Fantastic Four (Game Boy Advance) Playthrough

Playthrough of Fantastic Four, Activision's 2005 action-adventure beat 'em up for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance.

Fantastic Four for the Game Boy Advance is an isometric action game released in 2005 by Activision and developed by Torus Games. Based on the feature film of the same name, it attempts to translate the teamwork and superhero abilities of Marvel’s first family into a portable, combat-oriented experience. The result is a straightforward but visually polished brawler that emphasizes accessibility over depth.

The game follows a linear level structure, taking players through a series of missions inspired loosely by scenes from the movie. Most levels feature two members of the team, with the player able to switch between them at any time. Each character brings unique powers to the table—Mr. Fantastic can stretch to hit distant enemies or activate switches, the Invisible Woman can create force fields and projectiles, the Human Torch attacks with fire-based moves, and The Thing delivers heavy melee damage. Occasionally, all four heroes fight together during boss battles.

Combat is the central focus, revolving around simple attack combos, special “cosmic powers,” and crowd control tactics. These powers consume energy that can be replenished by collecting drops from defeated enemies. Characters earn upgrades throughout the game, allowing them to increase power strength or gain new abilities. Despite these mechanics, most characters play similarly, and the variety in combat tends to come more from enemy layouts than from strategic differences among the heroes.

Puzzle and traversal segments are sprinkled between battles. These moments often require using specific abilities to progress—for example, Mr. Fantastic extending his arms to activate distant levers or The Thing breaking through barriers. However, these interactions are brief and rarely challenging, serving more as transitions than as major gameplay elements. The isometric camera perspective gives the game a pseudo-3D look, but it can make judging distance or aiming attacks difficult, especially when multiple enemies crowd the screen.

Visually, Fantastic Four is one of the more detailed isometric titles on the Game Boy Advance. Character sprites are cleanly animated, the environments are colorful, and special effects for cosmic powers add a sense of energy to fights. The sound design complements the presentation, featuring sharp impact noises, simple voice clips, and background music that matches the game’s cinematic tone. While neither groundbreaking nor especially memorable, the presentation is solid for the platform.

The difficulty level is moderate, relying on enemy swarms and tight timing rather than complex enemy AI. Some hit detection issues occasionally cause frustration, particularly during crowded encounters or boss fights. The game automatically saves progress after each stage, which makes it easy to play in short sessions. However, the campaign is relatively short and offers little replay value beyond completing it with different character combinations. There are no additional modes or unlockable features to extend its longevity.

Overall, Fantastic Four on the Game Boy Advance delivers a functional and enjoyable superhero experience that stays true to its source material. Its strengths lie in its presentation, responsive controls, and the inclusion of all four iconic heroes with their distinct powers. Its weaknesses—repetitive combat, limited depth, and a short campaign—keep it from standing out among the handheld’s stronger action titles. Still, for fans of the Fantastic Four or those looking for a simple, well-made brawler, it offers a respectable adaptation of Marvel’s classic team.