Nintendo Wars (universe)

Nintendo Wars (universe)
Developer(s)	Intelligent Systems Hudson Soft Kuju Entertainment WayForward Technologies
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Genre(s)	Turn-based strategy, real-time strategy
Console/platform of origin	Famicom
First installment	Famicom Wars (1988)
Latest installment	Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp (2023)
Article on Advance Wars Wiki	Nintendo Wars (universe)

The Nintendo Wars universe (ファミコンウォーズ, Famicom Wars) is a series of military-themed turn-based strategy games primarily developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo.

Franchise description

The series was born out of a desire by Intelligent Systems to branch out of their auxiliary roots and develop their own games. While Soccer was technically the first game developed solely by the team, Famicom Wars, the first game in the series, was the first original property the team would create. The game released on the Famicom exclusively in Japan on August 12, 1988. The game is a military-themed turn-based strategy game with an emphasis on realistic simulation. The goal is to guide units around the grid-based map and defeat the enemy team without being defeated yourself. There are several classes with varying degrees of health and power, with some possessing unique abilities to aid the battle. The game was a modest success for the company and helped pave the way for more games to be greenlit, particularly its sister series, Fire Emblem, in 1990.

A sequel for Game Boy was immediately put into production. Titled Game Boy Wars and released on May 21, 1991, the game is mostly similar to the Famicom original, except on a portable level. An enhanced version, titled Game Boy Wars Turbo released on June 24, 1997 and includes smarter enemy units, more content and Super Game Boy support. While Intelligent Systems was hard at work on their next project, Hudson Soft took over the series in the mean time. Their first title was Game Boy Wars 2, a direct sequel to the first Game Boy outing. released on November 20, 1998, the game features further improve enemy units, overhauled UI elements, and cross-compatibility with Game Boy Color. On May 1 of that year, Intelligent Systems returned with Super Famicom Wars. Naturally released on Super Famicom, both in stores and as a downloadable title to writable Nintendo Power cartridges, the game introduced multiple factions and a "fog of war" mechanic that hides enemy units. Hudson Soft returned again for their final entry in the series, Game Boy Wars 3 for Game Boy Color on August 30, 2001. The game differed greatly from previous entries in the series, having deeper resource mechanics and a beginner mode for those new to the series.

One month later on September 10, 2001, Advance Wars released in North America on Game Boy Advance. This marks the first time the series officially released outside of Japan. The game later released in PAL regions in early 2002. The game now features a less realistic "pop design" that would be the signature artsyle for the series going forward. The game received a large amount of polish by the designers, particularly in how maps were balanced. Units and maps were continuously tweaked until they were basically forced to stop and ship the game. This game is frequently regarded as the best in the series, with excellent sales across the world. A direct sequel, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, also released on Game Boy Advance in North America on June 24, 2003 and in PAL regions later that year. There were no major changes added to the game other then cosmetic tweaks and a new campaign. While the critical consensus became what was there is still excellent, the game felt samey and the series needed to shake things up. The two Advance Wars games were not initially released in Japan, only making it over on November 25, 2004 as a collection titled Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2.

This sub-series continued on with Advance Wars: Dual Strike for the Nintendo DS, which released in Japan as Famicom Wars DS on June 23, 2005 and around the world later in the year. Due to the vastly different features of the DS, the game received many unique changes from previous titles. This included unique map design that two screens can provide, more intuitive UI that a touch screen can provide, new game modes and up to eight player multiplayer through wireless play. This game was the breath of fresh air that fans wanted, with reviews that rivaled the original Advance Wars in terms of praise for presentation and innovation to the series.

Kuju was then assigned to make a spinoff duology while Intelligent Systems made a new project. The first was Battalion Wars, which released on September 19, 2005 for GameCube, making it the first console Wars game since Super Famicom Wars. Originally titled Advance Wars: Under Fire, the name was changed so players do not expect the game to play like a typical entry in the series. The game is a departure from the series in that it incorporates more real-time elements and is a mix of the classic formula and a third-person shooter. The second and final game was Battalion Wars 2, which released for Wii on October 29, 2007. The game is similar to its predecessor, but included more units and combat variety, as well as being the first in the series to contain online multiplayer.

Intelligent Systems returned with Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for DS on January 21, 2008. Despite the name, the game is a standalone title with no connection to any prior entry, this time set in a gritty, post-apocalyptic setting. This entry also introduced terrain options and a map editor that allows player to create and post their custom maps online. According to an interview with one of the game's English localizers, the drastic change in setting and tone was done in response to criticisms of the previous titles for being repetitive and predictable. The series then went into a hiatus with no original entries since, seeing only re-releases and cameo appearances for the next 15 years. The franchise was finally revived on the Nintendo Switch with Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, being developed in collaboration with WayForward Technologies. The game was originally scheduled for a December 3, 2021 release before being delayed to April 9, 2022, and then delayed again to April 21, 2023.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Assist Trophy

Official artwork of the Infantry and Tanks in Brawl.

Infantry and Tanks: They appear as a single Assist Trophy in Brawl, using their original sprites from the Advance Wars games. Soldiers and tanks will drop from the sky, causing minimal damage, and they will then travel left or right. The Infantry will fire their guns, while the tanks will blast from their turrets, both inflicting fair knockback. Infantry is unlocked as an Assist Trophy after 300 Vs. Matches have been played.

Trophy

Infantry & Tanks's trophy in Brawl

Infantry & Tanks

Units first introduced in Famicom Wars, where they fight battles against enemy forces. Infantry are the least expensive to deploy of all units. They're not too strong, but they move well and can capture property. There are two tank types: tank A, which is expensive but has good mobility and firepower, and tank B, which is cheaper but can change battles with sheer numbers.

: Famicom Wars (Japan Only)

: Advance Wars

Stickers

Name	Game	Effect	Characters
Max	Advance Wars	AttackArm+008 Attack +8	All characters
Sami	Advance Wars	AttackSpecialsIndirect+012 Attack +12	All characters
Andy	Advance Wars	AttackSpecialsIndirect+006 Attack +6	All characters
Jake	Advance Wars: Dual Strike	AttackArm+011 Attack +11	All characters
Hawke	Advance Wars: Dual Strike	AttackArmLeg+008 Attack +8	All characters
Rachel	Advance Wars: Dual Strike	AttackAura+011 Attack +11	Lucario

Max (Advance Wars)

Sami (Advance Wars)

Andy (Advance Wars)

Jake (Advance Wars DS)

Hawke (Advance Wars DS)

Rachel (Advance Wars DS)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Assist Trophy

Infantry and Tanks: Return as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. 4 and are functionally the same as in Brawl.

Trophy

Infantry & Tanks's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Infantry & Tanks's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Infantry & Tanks

Two units from the Advance Wars series, infantry are best for capturing bases and tanks for fighting the enemy. If summoned, these two form up on the player who activated them. Don't underestimate them just 'cause they're pixels—the infantry's gun and tank's cannon are formidable.

: Famicom Wars (Japan)

Two units from Famicom Wars. In this game, they'll appear in pixel form on both sides of the character that called them up. The infantry then fire their guns while the tanks use cannon fire and drive into people. Cute as they are, don't underestimate them or you'll find yourself in a world of hurt!

: Famicom Wars (1988 (JP))

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The Infantry & Tanks do not reprise their roles as an Assist Trophy, but do appear as a spirit, in addition to Andy, Eagle, and Olaf from the Advance Wars series.

Spirits

Primary spirits

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Slots	Base	Max	Base	Max	Base	Max	Ability	Series
1,135		Andy		★★	3	1435	5744	696	2786	739	2958	No Effect	Advance Wars Series
1,136		Eagle		★	1	1006	5034	584	2920	422	2114	No Effect	Advance Wars Series
1,137		Olaf		★	1	953	4768	386	1931	567	2837	No Effect	Advance Wars Series

Support spirit

No.	Image	Name	Class	Cost	Ability	Series
1,134		Tank & Infantry	★★	2	Super Scope Equipped	Famicom Wars Series

Games with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series

Famicom Wars

• Assist Trophy:
  • Infantry and Tanks, who originated from this game, appear as an Assist Trophy in Brawl and Smash 4.
• Spirits:
  • Tank & Infantry appear as a spirit.

Super Famicom Wars

• Spirits:
  • The Tank & Infantry spirit uses artwork from this game.

Advance Wars

• Assist Trophy:
  • The design for Infantry and Tanks comes from this game.
• Stickers:
  • Max, Sami and Andy appear as stickers.
• Spirits:
  • Andy, Eagle and Olaf appear as spirits.

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

• Stickers:
  • Andy's sticker uses artwork from this game.
  • Hawke appears as a sticker.
• Spirits:
  • Andy's spirit uses artwork from this game.

Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2

• Spirits:
  • Olaf's spirit uses artwork from this game.

Advance Wars: Dual Strike

• Stickers:
  • Jake and Rachel appear as stickers.
  • Hawke's sticker uses artwork from this game.