N-Philes

Ever since the Game Boy Advance launched in 2001 we've seen Super NES ports throughout the systems lifespan, heck even the flagship launch game was a port (Super Mario Advance). Some like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past have been well received and welcomed with open arms, and others, like Disney's Aladdin should have never seen the light of day again. Either way you spin it it's hard to determine whether or not it's worth your cash just to be able to play a decade old game on the go with some new bells and whistles.

Back in the Super NES and Genesis days developers and publishers alike started a platforming boom with the worldwide success of such games like Super Mario World and Sonic the Hedgehog. No namers like Bubsy, Zero the Kamakazi Squirrel and Alfred Chicken were all thrown into the mix trying to take a stab at becoming the next big thing. Well here we are today, all of which are long dead, but amongst its fellow rivals, Aero the Acrobat managed it's way back from the grave onto the Game Boy Advance.

Out of the five people who played the game on the Super NES, I really find it hard to believe, of all games, Aero the Acrobat was one that made it's way to the Game Boy Advance. But I'm certainly glad it did. In it you take the role of Aero a courageous circus freak who has decided to stand up against an sinister man trying to close all circus' forever. Not exactly an Oscar winner but the gameplay is really where the title shines. The majority of the levels take place in circus themed areas so you'll find various objects to use to your advantage like trampolenes, cannons, and unicycles to help manage you're way through each level.

The game is typical side scrolling platform/adventure style gameplay and doesn't do much to reinvent the genre, but it takes the tried and true and makes every bit of it fun. A good deal of non-linear exploring, a well balanced amount of collecting, and a fast pace, something Mario has never had. With Aero's unique characteristics, he'll be able to fly, dive, and shoot his way through evil. Unlike most games where you can get a power up of some sort to fend off enemies, you really only have a spin attack, from there you'll have to find "stars" which give you the ability to attack.

On of my favorite parts of the game is once you've manged your way towards the final worlds, you'll go on a series of cart races. Similar to the mine cart courses in Donkey Kong Country, you'll be zipping down logs, jumping over spikes, and even flying down waterfalls as you try to reach the end of the level. Extremely fast paced, and some of the best moments the game has.

On the flip side things such as challenge and length deteriate from what this game could have become. The gameplay is there, sure, but it truely won't last you all that long. There is a '+' mode after you've beaten the game that adds a bit more challenge and courses but not a whole lot to keep you wanting more. However, if you like quick platforming goodness and are growing tired of the Sonic Advances, then Aero the Acrobat is the next best thing. You might have some difficulty running into it in the wild, but if you do I can only recommend it full heartdly.