Tails, Amy, Knuckles), which allows you to tackle each zone in a different fashion,    I've recently replayed through this game boy classic. It's still just as enjoyable now than it was before. With a more classic style, this Sonic game brings 2-D Sonic back on the Game Boy Advance.

    The levels are all enjoyable, but most not beyond the classics. There are also different characters (Tails, Amy, Knuckles), which allows you to tackle each zone in a different fashion, though most will just stick to Sonic. The zones are quite large, with the chaos emeralds being buried in obscure areas of the zone. If you want to see the games best ending, you'll find them all to unlock the Super Sonic Stage.

    The music is standard stuff for Sonic. There's nothing that's really as special as the classic games though in regards to music.

    Probably the most memorable part though is the first stage of the 6th zone, which was kind of a first for Sonic and hasn't been done in such a way again. Rather than trying to beat the zone as fast as possible, you're trying to beat the clock and it's a great challenge. The zone is massive and full of setbacks to make sure you don't make it, and it's one of my favorite Sonic zones of all time. None of the acts really excite me as much as this one does.

    The game is prone to Sonic's most annoying issues though with enemies that await while you're running, giving you no time to respond, and there are a few cheap traps thrown in, but otherwise, it's a standard 2-D Sonic experience with one zone in particular being one of my favorites.    … Expand
  16. SonicDude
    Jun 12, 2015
    9
    When I first played this game I was flabbergasted to see how amazing it was. The game has gorgeous graphics, nice set of characters,good music and it's 2-D. There are two complains one Sonic is not that fast and that Amy is useless but other than that this game is amazing I recommend it to anybody who has a game boy or Ds lite.
  17. Dylan707
    Nov 24, 2015
    9
    This is an amazing game. I remember playing it back when I was 6. It takes what the older genesis games were about, and built more onto it. But, it has some cheap deaths here and there.
  18. Untitled94
    Aug 16, 2017
    8
    This is a really great game, and was a good way to start in the Sonic The Hedgehog series. It feels a lot like the original Sonic games, but with some modern stuff to it. This is honestly my favorite Sonic Advance game.
  19. Weslapootayn
    Jul 22, 2017
    7
    Sega went back to what actually works in a Sonic game, saw success, and then ran away from it again for some reason. Sonic Advance is a breath of fresh air in a Sonic series that did not do as well in a 3D space as the Mario games had, and brings Sonic back to where he belongs. Despite how good this game is it still suffers from what I would consider to be a cardinal sin in a Sonic game.Sega went back to what actually works in a Sonic game, saw success, and then ran away from it again for some reason. Sonic Advance is a breath of fresh air in a Sonic series that did not do as well in a 3D space as the Mario games had, and brings Sonic back to where he belongs. Despite how good this game is it still suffers from what I would consider to be a cardinal sin in a Sonic game. PIT FALLS. This is a criticism of all three Sonic Advance games really because this is something you wouldn't find in the genesis games. You do not make Sonic run really fast and then throw him into a pit! That's not fair! You're pretty much forced to die at least once in the levels with pitfalls because you can't possibly see it coming the first time.. You spend the first few stages getting through pretty easily, and then BOOM you're falling to your death over and over again. If you're gonna put pitfalls in a Sonic game FINE, but you have to make them obvious! This isn't Mario! You're going fast so you shouldn't be thrown into pits over and over again!! It's maddening! Without the pitfalls the entire Advance series would be a 9 or a 10 for me, but the pitfalls seriously boil my blood and almost ruin the whole experience. I love that they went back to the old style, and I love that Knuckles is a normal character again (screw emerald hunting!) but the pitfalls.. THE PITFALLS!… Expand
  20. JPK
    Aug 19, 2018
    9
    Modern Meets Classic
    Before Mario Did This Technique In 2006, Sonic Is The One Who Probably Inspired That.
  21. MrTacoBob
    Aug 30, 2017
    9
    They brought back classic sonic and people still hate it? Sure the soundtrack isn't the best and has some flaws but the soundtrack got better in the 2 other games. The stages are original but still holding that classic sonic. Sonic Advance has more characters with unique powers! Sonic Advance is a fantastic game.
  22. Sausage22
    Nov 7, 2017
    7
    In my opinion the best in trilogy, very short, but fun game. I had zero problem with controls and level design seems okey to my tastes. Good graphics for gba and music its ok.
  23. ConsoleArgonaut
    Feb 16, 2021
    9
    Verdict: A great Sonic game on the go. I'd even say this is on the level of Sonic 2 & 3.

    Rating: Gameplay: 5/5 - Smooth and great. Level Design: 4/5 - Everything besides the last few levels is great. Soundtrack: 5/5 - Perfect Story: 4/5 - Nothing more than needed. This is great for on the go. Graphics: 5/5 - These sprites still get used today. Length: 5/5 - Perfect for 2D Sonic.    Verdict: A great Sonic game on the go. I'd even say this is on the level of Sonic 2 & 3.

    Rating:
    Gameplay: 5/5 - Smooth and great.
    Level Design: 4/5 - Everything besides the last few levels is great.
    Soundtrack: 5/5 - Perfect
    Story: 4/5 - Nothing more than needed. This is great for on the go.
    Graphics: 5/5 - These sprites still get used today.
    Length: 5/5 - Perfect for 2D Sonic.
    Replay Value: 4/5 - Many different characters and emerald collecting.
    Enjoyment: 5/5 - Loved it

    Overall rating: 37/40 => 9.25/10 => 9/10    … Expand
  24. SonicSpeedo92
    Jun 5, 2018
    9
    Sonic Advance is good. But, before I start this review, I don't get why people say this is similar to Sonic CD? It's not, it's similar to the classic games. It has the same physics and level design. So I consider this the real Sonic 4. It has great level design like its predecessors, the presentation is perfect for the Game Boy Advance, and the music is just too good. You can play as 4Sonic Advance is good. But, before I start this review, I don't get why people say this is similar to Sonic CD? It's not, it's similar to the classic games. It has the same physics and level design. So I consider this the real Sonic 4. It has great level design like its predecessors, the presentation is perfect for the Game Boy Advance, and the music is just too good. You can play as 4 characters, the obvious being Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, and the new playable character is Amy. She's an awful character to play as Jus... ju... just don't play as her. Each play style adds for a different experience and it will get challenging regardless of what character you'e playing as.… Expand
  25. DarkerSonic06
    Jul 12, 2018
    8
    Its Cool,its fast,its fun. One ofbthe best portabke Sonic Games. The only problem I had with the boses . Because they are moving
  26. nintendo-sekta
    Jan 6, 2019
    10
    Игра хороша. Интересный платформер, хорошие продолжение Соника. Игра чуть легче Sonic Mania и из-за этого интерес меньше.
  27. GameHillZone
    May 29, 2020
    8
    That's was really innovative for the 2D Sonic franchises in 2000s, one of the best Sonic games I've ever played in entire life, Recommended!

    Pro: - Characters have their different abilities - Soundtrack is amazing - Levels are well-designed - Chaos Garden for who wants to chill after a difficulty day or stage Mixed: - The story is simple but amazing - One of four characters    That's was really innovative for the 2D Sonic franchises in 2000s, one of the best Sonic games I've ever played in entire life, Recommended!

    Pro:

    - Characters have their different abilities
    - Soundtrack is amazing
    - Levels are well-designed
    - Chaos Garden for who wants to chill after a difficulty day or stage

    Mixed:

    - The story is simple but amazing
    - One of four characters is harder to play. But if you know to play with this character, the game becomes easier

    Cons:

    Nothing XD    … Expand
  28. Mutty99
    May 25, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While being the most iconic and close to the traditional Sonic games, the first Advance title didn't fully convince me. A few of the stages felt monotone, and didn't capture me quite much; a lot of the bosses were not that well designed too, especially the Zone 4 one because of the water mechanic. In previous titles the drowning timer was disabled in a bossfight; here it's not, thus making the battle too overwhelming and not fun to play.
    Even though the Extra Zone was one of the worst I ever played, I actually enjoyed the Egg Rocket Zone, with the timed sequences, gradually going from Earth to Space. Egg X was a decent final boss as well, with two nostalgic pre-bosses from the Genesis titles.
    Imo not the best Advance game, but it's still worth playing if you like the Sonic series.    … Expand
  29. BM30
    Jun 29, 2020
    10
    Sonic Advance is fantastic! The gameplay is amazing and the level design is fantastic and just like the classics! This is definitely the best out of the trilogy. 10/10
  30. Luigichief
    Jul 27, 2020
    6
    This game is one of the shortest in the franchise, and level design is one of the worst as well. But the addition to Somersault, Sliding and Backflip gameplay added a lot, in addition to having 4 playable characters with their own abilities, generating a lot of variety. The story is the same as the first game (that is, basically nonexistent).
  31. Blusonic16
    Sep 2, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This Was the First Modern Sonic Game I Played And It's Amazing Like Sonic Adventure 1&2
    But In 2D Like The Classic Sonic Era    … Expand
  32. GameDudeGuy
    Feb 4, 2021
    9
    Sonic Advance Is 1 of my favorite gba games ever its so much fun and i think anybody should buy it graphics and sound is nice this is a mastepiece of a game
  33. tkirb
    Jun 1, 2021
    9
    While it may not be a masterpiece, this game is still amazing in many ways. Not only can you play as Sonic and Tails, but Knuckles and Amy as well. And the levels are pretty good, as well. Hopefully everybody gets to enjoy this fantastic game, and they will have fun guaranteed.
  34. Nikitosss95
    Feb 13, 2021
    9
    An exciting and thrilling game, this one! Pretty challenging, I only managed to win this game as Tails or Knuckles, never as Sonic or Amy
  35. DistH
    Feb 27, 2021
    8
    the first 4 levels are good but when you face Angle island you will find Soo many bottom less pits it's unsafe to play as Knuckles there. but I like it to be like a classic Sonic game. the special stages are Trash it's just another half pipe level but now Sonic/Tails/Knuckles/Amy are falling with skateboards. I like the music one of my favs are Casino Paradise Act 1 and 2 and Neo greenthe first 4 levels are good but when you face Angle island you will find Soo many bottom less pits it's unsafe to play as Knuckles there. but I like it to be like a classic Sonic game. the special stages are Trash it's just another half pipe level but now Sonic/Tails/Knuckles/Amy are falling with skateboards. I like the music one of my favs are Casino Paradise Act 1 and 2 and Neo green hill act 1. but I love the art of the characters it's like sonic Adventure. all tough Sonic Advance is a Good Game… Expand
  36. ibblue07
    Oct 30, 2021
    8
    Sonic Advance is a good game, but it does have tend to have some rather questionable level design choices, including weird spike placement and enemy spawns. Otherwise, I would consider giving the Advance trilogy a try if you haven’t.
  37. MMPP99
    Nov 20, 2022
    4
    Unpopular opinion: This game is literally garbage. Most of people will say this game is great for a nostalgic reason, but to be honest, this game is not a big deal. You can beat this game in less than 1 hour, also in order to get a good ending, you need to collect 7 crystals which it is really painful. Special levels are terrible, it's a horrible genesis pseudo 3-D stage. Stage levels areUnpopular opinion: This game is literally garbage. Most of people will say this game is great for a nostalgic reason, but to be honest, this game is not a big deal. You can beat this game in less than 1 hour, also in order to get a good ending, you need to collect 7 crystals which it is really painful. Special levels are terrible, it's a horrible genesis pseudo 3-D stage. Stage levels are confusing and ugly. The good part of this game is the animation is good and the music are tolerable.
    If you want to play a good sonic, I recommend to play the Sonic Adventures 2, Sonic 1-3( genesis version) and Sonic Mania.    … Expand
  38. E102Gamma
    Aug 8, 2023
    8
    Emulates the Genesis classics and does so very well. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy provide plenty of fun variety, challenges and repeatability. Visuals are fairly generic but get the job done. Not the fastest game in the series but this change is appropriate given the Game Boy Advance's limitations. Levels are designed elegantly though there are unfair traps from time to time especiallyEmulates the Genesis classics and does so very well. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy provide plenty of fun variety, challenges and repeatability. Visuals are fairly generic but get the job done. Not the fastest game in the series but this change is appropriate given the Game Boy Advance's limitations. Levels are designed elegantly though there are unfair traps from time to time especially in the last two levels. Bosses are good with the exception of the Egg X whose attack pattern and hitboxes are slightly unfair. Special Stages are the worst part of the game and all you get in return is the best boss in the game. Overall, better than Sonic 1.… Expand
  39. ROTSA2
    Sep 15, 2022
    10
    If any Sonic game fully exposes the series's pure creativity, it has to be this 2000s handheld gem.
  40. MetalReviewer
    Mar 7, 2022
    7
    A straight-forward Classic Sonic remake. This one's not gonna shake the earth, but it's alot better than most of the other 2D titles. Check it out, you're likely gonna have a decent ride.
  41. Zachu
    Jun 12, 2022
    5
    This game is the definition of mediocre. There’s nothing in this game that stands out from the Genesis titles that came before it, and the screen crunch is so agonizing you’ll be making numerous blind jumps. This game is perfectly beatable in an afternoon, took me about 3 class periods to finish it up, and the autosave is nice because Egg Rocket will take plenty of your lives due to theThis game is the definition of mediocre. There’s nothing in this game that stands out from the Genesis titles that came before it, and the screen crunch is so agonizing you’ll be making numerous blind jumps. This game is perfectly beatable in an afternoon, took me about 3 class periods to finish it up, and the autosave is nice because Egg Rocket will take plenty of your lives due to the faulty springboards that bounce you into unavoidable bottomless pits. One thing I didn’t really understand was the B button’s roll slide. It doesn’t add anything and I never used it as opposed to the spin dash. Overall the first half was definitely a lot stronger than the second half. The bosses were inventive and fun and there was a noticeable lack of **** in the first couple zones.… Expand
  42. CrossoverMovie2
    Nov 19, 2022
    8
    I really enjoy this game with the fun platforming like what the Classic Sonic Games have.
  43. FeelStar
    Nov 25, 2022
    7
    Sonic Advance is a good title that continues the classic Sonic gameplay from the original trilogy in a new 32 bit style with the modern designs. While not as good as those games due to the screen crunch and lack or ports. This game is still remembered by many as the true Sonic 4 and can be enjoyed by most as a good title.
  44. SonicLove2
    Dec 31, 2022
    8
    Even though this game is a good game and I would recommend it to a new player but I would not rate it a ten for many reasons but the biggest is death pits and traps. But aside from that its a good game
  45. Yojimbo2015
    May 11, 2023
    7
    Fair play to Sega for producing an all-new advance title rather than relying on a lazy port. Fast, colourful and containing all of the elements that made Sonic so popular on the Megadrive although for the faster sections it does feel a little like the game is playing itself. Younger players will love it though.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
6
#6 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
8
#8 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Nintendophiles
    100
    What really shines, even on top of the great graphics and sound and gameplay, is the replay value.
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  2. Pocket Games
    95
    It looks, sounds and plays like a cartoon, and most importantly, it's just damend fun. [Spring 2002, p.30]
  3. Games Radar
    92
    Despite the 12 years since his debut, it's as captivating, exciting and, more importantly, as fun as it ever was - but of Sega, we'd expect no less. [GamesMaster]
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