Play Super Mario Advance Online

Super Mario Advance came out for the Game Boy Advance in 2001, a Nintendo release that felt like a solid anchor for the new handheld. It was one of those early titles that made the system feel worthwhile, a familiar jump into the Mario universe with a few extra layers. The game remade Super Mario Bros. 2 from the NES, which already set it apart from the more straightforward run and jump of the original.

You control Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, or Toad, each with their own slight differences in jumping and speed. The goal is to progress through side scrolling levels, defeating enemies not by jumping on them, but by plucking vegetables from the ground and throwing them. You hunt for hidden red coins and chase after elusive ace coins tucked away in secret spots. The pacing is deliberate, more about exploration and puzzle solving than pure speed. It feels methodical and a little quirky, especially with bosses like Robirdo or the oddball bonus games. Playing it is like revisiting a slightly offbeat chapter of Mario's history.