Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Remake of the first two Advance Wars games for Nintendo Switch.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a turn-based strategy game for the Nintendo Switch, released in 2023. It was developed by WayForward and published by Nintendo. The game is a remake of the first two entries in the Advance Wars series: the original *Advance Wars* from 2001 and *Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising* from 2003, both originally made by Intelligent Systems. This collection includes the campaigns from both games, plus a Versus mode for two to four players that works both locally and online. It also features a map editor for creating and sharing custom maps.
The game was first scheduled for December 2021, then pushed to April 2022. In March 2022, it was delayed indefinitely because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It finally came out on April 21, 2023, and critics gave it generally positive reviews.
**Gameplay**
Players control a mix of land, air, and sea units, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Maps are made of tiles, and units move one tile at a time. Movement ranges, attack ranges, and how units interact with terrain all vary. For example, foot soldiers have a shorter movement range than other units but can climb mountains for a defense bonus. Woods slow down most units. Fog of war and weather can also affect movement. Water units like Destroyers and Battleships can only travel on water; aerial units ignore terrain penalties but get no defense bonus from terrain. Land units need Transport Copters or Landers to cross water. Units have limited ammo and fuel, which can be refilled by moving into a building you control. If a naval or air unit runs out of fuel, it explodes and is removed from the map on the next turn.
Players choose from several Commanding Officers (COs), each with unique strengths, often tied to specific units or terrain. The main difference between them is their CO Power. In the first game, each CO has one unique power. Andy’s power heals his units’ HP, Sami’s boosts the movement, defense, and offense of her Infantry and Mech units, and Eagle’s lets his units (except Infantry and Mechs) move again if they already moved that turn. These powers activate once a meter fills up, which happens when your units fight, whether attacking or defending. *Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising* adds a Super CO Power for each CO, which requires charging the meter longer.
Units are created by spending money at specific buildings: bas
- Release year
- 2023
- Developer
- WayForward
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre
- Turn-based strategy
- Original developers
- Intelligent Systems
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer (local and online)
Lore & Background
The game was announced during Nintendo's E3 2021 Nintendo Direct on June 15, with a release date of December 3 the same year. It was delayed to April 8, 2022, then delayed indefinitely on March 9, 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A redemption code error allowed one player to download the game early, but Nintendo revoked access and issued a refund on April 14. The game eventually released on April 21, 2023. In Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, Sturm is defeated by the player's forces; Hawke does not kill Sturm, and there is no self-destruct sequence involving Sturm.
Reader's Guide
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp preserves the core gameplay of the original titles: turn-based combat on tiled maps with land, air, and sea units, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, and terrain interactions. Commanding Officers (COs) provide distinct abilities and CO Powers, including Super CO Powers in the second game. Players capture buildings to generate income and produce units, manage ammo and fuel, and win by routing opponents or capturing their headquarters. The Versus mode supports local play for up to four players and online play for up to two. The collection received generally positive reviews from critics, according to Metacritic. Its delayed release due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine drew attention to the intersection of real-world events and video game publishing.
Did You Know?
- The game was delayed indefinitely in March 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- A redemption code error allowed one player to download the game early, but Nintendo revoked access and issued a refund on April 14.
- In Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, Sturm is defeated by the player's forces; Hawke does not kill Sturm, and there is no self-destruct sequence involving Sturm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp?
It is a 2023 turn-based strategy remake for the Nintendo Switch that bundles the first two Advance Wars titles into a single package. WayForward handled development while Nintendo served as the publisher.
Which games does Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp include?
The collection covers both the original 2001 Advance Wars and its 2003 sequel, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, each with their full campaign storylines. Both were originally crafted by Intelligent Systems for the Game Boy Advance.
What new features does Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp add over the originals?
Beyond the two classic campaigns, it introduces a Versus mode supporting two to four players in both local and online matches. There is also a built-in map editor that lets you design and share custom battlefields.
Who developed Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp?
WayForward developed the remake and Nintendo published it for the Nintendo Switch. The original two entries were created by Intelligent Systems.
Can you play Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp with friends online?
Yes—the Versus mode allows up to four players to compete against one another over the internet as well as locally on the same console.
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