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Super Mario Advance

NES/SNES/GBA Changes FAQ

by CVXFREAK 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Super Mario Advance
                       -NES/SNES/GBA Changes FAQ-
                       Nintendo Game Boy Advance 
                          Game Boy Advance SP 
                            Game Boy micro
                        GameCube Game Boy Player
                          Written by cvxfreak
                    Copyright 2001-2007 by cvxfreak
                              Version 2.0
                         Date: April 16, 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------

After doing a "Changes FAQ" for Resident Evil CODE: Veronica X, I didn't
see on one made for Super Mario Advance's Super Mario Brothers 2 game.
I think a FAQ for it would be fairly useful, so I decided to make it a
few years ago. 

Anyway, this FAQ will cover the changes made between the NES/SNES and
the GBA versions of Super Mario Bros. 2 (Super Mario Advance). This will
also cover changes between the US and Japanese versions of the GBA game,
as well. There are a lot of changes. This isn't a gameplay FAQ, so 
please do not send me gameplay-related email. 

E-Mail: FireEmblemPride[at]gmail[dot]com.

========================================================================
Table of Contents
========================================================================

1.	Version History
2.	Super Mario
3.	Super Mario Advance
4.	Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)
5.	Super Mario Bros. 2 (SNES)
6.	Super Mario USA (NES, SNES, GBA)
7.	Differences Between Versions
8.	Frequently Asked Questions
9.	Conclusions

========================================================================
1.	Version History
========================================================================

April 16, 2007
--------------
After three years without an update, I have returned to this FAQ to 
clean it up. Basically, I improved the writing and fixed any errors I
may have missed over the years. 

January 11, 2004
----------------
Wow, I haven't updated this in awhile, so here's an update to fix errors
and such.

August 18, 2002
---------------
Changed my e-mail.

July 2, 2002
------------
Updated some minor errors.

November 17, 2001
-----------------
FAQ begun and finished, as always.

========================================================================
2.	Super Mario
========================================================================

The Mario series might be the most recognizable video game series even
after more than two decades since its introduction. Perhaps only the 
Pokemon series can share this distinction. Over the years, there have
been many iconic Mario games released:

NES/Famicom
-----------
Super Mario Brothers
Super Mario Brothers: The Lost Levels (Super Mario Brothers 2 in Japan)
Super Mario Brothers USA (Super Mario Bros. 2 in America)
Super Mario Brothers 3

SNES/Super Famicom
------------------

Super Mario World
Mario Is Missing
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario RPG

Nintendo 64
-----------

Super Mario 64
Paper Mario

Game Boy
--------

Super Mario Land
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins

Game Boy Color
--------------

Super Mario Brothers Deluxe

GameCube
--------

Luigi's Mansion
Super Mario Sunshine
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Paper Mario RPG in Japan)

Game Boy Advance
----------------

Super Mario Advance
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World
Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Mario & Luigi RPG in Japan)
Classic NES Series: Super Mario Brothers 
                    (Famicom Mini: Super Mario Brothers in Japan)
Famicom Mini: Super Mario Brothers 2 (Japan-only)

Nintendo DS
-----------

Super Mario 64 DS
Mario & Luigi 2: Partners in Time (Mario & Luigi RPG 2x2)
New Super Mario Brothers

Nintendo Wii
------------

Super Mario Brothers (Virtual Console)
Super Mario World (Virtual Console)
Super Mario 64 (Virtual Console)
Super Paper Mario
Super Mario Galaxy (coming in 2007)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

There may be more games, but I am unaware of them. If they are STORY
games (aka games with stories, not games like "Mario Party," send me an
e-mail (address above)).

These games defined platforming, Nintendo-style. They are always fun to
play and extremely innovative. 

As far as this FAQ is concerned, Super Mario Brothers 2 in North 
America and Super Mario USA in Japan is covered. The game was released
on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), the Super NES (Super 
Nintendo Entertainment System) and the GBA family (Game Boy Advance). 

Each version is different, and this FAQ shall explore those
differences.

========================================================================
3.	Super Mario Advance
========================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|    PLATFORM   |   RELEASE DATE        |      REGION      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|       GBA     |     6/11/2001***      |     Universal    |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

GBA: Game Boy Advance 
     Game Boy Advance SP
     Game Boy micro
     Game Boy Player

***North America release date.

The latest version of the game released was Super Mario Advance, back
when the Game Boy Advance launched in 2001. Its graphics were upgraded
beyond the previous editions, voiceovers were added when characters
jumped or got hit and it contained the Mario Bros. Classic mini game. 

But what was changed from the previous two versions?

========================================================================
4.	Super Mario Brothers 2 (NES)
========================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|    PLATFORM   |   RELEASE DATE        |            REGION           |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|       NES     |     X/XX/1986***      |     North America/Europe    |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

NES: Nintendo Entertainment System
NA:  North America = United States + Canada
EU:  Europe and/or PAL territories (Australia, etc.)

***Estimated release date.

This is the original version of Super Mario Brothers 2. It sports the 
weakest graphical presentation of all three versions because of the lack
of graphical prowess the NES had compared to the SNES and GBA. 

========================================================================
5.	Super Mario Brothers 2 (SNES)
========================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|    PLATFORM   |   RELEASE DATE        |            REGION           |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|      SNES     |     X/XX/1994***      |     North America/Europe    |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
NA:  North America = United States + Canada
EU:  Europe and/or PAL territories (Australia, etc.)

**Released in Japan as "Super Mario Collection"
***Estimated release date.

This is the version that led up the GBA version. Same game, but with
graphical touches. This game is part of a one-cartridge collection
featuring Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and this game. This
package is called "Super Mario All Stars" or "Super Mario Collection" in
Japan.

========================================================================
6.	Super Mario USA (NES, SNES, GBA)
========================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|    PLATFORM   |   RELEASE DATE        |            REGION           |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|     NES...    |    1986-2001          |            Japan            |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

NES...:  NES, SNES, GBA
   NES:  Nintendo Entertainment System
   SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
   GBA:  Game Boy Advance
         Game Boy Advance SP
         Game Boy micro
         Game Boy Player
JP:      Japan

***Estimated release dates.

Super Mario USA is the Japanese versions of all the versions of Super 
Mario Brothers 2 in North America. The game contains a different name 
because Super Mario Brothers 2 in Japan is "Super Mario. Brothers: The 
Lost Levels" in North America, which was only released with Super
Mario All-Stars on the SNES. 

Here's a little comparison:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|           JAPAN               |          NORTH AMERICA             |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|    Super Mario Brothers 2     |       Super Mario Brothers         |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|      Super Mario USA          |      Super Mario Brothers 2        |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

========================================================================
7.	Differences Between Versions
========================================================================

The GameBoy Advance version is different from the SNES/NES version. The
main game is the same, but some key features have been modified, or
changed to make a new experience. Here are the changes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|   GAMEBOY ADVANCE VERSION   |   NINTENDO/ SUPER NINTENDO VERSION   |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -The character models are   | -The character models are less       |
|  better.                    |  detailed.                           |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Heart powers are frequent. | -Heart powers are RARE.              |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -New music plays in the     | -Vase music is different.            |
|  vase.                      |                                      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Bigger enemies appear.     | -Only small enemies appear.          |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Big veggies appear.        | -Small veggies appear.               |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Robirdo is a new boss.     | -There is no Robirdo.                |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Portable.                  | -Not portable.                       |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Addition of the Big Coins. | -No red coins.                       |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Yoshi's Challenge at the   | -No Yoshi's Challenge.               |
|  end.                       |                                      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Character selection screen | -Character selection screen shows all|
|  rotates characters.        |  characters at once.                 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Peach is the Princess'     | -Toadstool is the Princess' name.    |
|  name.                      |                                      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -The powers of characters   | -The powers of characters are not    |
|  are shown.                 |  shown.                              |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -Level charts are shown     | -Level charts not shown.             |
|  before each level.         |                                      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -There are voices for each  | -There are no voices at all.         |
|  character.                 |                                      |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| -The sound is toned down.   | -The sound is much better.           |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

These are all the differences I've observed over the years. If you see
anything incorrect or missing, please don't hesitate to send me an 
e-mail. 

========================================================================
8.	Frequently Asked Questions
========================================================================

QUESTION
--------
I have a gameplay question.

ANSWER
------
Don't ask me. Although I wrote FAQs for Super Mario Advance 4 and Super
Mario Sunshine, I prefer not to write for this one. Sorry about that.
There are plenty of FAQs for the various versions of Super Mario 
Brothers 2, so look on GameFAQs for them. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
What if there is something missing from your FAQ?

ANSWER
------
Tell me! I'll be more than happy to add it for you, and then give you
credit. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Why did you write this FAQ?

ANSWER
------
For love of the game. Super Mario Advance was a really fun GBA launch
game, so I wrote this. Plus, the first version of this FAQ was written
on the night of November 17, 2001 which was a day before the GameCube's
North American launch. I wrote this to pass the time until morning. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Why is this game called Super Mario USA in Japan?

ANSWER
------
Because Super Mario Brothers: The Lost Levels (the North American name) 
was released there as Super Mario Brothers 2. The Lost Levels is the 
true sequel to the first Super Mario Brothers in Japan, but because 
The Lost Levels was deemed as a difficult, off putting game, Nintendo 
took the Famicom game "Doki Doki Panic" and turned it into the North
American version of Super Mario Brothers 2 we know today. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Why did Nintendo mix up the names and the way the games were released?

ANSWER
------
Well, Nintendo thought The Lost Levels would be too repetitive because 
it was, after all, a fairly similar game to the original. Seeing as it
may not have sold that well (the first game sold 40 Million copies!),
Nintendo released a different version for North American audiences.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Why so many rehashes?

ANSWER
------
Well, the SNES rehash was part of a multi-game package and the GBA 
version was for the sake of having a Mario title for the GBA launch. 
All the pre-N64 Mario games were eventually remade or ported over to the 
GBA, with the exception of Super Mario RPG. Super Mario 64 was ported
to the Nintendo DS. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
What's the Mario Brothers Classic game? 

ANSWER
------
Mario Brothers Classic is a remake of the arcade game, Mario Brothers, 
not to be confused with SUPER MARIO BROTHERS. It was originally an 
arcade game in Japan and was a launch game for the Famicom (Super Mario 
Brothers was NOT a Famicom launch game).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
What other Mario games are coming out/available for GBA?

ANSWER
------
Here is a list of all Mario games released for the GBA:
   Super Mario Advance*
   Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2*
   Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3*
   Super Mario Brothers 3: Super Mario Advance 4
   Classic NES Series: Super Mario Brothers (Famicom Mini in Japan)
   Famicom Mini: Super Mario Brothers 2 (Japan-only)

*denotes a re-release under the Player's Choice lineup in North America

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Why is the name "Toadstool" changed to "Peach" in the GBA version?

ANSWER
------
Apparently, she was called Peach in Japan and Toadstool in America up
until the release of a few non-main Mario games on the N64, when her
Japanese name began being used in English. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
So what is her real name or her full name?

ANSWER
------
Well... I can draw a guess that it is "Princess Peach Toadstool." But
it really isn't all that important. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
How much is this game?

ANSWER
------
When the game launched, it was about $30 US, GBP 33 (UK), Y 4800 (JP). 
However, prices have changed since 2001. The game was re-released under
the Player's Choice lineup in North America in 2006, at the price of
$19.99 MSRP (US Dollars).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
I don't like this game.

ANSWER
------
Well... that's too bad. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Is it better to get this game domestically or to import it from Japan?

ANSWER
------
Well, there's nothing wrong with the North American version, so go for
that one.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Does Super Mario Advance connect to any GameCube games?

ANSWER
------
Nope, none of the Game Boy Advance Mario games connected to the GameCube
using the link cable or wireless adaptor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Is the gameplay different between versions?

ANSWER
------
No, they are exactly the same, besides a few monster/boss changes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Which version do you prefer?

ANSWER
------
I prefer the SNES version because of the TV capabilities and ease of
control, while the GBA version is certainly a must for traveling. For
nostalgic purposes, the NES version isn't bad too. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION
--------
Will you make a Changes FAQ for any of the other Super Mario Advance
games?

ANSWER
------
Probably not. Sorry.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

========================================================================
9.	Conclusion
========================================================================

Well, this old, forgotten FAQ of mine is finally updated. Check out my
FAQ/Walkthrough for Super Mario Sunshine (written alongside King Kool)
and Super Mario Advance 4 (written alongside Devin Morgan).

Credits

-CJayC for accepting my FAQS- he runs GameFAQS, the best site!
-Nintendo for releasing this game and the GameBoy Advance, and the
GameCube
-Myself, for writing this FAQ

This FAQ is copyright 2001-2007 by cvxfreak. All rights reserved.

FireEmblemPride[at]gmail[dot]com.