While Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp has been announced for the west, it has not yet been confirmed for a Japanese release.
As previously reported, the game is a remake of Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising. Players must command their troops in turn-based warfare; seizing cities to keep war-funds flowing, using the best units across land, sea, and air, adapt to weather sapping fuel, and routing enemies.
Each of the Commanding Officers of the Orange Star Army and beyond have access to CO powers, their energy building as you fight. Choose who you use carefully across two campaigns, and pick your best commander in four player Versus Mode across dozens of maps.
While the game’s western release was confirmed, Famitsu reports there has been no such news for Japan. The news may seem surprising, but the series’ history sheds some light.
While the series began in Japan as Famicom Wars on the Nintendo Family Computer in 1988 (or Nintendo Entertainment System in the west), the series would not release outside of Japan until Advance Wars on the Game Boy Advance in 2001. However, this initial release was only in US and Europe.
Censored Gaming stated in their video on the differences between the regions that this may have been due to the aftermath of 9/11, when sensitivity on depicting warfare was at an all-time high. It should be noted the city capture animation depicts a soldier jumping up and down on a skyscraper which begins to flatten, before springing back up to full height with the colors of the controlling faction.
It would not be until 2004 that both of the Game Boy Advance games would be released in a compilation pack as Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2. Advance Wars: Dual Strike would launch first in Japan in 2005, with Japan, US, and Europe all getting the game that year.
While Battalion Wars and Battalion Wars 2 also released in Japan without a hit (as Assault!! Famicom Wars), Advance Wars: Days of Ruin would only get a western release. While the game was advertised in Japan, it was later cancelled.
The game was well received by critics and players, though criticisms levied against it were its darker tone and lack of innovation. It would later become available on Nintendo 3DS for Japanese players who earned a platinum status reward via Club Nintendo.
The series has had a strange story in Japan; seemingly a game that would be popular, yet held back. Does the 1+2 moniker of the latest game mean Japan will finally see it?
“The series has been particularly popular overseas,” Famitsu reported (translation: DeepL), “and in recent years, there has been a pattern of titles that have not been released in Japan being released only overseas.”
“This title has not been announced or released in Japan at this time, and it may not be very likely that it will be sold in Japan, but the cartoon-like designs, simple maps, and cute characters make me interested. I hope it will be released in Japan.” We will keep you informed as we learn more.
As an aside, footage and screenshots show Grit with a cowboy hat (as he had in the Japanese version). However, Nell still has a long-sleeved jacket, Olaf keeps his brown beard and cap (as oppose to his more Santa-like design), and Drake is in a naval uniform as oppose to his pirate clothes.
You can find the rundown (via Nintendo) below.
Rally the troops! Advance Wars is marching to Nintendo Switch
Command an army in strategic, turn-based combat as a tactical adviser for the Orange Star Army. Your expertise is needed as you move land, air, and naval units across the battlefield. Take down enemy squads and capture towns and bases to secure victory and keep the peace. Keep an eye on the game-changing terrain and weather as you lead a variety of units across multiple maps. This remake features two campaigns that cover the events of Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising!
Fight alongside capable Commanding Officers
Defend your land with the help of Andy, Max, Sami, and other Commanding Officers, each with their own specialties and CO Powers. Andy can repair units, while Sami can boost the abilities of troops. Your opponents can use CO abilities of their own too! Throughout both campaigns, the COs you meet play a critical role both on the battlefield and in the story.
Recruit some friends and see who the superior strategist is
When you aren’t busy keeping the peace in one of the two campaign stories, flex your army-commanding chops in Versus Mode**. Up to four players can battle on dozens of maps. Each player chooses a CO from either campaign and can strategically use their CO Powers to turn the tides of battle. Customize your combat with options like funds per allied base and fog of war.
Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp launches December 3rd for Nintendo Switch.
