Experience Liberty City on the Go with Grand Theft Auto Advance

The legendary Rockstar franchise makes its handheld debut with Grand Theft Auto Advance, bringing the chaos of the crime underworld directly to the Game Boy Advance. Moving away from the 3D perspective seen in recent console entries, this title returns to the series' roots with a classic top-down viewpoint reminiscent of the original PlayStation and PC classics. As you navigate the streets of Liberty City, you must balance high-speed pursuits, criminal errands, and a personal quest for vengeance in this action-packed portable experience.

A Story of Revenge and Retribution

Set as a prequel to the events of GTA III, the story follows Mike, a man looking for an escape from his life of crime. Alongside his partner Vinnie, Mike performs various errands for the Mafia, hoping to amass enough wealth to leave the "stinking island" of Liberty City behind forever. However, tragedy strikes when a car bomb kills Vinnie, leaving Mike with nothing but a burning desire for revenge. To find those responsible, players must navigate a web of organized crime, clashing with various factions including the Mafia, Cartels, Yakuza, and Jamaican gangs.

Classic Gameplay Mechanics Reimagined

Despite the technical constraints of the handheld hardware, Grand Theft Auto Advance preserves the core pillars that made the series famous. Players can explore a massive urban landscape divided into three unlockable areas: Portland, New Port, and Shoreside.

  • Open-World Exploration: Traverse busy streets filled with traffic and pedestrians, navigating through diverse environments like warehouses, shops, and docks.
  • Vehicle Interaction: Hijack a wide variety of cars to navigate the city. The game introduces unique physics, such as the ability to flip vehicles through heavy ramming or sharp handbraking.
  • Diverse Mission Types: Engage in a 41-mission campaign that includes traditional "fetch and carry" tasks, racing through checkpoints, and specialized side missions like Vigilante and Paramedic.
  • Combat and Chaos: Wield an array of weapons to take down targets, all while attempting to evade the relentless pursuit of the local police force.

Technical Features and Atmosphere

While the game serves as a stripped-down version of its larger-scale counterparts, it features impressive technical details for the GBA era. The world feels lived-in, with animations that depict gang wars breaking out on the streets, cars erupting in flames from petrol bombs, and even bloodstains left on the pavement. While the top-down perspective is a nostalgic nod to the past, players will find modern conveniences like an on-screen heads-up display (HUD) to assist with navigation and mission objectives.

Who Is This Game For?

Grand Theft Auto Advance appeals to two distinct groups of players. Long-time veterans of the franchise will appreciate the nostalgic return to the top-down gameplay style and the opportunity to see familiar characters like 8-Ball and King Courtney before their appearances in GTA III. Meanwhile, newcomers to the series will find a functional, accessible action game that offers a condensed version of the "crime simulator" experience. It is an ideal choice for fans of retro-style action who want a dose of Liberty City mayhem during their commute or on the move.