Game Reviews: Final Fantasy; 1080 Avalanche; Mario & Luigi; Sword of Mana

Name: Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles

Game System: Nintendo GameCube

Price: $49.99

Game Type: Role-Playing Game (RPG)

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles follows the players as they set out from their village in search of myrrh droplets that maintain the sacred crystal. The powerful crystal protects the village from a poisonous matter called miasma. Players fight horrible monsters guarding the trees that release just one droplet of myrrh every two years. While on their mission to collect myrrh, players also collect “Magicite” orbs, giving them the ability to cast spells to ward off enemies. Multiple players can plug in using the Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP and each player’s screen can show different info rmation.

Ease of Play	A	Fun Factor	B	Action Quotient	B
Graphics	A	Sound	A	Replay Value	C
Originality	B			OVERALL	B

Name: 1080 Avalanche

Game System: Nintendo GameCube

Price: $49.99

Game Type:Action/Adventure

Players race down snow covered slopes and attempt a range of daring and extreme tricks. Boarders can compete head to head with the computer or other players. As thrill seekers try and make it down the mountain, they will have to make it through avalanches, bridge collapses and other external challenges.

Ease of Play	A	Fun Factor	B	Action Quotient	B
Graphics	B	Sound	C	Replay Value	B
Originality	C			OVERALL	C

Name: Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Game System: Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Price: $34.99
Game Type: Role-Playing Game (RPG)

Game Summary from the Manufacturers:

An epic unfolds in a strange new land as Mario and Luigi team up for the first time in a hilarious, action-filled role-playing game. An evil witch has stolen Princess Peach´s voice, replacing her fair speech with explosives! As chaos breaks out in the Mushroom Kingdom , Mario and Luigi head for the castle and meet up with Bowser, who just arrived to kidnap the princess. When they find out what happened, these sworn enemies join forces and follow the witch to a neighboring kingdom. After an aerial ambush crashes their ship and sends Bowser to who-knows-where, Mario and Luigi embark on foot, learning new moves and combining their brotherly might to fight off enemies, as they venture toward the kingdom´s castle.

Ease of Play	A	Fun Factor	A	Action Quotient	B
Graphics	B	Sound	B	Replay Value	B
Originality	B			OVERALL	B

Name: Sword of Mana
Game System: Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Price: $34.99
Game Type: Action/Role-Playing Game (RPG)

Game Summary from the Manufacturers:

Sword of Mana , the prequel to the Mana series, tells the story of the source of all life, the power that flows from the goddess Mana and bears her name. Long ago, in a time of darkness, a mighty empire tapped its energy to dominate the world. In an effort to stop the use of such power for evil purposes, a woman from the Mana tribe transformed herself into the Mana Tree, locking the power away from anyone who would try to abuse it. The hero, the young leader of the Duchy of Grantz, has been raised and trained as a gladiator in the slave pits of Grants. The heroine in this story is a young woman from the Mana tribe who possesses deep ties to the goddess Mana. As the Shadow Knight is persecuting the Mana tribe, the heroine embarks on a journey to protect it. When the hero and heroine meet, the wheels of fate are again set into motion.

Ease of Play	C	Fun Factor	C	Action Quotient	C
Graphics	B	Sound	B	Replay Value	C
Originality	A			OVERALL	C