Monster Rancher Advance

Tecmo brings its popular breed-and-battle series to the Game Boy Advance.

The action transpires on rustic Age Island, where you, a master monster breeder, have nobly agreed to help revitalize a rundown ranch. Head into town to the shrine, where inscribing a tablet with alphanumeric characters will generate a unique monster. Each monster is rated for power, speed, defense and other characteristics. Back at the ranch, you can select various monster coaches to train your charge, feed it a healthy and well-balanced diet and make sure it gets plenty of rest.

Over at the studio, you can store and combine your charges to create über monsters. You can also combine items purchased at the store to create super snacks. At AGIMA HQ, you can have your monster taught special moves and promote highly trained monsters to coaches.

Excelling in the occasional tournament will bring you fame and money. The unusual battle engine requires you to move your monster near or away from its rival before selecting an attack. The winner is determined when time runs out.

Thank the Game Boy Advance for the crisp, clear graphics, but thank the droll souls at Tecmo for such comic touches as Aroma and Zest, the names of the girl and boy who run the dilapidated ranch.

As many as four friends can link up to battle their monsters against each other.

Monster Rancher Advance is in stores now.

Source:

www.nintendo.com