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Introduction to Star Wars – Episode 1 – Jedi Power Battles (GBA)
Jumping into Star Wars: Episode I – Jedi Power Battles on the Game Boy Advance feels like grabbing your lightsaber and diving right into Naboo’s underbelly. This side-scrolling action game puts you in control of familiar faces like Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, letting you carve through Trade Federation droids with smooth combo attacks and satisfying Force moves. The stages mirror key moments from the movie—from the underwater palace to the chaotic hangar bays—so you get to reenact those iconic set pieces with pixel-perfect style.
What really adds some replay value is the character roster. Beyond the two main Jedi, you can unlock heroes like Adi Gallia and even Jar Jar Binks (complete with surprisingly useful Force pushes). Each character has a unique special attack that changes how you approach tougher swarms of battle droids or looming boss fights like the final showdown with Darth Maul. On top of that, linking up a second GBA for co-op play turns it into a proper buddy adventure, which is a real blast if you’ve got a friend sitting next to you.
The controls are simple but surprisingly deep—you’ll bash your way through levels with the A button for lightsaber swipes and the B button for Force abilities, mixing in directional inputs to chain combos. Scatter around the stages are Force points, hearts for health, and occasionally special pickups like extra lives or level skips. The bosses demand pattern-spotting and quick reactions, so expect to learn their tells before you can bring them down without taking a pounding.
Despite the small screen, the graphics pop with sharp colour and detail, and the soundtrack squeezes the main Star Wars themes into catchy chiptune renditions that keep the adrenaline high. It can be a tough game at times, but that’s part of its charm—getting past a brutal level feels like a genuine Jedi accomplishment. If you grew up lugging a GBA around and wanted to wield the Force in the palm of your hand, this one still holds up as a satisfying dose of lightsaber action.