Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003) | Game Boy Advance Video Game
Lead your army to victory in Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, a classic turn-based strategy game for Game Boy Advance featuring challenging missions, unique commanders, and deep tactical gameplay.
Game Intro
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising is a turn-based strategy game released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. Developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo, it builds directly on the foundation established by the original Advance Wars while adding new maps, commanders, units, and campaign mechanics.
The story begins after the defeat of the Black Hole Army in the first game. Just when peace seems to have returned to the continent, the Black Hole forces launch another invasion. Players once again join the armies of Orange Star, Blue Moon, Green Earth, and Yellow Comet as they fight to stop a renewed threat from spreading across the world.
What made Black Hole Rising stand out at the time was how it expanded nearly every aspect of its predecessor without overcomplicating the formula. The game keeps the accessible, colorful presentation of the original while offering more challenging missions and greater strategic depth. Whether you're a newcomer to the series or a returning commander, the campaign provides plenty of opportunities to test your tactical decision-making.
The game later became available through Nintendo's Virtual Console service and was eventually included in the modern remake collection, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp for Nintendo Switch.
How to Play
In Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, battles take place on grid-based maps where players command military units across land, sea, and air. Every turn allows you to move units, attack enemies, capture properties, and reinforce your forces. Success depends on careful planning rather than quick reactions.
Each unit has its own strengths, weaknesses, movement range, and combat role. Infantry units are essential for capturing cities and headquarters, tanks provide powerful ground support, artillery can attack from a distance, and aircraft dominate the skies when used effectively. Learning how these units work together is key to winning battles.
Most missions are completed by either capturing the enemy headquarters or eliminating all opposing units. However, the campaign regularly introduces special objectives that require different strategies. Some maps ask players to protect important locations, destroy enemy weapons, or overcome unique battlefield hazards.
One of the most memorable additions in Black Hole Rising is the Black Cannon, a powerful enemy installation capable of striking units from long range. These defensive structures force players to rethink their approach and add an extra layer of challenge to campaign missions.
As battles are won, players unlock new maps and continue the story while facing increasingly difficult opponents. Each commander also possesses unique abilities that can dramatically influence the outcome of a battle, making commander selection an important part of every strategy.
Controls
Desktop/PC Controls
- Arrow Keys – Move the cursor around the map and navigate menus.
- Z Key – Confirm selections, choose units, and execute actions.
- X Key – Cancel actions and return to previous menus.
Game Boy Advance Controls
- D-Pad – Move the cursor around the map and navigate menus.
- A Button – Confirm selections, choose units, and execute actions.
- B Button – Cancel actions and return to previous menus.
- L Button – View information and cycle through battlefield details.
- R Button – Quickly review unit information and map elements.
- Start Button – Open battle options and game menus.
- Select Button – Access additional map and gameplay information.
Touch Devices Controls
You can use onscreen trontrols in touch devices like android mobile, applie phone, iPhone, tablet, iPad and other touch support devices
The controls are simple and easy to learn, allowing players to focus on planning strategies rather than memorizing complex inputs.
