Gaming Target - Game Boy: GT Advance 2: Rally Racing

Written by Matt Swider on July 25, 2002

Review: A save feature from TH-who? No, it can't be ЦQ!!! Wohoo!

As Game Boy Advance launched in June of last year, one title accompanying the new portable was a racer brought over from Japan by THQ called GT Advance. Originally developed by a Japanese company named MTO and referred to as Advance Rally, U.S. gamers received a near direct port of the original title with one minor aspect missing. It seems that the absence of a save feature was a shrewd decision by THQ to save on production costs regarding the games memory components. Though this sounds like a rather small discrepancy, using a password save system when dealing with a genre like racing can be tedious and costly to the value of any quality product. Reviews everywhere praised the game, but constantly snipped at the end result after being forced to memorize a password following the completion of every race.

Well, lets just say THQ has listened to our reviews and changed its ways. Instead of cutting costs in brining the sequel to GT Advance over without a battery component again, the company has readily included a save feature and opted to steer clear of the password system mistake of the past. Now, with the battery save feature intact, we can finally get back into the game to concentrate on what it really presents instead of going through the hassle of memorizing random letters each time.

Although the save feature in GT Advance 2 is a huge improvement but the game also presents a couple of slight additions to the satisfying gameplay of the original. Here, gamers experience a rally game based on arcade elements rather than the simulation style most might expect. Sure, it features vehicle configurations and select modes fashioned after Gran Turismo, however the gameplay completely strays from any realistic nature in offering a more bumpy ride through fast paced racing action. The controls of gas, brake, and gear shifting may seem simple, yet the act of mastering the turns remains to be the feat. Straying from the road will be costly and power sliding without going offroad is the key to winning.

In starting up the game, players will be treated to another easy to navigate menu setup following the initial short but impressive FMV sequence. From here, a number of familiar modes from the original are included. The basic championship area can now be found in the Word Rally mode. This is where you compete for pole position, hoping to advance to the top spot as you race through three courses. The game tours fourteen countries, each with three tracks for a total of 42 different courses. In placing first, players will also be given the chance to earn new cars until they acquire the full 15 available.

Although the rally cars come from real-life manufactures like Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, and so forth, and resemble their models likeness, the game stresses that they are not totally accurate. Since this is true, it once again proves that MTO has set out to provide an arcade racing trip rather than a simulation showcase. Configuration comes along the lines of changing tires and increasing or reducing car attributes. Players can match the surface of each course whether it is tarmac, gravel, mud, or snow, and modify the suspension, steering, transmission and brake settings. While the assortment of settings does effect the gameplay, thus deciding whether you can win or lose, for the most part this racer remains pure arcade fun.

World Rally mode may be the focus of the game, but other modes such as Time Trial, Practice, Single Race, and Link Play make the return trip as well. Additionally, License and Co-Driver were fit into the game, giving it extra appeal. Like Gran Turismo, GT Advance 2 features a similar license mode. Here, you must complete a number of courses within a limited amount of time and without straying from the road at all. This can be challenging when you attempt to earn the S class license and will keep you going as long as the World Rally portion of the game.

Co-Driver also adds variety to the lineup in providing an extra two-player experience. While Link Play simply has you driver head to head, here players must shout the turning direction, acting as the good map buddy of every rally game. It is vital that timing is perfect or the odds are the driving player will end up swerving off the road somewhere. Although this may be a strange mode to put in, it works rather well on the Game Boy Advance in using its link play. It definitely adds variety to the gameplay and worth a look, as its something other rally titles won't offer you.

What the competition does boast however, is betters visuals. Soon, there will be other rally titles completely rendered in 3D rather that the isometric design of GT Advance 2. In all fairness though, MTO uses its old Mode 7 engine from GT Advance to the max. It displays some upgraded visuals that range from rolling hills to jumps you can fly achieve big air with. Also, it provides a nice replay camera as well as great weather effects and different types of surfaces. Despite all these great qualities, the fact still remains that the courses are sparse and rather bare in design leaving more to be desired than just hills and turns. Nevertheless, it's can be enjoyable when mixed with the power sliding gameplay and may even be forgotten in time.

Even though the graphics received a slight upgrade, the audio department still trails in the dust. Like last year, we hear simple tunes for the music and a small number of sound effects like the humming of engines. Of course, the announcers voice is present but is sometimes interrupted when another sound effect takes place. While most things are satisfying in the audio performance, especially when putting on a pair of headphones, it doesn't push the higher capabilities that Game Boy Advance is able achieve.