Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3

Even with the power of the Gameboy Advance, I had my doubts as to whether or not Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 would be a fun game. Metroid Fusion was fun. Dave Mirra for the PS2 was fun. But Dave Mirra on the GBA? This title managed to pack a surprisingly enjoyable game in a small package. It's the first of the 'Tony Hawk' era titles that I've played for the GBA, and aside from the small screen and lack of proper lighting, it is a good analog for the experience provided by its bigger cousins.

First off, this game plays just like you'd expect it to, with the same controls you'll find on a PS2. Well, that is, if you were to remove most of the buttons and both analog sticks that is. The character controls easily, even if it does get a bit difficult thanks to some poor level layout.

At times, you'll find yourself biking behind parts of terrain, which fade out slightly to give you sight. As a plus, bike upgrades are available based on how many points you accumulate, and you can pull off a surprising amount of tricks with the limited controls.

From an a/v perspective, this title isn't all that hot, as there's only so much you can do with a Gameboy Advance. This manages to look much less cool than a PSX title, and much better than a Super Nintendo title, if that's understandable. Plus, it features an actual soundtrack with decent music, mostly by pop bands, but still enjoyable.

All in all, this isn't the sort of game I'd recommend for every GBA owner, unlike some of the recent GBA games, but if you're into sports, it's worth a look.