Mario Party Advance (E)

Lots of Mini games, but only moderate fun.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
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details
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Genre: Video Games - Puzzle
  • Release Date: 03/30/2005
  • Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
  • ESRB Rating: E
  • Price: $29.99

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the fun here has little to do with plot. But the storyline briefly introduces a good vs. evil theme, and players are encouraged to help townspeople along the way. The game has multiplayer options that allow kids to compete, as well as trade Mini games and gadgets. Parents should note that the massive number of Mini games won't do much to strengthen short attention spans.

Families can talk about sportsmanship and remind kids what it means to be a good winner (and loser) before they play with friends. What should you say if you win? What should you say if you lose?

Message

Social Behavior:

To get to the party games, you must first decide to help townspeople in their quests; in a way, all of the games within the game are rewards for being a good samaritan.

Consumerism:

Part of the popular Mario series of games (and more). Some multi-player options require GBA Game Paks.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Educational Value:

Players learn about sportsmanship and teamwork. Won't do much to strengthen attention spans.

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Kimberly Reyes

MARIO PARTY ADVANCE is the latest addition to one of the longest-running series in the entire Mario family, and marks the first time it's been available for the Game Boy Advance. In the main Party World mode, players select one of four familiar Mario characters. They strive to recover the games that nasty Bowser has scattered around Shroom City and bring them back to Party World. They must eventually face off against Bowser, who has the remaining few games.

Players move around a large game board playing Mini games, such as properly operating an elevator or catching bunnies. They earn mushrooms (which in turn earn Mini games), and gadgets, such as a magic lamp. Once players have earned enough Mini games and gadgets they can go to Play Land to play with the gadgets they've earned, to Party Land to play Mini games against other players (GBA Game Paks are required for some of these), or to Challenge Land to play casino-type or other Mini games.

Is it any good?

3

While this version's focus is on the single-player mission, players can join with friends and play against each other in a variety of ways (one duel allows up to 100 people to play at once on a single GBA). Players can also transfer Mini games and gadgets to others. On the downside, once players have completed all the tasks in Party World, playability is limited to the Mini games, which won't keep their attention for more than a month or two.

The strength of the Mario Party series isn't in its cleverness (like the Wario Ware games), but in its multiplayer competitions. Unfortunately, Mario Party Advance, especially when using multiplayer modes, is a lot more fun and immediate on the big screen; Mario Party 4, for example, makes for a great party game. Mario Party Advance is a decent miniature addition to the family, but not as fun as its big-screen counterparts.

How to play

  • Playability: Easy to medium. The object of every mini-game doesn't always make a lo
  • Graphics: Low. A game like this isn't supposed to impress with graphics, and, we

Other choices

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/06/07 by FrozenSilver Kid contributor, age 11

A GOOD party

This is a fun game,and has minigames! It's like a board game only you can play by yourself and still have a blast!
5

Posted on 11/21/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

Mario Party Advance

we should have games on our compter
2


Posted on 11/15/06 by muniocito Kid contributor, age 13

2


Posted on 08/12/06 by NickTwo Kid contributor, age 8

5


Posted on 04/17/06 by Turk55 Kid contributor, age 11

Setaming, healty, but tasty plate of party fun.

Mario and co. are going of of thier first handheld party! But the fun is ruined when Bowser hides the mini-games and Gaddgets (toy-like devices) across Shroom City. The big M and his friends play mildly fun but challenging mini-games to gain them. They get other stuff for helping the townspeople. The fun is totally in the regular Mario Party charm which makes you feel that you've been invited to a party with you're favorite Mario characters.

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/06/07 by FrozenSilver Kid contributor, age 11

A GOOD party

This is a fun game,and has minigames! It's like a board game only you can play by yourself and still have a blast!
5

Posted on 11/21/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

Mario Party Advance

we should have games on our compter
2


Posted on 11/15/06 by muniocito Kid contributor, age 13

2


Posted on 08/12/06 by NickTwo Kid contributor, age 8

5


Posted on 04/17/06 by Turk55 Kid contributor, age 11

Setaming, healty, but tasty plate of party fun.

Mario and co. are going of of thier first handheld party! But the fun is ruined when Bowser hides the mini-games and Gaddgets (toy-like devices) across Shroom City. The big M and his friends play mildly fun but challenging mini-games to gain them. They get other stuff for helping the townspeople. The fun is totally in the regular Mario Party charm which makes you feel that you've been invited to a party with you're favorite Mario characters.
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