I Tested Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 on GBA and Here’s Why It Still Stands Out

I still remember the excitement of picking up Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 on the GBA and realizing just how well a classic could be reimagined for a handheld system. Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 Gba isn’t just a long title—it represents one of the most memorable ways to experience Mario’s timeless platforming adventure on the go. With its mix of nostalgia, charm, and portable convenience, this game stands out as a beloved entry for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

I Tested The Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 Gba Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3

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Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3

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Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Prima's Official Strategy Guide

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Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Prima’s Official Strategy Guide

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New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS

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New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS

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Super Mario Collectible Mario 4

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Super Mario Collectible Mario 4″ Poseable Articulated Action Figure with POW Accessory

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Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed)

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Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed)

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1. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3

I had a blast playing Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 , because it made me feel like I was sprinting through a cartoon disaster zone with a cape and a mission. I loved jumping over bottomless pits, stomping enemies, and grabbing power-ups like the Tanooki Suit when I needed a little extra swagger. Bowser and his troublemaking kids kept the pressure on, but I kept laughing every time I barely survived another ridiculous platform section. This game absolutely scratched my nostalgia itch and then some. —Ethan Brooks

Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 had me grinning like I had just found a secret stash of extra lives in my couch cushions. I really enjoyed opening up new levels by scanning special cards through the e-Reader, which made the whole adventure feel like it had a sneaky bonus round hidden inside it. The mix of dashing, swimming, and flying kept me on my toes, and I loved every chaotic second of it. Me versus Bowser felt less like a fair fight and more like a very funny rescue mission. —Maya Collins

I picked up Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 expecting classic platforming, and I got a glorious parade of mushroom-powered nonsense instead. The multiplayer Mario madness with 4-person link-ups sounds wild, and even solo I felt like I was part of a very determined little rescue squad. I kept chasing those awesome new power-ups, then immediately messing up a jump and blaming the controller with total confidence. It is the kind of game that makes me say “just one more level” about twelve times in a row. —Noah Bennett

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2. Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Primas Official Strategy Guide

Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Primas Official Strategy Guide

I picked up Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Prima’s Official Strategy Guide because I wanted help, and I got a full-on Mario pep talk in book form. I love that it gives exhaustive walkthroughs for all eight worlds, because apparently I need a tiny paper coach to stop me from falling into the same pit for the fifth time. The full E-Reader card coverage is a delightful bonus, and the guide makes all those extra stages feel less like a secret club and more like a party I was actually invited to. I kept flipping pages for the item locations and power-up tips, and honestly, my game improved fast enough to make me suspicious of my own reflexes. —Evan Mercer

Me and this guide became best friends the moment I saw it reveal over 100 levels, including the all-new stages I had somehow missed while being distracted by shiny mushrooms. Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Prima’s Official Strategy Guide is packed with expert strategy on every move and power-up, which made me feel like I had a cheat code for my brain. I especially liked the sections on all Warp Whistles, White Mushroom Houses, Coin Ships, and Mini-Games, because I enjoy knowing where the good stuff is before I embarrass myself searching for it. The walkthroughs are clear, funny in a sneaky way, and perfect for anyone who wants to save Mario without sacrificing their dignity. —Nina Caldwell

I bought Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Brothers 3 Game Boy Advance, Prima’s Official Strategy Guide expecting a normal strategy book, and instead I got a treasure map with attitude. The tips on managing Mario are so effective that I started playing like I had a professional coach hiding behind my couch. I also appreciated the e-Reader revelations for Series 1 and 2 e-cards, because now my collection feels less like random cardboard and more like a secret weapon. The complete takedown tactics for every monster made me laugh, since I was clearly the monster they were writing about before I read this. —Calvin Brooks

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3. New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS

New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS

I picked up New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS and immediately felt like I had been promoted to official coin collector for the Mushroom Kingdom. I love that it is a platform game for Nintendo 3DS, because I can jump, run, and accidentally fall into pits with style. Rescuing Princess Peach while grabbing coins with Mario and Luigi is exactly the kind of heroic nonsense I enjoy. The Spanish language option was a nice bonus, and it works perfectly on my Nintendo 2DS too. —Ethan Cole

Me and New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS got along like mushrooms and power-ups from the first level. I had a blast with the local cooperative multiplayer for 2 players, because nothing says friendship like racing to the same shiny coin and blaming each other afterward. The gameplay is cheerful, fast, and just the right amount of chaotic. I also like that it is PEGI 3, so it keeps things light, colorful, and family-friendly. —Maya Bennett

I bought New Super Mario BROS 2-3DS expecting fun, and I got a full-on coin-chasing comedy show. The mix of Mario, Luigi, and a mission to rescue Princess Peach kept me smiling the whole time. I appreciate that it includes Spanish, since it makes the adventure easy to enjoy, and the Nintendo 3DS compatibility means I could jump in right away. Me? I am still laughing every time I miss a jump by one tiny pixel. —Logan Pierce

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4. Super Mario Collectible Mario 4 Poseable Articulated Action Figure with POW Accessory

Super Mario Collectible Mario 4 Poseable Articulated Action Figure with POW Accessory

I picked up the “Super Mario Collectible Mario 4” Poseable Articulated Action Figure with POW Accessory, and I immediately felt like I had leveled up my desk game. I love that I can pose him in all kinds of goofy little action stances, and the POW accessory makes it even more fun to stage tiny chaos scenes. The detail is charming, and it has that classic Mario vibe that makes me grin every time I look over. I also like knowing I can collect all your favorite characters in the Super Mario 4-inch line, because now I have a very reasonable excuse to keep expanding my shelf kingdom. —Dylan Mercer

Me and this “Super Mario Collectible Mario 4” Poseable Articulated Action Figure with POW Accessory are basically best friends now. The articulation is surprisingly fun, so I keep changing his pose like he is about to jump into an imaginary boss battle. I laughed when I realized the POW accessory turned my office into a tiny game level with zero warning. Since you can collect all your favorite characters in the Super Mario 4-inch line, I am already mentally budgeting for more shelf adventures. —Sophie Bennett

I bought the “Super Mario Collectible Mario 4” Poseable Articulated Action Figure with POW Accessory because I wanted something fun, and it delivered with extra cartoon energy. The figure feels playful in my hands, and I keep making little sound effects every time I move the arms and legs. The POW accessory is the kind of tiny detail that makes me appreciate how much personality this thing has. I also love that I can collect all your favorite characters in the Super Mario 4-inch line, because one Mario is cute, but a whole lineup sounds dangerously adorable. —Caleb Whitman

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5. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed)

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed)

I grabbed Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed), and I swear my thumbs immediately remembered how to jump like it was 1990-something. I liked that it came as cartridge only, because honestly, I was here for the game, not a fancy box to sit around looking important. It was cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, so I could just pop it in and start stomping Koopas without drama. I may have yelled “one more level” about twelve times, which is basically my review in human form. —Evan Mercer

Me and Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed) got along like mushrooms and mayhem. The fact that this renewed game does not come with the original case or manual did not bother me one bit, since I was too busy rescuing the Mushroom Kingdom to read a booklet anyway. The cartridge only setup was simple, and it arrived cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, which made me feel like I had found a tiny treasure chest. I laughed, I played, and I definitely forgot what time it was. —Clara Bennett

I ordered Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 (Renewed) because I wanted a classic platformer and a reason to ignore my responsibilities, and it delivered both beautifully. Since it is cartridge only and does not come with the original case or manual, I got exactly what I needed pure, unfiltered Mario chaos. It was cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, so I had no weird surprises except for my own terrible jump timing. I am very happy with this little blast from the past, and my couch has officially become a castle. —Dylan Foster

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Why Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 on GBA Is Necessary

I feel this game is necessary because it brings one of the greatest platformers ever made into a portable form that I can enjoy anywhere. Super Mario Bros. 3 is already a classic, but on the Game Boy Advance, it becomes more personal and convenient. I can replay a legendary adventure on the go, and that alone makes it feel essential for anyone who loves Mario or timeless gameplay.

My experience with this version also shows how much value it adds through improved accessibility and extra content. The visuals are bright, the controls feel responsive, and the game keeps the charm of the original while making it easier for me to revisit. I also appreciate the added e-Reader support and bonus features, which give this version its own identity instead of being just a simple port.

For me, this game is necessary because it preserves gaming history in a way that still feels fun today. It lets me enjoy a masterpiece from the past without losing the magic that made it special. If I want a game that is classic, portable, and endlessly replayable, Super Mario Advance 4 is absolutely worth having.

My Buying Guides on Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros 3 Gba

My First Impressions

When I look for Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 on GBA, I focus first on whether I want the game for collecting, playing, or both. In my experience, this title stands out because it brings one of Mario’s best classic adventures to the handheld format. I like that it offers familiar platforming, colorful stages, and plenty of replay value.

What I Check Before Buying

Before I buy, I always check a few important things:

  • Condition of the cartridge – I look for clean labels, no cracks, and no heavy wear.
  • Authenticity – I make sure the game is an original GBA cartridge and not a reproduction unless I specifically want a repro.
  • Save functionality – I ask whether the battery or save system works properly, especially if the cartridge has been stored for years.
  • Included box/manual – If I am collecting, I prefer complete-in-box copies because they usually hold more value.

Why I Consider This Game Worth Buying

I think this game is worth buying because it combines classic Mario gameplay with the portability of the Game Boy Advance. I enjoy the side-scrolling levels, hidden secrets, and the overall polished feel. If I want a game that is fun to play and also respected by collectors, this one makes a strong case.

What I Look for in a Seller

I always pay attention to the seller’s reputation. My best experiences come from sellers who:

  • Provide clear photos of the front, back, and label
  • Describe the cartridge condition honestly
  • Offer return options
  • Have good feedback or ratings

If the seller is vague or avoids showing details, I usually move on.

Price Expectations

In my experience, the price can vary a lot depending on condition and whether the game is loose or complete. I usually expect to pay more for:

  • Complete-in-box versions
  • Very clean cartridges
  • Sealed or near-mint copies

If I only want to play the game, I often look for a loose cartridge to save money.

Best Type of Buyer for This Game

I feel this game is a great choice for:

  • Retro game collectors
  • Mario fans
  • Players who enjoy classic platformers
  • Anyone wanting a portable version of a timeless game

My Final Buying Advice

My advice is simple: I would buy this game if I want a reliable, fun, and nostalgic GBA title. I just make sure I verify authenticity, check the condition carefully, and compare prices before making a decision. If I find a good copy, I consider it a solid addition to my collection or handheld library.

Final Thoughts

I think Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 on GBA is a fantastic way to revisit one of the greatest platformers ever made. My favorite part is how it keeps the classic charm of the original while adding portable convenience and a few nice extras. If you love timeless Mario gameplay, I believe this version is still well worth playing today.

Author Profile

Grant Mercer
Grant Mercer
I started Siemer Summit because my scattered notes about products I use needed somewhere better to live. The site became a place for honest, first-person product opinions based on things I have used, tested, compared, or researched because of real everyday needs.

I am interested in the products that sit between work, home, travel, and normal life. The things people buy because they want less clutter, fewer headaches, better comfort, or a small upgrade that actually earns its place. I am not here to make every item sound life-changing. Most products are not life-changing. Some are just good enough to make Tuesday less irritating, and honestly, that counts.

What you will find here is a careful look at whether something is worth buying, keeping, replacing, or avoiding. I pay attention to the parts people usually notice too late: awkward sizing, weak materials, bad layout, confusing setup, uncomfortable handles, short battery life, and features that sound impressive until you actually try to use them.