Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Grand Theft Auto Advance transports the sprawling criminal playground of Liberty City into the palm of your hand with surprising fidelity. The top-down perspective may feel like a throwback to the original GTA titles, but it works seamlessly on the Game Boy Advance. You’ll jump behind the wheel of a variety of vehicles—cars, trucks, even construction equipment—and tear through the city’s distinct boroughs in pursuit of mission objectives or simply to satisfy your need for speed (and chaos).

Controls are responsive, with the A and B buttons handling acceleration, braking, and firing weapons, while the D-pad steers your vehicle or moves your character on foot. Though the GBA lacks analog sticks, precision driving and combat remain satisfying; you’ll learn to drift around corners, line up your shots, and use the mini-map effectively. The game also introduces side challenges—like taxi fares and courier jobs—that add extra depth and rewards, encouraging you to explore every alley and backstreet of Liberty City.

Each mission ties directly into the main storyline, pushing you deeper into the mob underworld as you chase clues about Vinney’s murder. Whether you’re tailing suspects, engaging in high-octane shootouts, or simply evading the police, the variety keeps gameplay fresh. A handful of fetch quests and timed objectives occasionally feel repetitive, but the sheer breadth of weapon upgrades, vehicle acquisitions, and hidden packages scattered across the map more than compensates for any grind.

Graphics

Despite the Game Boy Advance’s hardware limitations, Grand Theft Auto Advance presents a vibrant, detailed rendition of Liberty City. The game uses crisp, colorful sprites and cleverly designed buildings to evoke the gritty urban atmosphere fans expect from the series. Landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and bustling downtown skyscrapers are recognizably translated into 2D form, giving players a strong sense of place even on a small screen.

Animation is smooth for both character movement and vehicles, though you may notice occasional slowdown when too many cars or explosions populate the screen. These performance hiccups are rare and generally occur during the most chaotic moments, which, ironically, underscores how eventful the city can become. Rainy nights and neon-lit streets pop with contrast, while daytime settings feel warm and inviting, demonstrating the developers’ careful use of the GBA’s limited color palette.

Cutscenes use text boxes and static art to convey dialogue and plot beats, delivering enough personality to keep you invested without overstaying their welcome. Though you won’t find fully voiced lines or 3D models, the art style is charming and fits the platform. For a handheld title released in 2004, the visual presentation is a triumph, capturing the essence of console GTAs in a 2D framework.

Story

At the heart of Grand Theft Auto Advance is a classic tale of betrayal, revenge, and survival. You’re cast as an unnamed associate of the Leone crime family, set to retire after one final job. The plan unravels spectacularly when your best friend, Vinney, perishes in a car explosion and you’re framed for the hit. Left with no choice but to dive back into the underworld you hoped to leave behind, you embark on a quest to unmask the true killer and clear your name.

The narrative unfolds through tightly paced missions and interstitial comic-book–style cutscenes, each shedding more light on the conspiracy that ensnared Vinney. Along the way, you encounter a colorful roster of allies and adversaries—double-crossing mobsters, eccentric fixers, and corrupt cops—each with their own motivations and agendas. Dialogue is punchy and laced with the trademark dark humor of the GTA universe.

What the story lacks in epic length, it makes up for with constant tension. Every mission feels personal; there’s no downtime in your pursuit of justice (or vengeance). While some plot twists may feel familiar to longtime fans of the franchise, the compact, handheld format ensures momentum is maintained from start to finish, delivering a satisfying narrative arc that complements the gameplay perfectly.

Overall Experience

Grand Theft Auto Advance stands as one of the most ambitious and accomplished GBA titles ever released. It successfully distills the open-world chaos and satirical edge of its console predecessors into a portable package, offering hours of adrenaline-fueled action. Whether you’re weaving through traffic in stolen cars, engaging in gunfights along the docks, or hunting for hidden collectibles, the game continually rewards curiosity and risk-taking.

While it can’t replicate the full 3D immersion of Grand Theft Auto III, the 2D approach feels purposeful and charming. The missions are varied enough to hold your attention, and the multiple side activities extend playtime well beyond the main storyline. Sound effects—horns blaring, bullets ricocheting, explosions booming—are punchy and well-balanced through the GBA’s speakers or headphones, further enhancing the sense of immersion.

For fans longing to experience Liberty City on the go, Grand Theft Auto Advance delivers. It offers a surprisingly deep and engaging adventure, blending tight controls, a memorable storyline, and a lovingly crafted world. If you own a Game Boy Advance and crave a portable taste of Grand Theft Auto’s signature mayhem, this title belongs in your collection.

Retro Replay Score

7/10