

    ______________________ __________   
   |     _____/______     \\__       \       +-------------------------------+         
   |   _/    \ |    /     /SL/   .    \      |     GBA MONTHLY. ISSUE 1      |
   |   \      \|    \     \ /    |     \     |  MARCH 1st - MARCH 29th 2003  |
   |    \/     \           \     |      \    |        BY JAKOLANTEN          |
   |___________/  \________/_____|_______\   +-------------------------------+
               |___|                    

 ________  /\_______________________________________.--\   ______  _____   ______
 \__     \/     \_____   \_       |              |  |   \ |      | \    \ /     /
   |            |    |    |    .  |____/    \____| _|    \|      |__\    \     /
   |            |_   |    |    :    | |     | |    \_     \_     |   \____\   /
   |    \  /     /        |    |    | |     | |     |      /     |     /     /
   |_____\/_____/_________|____|____| |_____| |_____|_____/___________/_____/


 +--INTRO-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 

  It all started the other day when I was reading through some old issues of
  console world. These are great! I thought to myself. I was really sad there
  were only 8 issues as Console World and 5 as Gameboy Charts. To be fair this
  is way longer than others have lasted but they were so funny and cool I just
  HAD to make my own. So I did. And here it is. Under the very imaginative name 
  GBA Monthly. Hey if youve got a better name Id love to hear it. 
 
  Anyway the point of these little charts is to keep track of who is basically
  best. And hey someone may even enjoy reading it! 

  If you think you could help in future months please read down the bottom for
  what types of people I need and how to contact me. 

  Below is the point system I made which is similar to the one used in Console
  World. Hope the CW guys dont mind =P


 +--RULES-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

  The rules are simple. Territories are relative and unimportant. Distinctions
  in these charts are made by language. A Japanese game with all English text
  or an English select is considered English.


  +5 Points - Best / Most Important game of the month gets a whopping 5 points!
 
  +3 Points - A world-first English game (never before released in English,
              or a foreign game you can understand 100%).

            - A world-first foreign (non-English) game you can understand. 
 
  +2 Points - An English FINAL of a game where a foreign version was already
              playable. I decide if I reckon the foreign was playable.

            - Foreign game you can mostly understand.

  +1 Points - A world-first UNPLAYABLE Foreign (Jap crap) release.

            - A trainer, crack, or useful gba/hardware related tool.

  +0 Points - TER.DUPE: Any subsequent version of a game that has already been
              released in English (final) is considered a dupe, regardless of
              any extra languages or which territory it is from.

            - BETA: A beta version of a game will get 0 points.
 
            - A late trainer with the same or less options is a DUPE trainer.

            - A trainer that is only +1 gets nothing.
            
  -1 Point  - Anything that doesnt work gets -1. 

            - DUPES : If its exactly the same as someone elses (except the
              intro) you get -1 point for wasting everyones time.

  
  If a group does not release anything for two months they will be removed from
  the totals table at the bottom. This helps keep the charts free of too many 
  groups poluting it with a single release. If you think it should be changed 
  talk to me.

  Releases done by individuals or "groups" of a single person are tallied up
  under the Independent section.


 +--THE CHARTS------------------------------------------------------------------+



     ____/\____/\________   /\   ________
     \__  ___/  __/\__  /__/  \__\  _   /poyZ
  __ _/  /  |  __/  /  / _/    \_  _/ _/_ __
 \\_\\ _____| _____/_____\__/\__/__\  \ //_//
 -----\/----|/----------------------\  /-----
                                     \/
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   06th   Tales of the World: Summoner's Lineage (c) Namco     JAP/64     +1
   11th   The Legend of Zelda: God's Triforce (C) Nintendo     JAP/64      0
   17th   Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 8 (C) Konami                 JAP/128    +1
   21st   One Piece: Mezase! King of Paris (C) Banpresto       JAP/64     +1
   24th   Battle Network RockMan EXE 3 Black (C) Capcom        JAP/64     +1
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                            CEZAR                             | TOTAL     +4
                            -----                             +-----------------+
   The usual Cezar jap crap that arrives every month. The Rockman (Megaman) 
   game was really confusing. According to the NFO the Polla version was some 
   sort of a promotional version. This is supposedly the store final. I really
   have no idea how many points this should get but for today ill give it 1.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

  



 == DOSENPFAND ===============

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   23rd   Animal Rescue (C) Nintendo                           EURO/64    +3
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                         DOSENPFAND                           | TOTAL     +3
                         ----------                           +-----------------+   
  This game pretty much sux. Unless you love puzzles. Will we see from these
  guys again? Only time will tell.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+






 ._________./\______  __  ____/\ _____  __
 \__  ___/ | \\_ _  \/  \/  ___/_\__ | /  \
  /  __/   |   \ / _/    \_____ .|   |/    \
 //     \  '   / \  \_/\ \\_  | :|  _/  /\ \\
 \____  /_____/__|\_____\__/_____|__\  /____/
 <----\/-----------------------------\/------

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   18th   Made In Wario (C) Nintendo                           JAP/64     +2
   20th   James Bond 007 Nightfire (C) EA Games                USA/64     +3
   20th   The Lost Vikings (C) Blizzard                        EURO/32    +3
   20th   Bratz (C) Ubisoft                                    USA/32     +3
   20th   Muppets: On With The Show! (C) TDK                   USA/64     +3
   20th   Piglet's Big Game (C) Disney                         USA/64     +3
   20th   Dr. Muto (C) Midway                                  EURO/64    +3
   21st   MLB SlugFest 20-04 (C) Midway                        USA/32     +3
   24th   Ultimate Brain Games (C) Telegames                   USA/32     +3
   25th   Castleween (C) Wanadoo / Magic Pockets               EURO/32    +3
   26th   Superman: Countdown to Apokolips (C) Infogrames      USA/64     +3
   28th   Ed, Edd 'n Eddy: Jawbreakers (C) Crave               USA/32     +3
 +------------------------------------------------------------+ 
                          EURASIA                             | TOTAL     +32
                          -------                             +-----------------+ 
   A huge month for Eurasia! The first one (Made In Wario) was a very unusual
   game which is actually 200 minigames. They all go for about 5 seconds and
   once you beat so many in a row you have a boss stage. Its very addictive. I
   wasnt really sure how many points it should get though. I was certain it
   should be +3 right up until I reached this stupid boss who asks questions in
   japanese. Very hard to beat. Sorry only 2 points guys. Oh yeah I forget. The 
   new intro rules too!

   Thursday was easily the best day of the year so far with 6 (yes SIX)
   releases from 1 group in one day. 007 is a fairly good FPS, though I still
   prefer Ecks vs. Sever 2. I can remember beating the lost Vikings on SNES
   like 10 years ago so It wasnt as interesting this time around (still good
   though). Didnt try Bratz or that Piglet game, but Muppets is pretty cool
   (and funny) =) Didnt play Dr. Muto or Slugfest (not into sports games) but
   Ultimate Brain Games is pretty good. It has Battle Ships, Mahjong,
   Backgammon, Chess, Checkers, Reversi, Dominoes and Four in a Row all in one
   32 Mbit cart! However my fun soon turned to funstration when I found the
   four in a rom CPU is UNBEATABLE. I lost 20 (yes TWENTY!) times in a row and 
   got one draw! 

   Castleween is is an average kinda game (but the new eurasia intro on it 
   rules). And after infinite amounts of boring text I found Superman, well 
   boring. You basically walk around a city and use your fists or x-ray vision 
   to kill bad guys. Not that fun. Ed, Edd 'n Eddy is your average very crap 
   jump and run based on a lame cartoon. Avoid.
  +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 




        ______ _____  ______   ______   the
    ____\  __/_\__  l \  __/__ \  __/_  f.a.g.s
    \       |/      | /  |    l_\___  l in:
    /      _|    |  |/   |   _|    |  | FAT                            
   /       |     |  |_       |     |  | ASS                        
  /        |         |       |        | GAY
 /_________|_________|_______|________| SCENERS

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   10th   Street Fighter Alpha 3                               USA/64      0
 +-------------------------------------------------------------+
                     FAT ASS GAY SCENERS                       | TOTAL     0
                     --- --- --- -------                       +----------------+  
   What better way to make fun of MUGS than by releasing a useless territorial
   dupe under the name FAGS. However I dont think it was exactly anonymous like
   Venom had intended. Why is there a file in the zip that says - fags-sf3.zip 
   Ul By Someone from VENOM At 2003-03-11 00:17 CET ?
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+



                              _______  -poyZ!
      __    ___\______________\   __/ __
     /_/\  _\   \_   _    /   _   \  /_/\
 .---\_\/-/______/___/___/_________\-\_\/---.
 `------------------/-----------------------'

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   12th   Sonic Advance 2 (C) Sega                             USA/128     0
   23rd   Animal Snap (C) Nintendo                             USA/32      0
   28th   Gremlins - Stripe Vs Gizmo (C) Wanadoo               EURO/32    -1
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                         INDEPENDANT                          | TOTAL     -1
                         -----------                          +-----------------+ 
   Territorial dupe, resize, then a plain boring standard point deducting dupe. 
   I could be really mean and forever ruin independants chance of ever gaining a
   single point by dedecting 1 for every not working Pokemon "fix" but Im not
   that unfair. 
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+  




 ._     - M O D E 7 -   ______       _________
 | /\__  ____________ __\    | _ ____\__     /
  /    \/   _/   _   \      .|___\_   \/   //
 //   \  /  \    /  //   |  |/   _____/____/ .
 _____|\/|___\______/\_______\_______/-rtx! _|

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   05th   TOCA World Touring Cars (C) Codemasters              EURO/64    +3
   21st   Samurai Jack The Amulet of Time (C) BAM              USA/64     +3
 +-------------------------------------------------------------+
                             MODE 7                            | TOTAL    +6
                             ---- -                            +----------------+ 
   Does anyone remember these guys this time last year? So many releases. Total
   domination of the USA. These days though... I dunno maybe their just sick of
   the GBA scene? Maybe lost all their suppliers? Whatever the case is these
   guys are definately quality over quantity. At least they get more points
   with 2 games than Cezar can get with 5 =P
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+


         _________     
  ______ \       /
 _)     \/     _/ 
 \_____\_/_____\ U G S
 ================================

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   08th   Hajimeto No Orusuban (C) Zero                        JAP/128     0
   08th   Mobile Novel: Codama Suika (C) Circus                JAP/128     0
   08th   Eigo Kobuhen Red Version (C) KeyNet                  JAP/64      1
   08th   Pokemon Sapphire (C) Nintendo *BROKEN*               USA/64     -1
   10th   Pokemon Sapphire (C) Nintendo *FIXED*                USA/128    +5
   15th   Pokemon Ruby (C) Nintendo                            USA/128    +3
   26th   Super Puzzle Fighter II (C) Capcom                   EURO/64    +3
   27th   Jimmy Neutron vs. Jimmy Negatron (C) THQ             GER/32      0
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                   MOST UGLY GAMEBOY SCENERS                  | TOTAL     +11
                   ---- ---- ------- -------                  +-----------------+  

   What a big week for the MUGS! It all starts with a hentai dump Independantly 
   released months ago. Then another hentai game but at least not a dupe. The 
   next release went even further downhill with som gay learn to read english
   crap. No points for Hentai crap cause its unlicensed.
   
   Then there were the interesting ones like Pokemon Sapphire. It starts 
   with hundreds of lamers asking for the actual rom. They of course get what 
   they want. They all load up the rom on their emulators and flash carts and 
   find a white screen. The game doesnt start. Boohoo. They get back on IRC and 
   start bitching about it doesnt work etc. They all want a crack. But this time 
   they dont get what they want. At the time people thought copy protetction 
   mumbo jumbo was the problem however it was actually a bad dump.

   After two days of hell we finally get a proper dump this time complete with
   an intro. Yay it works! Or does it? After further inspection the clock is
   broken. Damn. Hundreds of lame patches are made and the problem still isn't 
   100% fixed. But then again Pokefreaks have been anticipating this crap for 
   YEARS so I decided it gets Game of The Month =) 

   Ruby is another interesting one. The IRC channel #megaroms had ruby at least
   three hours before I saw the MUGS version. The logical conclusion is that
   MUGS stole Ruby. I really didnt know who should get the points but in the 
   end I decided they should go to MUGS. The MUGS version got spread around
   heaps more and is basically the one that everyone has. If you dont like it
   talk to me.

   Then theres the XXX advertising in the Jimmy Neutron archive and NFO. In
   a scene filled with lazy teenagers (who probably look it up themselves
   anyway) I cant see a problem with this. Well I suppose its a kids game but
   I dunno, who cares?
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+



  _                                 -poyZ! _
 /(_______ /\____________/\  ____/\________)\
 \_  _   /\\_  _/\_   __/  \|  _/ _____  ___/
  | _/  /  \|  |  |  _/\  \ \  |  |/  / _/ |
 _| \__/    \_ | _|  |  \  \_  |  / _/  |  |_
 \| _|___/\  /_|_\| _____\  /__|____\_____ |/
  |/_______\/_____|/______\/______________\|

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   02nd   Phantasy Star Collection (C) THQ/Sega                EURO/64     0
   06th   Zapper (C) Infogrames                                EURO/32     0
   06th   Virtua Tennis (c) Sega/THQ                           EURO/64     0
   14th   Defender (C) Midway                                  EURO/32     0 
   14th   Crash Bandicoot 2 N-Tranced (C) Universal            EURO/64     0     
   29th   Super Monkey Ball Jr. (C) THQ                        EURO/64     0
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                          PATIENCE                            | TOTAL      0
                          --------                            +-----------------+ 
   A big fat zero for a hard month of Euro dupes. I almost feel sorry that they
   get no points. Almost.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+




 8========================POLLA=========================D

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   02nd   Wagamama Fairy Mirumo (C) Konami                     JAP/32     +1
   24th   Sister Princess Re Pure (C) Marvelous                JAP/64     +1
   27th   Shimura Ken no Bakatonosama (C) TDK                  JAP/32     +1
   27th   Inukko Club Fukumaru no Bouken (C) Jorudan           JAP/64     +1
   27th   Dragon Quest Monsters Caravan Heart (C) Enix         JAP/64     +1
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                           POLLA                              | TOTAL     +5
                           -----                              +-----------------+ 
   More fierce competition for Jap crap between Polla and Cezar. 
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+




 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>   >>>>>>>>>>	
 >>    >> >>      >>  >>         
 >>    >> >>       >> >>         
 >>>>>>>> >>       >> >>    >>>> 
 >>>>>	 >>       >> >>      >> 
 >> >>>   >>      >>  >>      >>
 >>   >>> >>>>>>>>>   >>>>>>>>>> 
 Retards   Dumping      Games 

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   28th   Driver 2 Advance (C) Atari                           USA/64     0
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                   RETARDS DUMPING GAMES                      | TOTAL     0
                   ------- ------- -----                      +-----------------+ 
   Why oh Why must we have these single game "groups" Why not just release
   independantly? I swear its just to complicate my charts.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+




          _______     _______.___________
  __ .____\_     \____\_     \     _    / _
 |.  |.    /    //     |    //.    |___/  .|
 |:. ||    \     \_    _____/||    _/   .::|
 `-- l_____|\_____/____|-rtx!l_____| ------'
 
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   02nd   Wings (c) Metro 3D                                   USA/64    +3
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                          RAPID FIRE                          | TOTAL    +3
                          ----- ----                          +-----------------+ 
   Yay! Rapid Fire web repacks! The actual game is pretty okay. Suprised no
   "real" groups picked up this one. 
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+



                          _______ 
  sUXXORS    _______ _____|     | _______
    2k3    __\  ___/_|_   |    _|_\  ___/___
           |______   |/        \|_____     |
            /___ ____|____|     | /________|
           .--------------|_____|----------.

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   03rd   Strike Force Hydra +6 Trainer                        EURO/IPS  +1
 +------------------------------------------------------------+
                           SUXXORS                            | TOTAL    +1
                           -------                            +-----------------+ 
   Good little trainer from a crazy little group. This trainer definetly removes
   any challenge with options like "No Enemys" you could basically fall asleep, 
   wake up a few hours later and see the end credits rolling.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+



       /\__
 _____/___/_____/\___________
 .__________   // __________/---------------.
 |  /   /  / _/\____  \/   /    tristar     |
 | /  //__/   \ ______/  //       and       |
 |/__ /   \____\/-mo!/__ /    red sector!   |
  --\/-----------------\/-------------------'

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   21st   Dare Devil (C) Marvel/Encore                         GER/64    
 +------------------------------------------------------------+ 
                            TRSI                              | TOTAL 
                            ----                              +-----------------+ 
   Why is Tri Star Red Sector abbreviated to TRSI? There is no I in Sector!
   These guys have been on alot of platforms over the years and here they are
   with their first release Dare Devil in German! YAY! What a start! Actually 
   the one german I talked to had already completed the USA version but hey 
   they could do worse.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+



      ___________ ____  ______________ _____.
 .____/    /  _/__|_  \/     /   \    \/    |
 |   /    /   _/   /   \    /  \  \  \      |
 |_______/________/___\____/_______\__\/    ;
 <----------------------- / --------mAZ!____|

 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Date | Game / Company                                      |About    |Points |  
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   12th   Tom and Jerry in Infurnal Escape (c) NewKidCo        USA/32     +3
   12th   Megaman & Bass (c) Capcom                            USA/64     +3
   12th   Sega Rally Championship (c) Sega                     USA/64     +3
   14th   Tom and Jerry in Infurnal Escape + 5 Trainer         USA/IPS    +1
 +------------------------------------------------------------+ 
                           VENOM                              | TOTAL     +10
                           -----                              +-----------------+ 
   A couple USA games that no one else picked up. Quite good though. Megaman is
   nice and its good to see at least one trainer everyone month.
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+



 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | RANK   | Group                   | This Month  | Last Month  | Grand Totals  |
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   1        EURASIA                    +32           NA             +32
   2        MUGS                       +11           NA             +11
   3        VENOM                      +10           NA             +10
   4        MODE SEVEN                 +6            NA             +6
   5        POLLA                      +5            NA             +5
   6        CEZAR                      +4            NA             +4
   7  TIE   DOSENPFAND                 +3            NA             +3 
   7  TIE   RAPID FIRE                 +3            NA             +3
   8        SUXXORS                    +1            NA             +1                    
   9  TIE   RDG                         0            NA              0
   9  TIE   TRSI                        0            NA              0
   9  TIE   PATIENCE                    0            NA              0        
   9  TIE   FAGS                        0            NA              0
   10       INDEPENDANT                -1            NA             -1
 
 

 +--HELP ME--------------------------------------------------------------------+

  Okay I didnt realise how much work writin these charts is. If someone wants
  to help or be a guest reviewer please do so (cool and popular people get
  priority =) Look forward to hearin from yaz.

  IRC- I float around the GBA IRC channels quite a bit. Try #gbanow and 
  #gbatemp on efnet. Nick is or JaKoLaNtN or cZ (If someone steals my name =(
  
  Good luck findin me!
                                     
 
 +--CONCLUSION-----------------------------------------------------------------+

  All good things must come to an end and this months GBA Monthly ends here Im 
  afraid. But compared to last month its been an excellent month, and the deal 
  is only sweetened by the release of the Gameboy Advance SP.  

  I predict a VERY good outcome for the month of April. Releases like Golden 
  Sun 2, Advance Wars 2 and the new Lufia game are going to get people very 
  excited. What group will manage to grab these titles first? Who will earn the 
  most points? Who will release the most Jap crap? These questions and many more 
  will be answered in the next issue of GBA MONTHLY!
 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                            JaKoLaNteN signing out...


