Which probably not all GTA-Fans of the next-generation era know: Rockstar’s smash-hit series didn’t begin its PSone existence in 3D. Instead, a traditional bird’s eye view was used in the first two parts, and the cars and figures were correspondingly small – only the PS2 provided the necessary power for polygon graphics.
Since the GBA is known to have only limited 3D capability, it returns Grand Theft Auto Advance back to the roots. As in the past, you see the action completely from above and whiz with miniature cars through the city that scrolls in all directions, the story sequences are illustrated with current-style stills and speech bubbles. The scene of the action is Liberty City, which already knows the series GTA 3 know – so you will find some well-known locations in the right places, but the storyline, which includes over 40 missions, is new.
Handling and options are also based on the ‘big’ brothers: You can earn money in between peacefully by transporting guests as a taxi driver or rushing to the rescue in the ambulance. Rude contemporaries, on the other hand, flatten pedestrians and collect their cash – in contrast to San Andreas these possibilities have not been removed from the module. Unlike in the past, a small arrow does not show you the way to the next destination; instead, you orientate yourself using the mini-map that appears. In order to compensate for the smaller number of buttons on the GBA, the controls have been simplified, so you can, for example, also move sideways on foot.
