Summary
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Campdirector James Montagna spoke about how Nintendo approached WayForward Technologies to revive the classic turn-based strategy RPG series.Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Campincludes remakes of the first two games in the series that were released on the Game Boy Advance.Re-Boot Camplaunched exclusively on the Nintendo Switch after a series of delays, and was praised for being a return to the classic series.Re-Boot Campis also quite a notable entry in the franchise, not only for being the firstAdvance Warsgame in over 15 years, but also for it being developed by WayForward, a well-known and longtime indie developer.
WayForward Technologies was first established in 1990, getting its start working on a variety of licensed titles. While WayForward would become a well-regarded developer for its adaptations of various IPs, the studio’s claim to fame would betheShantaeseries, starting with the first game in 2002 for the Game Boy Color. WayForward would eventually collaborate with various companies in developing brand-new titles for older series, such asContra 4for the Nintendo DS with Konami or with Arc System Works forRiver City Girls. The director of theAdvance Warsrevival recently gave some insight into how the indie studio got to work with Nintendo and its IP.
In an episode of the Fragments of Silicon podcast, Montagna spoke about the origins ofAdvance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. According to Montagna, the relationship between the two companies had been built over the course of 7–8 years, where WayFoward would meet with Nintendo every E3. These meetings usually consisted of the developers chatting with each other, coming up with new proposals and game ideas. Montagna said that Nintendo loved their annual “WayFoward Meeting”, due to the companies' shared passion in game creation. Eventually, the opportunity came when Nintendo was shopping around for studios that couldbring backAdvance Wars, with WayForward being contacted about the project.
WayForward Was Contacted By Nintendo For Advance Wars Revival
Montagna recalled that when Nintendo brought it up, they were extremely surprised. The developers at WayForward were huge fans ofthe originalAdvance Warsback on the Game Boy Advance, and were extremely honored to help Nintendo create a re-imagining of the turn-based RPG series. Montagna looks upon the project as an “incredible” experience.
WayForward Technologies' momentum isn’t slowing down any time soon. Alongside the revival of the formerly shelvedShantae Advance: Risky Revolution, WayForward is working ona new port ofClock Tower, bringing the game to modern consoles for the first time and also serving as the first-ever official English release of the cult classic survival horror title.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
WHERE TO PLAY
Nintendo and Wayforward’s Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp contains remakes of the first two Advance Wars titles that were originally released on the Game Boy Advance. The turn-based strategy compilation is a Nintendo Switch exclusive.
