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Sonic Advance is a port of the original Sonic Advance for J2ME phones. It was released by Gameloft in 2011, but was later removed from the website. Alternate versions of the game were also created for 128x128 resolution and Motorola devices.
The port created for 240x320 devices was eventually used as a basis for an Androidport of Sonic Advance, released by Gameloft in 2014.
The plot of the game mirrors the plot of the original Sonic Advance, albeit with two notable differences:
In this version, Sonic travels to Angel Island Zone before Casino Paradise Zone, whereas in the original game, Casino Paradise Zone was placed before Angel Island Zone.
As this version of the game is incomplete, and abruptly ends at Casino Paradise Zone, the plot concludes significantly earlier. In the versions of the game for Motorola and 128x128 devices, the game ends after defeating the Egg Press in Secret Base Zone.
The gameplay of the port for 240x320 devices adapts the gameplay of the original Sonic Advance, albeit with certain changes and removals as a result of the technological limitations of J2ME devices in comparison to Game Boy Advance hardware:
All instances of smooth sprite rotation are removed. As a result, the tip of the Egg Hammer Tank's hammer (which normally uses sprite rotation) is instead replaced with a Iron ball that does not rotate.
The music for the Invincible power-up is replaced with a different track, resembling the one that would eventually be used in a later port of Sonic Advance.
The main menu has been overhauled.
Loading screens are now present in-between levels, with tips on how to play the game.
Button prompts are added in certain parts of levels to direct the player towards the goal. In contrast, warning signs are added over certain Bottomless pits.
The title screen has been overhauled, now with a short opening animation.
Mecha Knuckles' boss fight lacks its phase 2 music, and as such, the phase 1 music will continue playing throughout the entire fight.
The background water in Neo Green Hill Zone and Casino Paradise Zone is not animated.
The spotlight and darkness effects from the outside areas of Secret Base Zone are removed.
Only the bad ending from the original game is accessible.
128x128 version[]
The version released for 128x128 resolution devices is notably different from the original Sonic Advance. Although it retains the same general gameplay and gimmicks, the Zone graphics and layouts are redesigned to work within the limitations of lower-end devices. Most graphics are either scaled down from their original GBA sprites, or redesigned completely. Music and sound effects are almost entirely absent, save for short clips that play when entering a level. Additionally, the game end even earlier than the 240x320 version, with the last Zone being Secret Base. Although the Egg Press appears as a boss, the Egg Hammer Tank is absent. As with the 240x320 version, only Sonic is playable.
Motorola version[]
The version released for Motorola EX116 devices possesses similar layouts and aesthetics to the 128x128 version, but with graphics scaled up to the size of the original Sonic Advance sprites, and Sonic's physics adjusted for accuracy to the original game. Although stage music plays properly in this version, sound effects are still entirely absent. An updated title screen is also included.
