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News 
E3 2002 In Advance Update 2
- Posted By Eric
Tajchman, 04.24.2002
So why is 2002 the Year Of Nintendo? This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles is the place where everyone will find out; where the largest collection of the biggest and bestest games for one system will be united for all gamers to see. Every Wednesday leading up to E3, this feature will list the different games expected to be at E3 so you know exactly what will be shown. This way, our reader count won’t suddenly drop as a lot of Nintendo fans are overwhelmed and eventually go mad over the greatness coming this year and next.
This week, a break from GameCube games to point out the great Game Boy Advance games coming this year.
- Earthworm Jim 2 (developed by Majesco)
The SNES and Genesis classic returns to the portable screen. If you’ve never played as the cow-flinging extra-terrestrial invertebrate, now is a good time to see what you’ve missed, and for all you old fogies who remember the 16-bit era expect a fun trip to the past.
- Mega Man Zero (developed by Capcom)
Capcom plans to release a new Mega Man game on the Game Boy Advance, but not starring the main protagonist, X. The next-generation Mega Man hero, Zero, returns 100 years later to battle evil robot reploids and restore peace. But what of X? Come E3, we’ll all find out.
- Super Monkey Ball (developed by THQ)
Expect this GameCube port to be very similar to the GCN version minus the gorgeous graphics and some of the extras. This title seems likely to be one of the first to utilize the motion sensor pak for the Game Boy Advance (a la Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble), although this is pure speculation.
- Phantasy Star Collection (developed by THQ)
Another Sega remake by THQ, the Master System and Genesis hits are set to make their way to the Game Boy Advance. The first games in the Phantasy Star series are single-player RPGs unlike the online version set to release on the GameCube. Look for a lot of this title at E3.
- Crazy Taxi (developed by THQ)
The Sega arcade smash is getting the THQ handheld treatment. Appearing on every console and handheld, now people are able to play Crazy Taxi in an actual taxi . . . or an airplane, mini-van, train, hovercraft, submarine, whatever. Expect a lot of crazy fun at E3.
- Lord Of The Rings (developed by Universal)
The Fellowship of the ring sets off onto the Game Boy Advance to destroy the One Ring of Power. Appropriately, the first game is set to follow the first book of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. Expect to see a lot of RPG/action gameplay come E3.
- Pokemon Advance (developed by Nintendo)
We’ve seen a few screens of the next Pokemon RPG. Come E3, expect a whole lot more in the way of screens and movies . . . and a lot of guys in Pokemon suits. Arguably the most successful (and profitable) gaming series ever, come E3 all you Poke-fanatics and Pollywhirl cults can have your yearly fill of Pokemon Advance gossip.
- Magical Vacation (developed by Brownie Brown)
From the makers of The Secret of Mana (SNES) comes Magical Vacation, a role-playing game about sorcerer apprentices attacked by monsters and forced into an alternate dimension. These students must band together and find a way to return home and defeat the evil monsters who trapped them.
- Fire Emblem (developed by Nintendo)
The highly popular Japan-only Nintendo franchise makes its US debut on the Game Boy Advance. Those who have played Super Smash Brothers: Melee are somewhat familiar with Marth and Roy already, but the first US game will reveal the true genius of the series to us Americans.
- Grand Theft Auto III (developed by Rockstar)
Though it isn’t coming to the Cube, Nintendo fans can carry out gratuitous acts of violence on the go without the use of an automatic rifle or Molotov cocktail. GTA3 makes its way to the GBA via the tried-and-true top-down angle. Lets hope that Rockstar tightens the controls and pushes the GBA to it’s limits, unlike the two Game Boy versions before.
- Golden Sun 2 (developed by Camelot)
Though not officially announced as of yet, it’s not far-fetched to think Golden Sun will return in its next installment. Last time we left our heroes, they had just boarded the ship to Lemuria. What diabolical mishaps will our Adepts fall into across the sea in a mystical land? Who knows?! Camelot does, and you can be sure they’ll have some kind of showing at E3.
- Shining Soul (developed by Sega)
The Shining series returns!! Sega’s tactical RPG makes its debut on the GBA!! Much like Tactics Ogre and Advance Wars, Shining Soul is a turn-based strategy game where you use mythical heroes and creatures to advance through the game. All will be revealed at E3.
- Metroid Advance (developed by Nintendo)
Shown at last year’s E3, This is perhaps the most anticipated GBA game. Because of Nintendo’s basic lack of support of Metroid for the Nintendo 64, everyone wants to know more about Samus Aran, especially now that Metroid Prime has been announced as a sequel to the SNES game and not a prequel as previously thought. So what is Metroid Advance? Could this be some use of the GBA-GCN connectivity? Traveling in 3D when in battle but returning to the 2D roots for exploration? Who knows, but come E3, we’ll all finally know . . . hopefully.
Other Games
- R-Type III (developed by Phantagram)
- Fire Pro Wrestling 2 (developed by BAM! Entertainment)
- Lufia Gaiden: (developed by Natsume)
- Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (developed by Midway)
- Castlevania: White Night Symphony (developed by Konami)
- SpyHunter (developed by Midway)
- Star Wars Episode II (developed by THQ)
Other Secret/Rumor Titles
I’m not saying that we know absolutely for sure what these secret titles are (because we’d be breaking our direct super exclusive deal with Shigeru Miyamoto) but we might as well announce for the whole world what they might be and save everyone the anticipation. There are as follows:
That’s all we know for sure.
What games could possibly appear at E3? What games do we wish to be on the GBA? Chances are, they just might be the same. Well, how about:
- Contra IV Advance
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES) or new game
- Super Mario Advance 3: Super Mario Brothers 2 (NES)
- Super Smash Brothers GBA
- Pikmin Advance
- Super Mario RPG
Next week, we’ll return with more listings of upcoming GameCube games
Week 1: Nintendo GCN Games
Week 2: GCN Games
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