Asterix and Obelix XXL - GBA

Originally debuting on the PS2, the first Asterix game we've seen in quite a while has now made the transition to Game Boy Advance. Unusually for such a port, the developer has refrained from opting for the usual 2D platform alternative, instead bringing us an actual 3D offering, not greatly different from the game's home console big brothers. The concept is pretty much as you would expect, with the pair of unlikely heroes resuming their daily adventures of violently defending Gaul from the onslaught of Caesar's Roman army. The result is an action-packed beat-em-up, littered with a fair few platforming and puzzle-solving elements.

The plot sees the dynamic duo exploring the far reaches of the ancient Roman Empire, on a quest to save their friends, following the burning down of their village. You take control of either of the two throughout the adventure, with the ability to switch at will via the Select button in order to take advantage of their unique abilities and thus solve certain problems that may arise. For example, Asterix is quite nimble and can therefore jump higher and reach certain ledges, whereas Obelix is a mighty big fellow and can do things like move large stone blocks.

Aside from the main game itself, XXL on GBA also offers a little sub game in the form of its Ob-Sleigh mode. You may have (but probably haven't) guessed that this mode is a kind of a cross between Obelix and the sport of bob-sleigh, in the fact that you get to sit on the fatso and ride him down a number of courses, collecting stuff for points.

For a GBA title, XXL is pretty darn impressive, considering that it appears in full 3D. Apart from a couple of past racing titles, this is something rarely witnessed on the little machine and, being a first for a platformer, it's certainly worth a look.
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