Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 TV Commercial for Nintendo Game Boy Advance - GBA - 2002

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 for the Game Boy Advance was released on September 23, 2002, in North America. Below is a concise overview of key information about the game: Developer: Nintendo EAD Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Game Boy Advance Genre: 2D platformer Release Dates: North America: September 23, 2002 Japan: August 10, 2002 Europe: October 11, 2002 Gameplay: A port of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES, 1995) with enhancements. Players control various Yoshis carrying Baby Mario through six worlds, each with eight stages, to rescue Baby Luigi from Kamek and Baby Bowser. Core mechanics include jumping, ground pounding, and swallowing enemies to create eggs, which can be thrown to attack or solve puzzles. Collectibles (red coins, stars, and flowers) contribute to a level score out of 100. Features a unique health system where Baby Mario floats in a bubble if Yoshi takes damage, requiring retrieval before a timer runs out. Enhancements over SNES Version: Six bonus levels unlocked after completing the main game, adding challenge and replayability. Improved sound effects and slightly adjusted graphics to suit the GBA’s hardware. Minor tweaks to gameplay, such as adjusted enemy placements and a new voice for Baby Mario. Supports rumble feedback with compatible GBA accessories. Story: A stork carrying Baby Mario and Baby Luigi is attacked by Kamek, who kidnaps Luigi. Mario lands on Yoshi’s Island, where Yoshis team up to navigate the island and defeat Baby Bowser to save Luigi. Key Characters: Yoshi: Playable dinosaurs in various colors, each taking turns per level. Baby Mario: Carried by Yoshi; must be protected. Kamek: Magikoopa antagonist who sends enemies and bosses. Baby Bowser: Final boss. Development: Part of the Super Mario Advance series, which ported SNES Mario titles to GBA. Retained the SNES version’s distinctive pastel art style and FX chip effects (e.g., scaling and rotation), adapted for GBA’s capabilities. Directed by Takashi Tezuka, with music by Koji Kondo, preserving the original’s whimsical aesthetic. Reception: Highly praised for its faithful port, vibrant visuals, and level design, with a Metacritic score of 91/100. Minor criticism for the GBA’s smaller screen reducing visibility and slightly compressed audio. Sold over 2.6 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling GBA titles. Legacy: Cemented Yoshi’s Island as a beloved Nintendo franchise, leading to sequels like Yoshi’s Island DS (2006). Influenced later platformers with its creative mechanics and art style. Re-released on Wii U Virtual Console (2014) and available via Nintendo Switch Online’s GBA library (2023).