While Sonic the Hedgehog's latest romps on the more powerful systems has met with mixed success, his adventures on Nintendo's Game Boy Advance are fabulous old school platform games that hark back to his glory days on the Sega Genesis. Sonic Advance 3 continues this trend, and although it can become rather repetitive, it's still a welcome addition to the GBA's library.

If you've played Sonic's other Game Boy adventures (or just about any Sonic adventure), you already know what to expect. The game is going to be fast, filled with all sorts of fuzzy creatures, and involve an evil scheme orchestrated by a certain Dr. Eggman. In Sonic Advance 3, our hero's rotund arch nemesis has broken the world into 7 pieces using Chaos Control, and with plans to transform each one into a separate Eggman Empire, Sonic and his pals dash to the rescue... again, but this time, two characters complete the levels cooperatively. While Sonic and Tails are available from the start, you can unlock Knuckles, Cream, and Amy, and all of them can be mixed and matched, creating 20 different combinations. Better yet, each team has special attack moves that are rather helpful in clearing levels. For example, Sonic can give Tails a speed burst, and conversely, Tails can be used by Sonic to jump higher. The computer does a fine job controlling the other character, though the fun's enhanced if you play cooperatively with a friend.

If you love classic 2D Sonic, you'll be pleased to know that Sonic Team didn't mess with the formula. The game's divided into seven worlds, and the goal is to collect the seven Chaos Emeralds and use them to thwart Eggman's evil schemes, but just like almost every Sonic game, the story is useless fluff. I want to go fast, and thankfully, Sonic Advance 3 is loaded with speed. This means lots of loops, jump pads, and pole swinging. It's still possible to blaze through a level without seeing half of it, though there is a light emphasis on exploration, meaning you should stop and enjoy the scenery.

Speaking of the graphics, Sonic Advance 3 is gorgeous, featuring detailed and colorful worlds that are brought to life by the GBA SP's backlight. The animation is also top notch, and several times, I found myself studying the characters' mannerisms. On the aural side of things, the game's soundtrack is catchy. There's even a first level remix from the original game!

While you can play the main game cooperatively with a friend, Sonic Advance 3 also has a multiplayer component that supports up to four players. Featuring both single and multi pack modes, gamers can search for hidden Chaos, race through levels (called Acts), or see who can complete an Act in the shortest time. All of this extends the replay value considerably, and should keep you and your friends busy for quite some time.

Most of what's bad about Sonic is a matter of taste. In fact, the only major gripe I have with the game is the haphazard placement of holes and spikes because they seriously disrupt the gameplay. There's nothing worse in a Sonic game than racing through a level with a huge grin on my face, only to launch Sonic off a ramp and into a hole. It's ridiculous, but it's easily gotten over considering the game's polish.

Unfortunately, you won't like this game if you're tired of playing the same thing for over a decade. The series is definitely in need of some innovation, but Sonic Team knows what works, and when faced with a fabulous formula for success, they continue to ride the hedgehog's coattails, and probably will until the little fella runs his course. However, this type of game got old years ago, and I felt rather empty playing it.

There's a lot to love about Sonic Advance 3, and if you're a fan, this is another classic title to add to your collection. Casual gamers may find the experience to be repetitive (which it is), but more of the same, especially if it's a good thing, is always welcome in my home.

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