Review: Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (Nintendo Switch)

Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp has been a long time coming. Not only is it the first entry in the series since 2008, it also suffered from lengthy delays of its own. Now that we’ve finally had time to enjoy these revamped Game Boy Advance titles, was Re-Boot Camp worth the wait? Simply put: yep! 

The premise of Advance Wars is simple: you control an army from a top-down field of view. Gameplay is turn-based, with both sides able to move their units every day. Each battle is a tense game of tug and war as you strive to accomplish one of two objectives: capture the enemy base or destroy all enemy units. It’s an addictive premise that’s both stressful and fun.

At the end of each battle, you’re rewarded with a rating based on your performance. I love this aspect; winning a battle is satisfying on its own, but acquiring the top rank of S further validates that feeling. Getting an A is fine, but if you’re a completionist or a high achiever, it’s a solid incentive to replay and attain top scores across the board.

Battles vary in difficulty, indicated by a star rating. Occasionally, you can choose between battles as the story progresses, giving you the option of taking a slightly easier path. There are also various elements introduced along the way to keep players on their toes. For example, a fog-of-war mechanic obscures part of the map with low cloud cover, giving no indication of the whereabouts of the enemy. The strategy here lies in using specific troops with better vision to suss out enemy locations before you’re ambushed.

New mechanics are also introduced throughout the experience. Eventually, you’ll be in command of the airforce and navy, along with your default land-based army. Sometimes you’re given a finite number of vehicles and troops, while at other times, you’re given special bases that deploy extras for a cost. The game balances these elements well, giving each and every battle a unique feel that keeps you wanting to play “just one more”. 

The story is another fun element of Advance Wars. It adds a light-hearted tone to what could be a more serious outing, given the war element. You play the role of Andy, a new recruit in the Orange Star army. Andy’s team is led by Nell, an intelligent, friendly captain who recruits you to the cause. Orange Star is all about restoring peace to the land, moving across a world map to free each section from any occupying forces. 

Along the way, you meet other Orange Star members. The friendly banter between battles keeps Advance Wars in that light-hearted zone, complemented by a colorful anime style. Some battles allow you to switch between protagonists, giving you a chance to try each one before settling on your favorite. Each team member has differing skills; for example, Andy is an all-rounder, while the big, loveable Max is stronger with melee attacks and weaker with long-range ones. 

Other modes add longevity to the game, including a shop with unlockable maps and tunes, a design room to build and share maps, plus a local versus mode. Online play and a gallery are also unlocked later on. In short, there’s plenty to do outside of the main campaign. 

There are also several improvements over the original titles. Most notable are the updated visuals, with much cleaner lines compared to the pixel-art style of the original. Of course, the original looked great anyway, so fans may prefer the retro look of those GBA outings – it’s going to be down to personal preference. Still, the clean visuals bring the series up to date to create something that feels much bigger than the originals. Each character is also voiced in part, with bright, chipper actors who do a great job of bringing them to life. 

The only downside to Re-Boot Camp is that it’s an expensive outing for something that’s 20 years old. Yes, a lot of work has been put into polishing these classics, and the fact that two full games are combined into this package is great, but it would be nice to reward long-time fans with new content after all these years. Having said that, I loved my time revisiting this world, and if it can recruit new fans, then it’s definitely worth it.

Overall, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a faithful reintroduction to the series for both new and long-time fans. After a lengthy absence, it’s great to have Advance Wars back in our lives, with updated visuals and voicework that bring this title to life. Hopefully, this outing spells the beginning of all-new adventures for Orange Star!

If you’re interested in more detail about Advance Wars 1+2, we talked about it in a recent Pure Nintendo Podcast, and check out some gameplay videos on our YouTube channel.