Ace Combat Advance: The One That Everyone Forgot...

By the mid 2000’s the Ace Combat franchise was riding high. Namco had released 5 numbered games in the span of 9 years and sales and critical reception alike had been great for every single one, aside from the International release of Ace Combat 3. So with a new successful franchise under their belt, Namco did what all publishers did in the mid 2000’s… licensed the franchise name out to an external studio to make a handheld spinoff. They ended up giving the license for the game to Humansoft, a studio based out of Hungary, and I’m particularly interested in this one since it is easily the least discussed title in the entire franchise. So, is Ace Combat Advance a game that deserves to be remembered, or is it just another haphazardly thrown together Game Boy spinoff worth leaving in the past? Well, let’s talk about it.
Full Ace Combat Series: • A First Timer's Journe...
Ace Combat Advance is a 2005 combat flight simulation video game in the Ace Combat series. Developed by Hungarian studio Humansoft, it is the first entry in the series released on a handheld game console and the first 2D entry in the series. Unlike other Ace Combat games, Advance was not released in Japan. It was criticized on release for its awkward controls, lack of appeal, difficulty, and poor graphics.
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[@Gatherway]

This is the only Ace Combat game that never saw release in Japan, which says to me that it didn't quite live up to what the original creators were hoping for. It wouldn't be until the next generation of portable devices that we would see the vision of "Ace Combat on handheld" truly realized. Looking forward to your take on that. 👍

[@pursuedcomic3]

HAHA he pulled a fast one on us! You thought it was Ace combat Zero, but IT WAS ME, ADVANCE!

[@DoggerZero]

Knowing the franchise from since its beginning, it suprises me that I never even heard about this game!

[@James0Zero]

Man, me too. Love this series and NEVER heard of this.

[@lorenmax2.013]

Damn, you really took the extra step and reviewed the handhelds. I love how you actually review them as a game instead of a nostalgia trip. This way I actually learnt how the games I haven't played work and all their quirks.

[@Eichro]

I mean, X is a legitimate entry in the franchise, even if it's not mainly made by Project Aces. Great game and my introduction to the series.

[@legomania2427]

10/10 Christmas present. But Chole… the entire fandom may be coming to kill you now… I’m sorry.

[@ryanpayne7707]

Me: (Locks onto Chloe) Fox 3!

[@Eichro]

If you, for some weird reason, want the Ace Combat experience on the GBA, the way to go is Airforce Delta Storm. Gameplay is much closer to what you'd expect, surprisingly so considering the platform.

[@CombatTeddy8]

The unfortunate limitations of a handheld for a good premise for a franchise.

[@SorcererLance]

Honestly, I can see Advance being brought back as an in-universe arcade game you could play in between online matches as you're waiting for players to jump into the queue... Though I could see this being improved upon having the camera tilted a little bit where you can see more in front of you, like in other shooter games at the time like Iridion 3D or Iridion II on the GBA (and Steam)... That, and well, more buttons to play with.

[@astreakaito5625]

Oh god kudos again to you covering the spinoffs. I wonder if you're gonna check the interesting ones like the 3DS game or Ace X and X2.

[@notcole]

maybe 👀

[@twocontradictions]

Honestly it's not really forgotten, but actually ignored by fans.

[@Swattii]

I don't blame them. I played it for like 5 minutes then deleted the rom. I wished they took the Top Gun NES approach. That game was fun but landing on the carrier was too difficult.

[@JobberV]

Oh boy, I think we're getting Joint Assault.

[@notcole]

👀

[@KittenNippl3s]

Just binged this AC series as well. Ty for the videos!

[@notnice-9623]

I'm more suprised that Namco didn't decide to push for an Ace Combat on the DS considering it was more powerful. It would have taken a lot of work, but perhaps they could have gotten a 3D title on there.

[@agustindanielgimenez9483]

Greats video! i need to give this game a try, but it's looks like this is the best Ace Combat game on the Game Boy Advance

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

Ace Combat Advance is one of my most played GBA games. I was a little bit surprised when I first fired it up years ago, but quickly took to playing it since I had always like airplane shooter games. One of my favorite arcade games is the original Strikers 1945! that I used to play back in the day and this release reminded me of it. I think it is kind of a neat little game that is a sorta prequel to AC3 Electrosphere in that Ace Combat Advance shows a predecessor to the UPEO. Overall, a good and informative video. 😎👍

[@doormatt3190]

F-14 Tomcat on the GBA is also a more closely-adapted variant of an Ace Combat game on the GBA altho it’s more of a simulator being locked in first person and some big gameplay differences.

[@tomonemo2992]

Thank you for this video! I just clicked on the "buy it now" button on ebay because of this video.

[@Sorain1]

There's something weird about playing a counter corporate force, when you know any such force ultimately failed to achieve it's goals. Still, kudos to the devs for a framing device that works well enough.

[@Spac3d_Out]

Cant wait till you play Ace Combat 6!

[@majormissile5596]

I honestly feel like I'm one of the few people who knew this game existed. I use it as a "true ace combat fan" test. I'll have to watch your channel for these reviews!

[@ryanpayne7707]

I remember playing this as a kid.

[@mrandrossguy9871]

Well Thanks to this game Ace3DS was Made ! The franchise deserves to be Multiplatform And On Nintendo Again !

[@ZeroDarkness-]

Ace combat but with Strikers 1945 vibe

[@DuyNghia7]

You forgot Ace Combat Northern Wings yo XD

[@Gatherway]

He's going chronologically, so if anything that'll come up after Assault Horizon.

[@DuyNghia7]

@@Gatherway fair

[@DuyNghia7]

Also i suggest that you should play Airforce Delta Storm for GBA, it's like a more "polished" version of ACE Advance :D

[@datpieceofbread9570]

I had completely forgot about this game. I had it at one point, but I lost and forgot about it. And while I see your point about the mission timers, I completely disagree. I hate feeling artificially rushed in games. Like if there's a good enough reason to be rushed, that's fine. But just being limited for no real reason other than "challenge," I personally hate. One of my big issues with AC7. But also one of the things I LOVE about Project Wingman, which I HIGHLY recommended you play after finishing Ace Combat. In PW, the missions end when you finish what's on your plate and marked as priority. merry Christmas btw

[@JohnSmith-ip6kc]

The F-16 in Ace Combat 3 looks sort of ridiculous. It kind of bothers me when I fly it

[@majorborngusfluunduch8694]

How so?

[@JohnSmith-ip6kc]

@@majorborngusfluunduch8694 it’s got a longer body and shorter wings. Also, the horizontal rudders are shaped weirder and then it’s got like… two canards on the exhaust fan… idk it’s weird

[@majorborngusfluunduch8694]

@@JohnSmith-ip6kc I don't think the dimensions of the Gyrfalcon are actually any different from a normal Falcon. It might be interesting to note that the canards under the intake are were a real thing. I can't remember the name of the prototype they were tested on but they enabled the F-16 to yaw without rolling. There's footage of an F-4 (iirc) chase plane banking to follow the F-16 while it's wings remain completely level as the pilot makes the same turn with only his rudder and canards.

[@Ikcatcher]

It’s forgotten for a reason

[@mrandrossguy9871]

Just like Ace Combat cellphone game 😅

[@OuterHeaven210]

Not even the best handheld ace combat lol