The Advance Wars series that Americans have known to love has a far longer history in Japan, where it originated.
FAMICOM WARS (1988)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
The first game in the Wars series came on the Japanese Famicom system. It utilized a similar play style to Advance Wars but featured just two armies, Red Star and Blue Moon, fewer maps, and simpler graphics. It was a Japan only release.
GAME BOY WARS (1991)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Game Boy Wars released as the second Wars game and used an unusual diagonal grid system rather than a straight grid. It still had two armies and played in black and white. It was a Japan only release.
GAME BOY WARS TURBO (1997)
Developer: Hudson Soft
Hudson Soft took over the Game Boy Wars line and added additional maps to the original formula. Like the first two games, it remained Japan only.
GAME BOY WARS 2 (1998)
Developer: Hudson Soft
This entry brought the series into color for the first time with Game Boy Color support. It was a Japan only release.
SUPER FAMICOM WARS (1998)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
The best known pre Advance Wars title, and the closest in structure to the later Advance Wars games. It introduced four armies and many advanced unit types, though still lacked campaign mode.
64 WARS (Cancelled)
Developer: Hudson Soft
Hudson Soft originally planned an N64 version of Game Boy Wars with compatibility features tied to Game Boy Wars 2, but the project was ultimately cancelled before release.
GAME BOY WARS 3 (2001)
Developer: Hudson Soft
Hudson Soft further improved the graphics and presentation of the Game Boy Wars series on Game Boy Color. Like its predecessors, it remained exclusive to Japan.
ADVANCE WARS (2001)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Advance Wars for the Game Boy Advance was released in North America on September 10, 2001, one day before the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The European release was delayed until January 11, 2002, while Japan did not receive the game until it was bundled with Advance Wars 2 in Game Boy Wars Advance 1+2 on November 25, 2004. That timing gave the series an unusual relationship with real-world events from its first Western release: a colorful strategy game about military conflict arrived immediately before an event that transformed how war and violence were being experienced and discussed outside the game.
This was the first title in the series to include a full campaign mode, following Orange Star as they defend their homeland across Wars World.
ADVANCE WARS 2: BLACK HOLE RISING (2003)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
The sequel continues the original storyline as Black Hole returns to invade Allied Nation territory. It released in the United States on June 23, 2003, and in Europe on October 3, 2003. It was never released in Japan as a standalone title.
GAME BOY WARS ADVANCE 1+2 (2004)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Japan finally received the first two Advance Wars games in one combined cartridge on November 25, 2004. This release preserved both full campaign modes and allowed players to switch between Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2 modes.
ADVANCE WARS: DUAL STRIKE (2005)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Known as Famicom Wars DS in Japan, Advance Wars: Dual Strike features yet another Black Hole invasion, with the Allied Nations once again fighting back against the threat. It was released on June 23, 2005 in Japan, August 22, 2005 in North America, and September 30, 2005 in Europe, becoming the first game in the Wars series to receive a universal worldwide release.
ADVANCE WARS: DAYS OF RUIN (2008)
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Also known as Dark Conflict in Europe, Days of Ruin shifted the series into a post-apocalyptic setting with a completely new cast of commanding officers. It introduced new units, revised battle mechanics, and a darker tone that set it apart from earlier entries. It remained the last new Advance Wars release until 2023.
ADVANCE WARS 1+2: RE-BOOT CAMP (2023)
Developer: WayForward / Nintendo
Nintendo announced this remake of Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising for Nintendo Switch in 2021. After an initial delay from December 3, 2021 to April 8, 2022 for additional fine-tuning, Nintendo postponed the game again on March 9, 2022, stating that the decision was made "in light of recent world events." The announcement came shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Re-Boot Camp was eventually released on April 21, 2023. As of October 2026, Russia's war against Ukraine remains ongoing. The delay remains part of the release history of a brightly stylized war game whose fictional invasions were scheduled for release while a real invasion was unfolding.
The Legacy of Advance Wars
The Advance Wars series is like chess played on a global scale. Its compelling stories, varied commanding officers, and memorable music all contribute to its enduring appeal.
As the advisor of a fighting force, you maneuver allied units into position, capture cities and bases, deploy reinforcements, and eliminate enemy threats while managing terrain, movement, fuel, ammunition, and battlefield risks such as Black Cannons and entrenched defenses.
Every unit has unique strengths and weaknesses, and mastering their movement, attack limits, hit points, and supply needs is essential. With repairs, reinforcements, and CO Powers shaping each engagement, every mission becomes an epic tactical struggle that rewards careful planning and battlefield mastery.