Advance Wars, released for the Game Boy Advance in 2001, is a turn-based strategy game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. Despite its colorful graphics and cheerful tone, this game offers deep, challenging tactical gameplay that rewards careful planning and smart unit positioning. You play as commanding officers (COs) in a war between four factions: Orange Star, Blue Moon, Green Earth, and Yellow Comet. Each CO has unique abilities that affect the battlefield—from movement boosts to damage bonuses—adding a layer of strategy to every decision. Why it’s still a tactical icon: 🔄 Turn-based combat on grid-based battlefields 🧠 CO Powers that shift the tide of war (like Andy’s heals or Max’s power attacks) 🪖 Unit variety – infantry, tanks, artillery, air units, naval units 🎨 Bright, colorful sprites and clean animations for each attack 🧭 Fog of war, terrain bonuses, and supply lines add tactical depth 📖 Lengthy campaign with story-driven missions and CO development 👥 Multiplayer maps for head-to-head battles (link cable or pass-and-play!) Whether you’re showcasing a tense skirmish, a map overview, or just the satisfying animations, Advance Wars remains one of the most polished and rewarding strategy games on a handheld console.