SUPER MARIO ADVANCE
-NES/SNES TO GAMEBOY ADVANCE CHANGES FAQ-
NINTENDO GAMEBOY ADVANCE
WRITTEN BY: CVXFREAK
COPYRIGHT 2001 BY CVXFREAK
VERSION 1.00
DATE: NOVEMBER 17, 2001

After doing a "Changes FAQ" for Resident Evil CODE: Veronica X, one for 
Super Mario Advance's Super Mario Bros. 2 was not posted. Since 
GameCube launch is tomorrow, I will write this FAQ to tide me over! I 
am so excited that my GBA is getting much needed attention!

Anyway, this FAQ will cover the changes made between the NES/SNES and 
the GBA version of Super Mario Bros. 2 (SM Advance). This will also 
cover changes between the US and Japanese versions of the GBA game, as 
well. There are a lot of changes.

E-Mail: ReBioHazard6587@aol.com

=======
CONTENT
=======

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.	CONCLUSION

=====================
1.	VERSION HISTORY
=====================

NOVEMBER 17, 2001
FAQ begun and finished, as always.

=================
2.	SUPER MARIO
=================

Ever since Mario appeared as the first game on the NES, in 1985, Mario-
mania has skyrocketed. There have been at least 12 story games between 
Nintendo systems. They are:

Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels (Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan)
Super Mario Bros. USA (Super Mario Bros. 2 in America)
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario World
Mario Is Missing
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario RPG
Super Mario 64
Paper Mario
Luigi's Mansion
Super Mario Land
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins

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," slap me an 
e-mail (above).

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

Super Mario Bros. USA/Super Mario Bros. 2 AMERICAN has been rereleased 
several times, across 3 different platforms. They were the NINTENDO 
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, the SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM and the 
GAMEBOY ADVANCE.

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

=========================
3.	SUPER MARIO ADVANCE
=========================

| PLATFORM | RELEASE DATE | COUNTRY | 
-------------------------------------
|    GBA   |     6/11***  |UNIVERSAL|

GBA: GAMEBOY ADVANCE

***U.S. release date.

This is the latest version of Super Mario Bros. 2. It sports the best 
graphical capabilities, portability and overall, an improved version of 
the 1980's classic.

But what was changed from the previous 2 versions?

===============================
4.	SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 (NES)
===============================


| PLATFORM | RELEASE DATE | COUNTRY | 
-------------------------------------
|    NES   |     1986***  |  US/EU  |

NES: NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
US: UNITED STATES
EU: EUROPE

***Estimated release date.

This is the original Mario 2. It sports the weakest graphical 
presentation of all 3 versions, but it is the one played the longest. 
The game was fun regardless. The upgraded versions are better, though.

================================
5.	SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 (SNES)
================================

| PLATFORM | RELEASE DATE | COUNTRY | 
-------------------------------------
|    SNES  |     1994***  | US/EU** |

SNES: SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
US: UNITED STATES
EU: EUROPE

**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 touched. 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."

======================================
6.	SUPER MARIO USA (NES, SNES, GBA)
======================================


| PLATFORM | RELEASE DATE | COUNTRY | 
-------------------------------------
|  NES...  | 1986-2001*** |    JP   |

NES...: NES, SNES, GBA
NES: NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
SNES: SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
GBA: GAMEBOY ADVANCE

****Estimated release dates.

The Japanese versions of all the Mario Bros. 2's in the US. The game 
retains a different game because Mario Bros. 2 in Japan is Mario. Bros: 
Lost Levels in America. 

==================================
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. | -Hear powers are RARE.               |
| -New music plays in the     | -Vase music is different.            | 
|  vase.                      |                                      |
| -Bigger enemies appear.     | -Only small enemies 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 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.         |                                      |

Those are all the differences I saw. There may be more I forgot to 
mention! Please e-mail them to me for credit in this FAQ!

================================
8.	FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
================================

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

ANSWER
------
Don't ask me. I don't write gameplay guides for platformers.

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 credit 
you.

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

ANSWER
------
For love of the game.

QUESTION
--------
Why is it called Super Mario USA in Japan?

ANSWER
------
Because Super Mario Bros. Lost Levels (American name) was released 
there as Super Mario Bros. 2.

QUESTION
--------
Why did Nintendo mix things up?

ANSWER
------
Well they thought Lost Levels would be too repetitive, so they made the 
Mario Bros. 2 of America to keep the formula new. Notice the 
similarities between Super Mario Bros. And Lost Levels?

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

ANSWER
------
Well, the SNES rehash was part of a package and the GBA version was for 
a Mario title to make it to the GBA launch.

QUESTION
--------
What is the Mario Bros. Game part of Mario Advance?

ANSWER
------
The arcade game, Mario Bros., not to be confused with SUPER MARIO BROS.

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

ANSWER
------
Super Mario World, for the SNES, is being ported to GBA, which is due 
out in Japan in January, 2002 as Super Mario Advance 3. Importing will 
be friendly. After that, Super Mario Bros. 3 will be ported to GBA as 
Super Mario Advance 3. Yoshi's Island will follow after, likely to keep 
its own name.

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

ANSWER
------
Apparently, she was called Peach in Japan and Toadstool in America. 
Super Mario 64 and Paper Mario called her Peach, so maybe they changed 
the GBA version as well, to make everything universal.

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

ANSWER
------
Well... I can draw a guess that it is "Princess Peach Toadstool." It 
makes sense. I tend to keep both names combined, since Super Mario RPG, 
a still recent Mario game, used it.

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

ANSWER
------
About $30 US, GBP 33 (UK), Y 2800 (JP).

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

ANSWER
------
I don't care.

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

ANSWER
------
Well... that depends on price, actually. If it is cheap domestically, 
grab that version. I consider the Japanese version special, because of 
the name "Super Mario USA." After 9/11, the title surely sounds 
refreshing, to me at least.

QUESTION
--------
Will SMA connect to any GCN games?

ANSWER
------
No. Super Mario Advance 2 might, someday, connect to Mario Sunshine. 
This is a guess, to utilize the GCN-GBA connection. THIS IS NOT A FACT.

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 travels. The NES 
version is for originality.

================
9.	CONCLUSION
================
Well, this FAQ is finished! Finally, sleep at last! GameCube is coming 
tommorow, so I will sleep, because time speeds by faster when you 
sleep! [Though I probably won't be able to :/]

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

 
