Konami takes the iconic frog from the classic arcade game Frogger and transforms him into a versatile gaming hero in Frogger Advance: The Great Quest. Developed by Vicarious Visions, known for their work on GBA titles like Crash Bandicoot and Spider-Man, this platform adventure brings Frogger into the world of anthropomorphic, bipedal exploration. While the game doesn’t break new ground, it offers a solid and enjoyable experience for handheld gamers.
A Frog’s Royal Mission
Frogger discovers the fairy tale about a frog turning into a prince with a princess’s kiss. Now on a mission to become a prince himself, Frogger sets out on “The Great Quest” to find royalty and get that transformative smooch.
Leap and Lick: Gameplay Overview
Frogger Advance: The Great Quest is a straightforward platformer, a departure from the classic Frogger gameplay. Frogger can jump, swim, climb ladders, and use his tongue to thwack enemies.
The goal is to reach the end of each level while collecting coins, hidden gems, and extra lives. The color-coded coins guide players along paths, offering rewards like extra lives, health boosts, and large gems.
Evolving Abilities
As Frogger progresses, he gains new abilities after completing each world. These enhancements include a double-jump and float combo, a freezing stone to immobilize enemies, and a powerful Super Tongue attack for clearing obstacles. These upgrades add depth to the gameplay and become essential for overcoming challenges.
Solid Design and Visuals
Frogger Advance boasts a well-designed platformer with tight controls, vibrant graphics, and smooth animations. The game’s visual appeal, complemented by a high-quality soundtrack, caters to its target audience—the younger crowd. Boss battles are straightforward, and the overall adventure offers a two to three-hour playthrough.
A Few Croaks: Minor Drawbacks
While Frogger Advance impresses with its solid design, it falls into the generic platformer category. The short duration and ease of the game, aimed at younger players, might not appeal to those seeking a more challenging experience. The password save system, though functional, may be considered less user-friendly for handheld gaming.
Embark on Frogger’s Great Quest: Leap into Adventure, Conquer Challenges, and Kiss the Frog Prince Goodbye!
Verdict
Contrary to expectations, Frogger Advance: The Great Quest surprises with its quality platforming experience. With appealing visuals, familiar gameplay, and only minor drawbacks, it stands as a commendable addition to the GBA library.
While not a revival of Frogger’s classic traffic-avoidance gameplay, it offers an enjoyable adventure, especially suitable for younger audiences. Consider picking it up for kids who appreciate a less complex but entertaining platformer.
Conclusion
In the realm of GBA platformers, Frogger Advance: The Great Quest hops its way into the hearts of players with a charming adventure. While not groundbreaking, its solid design, enjoyable gameplay, and youthful appeal make it a worthy choice. Frogger fans may miss the old-school traffic-avoidance style, but this iteration brings a new dimension to the beloved amphibian’s journey.
Play Frogger Advance: The Great Quest Online Anywhere, Anytime!
Play Frogger Advance: The Great Quest on your desktop, mobile, or tablet! Enjoy the adventure across devices and dive into Frogger’s quest whenever and wherever you please.