
==============================================================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
           _______________ ___________   ____________
          /              //           \ /            \
         /      ________//      ___   //      ___    /
        /      /        /      /__/  //      /__/   /
       /      /  _____ /      _   __//      ____   /       __ _____ ______
      /      /  /__  //      / \  \ /      /   /  /   /\  / // ___// __  /
     /      /_____/ //      /__/  //      /   /  /   /  \/ // _/  / / / /
    /              //            //      /   /  /__ / /\  // /   / /_/ /
   /______________//____________//______/   /__//_//_/  \//_/   /_____/
         _____ __  __ ______ ______ ______ ____                  ___
        / ___// /_/ // __  // __  //_  __// __/                 /  /
       / /   / __  // __  // _  _/  / /   \ \   _____ ____      / /
      / /__ / / / // / / // / \ \  / /  __/ /  / _  // _ /__  _/ /_
     /____//_/ /_//_/ /_//_/   \/ /_/  /___/  /_//_//___//_/ /____/


                    AN INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED GBA-CHARTS!
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     March 1, 2001 through June 30, 2001


==============================================================================
     __     __ ______ ______  ______
    / //\  / //_  __// __  / / __  /
   / //  \/ /  / /  / _  _/ / / / /
  / // /\  /  / /  / / \ \ / /_/ /
 /_//_/  \/  /_/  /_/   \//_____/

==[ SOME WORDS ABOUT GBA CHARTS ]=============================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I've always wanted to do a 'charts'.  With the release of the GBA and a
  whole new scene presenting itself, I decided to go ahead and do it.  I
  plan to do one monthly from this point on, cataloging all releases, giving
  out points based on a fair point system and commenting on each release.
  Seeing how this is the first issue of GBA.nfo Charts, the only commentary
  is from me, a non-group-belonging-to scener who usually just lurks and
  doesn't get involved, however I have run a completely ad-free resource for
  some N64 information for about a year.  If any of you other sceners or
  groups want to lay down some comments, send them to fab@elitendo.com. And
  remember: Don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed.  If you are
  so inclined you can visit www.elitendo.com/gba to check out the GBA.nfo
  site which includes news, a release list, a charts archive (one so far,
  heh) and some links.  These charts are just for fun and if you don't like
  them, don't read them and please don't bash them.  Counting points and
  keeping track is dumb to some people but fun for me.  If I miss something
  let me know and I'll ad a addendum to future issues of these charts
  indicating that there was a mistake or oversight in a previous issue.

  Anyway... this issue of the GBA Charts covers four consecutive months:
  March 2001 through June 2001.  There wasn't any real reason to have a
  release chart until now due to the fact that the scene was just getting
  off of the ground and there wasn't any GBA backup devices available until
  June 2001 and as we all know the scene as we know it is around hardware
  console playing and not emulators, although the advent of the GBA brought
  us GBA emulators before the GBA hardware was even released.  The focus of
  these GBA charts will of course be on scene releases played on hardware
  backup devices.  The only current hardware backup device for the GBA at
  the time of this writing is the GBA-Xchanger and 64 Mbit GBA-Flash Card.
  The release of this backup device in early June brought many questions
  about quality and save-methods with many of the devices being reported as
  faulty out of the box and causing problems with games crashing and the
  inability to load more than one ROM on a card.  Anti-lockup patches which
  slowed down the timing of the ROMs were released in an effort to overcome
  hardware problems and later angered customers of the GBA-Flash Card when
  it was realized that the patches were not needed on good working
  non-faulty hardware.  I'm not sure if there is any "good" Flash Advance
  hardware out there.  Everyone I've talked to has had various issues with
  various games.  I personally have some problems with some commercial
  software out there on the Flash Advance hardware, and luckily people have
  discovered a way to patch the ROMS to work with the Flash Advance
  hardware.  I personally think that all of the currently available Flash
  Advance hardware has problems.  The people that aren't experiencing the
  problems just haven't experienced them yet.  I can play every game
  without patches too, it's just that some of them might crash if I play
  them without patches.  I won't be sending mine back and will limp along
  with it until something better/different comes out.  It  works well enough
  for me for now and I'm sure it won't be the last unit to exist for the GBA
  nor the last backup unit I'll own.  There were also two save-fixes
  released by Nintendo Backup Crew which allow saving in Super Mario Advance
  (USA/JPN) using the SRAM-only capable GBA-Flash Cards.

  Prior to the public publishing of these charts, another GBA charts was
  released to the scene by scene people:  "The Gameboy Advance Console World
  Charts".  Those charts have comments by scene people and may be deemed as
  the "offical" charts, but I don't agree with that charts' point system.  I
  almost didn't release these charts, but it's something I had fun with and
  there's always room for some other charts IMO.  Plus I already put
  together some web space and stuff to host my charts and world charts so
  here it is:  on to the charts...

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
     ____   ______ __     __ ______ ____
    / __ \ / __  // //\  / //_  __// __/
   / ____// / / // //  \/ /  / /   \ \ 
  / /    / /_/ // // /\  /  / /  __/ /
 /_/    /_____//_//_/  \/  /_/  /___/

==[ A WORD ABOUT THE POINT SYSTEM ]===========================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The point system is lifted from the RedboX N64 Charts point system which
  out of all of the point systems out there is the most fair.  I agree with
  this system because ANY world premiere release, Japanese or not,
  unplayable (due to foreign language) or not should be given full credit.
  I can't I deem a Japanese game I can't play because of a language barrier
  unplayable and therefore worth less (and less points) to the scene.
  There's plenty of English language games that I would consider unplayable
  crap.  Also, I don't like the fact that negative points are ever given.
  If the release is BAD or a DUPE zero points will suffice.  Also, I am only
  giving points to commercial game releases, selectable trainers and cracks
  or save fixes.  Points will not be awarded to hacks (non-selectable
  trainers), manuals, box art, etc.  Sorry but I can't keep track of all
  that stuff.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

==[ THE POINT SYSTEM ]========================================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

       World Premiere Release of a Final Game                :  8 Pts
       Final Version of a Previously Released Game           :  6 Pts
       Beta Version of a Game / Kiosk Demo                   :  4 Pts
       Fix, Crack & Trainer Patches                          :  2 Pts
       Version Change Release/Patch                          :  2 Pts
       Dupe or Corrupt release                               :  0 Pts

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

==============================================================================


==============================================================================
     ______  _____ __    _____ ______ ____ _____ ____
    / __  / / ___// /   / ___// __  // __// ___// __/
   / _  _/ / _/  / /   / _/  / __  / \ \ / _/   \ \
  / / \ \ / /__ / /__ / /__ / / / /__/ // /__ __/ /
 /_/   \//____//____//____//_/ /_//___//____//___/

==[ RELEASES SORTED BY NUMBER OF POINTS AWARDED PER GROUP ]===================

 MTX!____.--._)\____  .-.  ____/(___:.___
 .--/  _ |  | \___  \/ _ \/  ___/___]/ _ \--.
 | /   __|  l  |   _/     \___  \   /     \ |
 `-\____ \_____|_\_ \__|__/ ____/___\  |__/-'
        \(         \(     )/         `-'

==[ EURASIA ]=================================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  31-Mar-2001   Battle Network Rockman EXE           JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  31-Mar-2001   Kuru Kuru Kururin                    JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  18-May-2001   Super Mario Advance                  USA/ENG   032 Mbits   6
  25-May-2001   Final Fight One                      JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  25-May-2001   Bomberman Story                      JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  30-May-2001   Iridion 3D                           USA/ENG   032 Mbits   8
  04-Jun-2001   Pinobee: Wings of Adventure          USA/ENG   064 Mbits   6
  04-Jun-2001   Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2        USA/ENG   064 Mbits   8
  06-Jun-2001   Castlevania: Circle of the Moon      EUR/ENG   064 Mbits   6
  07-Jun-2001   Army Men Advance                     USA/MU5   032 Mbits   8
  20-Jun-2001   Tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodis        JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  23-Jun-2001   Tweety and the Magic Gems            EUR/ENG   032 Mbits   6
  27-Jun-2001   Yushun Rhapsody                      JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  27-Jun-2001   Choro Q Advance                      JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  27-Jun-2001   Toy Robot Force                      JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8


 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Total Releases This Issue :   15
                                               Total Score This Issue :  112
                                           Average Points Per Release : 7.47

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  EURASIA is the number one release group for the Game Boy Advance so far.
  They have provided 7 world premiere releases to the GBA community, making
  extra strong entries with Final Fight One, Iridion 3D and the first
  english version of Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.  Castlevania was
  incorrectly noted as USA in the release .NFO, however it is the European
  (albeit not multi-language) version of the game.  Castlevania: CotM is
  probably the best launch title for the Gameboy Advance.  It has everything
  you'd want from a Castlevania release and more.  Unfortunately Rockman EXE
  and Bomberman Story are pretty unplayable in their Japanese form unless of
  course you can speak Japanese.  Kuru Kuru Kururin is a fun little game
  that reminds me of Irritating Maze on the Neo Geo and Fire Electric Pen on
  the N64.  Thankfully an English version of Kuru Kuru Kururin was released
  by Mode 7 this issue as well.  Pinobee is a nice looking, albeit generic
  playing platform game.  Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2 and Army Men Advance
  round out the USA releases, both being fairly hum-drum.  Finally, Eurasia
  gives us the first english version of Tweety and the Magic Gems.  This
  Mario Party style board/party game may have appeal to some, but not to me.
  Perhaps it's more fun with multiple players, but it's no fun for one.
  EURASIA also gives us the last three releases for the month of June, all
  three are Japanese: Yushun Rhapsody, some kind of Horse Racing RPG from
  Capcom, Choro Q Advance, the first GBA incarnation of the popular Japanese
  racer.  EURASIA'S last release for the month of June was another Japanese
  game: Toy Robot Force (or is it Toy Robo Force?).. It's also pretty
  unplayable unless you can read Japanese.  It's unlikely that we'll see
  many, if any, of these Japanese releases here in the USA, however.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================

        ________     _________/______
  ____ /     __/ ____\_      /      /  _____
 |    //     |__/      _____//     /_/\     |
 `----\________/_______|-rtx\_____/____\----'

==[ CAPITAL ]=================================================================

 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13-Apr-2001   Mr. Driller 2                        JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  13-Apr-2001   ChuChu Rocket                        JPN/MU5   032 Mbits   8
  13-Apr-2001   Akumajyou Dracula: Circle / Moon     JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  13-Apr-2001   Advance GTA                          JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  13-Apr-2001   Wai Wai Racing                       JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  14-Apr-2001   Bakunetsu Dodgeball Fighters         JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  14-Apr-2001   Pinobee: Quest of Heart              JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  14-Apr-2001   Power Pro Kun Pocket 3               JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  14-Apr-2001   Napoleon                             JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  14-Apr-2001   Top Gear All-Japan GT Championship   JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  15-Apr-2001   Fire Pro Wrestling A                 JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  15-Apr-2001   Tweety's Hearty Party                JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  15-Apr-2001   JGTO Golf Master                     JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  16-Apr-2001   Castlevania: CotM *+4 TRAINER*       JPN/JAP   -IPS-       2

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Total Releases This Issue :   14
                                               Total Score This Issue :  106 
                                           Average Points Per Release : 7.57

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  
 
  CAPITAL comes in second this month with 13 world premiere releases.  All
  of CAPITAL'S releases are from Japan, but many of them are very playable.
  Mr. Driller 2 is the sequel to the multi-console and arcade game from a
  couple years ago.  It makes it's debut on the GBA before any other system.
  ChuChu Rocket is Sega's first entry on the GBA with hopefully many more to
  follow.  ChuChu Rocket is just like the Dreamcast version and is quite
  suited to the GBA.  Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is definitely a
  must-have game for the GBA but being in Japanese and containing the amount
  of text it contains, English speaking GBA'ers will enjoy the English
  version much more.  Advance GTA is one of the first traditional racing
  games for the GBA and is quite nice.  It uses a Mode 7 style game engine
  and quite a selection of vehicles.  The Japanese version features SRAM
  save capabilities while the USA version only has a clumsy password method
  for keeping track of your game in-progress.  Wai Wai Racing is Konami's
  version of Mario Kart and it plays surprisingly well and should keep us
  occupied until the Nintendo version hits later this year.  Super Dodgeball
  Advance is dodgeball in the same vein as it has always been in console
  form.  It's fun.  Pinobee is your standard platformer, named 'Wings of
  Adventure' in the USA.  Powerful Pro Baseball 3 is good 'ol Konami Big
  Head Baseball.  Napoleon is a strategy game, however is Japanese and not
  playable unless you speak the language.  Top Gear All-Japan GT
  Championship is the Top Gear series debut title on the GBA and it's a
  good little racer for the handheld.   Fire Pro Wrestling A is wrestling
  game that is not in the vein of WCW/WWF type games so if you're looking
  for that kind of game steer clear.  Tweety and the Magical Jewel is a
  Mario Party type game that just like Mario Party is more fun with
  multiple players.  Golf Master is your standard Golf fare; the ability to
  read Japanese is definitely helpful.  Finally, CAPITAL'S last release this
  issue is the second selectable trainer for the GBA; a trainer for
  Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Japan).  As of this issue there are only
  2 selectable trainers for the GBA, hopefully there are many more trainers
  in the future of the GBA.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



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

==[ MODE 7 ]==================================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  08-Jun-2001   Earthworm Jim                        USA/ENG   064 Mbits   8
  08-Jun-2001   Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure         USA/ENG   032 Mbits   8
  08-Jun-2001   Super Dodgeball Advance              USA/ENG   064 Mbits   6
  08-Jun-2001   F-Zero: Maximum Velocity             USA/ENG   032 Mbits   6
  08-Jun-2001   Fire Pro Wrestling                   USA/ENG   064 Mbits   6
  21-Jun-2001   Kuru Kuru Kururin                    EUR/ENG   032 Mbits   6
  21-Jun-2001   Top Gear GT Championship             EUR/ENG   032 Mbits   6
  29-Jun-2001   Hot Potato                           USA/ENG   032 Mbits   8
  29-Jun-2001   Bomberman Tournament                 USA/ENG   032 Mbits   6


 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Total Releases This Issue :    9
                                               Total Score This Issue :   60
                                           Average Points Per Release : 6.67

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  MODE 7, a newcomer to the ROM release scene has released a bunch of great
  games for the GBA this issue.  Two world premiere releases in the form of
  Earthworm Jim and Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure were their first releases.
  Both of these releases are SNES ports of games released years ago.
  Earthworm Jim has always been one of my favorites and is a pretty faithful
  port.  Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure was never a favorite of mine and this
  port seems off somehow from the SNES and Genesis versions and seems much
  more frustrating to play.  Neither of these two releases have any save
  capability however there is a code that allows level selection.

  Most of MODE 7's other releases are all English versions of previously
  released Japanese ROMS.  All of these releases are much better in English
  and are some of the best games for the GBA.  Super Dodgeball Advance is a
  unique title that is pretty fun to play and has lots of modes.  F-Zero:
  Maximum Velocity is one of the best games for the GBa and in my opinion
  gives Castlevania: Circle of the Moon a run for it's money for Game of the
  Month.  Fire Pro Wrestling is the first of the Fire Pro Wrestling games to
  be released in the USA for any console and is a good game, however it's
  not like the WCW/WWF games that we USA players are used to.  An english
  version of Kuru Kuru Kururin is here too!  It's a very unique and fun
  action oriented puzzle game in which you have to guide a rotating stick
  through some mazes without touching the sides of the mazes.  It's really
  cool and it's great to see an english language version of this game
  released.  Top Gear GT Championship makes it's English debut here too;
  it's a fairly decent racing game with good controls and good graphics, the
  engine is doesn't seem to be Mode 7'ish like GT Advance Championship
  Racing, and isn't quite as good as GT Advance.  Out of those two
  traditional racing games, GT Advance is the clear winner.

  Finally, MODE 7 brought us the last two releases of June: USA versions of
  Hot Potato and Bomberman Tournament.  Hot Potato is a strange puzzle game
  that has you in control of Potato's from outer space.  I haven't really
  been impressed with this one, however it's the first GBA game I've seen
  that has a contrast setting built into the game --nice touch.  Bomberman
  Tournament is the USA version of Bomberman Story.  It kind of reminds of
  Zelda for NES/SNES/GBC.  It's a great handheld version of Bomberman.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



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

==[ RAPID FIRE ]==============================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  15-Apr-2001   Winning Post                         JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  15-Apr-2001   Silent Hill Play Novel               JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  16-Apr-2001   Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeondice Monsters       JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  16-Apr-2001   I Am An Air Traffic Controller       JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  16-Apr-2001   J-League Pocket                      JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8
  16-Apr-2001   Momotaro Festival                    JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  16-Apr-2001   Monster Guardians                    JPN/JAP   064 Mbits   8

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   7
                                                Total Score This Issue :  56
                                            Average Points Per Release :   8

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  RAPID FIRE comes at us this month with 7 world premiere releases.  Like
  CAPITAL they are all Japanese releases and fairly unplayable unless you
  speak Japanese, which I do not.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
 
     ___/\____/\_________   /\   ________
     \__  ___/  __/\__  /__/  \__\  _   /poyZ
  __ _/  /  |  __/  /  / _/    \_  _/ _/_ __
 \\_\\ _____| _____/_____\__/\__/__\  \ //_//
 -----\/----|/----------------------\  /-----
                                     \/
==[ CEZAR ]===================================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14-Jun-2001   Konami Krazy Racers                  EUR/ENG   032 Mbits   6
  18-Jun-2001   Castlevania: Circle of the Moon      USA/ENG   064 Mbits   6
  18-Jun-2001   Rayman Advance                       USA/ENG   064 Mbits   8
  22-Jun-2001   Rayman Advance *FINAL*               EUR/MU5   064 Mbits   6
  22-Jun-2001   Super Mario Advance                  USA/ENG   032 Mbits   2

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   5
                                                Total Score This Issue :  28
                                            Average Points Per Release : 5.6

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  CEZAR, another newcomer to the ROM release scene brought us five releases
  this issue.  All five releases of are previously released games.  Konami
  Krazy Racers is just the European release of the USA version of the same
  name and the Japanese Wai Wai Racers.  CEZAR also released the USA
  versions of Castlevania and Rayman Advance.  EURASIA and MENACE released
  European versions of Castlevania and Rayman Advance incorrectly labled as
  USA versions.  The CEZAR releases are the actual USA releases.   CEZAR
  also released what at first glance would appear to be duplicates of
  previously released GBA ROMS: Rayman Advance Europe, which is identical in
  every perceivable way to the MENACE release of the same game, however a
  binary file comparison shows that they are very different and the CEZAR
  release has been deemed as the FINAL release of the European version of
  Rayman and the MENACE version has been deemed as the BETA version of the
  European version of Rayman.  Confusing isn't it?  CEZAR'S release of Super
  Mario Advance which has a USA serial number, yet is claimed as the
  European release in CEZAR's NFO file is deemed as a legit European release
  by some and an alternate USA release by others.  It confuses me too, but
  I'll go with what the serial number says (USA) and give credit as an
  alternate release of the previously released USA version and give it 2
  points.  As always, I'm up for debate.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================

    ߲                          
  ߲۲ܲ  ܲ           ܲ   
    ۲۲ܰ ߲۲  
    ޲  ޲  ߲߲     
         ߲۲ܲ
          ߲۲        ޲ 
          ۲  u3    ߲    
       ܲ۲      ۲
                  ޲ ۲    
                        ۲     
   _THE CORPORATION_  ߲ܲ ۲ 
                             
 ܲ۰            ߲  FOR THE PEOPLE!
 ۲
    


==[ THE CORPORATION ]=========================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  07-Jun-2001   Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2             USA/ENG   128 Mbits   0
  07-Jun-2001   GT Advance Championship Racing       USA/ENG   064 Mbits   6
  07-Jun-2001   Namco Museum Advance                 USA/ENG   032 Mbits   8
  07-Jun-2001   Chu Chu Rocket                       USA/MU5   032 Mbits   6

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   4
                                                Total Score This Issue :  20
                                            Average Points Per Release :   5

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was released by The Corporation as a 128 Megabit
  ROM file.  The correct size is 64 Megabits and it was released by tOTAL
  cRAP, the anti-'The Corp' fake group.  This re-release by tOTAL cRAP was
  appears to be just a re-sized and repackaged release of The Corporation's
  as far as I can tell, but the consensus is that the tOTAL cRAP should be
  given credit for the release.  Anyway, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is one of
  the best launch titles for the system and is a blast to play.  I had read
  the reviews and saw the stills for this game and wasn't that impressed
  until I actually had played it.  It's quite stellar and is definitely a
  "killer app" for the GBA.

  As for the rest of The Corp's releases, they all look really good with one
  other world premiere release in the form of Namco Museum Advance and USA
  releases of 2 other great launch titles for the GBA: GT Advance
  Championship Racing and ChuChu Rocket.  ChuChu Rocket is identical (but
  not a dupe) to the Japanese version in every way, including the 5
  selectable languages.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
     __     __ ____   _____ ___   _____     __ ____   _____     __ ______
    / //\  / // __ \ / ___// _ \ / ___//\  / // __ \ / ___//\  / //_  __/
   / //  \/ // / / // _/  / ___// _/  /  \/ // / / // _/  /  \/ /  / /
  / // /\  // /_/ // /__ / /   / /__ / /\  // /_/ // /__ / /\  /  / /
 /_//_/  \//_____//____//_/   /____//_/  \//_____//____//_/  \/  /_/

==[ INDEPENDENT RELEASES ]====================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  26-Mar-2001   F-Zero                               JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8
  26-Mar-2001   Super Mario Advance                  JPN/JAP   032 Mbits   8

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   2
                                                Total Score This Issue :  16
                                            Average Points Per Release :   8

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  Two legitimate independent releases this month.  Both come from BillyJr of
  billyjr.com fame.  With a home made GBA ROM dumper (the first ever?) he
  was able to provide the first 2 GBA ROM dumps to the scene.  NIL later
  tried to cash-in on these releases by re-releasing them with their own
  NFOs.   

  Another independent, Jurai, re-released a couple of ROMS this month: 32
  Megabit versions of Konami Krazy Racers and Super Dodgeball Advance.  The
  USA versions of Konami Krazy Racers and Super Dodgeball Advance were
  originally released by Menace and Mode 7 respectively.  The original
  releases of these games were NOT bad dumps and were more than likely
  released oversized due to the fact that the card that they were on was 64
  Megabits.  You can easily re-size the original releases of these ROMS to a
  proper size of 32 Megabits using any number of tools.  In fact a tool was
  released by RAPID FIRE this month to resize ROMs. 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
  ___   _   ___      _____     _____         
 /  /__\/__/ _/____ /    /___ /    /----(\S!
   /         \_    /    /    /   _/        
 _____________/___/____/____/____\ ---------.
  _____ _____  _____ ___     __             :
 /   _/   _ /_/_   // _/____/_/___lIGHTfORCE'
    _/    //  _/  /   \     _\    / 2 o o 1  
 ___\ _____\__\____\ ____________\-----------

==[ LIGHTFORCE ]==============================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  15-Jun-2001   Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2       EUR/MU3   032 Mbits   6
  25-Jun-2001   Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2             GER/GER   064 Mbits   6


 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   2
                                                Total Score This Issue :  12
                                            Average Points Per Release :   6

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------

  LIGHTFORCE released two games this month in the form of the European
  version of Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 and the European version of Tony
  Hawk's Pro Skater 2.  Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2 is not one of the
  better launch games for the GBA, but this version is multi-language.
  LIGHTFORCE also released the German version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.
  If German is your native language, perhaps you'd prefer to read German
  texts.. if so this is the ROM for you.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
    ___ __   ____ ____ ._______  ____   ____
   /   '  \_/__  \ _  \|  ____ \/ .  \_/__  \
 _/   \/   \ \___// \  \_ /  .  \_|--<_ \___/
 \____||___/______\__\____\__|___/____/_____\

==[ MENACE ]==================================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  06-Jun-2001   Rayman Advance *BETA*                EUR/MU5   064 Mbits   4
  06-Jun-2001   Konami Krazy Racers                  USA/ENG   064 Mbits   6

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   2
                                                Total Score This Issue :  10
                                            Average Points Per Release :   5

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  MENACE comes to us this month with 2 good releases.  They released the
  World Premiere of Rayman Advance which was incorrectly packaged as the USA
  version when it is actually a European pre-release or BETA version (the
  USA version was later released by CEZAR).  This pre-release Rayman is
  Multi-language and appears to be identical in every way to the "FINAL"
  released by CEZAR however it was deemed pre-release by folks other than
  myself.  MENACE also released Konami Krazy Racers which is the first
  english language version of the game.  Konami Krazy Racers was released 32
  Mbits too large, though so if you're so inclined you can re-size it to 32
  Mbits and it will work fine.
 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================

  .__: ._____.
  |  | |     |
  |  |_  |__|
    __|  |  |
  |  |_|    |
  |    |     |
  |    |     |
  |    |     |
  |         
      :     :
  :____:_____:

==[ TOTAL CRAP ]==============================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  07-Jun-2001   Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2             USA/ENG   064 Mbits   8

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   1
                                                Total Score This Issue :   8
                                            Average Points Per Release :   8

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  tOTAL cRAP, a fake(?) group with a grudge against The Corporation released
  this "good" version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.  The Corp's original
  release was sized at 128 Megabits.  tOTAL cRAP released the correctly
  sized 64 Megabit version.  Most people feel that The Corp should NOT be
  given credit for this release, thus tOTAL cRAP is getting credit.  I'm up
  for debate on this, however.  Whatever version you get, don't miss this
  one as it's definitely a standout on the GBA.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
  __  __   ____     ____      
 /\ \/\ \ /\  _`\  /\  _`\    
 \ \ `\\ \\ \ \_\ \\ \ \/\_\  
  \ \ , ` \\ \  _ <'\ \ \/_/_ 
   \ \ \`\ \\ \ \_\ \\ \ \_\ \
    \ \_\ \_\\ \____/ \ \____/
     \/_/\/_/ \/___/   \/___/ 

==[ NINTENDO BACKUP CREW ]====================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12-Jun-2001   Super Mario Advance *SAVE-FIX*       JPN/JAP   -IPS-       2
  12-Jun-2001   Super Mario Advance *SAVE-FIX*       USA/ENG   -IPS-       2
 
 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   2
                                                Total Score This Issue :   4
                                            Average Points Per Release :   2

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------

  NBC released the first two GBA save-fixes.  These two save-fixes allow the
  Japanese and USA versions of Super Mario Advance to save to SRAM instead
  of EEPROM.  This is beneficial because the only backup device for the GBA
  currently only supports SRAM.  These patches are essential for playing and
  saving in Super Mario Advance when using the Flash Advance backup device.
  Hopefully there will be future save-fixes released so that other games
  that require EEPROM or FLASHRAM to save will work with the Flash Advance.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================

   QUALITY_ _______. BEFORE QUANTITY
   ____ _____.  |  l__ ___________________
  /    Y     |  |     Y     /    \_  |  _/
 /  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |_/  |   /     \
 \_____|__|__|__|__|__|__| \_____/___|___\

==[ ANTHROX ]=================================================================
  
 -[ RELEASES ]---------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                        CID/LAN   Size      Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  09-Apr-2001   F-Zero *+4 TRAINER*                  JPN/JAP   -IPS-       2

 -[ TOTALS ]-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total Releases This Issue :   1
                                                Total Score This Issue :   2
                                            Average Points Per Release :   2

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  Oldtimers, Anthrox, come through with the first ever selectable trainer
  for the GBA.  This one is for the Japan version of F-Zero.  So far there
  have only been two selectable trainers for the GBA, other "trainers" have
  been released but I don't count them as they aren't selectable (ie only
  one option and no intro).  I hope to see many more trainers in the future
  from all groups.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
     ______ ______ ______ ______
    / ____// __  //_  __// _  _ \
   / /___ / / / /  / /  / // // /
  / /_/ // /_/ /  / /  / // // /
 /_____//_____/  /_/  /_//_//_/

==[ GAME OF THE MONTH ]=======================================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  

  The game of the month for June is Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. June
  brought us all three major territories of this release and it's the best
  release of the month.  Castlevania: Circle of the Moon stays in the 2D
  tradition of the Castlevania series and offers extra elements of
  exploration and item collecting that makes this game a stand-out.  The
  closest Castlevania game this CotM resembles is Symphony of the Night on
  the PSX and Saturn.  Like SotN, CotM is a lot like Metroid in it's huge
  amount of exploration and item collection required.
  
  Runners up: Konami Krazy Racers & Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.  These 2
  releases are really outstanding too.  Konami Krazy Racers is the GBA's
  first Mario Kart clone and it's a good one.  Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is
  a really nice game too featuring the same gameplay style seen in the other
  console versions of this game but with 2D graphics.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
     ____   __    __      ______ __ ______   _____
    / __ \ / /   / /  __ /_  __// // _  _ \ / ___/
   / __  // /   / /  /_/  / /  / // // // // _/        
  / / / // /__ / /__     / /  / // // // // /__ 
 /_/ /_//____//____/    /_/  /_//_//_//_//____/     

==[ ALL-TIME CHART ]==========================================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Pos   Group          USA    Europe   Japan   Trainer   Patch   Total   Pts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1.   EURASIA        005     002      008       -        -      015    112
   2.   CAPITAL         -       -       013      001       -      014    106
   3.   MODE 7         007     002       -        -        -      009    060
   4.   RAPID FIRE      -       -       007       -        -      007    056
   5.   CEZAR          003     002       -        -        -      005    028
   6.   THE CORP.      003      -        -        -        -      003    020
   7.   INDEPENDENT     -       -       002       -        -      002    016  
   8.   LIGHTFORCE      -      002       -        -        -      002    012
   9.   MENACE         001     001       -        -        -      002    010
  10.   TOTAL CRAP     001      -        -        -        -      001    008
  11.   NBC             -       -        -        -       002     002    004
  12.   ANTHROX         -       -        -       001       -      001    002
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Total Number of Releases : 063
                                       Total Number of Points Awarded  : 434

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  There's no monthly chart this issue as this is this issue covers multiple
  months, plus this is the first issue ever.  The all-time chart shows a
  pretty good number of participants releasing GBA ROMS so far.  It's good
  to see some new groups get involved and release some quality stuff.
  Capital and Eurasia led the pack, with Eurasia having the most variety in
  their releases.  Mode 7 came in strong with lots of English releases which
  are what most people are playing.  There were only a couple countable
  trainers and patches this time, I'm sure we'll see more trainers and
  save-fixes in the future.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
     ______   __ ____
    / _  _ \ / // __ \
   / // // // // __  /
  / // // // // / / /
 /_//_//_//_//_/ /_/

==[ MISSING IN ACTION ]=======================================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                           CID/LAN   
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  23-Apr-2001   Doraemon: Rescue on Green Planet        JPN/JAP
  23-Apr-2001   Space Hexcite: Metal Legend EX          JPN/JAP

 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  In the tradition of the RedboX N64 charts, here is the MIA list for this
  issue of the GBA charts.  Only a couple missing in action this issue, both
  Japanese games though.  Doraemon and Space Hexcite were released back in
  April.  Hopefully these releases will see the light of day in a future
  month's charts. 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
==============================================================================
     _____ ______ ______   __     __ ______     ____ ______ ______     __
    / ___// __  // _  _ \ / //\  / // ____/    / __// __  // __  //\  / /
   / /   / / / // // // // //  \/ // /___      \ \ / / / // / / //  \/ /
  / /__ / /_/ // // // // // /\  // /_/ /    __/ // /_/ // /_/ // /\  /
 /____//_____//_//_//_//_//_/  \//_____/    /___//_____//_____//_/  \/

==[ COMING SOON ]=============================================================
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Rel. Date     Release Title                           CID/LAN   
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  10-Jul-2001   Top Gear GT Championship                USA/ENG
  10-Jul-2001   Tweety and the Magic Gems               USA/ENG
  12-Jul-2001   Mail de Cute                            JAP/JPN
  12-Jul-2001   Morita Shogi Advance                    JAP/JPN
  12-Jul-2001   Pac-Man Collection                      USA/ENG
  13-Jul-2001   EX Monopoly                             JAP/JPN
  13-Jul-2001   Minna no Shiiku Series:                 JAP/JPN
                Boku no Kabuto Mushi
  17-Jul-2001   High Heat Major League Baseball 2002    USA/ENG
  19-Jul-2001   Klonoa: Empire of Dreams                JAP/JPN
  21-Jul-2001   Mario Kart Advance                      JPN/JAP
  21-Jul-2001   Mahjong Keiji                           JPN/JAP
  21-Jul-2001   Jurassic Park 3 DNA Factor              USA/ENG
  26-Jul-2001   F-14 Tomcat                             USA/ENG
  26-Jul-2001   Fortress                                USA/ENG
  
 -[ COMMENTS ]---------------------------------------------------------------  

  July looks like a slow month for the budding GBA.  The game that most
  folks are looking forward to has to be Mario Kart Advance.  This updated 
  SNES version of Mario Kart will hopefully live up to the hype.  Fortress
  F-14 Tomcat may turn out to be pretty good.  High Heat Major League
  Baseball looks like a pretty good looking baseball game for the GBA...
  hopefully it will play as good as it looks.  Klonoa by Namco should turn
  out to be a pretty good platformer but USA folks will likely want to wait
  for an English version to be released.  

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



==============================================================================
     _____ ______     __ _____ __     __  __ ____ __ ______     __
    / ___// __  //\  / // ___// /    / / / // __// // __  //\  / /
   / /   / / / //  \/ // /   / /    / / / / \ \ / // / / //  \/ /
  / /__ / /_/ // /\  // /__ / /___ / /_/ /__/ // // /_/ // /\  /
 /____//_____//_/  \//____//_____/ \____//___//_//_____//_/  \/

==[ CONCLUSION ]==============================================================

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  There were a lot of releases covered in the first issue of the GBA Charts,
  hopefully the efforts of this release are recognized and appreciated by
  those people that care.  It's my first effort and I've been inspired by
  other chart releases going all the way back to the SNES/Genesis days.  I
  hope it's been fair and accurate and I hope to keep contributing this way
  for the rest of the GBA scene.  I am very open to any ideas, submissions,
  additions, contributions, etc.  I hope you've enjoyed this first (of
  hopefully many) issue of the GBA charts.  

  - fab (fab@elitendo.com)

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

==============================================================================
03-JUL-2001
eof.
