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Grand Theft Auto Advance technical data
Name | Grand Theft Auto Advance |
System | Game Boy Advance |
Year | 2004 |
Developer | Digital Eclipse Software |
Genre | Action |
Grand Theft Auto Advance is an action-adventure video game developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Rockstar Games for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance in 2004. The game is a spin-off of the Grand Theft Auto series, set in the same universe as Grand Theft Auto III (2001). It was the first original title developed specifically for the Game Boy Advance, and also the first Grand Theft Auto game to be released on a handheld console.
The story of Grand Theft Auto Advance follows Mike, a former soldier who returns to his hometown of Liberty City after a long absence. He quickly finds himself embroiled in a criminal underworld filled with gangs, drug dealers, and corrupt officials. Players take control of Mike as he navigates through this dangerous world, completing missions for various characters while avoiding police attention. The game features open-world exploration and carjacking as players attempt to complete their objectives while evading law enforcement.
Gameplay in GTA Advance consists of completing missions for various characters while avoiding law enforcement and rival gangs. Missions range from delivering packages to stealing cars or eliminating targets. Players have access to a wide variety of weapons including pistols, shotguns, and machine guns that can be used against enemies or objects in order to complete objectives. The game also allows for vehicle customization with body kits and paint jobs available at certain locations around Liberty City.
The game features two separate modes of play: Story Mode which focuses on completing missions given by various characters; and Free Roam Mode which allows players to explore Liberty City at their own pace without any mission constraints. In both modes players are able to purchase weapons from shops scattered throughout the city or steal them from defeated enemies or pedestrians. Money can also be earned by completing missions successfully or through participating in mini-games such as taxi driving or street racing.
Grand Theft Auto Advance received generally positive reviews upon release with critics praising its detailed graphics, varied missions, open world exploration, and challenging gameplay. While some reviewers noted that it lacked some of the features present in its console counterparts such as radio stations or custom soundtracks, they praised it overall for still being an enjoyable experience on a handheld device. It was also praised for providing an engaging storyline that kept players immersed in the world of Liberty City even when not involved in missions directly related to the plotline.
Overall Grand Theft Auto Advance was an impressive achievement for its time given its ambitious scope despite being limited by hardware constraints inherent on the Game Boy Advance platform at the time. Its open world exploration combined with challenging mission structure provided hours of entertainment while its storyline offered engaging narrative arcs that kept players invested throughout their playthroughs. Despite not receiving sequels it has become something of a cult classic among fans of both handheld gaming systems and Grand Theft Auto alike due to its unique blend of action-adventure elements combined with traditional GTA gameplay mechanics found on other platforms at that time period