Super Dodge Ball Advance

"RPGs meet sports: Geeks and jocks unite!"

Dodge ball, the international sport for kids. What could be more rewarding then throwing a ball into the face of a fellow peer, and not get in trouble for it? Unfortunately, it’s not nearly as fun whipping the ball against a few pixels on a tiny screen, which is what you do in this game. There’s something about knowing whom your throwing the ball against, not some stranger. Maybe that’s why the multiplayer in this game is more fun then the game itself.

You’ve recently been chosen to lead an international dodge ball team to the championships, and you’re up against the world. Who knew dodge ball was that popular to be international! Your first option is to choose a team from around ten different countries. There isn’t much difference in them, and when you first start off playing it won’t really make a difference to you. You’ll now be automatically entered into the standings, in 10th place overall. Feel free to choose who you want to play now, and the higher the opponents ranking the higher the level of difficulty is supposed to be if you decide to face them. The only problem is the difficulty level is incredibly easy, and even if you’ve never played the game before, go right ahead and face the first place team. There’s a good chance you’ll beat them, because there really isn’t a challenge. After beating the first place team however, you’ll only move up to fifth place. Then, third, second, second, and finally first, if you manage to continuously beat the first place teams. After, you’ll be given an opportunity to face a dream team, with a best out of three setup. If you manage to beat them (you will), then you unlock them to play whenever you want.

The one major downside to this game is the difficulty level. It’s so easy, you’ll be laughing at just how dumb the computer is. They jump straight into your territory, and leave themselves vulnerable from multiple attacks from you. As you face different teams, they each have their own style of play. This style of play however, is extremely obvious and every single time the enemy gets the ball, they’ll do the same thing. One team will go to the back line, then run towards you and jump up, then try and do a special move. Another, likes to cycle the ball around and around between team members until your unsuspecting, and that’s when they throw it. This team is especially annoying, because they can cycle the ball for at least 30 seconds, and the whole time you can’t do anything.

The controls are remarkably simple, and results in a small learning curve. Firstly, pressing A will make your character pass the ball to another player on the team, whichever direction your pressing the D-Pad. Pressing B will make your character throw the ball at an opponent, or do a hard pass to a teammate. You can also direct the ball as its going through the air when you shoot it, with the D-Pad. There’s also another button that makes a sort of whistle sound, followed by a teammate jumping into the air and over the line into opponent territory. When they jump up, you can take the opportunity to pass the ball to them while in mid-air. If you’re quick enough, and if they’re still in the air with the ball, pressing the shoot button will initiate a special attack. They seem to be random, and different attacks do different things. One is called Roulette, and the dodge ball will spin in the center until it whips to one side pulverizing an enemy. Another, Meteorite, makes a rain of special dodge balls drop on the opposition’s players. Whenever you jump over the line in teammate territory, you won’t be able to block attacks. This makes you defenseless against them, not letting you block any of their shots. Now, when you don’t have the ball, the controls are even simpler. Pressing A will make you duck, and the ball will bounce right over your head. Pressing the B button will make you catch the ball and not take any damage, which will be most commonly used. The whole game all you have to do is actually keep on pressing B, as fast as you can. This way, when someone shoots the ball at you you’ll catch it, and then you will then throw it again by pressing the B button. Something should have been done to disallow you to continuously keep pressing B, because this blocks any attacks from the enemies, even special attacks.

As playing a “true” dodge ball game would be hard to do on a console of any kind, the game maker’s do a good job of modifying it and making it still seem like dodge ball. Each team is composed of seven people, three permanently positioned on the sidelines. When the ball goes in the sideline, your players can pick it up and pass it back into the main court. You can also use the opportunity to throw the ball at the opponent. Four people are on each side of the court on the playable part, and can move around freely in their own half of the court. You can switch players if needed, but the game will do this automatically for you. These four players have HP (hit points), and can be eliminated. That’s right folks, RPG fans can unite with sporting jocks and play two games in one! Different players have different strengths, and can have stronger attacks and higher defenses, although not upgradeable. After people shoot the ball and actually hurt you, a little number appears above your head. This shows how much damage you’ve taken, and is subtracted from a little bar above your head. Once the bar is finished, that player dies and raises up like a little angel, literally. Once all four players on a team “die”, the game is over and the other team wins.

Another downfall of the game is undoubtedly linked with the difficulty of the game. The replayability in this game is extremely short. I honestly completed the game in 45 minutes, which is a new record for me for a game on the GBA. After that, I had little incentive to go back and keep playing, which is a shame. Maybe the two-player option will add some slight motive to go back and play, but nothing that will hook you. Don’t buy this game, simply rent it. You’ll be saving a lot of money, yet nevertheless have the same amount of fun.

As far as sound goes, nothing impressed me here. Maybe my standards are set too high for GBA games, because I have yet to hear an impressive game with good music or sound effects. Of course, sound will always add to the gameplay, making it a more immersed experience. However, if only the sound was higher then sub-par then maybe it would have changed my opinion on this short game.

Overall, a dodge ball game is a great new idea. The only way the game is really fun though is playing it against friends in real-life. Playing it on the GBA just doesn’t translate into a good game. Efforts should be focused elsewhere, because I just don’t think it’s possible to make a good game based on dodge ball. If you’re an obsessive GBA player, and want to try something new, rent this game. It’ll definitely provide a unique experience, yet unfortunately won’t last long.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 04/15/02, Updated 04/15/02