Advance Wars Chronicles

Welcome to Advance Wars Chronicles, where your every command shapes the course of history! This is more than just a game compilation; it's a treasure trove of epic battles, scheming strategies, and unforgettable characters, all waiting for you to lead them to victory. Dive into a world where every decision matters, every move counts, and the thrill of tactical combat never fades. So, rally your troops, plan your moves, and get ready to conquer! The battlefield awaits, let’s make some history!

Advance Wars Chronicles

Advance Wars

Alright, let’s kick things off with the first game in the Advance Wars Chronicles collection, Advance Wars. This is where it all began, the game that introduced the world to the joy of commanding tiny armies on a handheld battlefield. You take command of Orange Star's army as they face off against the hostile forces of Blue Moon, Yellow Comet, and Green Earth in a quest to restore peace to the land. The game blends turn-based strategy with a charming, cartoonish art style, where each move requires careful planning, resource management, and clever use of terrain to outwit your enemies.

Advance Wars it’s a masterclass in accessible design. At its core, the game strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and depth. The rules are easy to grasp for newcomers, with intuitive mechanics like capturing cities for resources, but beneath the surface lies a deep, rewarding layer of strategic complexity. Each unit has its strengths and weaknesses, and mastering the game requires understanding how to deploy them effectively based on terrain, unit type, and enemy movements. The game’s cheerful, colorful visuals belie the seriousness of the tactical decisions at play, making it approachable yet deeply engaging.

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Advance Wars
Genre	Strategy
Console	GBA, Switch
Released	2001
Developer	Intelligent Systems
Publisher	Nintendo
Language	English \| Spanish \| French \| French\| German \| Japanese

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

Next up in our journey is Black Hole Rising. If you thought the first game was a blast, buckle up, because things are about to get even more intense! Advance Wars 2 picks up the pace with a brand new threat. The nefarious Black Hole Army, led by the villainous Sturm, is back with a vengeance, and this time they’ve set their sights on all of Wars World. It’s up to you and a coalition of COs from the Orange Star, Blue Moon, Yellow Comet, and Green Earth armies to stop them. The game builds on its predecessor with new units, CO powers, and even more challenging campaigns, all while retaining the strategic depth and charming style that made the original a hit. The new Black Hole units, like the devastating Neotank, keep players on their toes, adding fresh challenges and requiring even more strategic foresight.

One of the standout features is the introduction of Super CO Powers, which are beefed-up versions of the original CO abilities. These powers can dramatically shift the tide of battle, adding a thrilling, high-stakes element to the gameplay. The campaign itself is more varied and challenging, with cleverly designed maps that push players to think outside the box.

The story, while still light and full of the series’ signature charm, also takes on a slightly darker tone with the Black Hole Army’s more ominous presence, giving the game a bit more narrative weight. The visuals and music maintain the high standard set by the original, with a few tweaks to make the experience feel fresh and exciting.

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
Genre	Strategy
Console	GBA, Switch
Released	2003
Developer	Intelligent Systems
Publisher	Nintendo
Language	English \| Spanish \| French \| French\| German \| Japanese

Advance Wars: Dual Strike

Now let’s march forward with the third installment, Dual Strike. This game took the series to new heights, bringing the battle to the Nintendo DS and delivering a whole new level of tactical excitement! The Black Hole Army is back, and this time they’ve invaded Omega Land with even more destructive power. As the forces of Orange Star and their allies team up to push back the invaders, players must master new mechanics, units, and dual-CO tactics to achieve victory. With two screens to command and a variety of new features, Dual Strike takes the beloved gameplay of the series and cranks it up with a double dose of strategy.

The game also introduces a new Dual CO system, allowing players to field two Commanding Officers at once and unleash powerful Tag Powers. These combined abilities can turn the tide of battle in dramatic fashion, requiring players to think carefully about which COs to pair and when to deploy their Tag Powers for maximum effect. Visually, Dual Strike continues the series’ tradition of vibrant, colorful graphics, but with enhanced details that take advantage of the DS’s capabilities. The soundtrack is energetic and fitting, keeping the adrenaline pumping during intense battles. In short, this game is a brilliant evolution of the series that delivers on all fronts, innovation, challenge, and pure tactical fun!

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Genre	Strategy
Console	DS
Released	2005
Developer	Intelligent Systems
Publisher	Nintendo
Language	English \| Spanish \| French \| French\| German \| Japanese

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin / Dark Conflict

Finally, let’s wrap up our journey with the darker, grittier entry in the series, Days of Ruin. Known as Dark Conflict outside Americas, this game took the series in a bold new direction, offering a fresh take on the tactical warfare we know and love. It stands out as a dramatic departure from the colorful and upbeat tone of its predecessors. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a catastrophic meteor strike, the game follows a band of survivors struggling to rebuild amidst chaos and conflict. With a more mature narrative, new units, and refined gameplay mechanics, Days of Ruin offers a gripping, intense experience that challenges players to rethink their strategies.

Also, this entry is a striking evolution of the series, embracing a darker, more serious tone both in its story and visual design. The apocalyptic setting is a stark contrast to the bright, cartoony worlds of previous games, with a narrative that focuses on themes of survival, loss, and the moral complexities of war. The story-driven Campaign is more immersive and character-driven, featuring a cast of heroes and villains that are more complex and morally ambiguous than in previous titles.

Gameplay-wise, it retains the core turn-based strategy mechanics the series is known for but introduces several refinements that give it a fresh feel and the unit roster is rebalanced. The game’s visual style is gritty and somber, with muted colors and more realistic unit designs that reflect the bleakness of the setting. The soundtrack also mirrors this tonal shift, offering a more subdued, atmospheric score that enhances the game’s overall mood.

One notable point is that Days of Ruin is one of the few Nintendo DS games available for download on the Nintendo eShop.

GAME DATASHEET
Name	Advance Wars: Days of Ruin Advance Wars: Dark Conflict Advance Wars: Lost Light
Genre	Strategy
Console	DS, DSi, 3DS
Released	2008
Developer	Intelligent Systems
Publisher	Nintendo
Language	English \| Spanish \| French \| French\| German \| Japanese

Hey, but you put 1+2 in the thumbnail!

If you’re wondering why I included Advance Wars 1+2 in the title, let me explain. There's a special compilation that often gets attention, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into before diving in.

Advance Wars 1+2

Advance Wars 1+2 is a Japanese-exclusive compilation for the Game Boy Advance, bundling together the first two games in the series, Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising. Unlike the modern Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp on the Nintendo Switch, this version is just the original GBA games packaged together with no enhancements or updates.

Now, you might be thinking, «Why not just play this version?» There are a few reasons to consider. First, all the versions I upload are multilingual, meaning you can enjoy the game in your preferred language, complete with the original localization that brought so much personality to these titles. Advance Wars 1+2 however, is entirely in Japanese. Obviously, you won't understand anything.

Additionally, while there are some interesting regional differences, like Nell’s slightly shorter skirt in the Japanese version, these are minor tweaks that don’t drastically change the gameplay experience. If you're curious about these differences, you can easily find videos on YouTube, or check out a wiki or other sources on the web that document them in detail.

However, if you still want to give it a try, then let's get into the Downloads section.

Downloads

You can download the game files from the QR codes provided below. Open FBI, navigate to Remote Install, and scan the code of your prefered games and they will be installed directly onto your 3DS. If you prefer a direct download, simply hit the button below to get started. Enjoy your games and happy strategizing!