Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Sammy

Genre: Fighting

Year released: 2002 (GBA)

Number of Players: 1-2 w/ link-up (multi-pak only)

In the 22nd century, mankind is battling with futuristic biological weapons named Gears. The Gears endanger the fate of mankind. You’re the world’s only fighting chance…

The hit arcade fighter has arrived on the GBA! GGX: AE features several different modes, all the characters from the arcade version, and more!

Visuals: (74%)
GGX’s graphics are decent. The character sprites are actually animated pretty well, and the backgrounds don’t look too shabby either. Moves are done very fluidly. However, some characters don’t even have faces (like May)!

Sounds: (65%)
Ugh. The background music is about MIDI quality. The music somewhat resembles old NES music. The voice samples are barely audible and don’t sound good at all.

Gameplay: (78%)
GGX: AE manages to keep the craziness from the console versions of GGX and put it on the small screen fairly well. Nearly all of the characters have the same moves and act the same way as they did in the arcade or console versions of GGX. If you haven’t played GGX, the gameplay is actually easy to learn. There are four attack buttons: Punch, Kick, Slash, and High Slash. All characters have special moves done by doing a motion on the control pad and pressing a certain attack button a la Street Fighter and the like. All characters have Super moves and nearly all have Instant Kill moves, which, as stated, instantly KOs your opponent. You can do Supers when your Super Meter is filled high enough. Instant Kills can only be performed when your meter has filled up, and you have switched to “Rage Mode” (press all four attack buttons simultaneously). One rather big problem with the game is the controls. The GBA isn’t the best for playing a fighting game. There is a refined control scheme (3-button) that suits the GBA better however, if you can’t get used to the default controls.
GGX: AE offers several different modes, including, but not limited to: Arcade, Vs., 3-on-3, Tag Match, Survival, Practice, and a few more. If a friend has GGX: AE, then you can link up and play head to head.

Replayability: (75%)
There are two characters to unlock (Dizzy and Testament), but they are really easy to get. If you have a friend who has GGX: AE, then you can play him or her for some fun multiplayer action. Otherwise, you can try to make records in the Survival mode or make custom colors in the Color Edit mode.

Personal Score: (83%)

Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of the GG series, then pick up GGX: AE, so you can slash on the go. Those who are looking for a good fighter for your GBA might wanna pick this up too. It may not be the best fighter on the GBA, but it sure is fun. Oh, and good luck finding it.

Final Score: (75%) C

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