Nintendo has numerous enduring and successful series under its umbrella, with many being some of the biggest names in gaming. From Super Mario Bros. to The Legend of Zelda, the company’s flagship franchises rarely stumble and typically make headlines upon release. Yet hidden among Nintendo’s storied history is a series that, despite passionate fans and innovative design, has never managed to stay in the spotlight for long. Timing has been a major issue, and this has been compounded by bad luck for nearly every entry in this series for 24 years.
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First released in 2001, Advance Wars was poised to be a big strategy hit alongside Fire Emblem. It was a fresh take on the genre wrapped in a colorful aesthetic. Instead, it was doomed, unable to reach mainstream appeal and relegated to a cult following due to timing. This problem would plague Advance Wars for years to come, even as recently as the Nintendo Switch.
Advance Wars Might Have the Worst Release Date in History
Advance Wars’ release on September 10th, 2001, was immediately overshadowed by the September 11th terrorist attacks. This threw the world into turmoil and reshaped global attitudes toward conflict and war. As a result, a game centered around commanding armies and tactical warfare, even one with a cartoonish aesthetic, felt out of place. Nintendo obviously sensed this and went on to delay its release in Japan and Europe.
One can’t help but wonder what Advance Wars could have been if not for 9/11. It may have gone on to become a flagship Game Boy Advance title. Fire Emblem had yet to find a major footing in the West, but Advance Wars’ lighthearted depictions of military content may have been more appealing if it had been given the chance.
Outside of the unfortunate timing, Advance Wars was a brilliant game. It combined an approachable strategy with surprising depth. Its maps, units, and mechanics offered an engaging and challenging gameplay loop. It balanced accessibility and complexity, making it a standout in the tactical genre. Newcomers to the genre could pick the game up and jump right in, while strategy game veterans could showcase the skills they’ve honed. Unfortunately, its debut was crushed by matters outside Nintendo’s control.
20 Years Later, Advance Wars Still Couldn’t Catch a Break
Two decades later, Nintendo surprised fans with the announcement of Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp for the Nintendo Switch. It was the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the beloved series to a new generation and give it a second chance. The remake promised enhanced visuals, quality-of-life improvements, and the same addictive gameplay that made the originals so popular among fans. However, one other aspect of Advance Wars would be repeated for this launch.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp was delayed past its initial December 2021 release date, landing in April 2022. However, another global event would cause a delay. The Ukraine-Russia war escalated, causing Nintendo to pull the release. It was unwilling to launch a military-themed game during the ongoing real-world conflict. Fans were in disbelief that the series was being derailed once again by events outside of its control.
Nintendo would ultimately release Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp in April 2023, a year after the delayed date. Unfortunately, a lot of the energy and anticipation for the game had been lost. What should have been a triumphant revival became a lackluster release, and Advance Wars once again found itself struggling for recognition.
The Legacy of Advance Wars’ Curse
After suffering these two unfortunate release dates, Advance Wars’ fate seems to be sealed. Nintendo franchises are known for steady releases and experimental gameplay mechanics. This has established them as household names in the gaming industry. But this isn’t true of Advance Wars. It’s bad luck with timing, and external delays have shaped the series’ trajectory into a tragedy.
And that’s the worst part. Advance Wars is excellent. It rivals Fire Emblem, combining the addictive depth of tactical RPGs with Nintendo’s trademark polish and charm. The characters, strategy, and multiplayer showcase why it deserved a spot amongst Nintendo’s other giants. But because of uncontrollable events, it is remembered as a niche franchise with only a handful of releases.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp at least offers an easy way for modern audiences to experience the series. But between the disastrous releases, it’s hard to imagine Nintendo providing further support to the series in the years to come. Even if it does, there is always a chance another misfortune lines up with its release. After all, they say bad things come in threes, and this would be the third time for something to derail a new Advance Wars.
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