GT Advance Championship Racing is the US version of the Japanese game Advance GTA, which is a well-executed racing game for the Game Boy Advance that, much like Gran Turismo, boasts licensed vehicles from manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and other Japanese car makers and features a robust championship mode that will reward you with unlocked tracks, additional cars, and performance parts depending on how well you race. For the most part, GT Advance Championship Racing remains unchanged from its Japanese counterpart with the exception of one seemingly minor oversight: the lack of a battery-save feature.

The game is spectacular. It features plenty of sporty cars and a bunch of those quirky Japanese cars, like the Daihatsu Cube. However, the gameplay is where the game shines. I was skeptical about how well the game would work with the limited number of buttons on the Game Boy Advance, but the game compensates wonderfully and each button is used very well. This game definately is one with a more difficult learning curve than most Game Boy Advance games, and once you get into Middle Class (which may be renamed for the US version, GT Advance), difficulty increases a lot. That's not a bash of the game, because the Middle Class tracks are very do-able after a few tries, but expect a jolt from the difficulty level of Beginner Class tracks.

I only have two criticisms of Advance GTA. One - The sounds are tedious and more often than not, I just turn off the speaker. The engine roaring just isn't realistic, and since most of the time in the game you're in a tight turn, the squealing tires are just irritating. Two - the sprites of the cars, while they are vey realistic looking, have a tendency to pixelate and break in the middle of turns. It's difficult to describe, although those who have played the game have probably noticed it. When you turn your car, the entire sprite breaks into pieces. It's very annoying, but hopefully this problem will also be resolved in the US version.

However, these are just annoyances. The game is awesome. It's extraordinarily addictive. If you're a fan of realistic racers like GranTurismo and you have or are getting a GBA, you can't pass this game up!

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:


Almost 5 stars  Jul 08, 2001 By Rrrockhound
This is a well-done, fun game with excellent graphics, exciting music, reasonably good sound effects, and realistic responses to steering and braking controls. It DOES take practice and finesse to progress up through the levels. If your style is to run the car at top speed until you spin out, you will be frustrated. You soon learn to feather the brake pedal (that is, the B button) to get through turns quickly. Guess what--it's the same in real racing. And if you wear headphones, you hear as well as see other cars passing you on the left or right--sweet. One other neat feature the manual doesn't mention is the best time feature where you try to beat the preprogrammed best lap times. After setting a record, the game asks if you want to race again. Say yes, and you find yourself racing a little ghost car that's actually a recording of your record-setting run.

My major dislikes: the infamous 16 digit, randomly-chosen password system. Write those characters down carefully and save them in a safe place or you won't be able to leave off where you were. Nobody should have to keep a pad and pencil handy just to play a race game. Also, there are a few too many cars to choose from, and many are unfamiliar if you're not a fan of little Japanese street rods.

I'd give the whole package 5 stars if not for that peabrained password system.

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:


GT Advance  Aug 05, 2001
I think the main thing that's saving this game from being bad is great graphics and good control. The password save feature gets kind of annoying (takes a minute and a half each time to type it in) and the music is just TERRIBLE, you would think it came from a regular Nintendo if you heard it on speakers. It is all this high-pitch electronic music and there aren't many music tracks. I guess the sound effects are okay, except for that annoying squeal of the tires. But the good things about this game are the great graphics and above average control (definitely better than GBC.) Also, I like how it is so easy to upgrade your car without having to handle money and manage it. Sometimes after you finish a lap, you are awarded a new muffler or better springs, and you don't have to mess around with figuring out what to spend money on; you have only one choice.

Pros: Great graphics- looks like Gran Turismo except the track is completely flat. There are cool night tracks, daytime tracks, and sunset tracks. 32 tracks total.

Gameplay is pretty good, although if you have it on automatic transmission the only buttons you use are A and B.

The cars are neat too- although I would like to see some Ferraris etc, there is a nice list of 48 cars and they all look like they do in real life.

A good thing about password save: you can get codes from someone else and use them on your own game, just like using cheats.

Cons:

Music is really high-pitched and repeats over and over again. Only a few music tracks too. Sound effects aren't that great either.

Password save feature is annoying, despite the fact that you can use other people's codes. I timed myself once and it took me 1.5 minutes to type in 16 characters. Plus you need a pen and paper handy. If you're looking forward to just doing a quick race, you're going to have to type in your password just for that one race if you want all the tracks. That's not very convenient considering you're spending more time doing the password than playing.

I don't know if you should really buy this game; I bought it from a store with store credit that I had, you may want to do that if you can instead of paying for it. Or at least rent this game first. Buying video games is risky- some of them are bad. Rent this first to see if you like it

19 of 23 found the following review helpful:


We have one hot game this summer!  May 18, 2001
This summer be prepared for the Ride of Your Life! It's a ride you'll never forget! Smooth graphics, along with some of the best GBA sound effects make this a MUST HAVE! With close to 40 different Eastern cars to choose from (including hotties from Honda, Mazda, and Toyota), you'll be racin' through streets and country side in no time! Then grab some of your gaming buddies and shape up for 4 player action via the Gameboy ADVANCE link cable. Electronic gaming sites are full of praise for "The best racing game ever to hit a hand-held." Buy a car, customize it, and then head for the track. Enter circuit play and win cash to upgrade and buy new cars. The gaming options are endless all you have to do is get it! -The Kayaker-

8 of 10 found the following review helpful:


A Great Racer  Jun 14, 2001 By Robotek
If you like racing games, this one is for you. The graphics are nothing short of spectacular. The game has licenses for some of Japan's most well known companies (ie Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi). The cars looks great and the control is outstanding. The only drawback this game has is the fact that it was changed from the origianl Japanese game in the saving department. It has a password save system instead of battery back up, but otherwise it's a great game. It definitely displays the greatness of 32 bit racing. This is the GBA version of Grand Tourismo. With an outstanding total of 48 upgradeable cars...this is a must for racing fans.

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