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Game Boy Advance SP (First thoughts )
Metroid Fusion ( review )
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Game Boy Advance SP ( First thoughts )

So, what happened in the gaming world this week ? Well, a new portable console was was announced by Nintendo, called Game Boy Advance SP.People have been getting mixed ideas of what SP stands for, the SP stands for Special. But what's different with SP ? Well, obviously it has a different shape and you can flip the screen to make your Game Boy fit just about every pocket. It should weight 143g but the original Game Boy weights 198g and SP is two times smaller than the original. The biggest improvement is of course that you can push a button. Everyone who has a GBA has noticed that it's very hard to see the screen with out a lamp right over it. Now it's a dream come true who's getting pretty pissed, just imagine playing in a complety dark room . Now, you'll get free lithium re-chargable batteries that work up to 10 hours of playtime with backlit and 18 hours with backlit turned off, you'll only have to charge them 3 hours for maximum power.

Now that the holidays just passed you must have noticed that the GBA has excellent sale numbers, specially in Japan because of the recent release of the Pokemon games some people must feel a bit betrayed by Nintendo. Those people must think that Nintendo could have announced the SP before christmas. But why would Nintendo announce a new system just before christmas !? It would effect the sales hugely, think about it, would you buy an out dated system ? Companies are made to get earn as much cash as possible. Nintendo was just trying to earn some money, would you like to see Nintendo crash ? Personally I've already sold my GBA ( my brother has one too so I'll just play his untill the release of SP ) and got my cash ready for SP. So, thanks Nintendo for solving our horrible lighting problam 'cause there were no amazing 3rd party lights. The system will be released in Japan February 14th, in America March 23rd and in Europe March 28th.

There will be more on this after Nintendo's press conferens.

Best regards,
J�hann Ingi Gu�j�nsson

Metroid Fusion Review

Finally, Europe gets another Metroid game. I know many of you love the Metroid series like I do. So now I'm going to review this piece of art from, Nintendo, Intelligent Systems. Intelligent Systems has made some great games for the GBA already such as, Mario Kart and Advance Wars, so you can expect superb things.

Story

The Story is about an X-Parasite that has left Samus at deaths door. She has to trash her famous suit and get a new one, not nearly as powerful. But as you advance Samus will have to beat some big "bosses" and she gets some of here well known moves. There are fairly many cut-scenes in the game that keeps you in touch with the story.

Sound

Like in precious Metroid games, there's the official Metroid tune. I think the tune is excellent but it only plays when you die, makes it some times worth dying. The background song changes after what kind of environment Samus is in. There is no vioce acting in the game which is actually better since the Game Boy Advance speakers would make it sound like the characters were talking a foreign language.

Graphics

It probably just as you expected, you didn't really hope for a 3D version did you? There's not much to say other than the cut-scenes look ok but they're not in actions cut-scenes but more like pics, which is kinda disappointing. The backgrounds look pretty alive at times, you can see infected monsters jumping in the background other than that there's not more to say.

Gameplay and Lifespan

Every Metroid fan out there who doesn't have this game should run out to the store right now, you can finish reading this review later. Also for those who haven't had the chance to play the Metroid series and are not sure should absolutely give it a try. Because this is a game that mixed action and adventure so well that this game could easily get my vote for the game of the year 2002. Even though the game takes about 6 hours for an average gamer to finish, you must realize that the clock in the game only measures gameplay, so while cut-scenes are the clock won't count. So it should be around 10-12 hours long. When you finish the game the first time you want to finish it again, excellent appeal so if you're looking for a game for the GBA this is it, buy Metroid Fusion.

Closing Comments

The game is probably one of the best games you can find for the Game Boy Advance. As I said before, this could easily be my choice of the game of the year. But the has very few flaws, actually I don't recall seeing any flaw what so ever. The game has good replay value and no, it doesn't have a multi-player feature, of course. The game is combined with a share of everything that makes an action game good, therefore, if you're wondering if you should get this game, I recommend that you go out and buy it now.