
    .____________________________________________________________________.
    |.                                                                   |
    |.:.                           T H E                                 |
    |:::.       ______|_ _            ______                             :
   _______    __\_    |____  /\__. ___\_    \___|_   __  _______  _____/\___
  /     _/__ /   _   .|    \/    |/    /   //   |____  ___\_    \/    /    /
 //    |    /    |   ||.        ://   _____/.   _    \/    /   //    /   //
 \______    \_________||   \/    \________/||   |   //\________/\_____   /
  \  _______|         l____||____|         |________/  -rtx/art  \  ____/
   \/       `                              '                      \/     .
    .                 __ |_____   ______|_ _      ___/____               |
    |       _______ .____|    | __\_    |   ______\_    _/______ __      |
    |     _/     _/ |    |   .|/   _   .|___\_    \/    \/    _/___      |
    |    //      |__|    _   |/    |   ||.   /    /     \\_____    \     |
    |    \_________/|    |____\_________||   \____\______/\  ______/    .|
    |               `----'               l____|            \/         .::|
    |  Issue #2 Advance (April 2002)          '                     .::.:|
    `--------------------------------------------------------------------'


    [- Released on May 3rd 2002 - Gameboy Charts staff: WayneKerr & Jus -]

            [- Guest Commenters this time - Dropcom & Lordee -]


 INTRODUCTION
 ------------

 Another month, another chart as promised. Things slowed down in April after
 a relatively busy March. Just a handful of games came out in the US and
 Japan, and a couple from Europe. Less territory dupes and overdumps too. 
 But despite the low numbers there were quite a few noteworthy releases,
 including BOF2 and Rockman. There was also a month old dupe released.

 If I've missed a territory dupe here and there, don't freak out. They're
 useless as far as these charts go, because they don't give your group any
 points anyways. And since Wayne's hemorrhoids have kept him confined in bed
 for the last few weeks, we're understaffed as it is. 

 Due to his prolonged condition, Wayne was unable to write for the charts 
 (or even sit down and type). So the rest of the staff will fill in for him.
 On a positive note, I sent him some preparation-h, so with any luck you can
 look forward to a speedy recovery and his comments in the next issue!

 Thanks to Dropcom and Lordee for guest comments this issue. Both of these
 guys represent the REAL scene, and you know you wanna read what they have 
 to say. You can bet if Mode 7 releases a Britney Spears game, Dropcom's 
 name is all over it. And I'm sure you've seen Lordee's name in more than a
 few Venom scrollers.

 You know the drill...

                                                                    - jus


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------' 


 RULES & POINTS
 --------------

 The rules are simple. Territories are relative and unimportant. Distinctions
 in these charts are made by language. A Japanese game with all English text
 or an English select is considered English.


 +4 Points - MAJOR: Usually the best/most-anticipated game of the month.

 +3 Points - A world-first English game (never before released in English).

           - A world-first playable Foreign (non-English) release. 

 +1 Points - A world-first unplayable Foreign (non-English) release.

           - A trainer, crack, or useful gba/hardware related tool.

 +0 Points - TER.DUPE: Any subsequent version of a game that has already been
             released in English (final) is considered a dupe, regardless of
             any extra languages or which territory it is from.

           - BETA: A beta version of a game will get 0 points.

           - A late trainer with the same or less options is a dupe trainer.

 -1 Point  - If you release a game/trainer/crack that doesn't work, -1 time!

           - DUPE: If you release a game that's identical to a previous 
             release, this is different from a territory dupe and the penalty
             is more severe.


 NOTES
 -----

 Overdumps are noted for posterity, however no points are deducted for over-
 dumping a game, as it doesn't affect the playability of a game, and is easily
 truncated with any number of tools. Similarly, "redumps" and "propers" of 
 overdumped games will not receive any points, or even a mention in these 
 charts.

 Releases done by individuals or "groups" of a single person are tallied up
 under the Independent section.

 The playability of a foreign game is based upon the experience of any 
 number of people who have actually played the game. Decisions are final, so
 don't bitch that your favorite super shogi pachinko slot gaiden game 
 deserves more points.


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Cezar

      ___/\____/\_________   /\   ________
      \__  ___/  __/\__  /__/  \__\  _   /poyZ
   __ _/  /  |  __/  /  / _/    \_  _/ _/_ __
  \\_\\ _____| _____/_____\__/\__/__\  \ //_//
   ----\/----|/----------------------\  /---- 
                                      \/
 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr 11  Super Mario World: SMA2 (M4) - Nintendo       EUR/32M     0 TER.DUPE

 Apr 18  The Scorpion King: Sword of Osiris (M5) - U.I EUR/32M     0 TER.DUPE

 Apr 20  Tetris Worlds - Success                       JAP/32M     0 TER.DUPE
         Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace - Success       JAP/64M     0 TER.DUPE

 Apr 24  Kashiramoji D: Another Story - Sammy          JAP/64M    +1  UNPLAY.
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      1
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 In Hungary we say that the Blink182 are the homosexuals of the industry punk.

 - huh?


 Just the usual territory dupes and Jappy crap from Cezar this month.
 Super Mario World is a nice release for the Euros.

 - Dropcom


 Cezar with their usual load of useless crap. I wonder if that's just a
 supplier with no clue going berserk or someone who's really got a lot of
 spare time and cares to pick all this shit up. What a waste of time.
 I wish you guys would do something useful for this scene instead.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Eurasia

  ._________./\______  __  ____/\ _____  __
  \__  ___/ | \\_ _  \/  \/  ___/_\__ | /  \
   /  __/   |   \ / _/    \_____ .|   |/    \
  //     \  '   / \  \_/\ \\_  | :|  _/  /\ \\
  \____  /_____/__|\_____\__/_____|__\  /____/
  <----\/-----------------------------\/------

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr 10  Lunar Legend - Media Rings                    JAP/64M    +1  UNPLAY.

 Apr 24  Rockman Zero - Capcom                         JAP/64M    +3
         Advance GT2 - MTO                             JAP/64M    +3
         Winning Eleven World Soccer - Konami          JAP/64M    +3
         Tennis no Oji Sama - Konami                   JAP/64M    +3
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:     13
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Eurasia thrives on Japanese titles and this month is no different. Rockman
 is the highlight of the bunch this time around. I didn't try GT2 but if its
 anything like the last one, I'm sure its good. Jap dudes will appreciate
 Lunar and World Soccer.

 - jus


 Excellent Japanese titles from EURASIA, as they usually seem to pump out
 these days. I enjoyed Rockman Zero and the Tennis game a lot. Lunar
 Legend is unplayable but still a major. Overall a lot of quality games
 from EURASIA this month. Good work.

 - Dropcom


 Eurasia on the lucky side again this month, Japan's companies put out some
 playable stuff again. While I wouldn't consider Rockman Zero and Winning
 Eleven World Soccer fully playable as you are either missing the whole 
 story or have to navigate through neverending Japanese menus, Advance GT2 
 is completely English and Tennis no Oji Sama's menus are English as well.
 
 As for the games themselves, Rockman Zero really looks impressive - but
 I personally still wanna wait for a completely English version to make 
 sure I don't miss anything.

 I am missing the trainers from Eurasia. Half a year ago, they released
 real quality trainers. What happened these days? All in all, not a bad
 performance by Eurasia this month.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Evasion


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr 27  Penny Racers - Takara / Xicat                 EUR/32M     0 TER.DUPE
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      0
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 We say that the Rancid is the great punks of real music rock you know. In
 Budapest Hip Hop is the enemy of the Hungarians Punx and when mixes in with
 the punk it makes murder arrive in this country.

 - what the fuck??


 Another territory dupe from another European group...

 - Dropcom


 I pity the guy who picked this up just to find out it's a territory dupe
 of 'Gadget Racers'. I hope there's more to come from these guys - looks
 really promising after this furious start.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Lightforce

   ___   _   ___      _____     _____         
  /  /__\/__/ _/____ /    /___ /    /----+(\S!
    /         \_    /    /    /   _/+        +
  _____________/___/____/____/____\ ---------.
   _____ _____  _____ ___     __             :
  /   _/   _ /_/_   // _/____/_/___lIGHTfORCE'
     _/    //  _/  /   \     _\    / 2 o o 2  
  ___\ _____\__\____\ ____________\-----------

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr  2  Maya the Bee +7 Trainer - Shin'en / Acclaim   EUR/IPS    +1

 Apr  9  Shrek Swamp Kart Speedway - TDK Mediactive    EUR/64M    -1     DUPE
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      0
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Nice trainer guys, but no level skip?

 - jus


 The trainer is a nice addition to a nice game, But It is very surprised
 that we are still seeing byte for byte dupes in the scene. Haven't we
 learned from our mistakes by now?

 - Dropcom


 An average trainer along with an unforced error: a byte-for-byte dupe.
 With better quality control and some more dedication, Lightforce would have
 all the possibilities in the world.. but maybe they just don't like
 spotlight and prefer to stay in the background - by doing the exact
 opposite.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Mode 7

  ._     - M O D E 7 -   ______       _________
  | /\__  ____________ __\    | _ ____\__     /
   /    \/   _/   _   \      .|___\_   \/   //
  //   \  /  \    /  //   |  |/   _____/____/ .
   ____|\/|___\______/\_______\_______/-rtx! _| 

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr  1  The Three Stooges - Metro3D                   USA/32M    +3

 Apr  5  Wolfenstein 3D - BAM!                         USA/64M    +3

 Apr 17  Breath of Fire II - Capcom                    USA/32M    +4  G.O.T.M
         Spider-Man: The Movie - Activision            USA/64M    +3
         Star X - BAM!                                 USA/64M    +3

 Apr 22  Blender Bros - Infogrames                     USA/64M    +3
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:     19
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Not many games came out in the US this month, but Mode 7 managed to grab 
 them all, including a few quality titles. Star X is an average Star Fox
 clone, but until Nintendo gives us the real thing it will make do. The
 graphics are impressive even if the frame rate is not. Blender Bros is
 worth checking out too. 

 The Three Stooges was disappointing, and I'd rather get kicked in the 
 teeth than play Wolf 3D for more than 30 seconds. I'll pass on the 
 rpg remakes, but enough people enjoy that kinda thing, so BOF2 is 
 GOTM. Nice releases even if the games are not.

 Overall an impressive performance from Mode 7, which we've all come to
 expect. What happened to all the US suppliers in other groups?

 - jus


 Total domination of the USA this month. They didn't let one title sneak
 out of their hands. I personally enjoyed BOF2 and Star X. Star X's
 gameplay sucks, but the graphics impressed me for a GBA title.
 Wolfenstein was disappointing too, but a great release nonetheless.

 - Dropcom


 And the unstoppable supplying machine is still running. The boys in Mode 7 
 never hesitate long and release everything from the worst (The Three 
 Stooges) to the best Game of the Month, Breath of Fire II.
 
 Needless to say they did a good job again this month. I guess everyone 
 noticed that Mode 7 is the most reliable source for USA supplies.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Quartex

     ___  ___  ________________________:___
    / _ \/ | \/ _ \  _  \_.  ._/ __ \  |  /
   /  |_ \ |  \ |  \_/ _/ |  |/  \__/     \
   \___ \/____/ |__/\  \RD|  |\________|___)
  <----\__/-----'    \__) `--:---------:----->

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr  4  The Scorpion King +5 Trainer - Universal Int. USA/IPS    +1

 Apr  7  Wolfenstein 3D +5 Trainer - ID Software / BAM USA/IPS    +1

 Apr 21  Spider-Man: The Movie +6 Trainer - Activision USA/IPS    +1

 Apr 24  Blender Bros +10 Trainer - Infogrames         USA/IPS    +1
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      4
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Nice job. See in-depth trainer commentary by Lordee for more.

 - jus


 A lot of quality trains from Quartex this month. Great work!

 - Dropcom


 Quartex show continuity and dedication, as they are coming up with a
 decent amount of trainers every month now. From the point of view of a
 trainermaker tho, they often don't have all the options that make a
 real good trainer: Level-options are missing and by enabling certain
 options in the Spider-Man trainer you just get stuck and have to
 restart the whole game. 
 
 On the other hand, some trainers by Quartex are really well done - the
 Scorpion King trainer this month is a good example. Sure it's not easy
 to assure a trainer is 100% working and some games just cause a lot of
 problems - but with a bit more testing and quality control, Quartex
 could make another step forward.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Rocket


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr  1  Tiny Toon Adv. Wacky Stackers - Conspiracy    EUR/32M    +3
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      3
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 No, its not just your eyes. It's a legit release from Rocket. Fun game too.
 Puzzlers work real well on a handheld platform. Maybe these guys finally
 realized that territory dupes are weak.

 - jus


 Rocket managed to sneak in one nice original title this month. It sure
 beats the territorial dupes they usually put out.

 - Dropcom


 Probably the game i played the most this month. Rocket is doing a good job
 putting the stuff out that's slipping through the hands of the established
 groups. I wonder for how long, but at the moment it still works.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Rapid Fire

           _______     _______.___________
   __ .____\_     \____\_     \     _    / _
  |.  |.    /    //     |    //.    |___/  .|
  |:. ||    \     \_    _____/||    _/   .::|
  `-- l_____|\_____/____|-rtx!l_____| ------'

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr  5  Eigo Kubunhen 26 Units - KeyNet               JAP/64M    +1  UNPLAY.

 Apr 27  Sweet Cookie Pie - Culture Brain              JAP/32M    +1  UNPLAY.
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      2
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Mmmm... sweet cookie pie

 - Wayne Kerr


 The usual webpage junk....

 - Dropcom


 Rapid Fire brings us the kind of stuff that really comes in handy in case
 you'll ever have a Japanese exchange student. For all the other moments in
 life, this is unfortunately totally useless. Nothing but crap. But I always
 get the feeling Rapid Fire are doing their thing with love.

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Venom
  
       ___________ ____  ______________ _____.
  .____/    /  _/__|_  \/     /   \    \/    |
  |   /    /   _/   /   \    /  \  \  \      |
  |_______/________/___\____/_______\__\/    ;
  <----------------------- / --------mAZ!____|

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Apr  4  X-Bladez Inline Skater - Crave Entertainment  EUR/32M    +3

 Apr 20  Star X +7 Trainer - BAM! Entertainment        USA/IPS    +1
                                                       -------------
                                                       TOTAL:      4
                                                       -------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Not much to say. Slow month overall and a really slow month for Venom, 
 taking 1 of the 2 games from Europe and nothing in the US. Greetings go 
 out to lANCE and soutlaw for their contributions this month.. 

 - jus


 X-Bladez was a nice release even though the game sucked. The Star X trainer
 was another quality trainer for the scene too. Overall a slow month for
 Venom as they didn't show any competition for Mode 7 in the USA.

 - Dropcom


 One can't really say that this was one of our better months but there's
 definitely a good balance between games and trainers. As far as X-Bladez
 goes, it wasn't as bad as everyone told me and the Star X trainer was
 really nice work, especially considering it's a debute - Respect to 
 Sout from here! And prepare for some more action again, dear readers!

 - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 APRIL
 -----

    .____________________________________________________________________.
    |.                                                                   |
    |::.    TOP 10    __ |_____   ______|_ _      ___/____               |
    | .     _______ .____|    | __\_    |   ______\_    _/______ __      |
    |     _/     _/ |    |   .|/   _   .|___\_    \/    \/    _/___      |
    |    //      |__|    _   |/    |   ||.   /    /     \\_____    \     |
    |    \_________/|    |____\_________||   \____\______/\  ______/     |
    |               `----'               l____|            \/            |
    |                                                                    |
    |    Position                Group Name              Total Points    |
    |    --------                ----------              ------------    |
    |    1ST                     Mode 7                       19         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    2ND                     Eurasia                      13         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    3RD                     Quartex                       4         |
    |    3RD                     Venom                         4         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    5TH                     Rocket                        3         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    6TH                     Rapid Fire                    2         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    7TH                     Cezar                         1         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    8TH                     Evasion                       0         |
    |    8TH                     Lightforce                    0        .|
    |                                                                  ..|
    |                                                                .:::|
    `--------------------------------------------------------------------'

    - An extremely slow month in Europe with the vast majority of world
      first releases coming from the US and Japan, and its evident in the
      chart with Mode 7 and Eurasia taking the top positions.

    - Eurasia continues to dominate the Jap scene.

    - Mode 7 and Venom in the top 3 for the third month in a row.



 ALL-TIME
 --------

    .____________________________________________________________________.
    |.                                                                   |
    |::.    TOP 10    __ |_____   ______|_ _      ___/____               |
    | .     _______ .____|    | __\_    |   ______\_    _/______ __      |
    |     _/     _/ |    |   .|/   _   .|___\_    \/    \/    _/___      |
    |    //      |__|    _   |/    |   ||.   /    /     \\_____    \     |
    |    \_________/|    |____\_________||   \____\______/\  ______/     |
    |               `----'               l____|            \/            |
    |                                           Last    This    Total    |
    |    Position        Group Name            Total + Month = Points    |
    |    --------        ----------            ----- - ----- - ------    |
    |    1ST             Mode 7                  31      19       50     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    2ND             Venom                   42       4       46     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    3RD             Eurasia                 15      13       28     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    4TH             Rapid Fire              12       2       14     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    5TH             Lightforce              12       0       12     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    6TH             Quartex                  6       4       10     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    7TH             Cezar                    7       1        8     |
    |    7TH             Independent              8       -        8     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    9TH             Hyperion                 6       -        6     |
    |    9TH             Menace                   6       -        6     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    11TH            The Corporation          4       -        4     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    12TH            97                       3       -        3     |
    |    12TH            Paracox                  3       -        3     |
    |    12TH            Rocket                   -       3        3     |
    |                                                                    |
    |    15TH            Evasion                  -       0        0     |
    |    15TH            Koma                     0       -        0     |
    |    15TH            Oldskool                 0       -        0    .|
    |                                                                  ..|
    |                                                                .:::|
    `--------------------------------------------------------------------'

    - Mode 7 takes the #1 alltime-slot after dominating the US this month.



 SUMMARY
 -------

 April has come and gone, and while it was a relatively slow month we saw
 some great games released, especially in the US where Mode 7 went 6 for 6.
 Japan was also pretty busy, and Eurasia brought all the majors and playable
 titles from there. Venom and newcomers Rocket took care of the meager 
 offerings in Europe this month.

 Its nice to see there's still some competition on the training side of 
 things, with Venom, Quartex, and Lightforce all putting 'em out. While 
 there weren't a lot of actual trainers released, you have to remember that
 there weren't many games released this month either.

 I don't have Wayne's GC crystal ball, but things look about the same for 
 next month. I predict we'll see more trainers, Mode 7 and Venom once again
 battling for the US, and Eurasia picking and choosing from Japan. Expect
 the occasional Euro game from Venom, Eurasia, or Lightforce (amongst the 
 dupes they release).

 The future is looking bright with recent news on updated FAL hardware. A
 new 512mbit flashcart and a dual P.Port/USB linker will be coming out soon.
 I can't say I'm real excited about a 512mbit cart as I don't really use
 multiple games on one cart, but it will bring the price of the smaller 
 carts down which is always good. What's more exciting is the USB linker.
 Faster flashing/reading times, less buggy, new software... this is what
 the FAL should have been from the beginning.

 Thanks again to WK and everyone that helps out with these charts, 
 especially Dropcom and Lordee this month. See you in the next issue!
 
                                                                   - jus


 It was a slow month. What more can be said. There were definitely some
 quality titles. MODE7 and EURASIA dominated in their respective territories
 and the European games were split up between the rest of the groups.

                                                                   - Dropcom


 Nothing much changed this month. GBA scene could need some more action
 again, fresh blood is welcome. Quite unlikely that the good weather does
 this scene any good but maybe there's still a chance a few guys wake up
 from their sleep and go back to work again.

 Greetings to my groupmates in VENOM, that became like a family to me.

                                                                   - Lordee


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'

                (c) Copyright, GC 2002 - Art/Design by: Rotox!                

