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good much fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 19
Date: December 16, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Quake, Unreal Tournament, Half Life--and even Bungie's Halo--owe their prominence to a single early 1990s PC game: id Software's Doom. Although prefaced by Wolfenstein 3D in 1990, id's 1993 release of Doom defined the archetype for all subsequent first-person shooters. Texture-mapped surfaces, mazelike levels, gory monsters, and seamless multiplayer gameplay helped Doom and its sequels leap onto no less than 10 different gaming platforms. Now, thanks to Activision and David A. Palmer Studios, the game that coined the term deathmatch is now available on the Game Boy Advance.
On the Martian military colony of Phobos, a horde of hellish demons has obliterated the entire human population, save for one lowly space marine--you. Stranded alone, you're out to reap some revenge and flee with your hide intact. The single-player portion of Doom features 24 full levels of shotgun-toting, plasma-blasting 3D shooter action--but that's not all. Each level also supports four-player deathmatch or two-player cooperative modes with the use of a link cable. Despite a few minor alterations from the PC version, this handheld port contains the same gory gameplay that helped its ancestor launch a genre.

To be fair, Doom isn't an exact port, nor is it flawless. Although the majority of the game's 24 levels are straight out of the PC version, three were axed and one was heavily edited in order to cram the game onto a single cartridge. The massive Cyber Demon and Spider Mastermind bosses are missing as well. Other changes include green-toned blood and enemies that dissipate after death. Generally, the music is the same, although some selections are played out of order. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Doom and its progeny, this means action-packed, stylized MIDI and tons of synthetic bass. The sound effects are loud and ugly--highlighted by shotguns, grunts, growls, and an assortment of samples you've probably heard in recent car commercials.

In terms of setbacks, the game's overall resolution is somewhat pixilated, similar to the PC version on its lowest setting. There is also a noticeable amount of slowdown and choppiness in large areas, and it's compounded further in spots loaded with monsters. The presence of brightness and lighting toggles is a welcome addition, although the muddiness of textures is more obvious with dynamic lighting disabled. The GBA's button layout presents another obstacle to overcome, mainly because it's not as responsive as a mouse or analog controller. However, the controls generally lend themselves to Doom better than they would its successors--mainly because the game itself predates the vertical aiming of modern shooters.

Regardless of its shortcomings, Doom's strength lies in its raw gameplay. There are eight weapons to use, including your fist, a chain saw, the pistol, a shotgun, the chain gun, a rocket launcher, the beautiful plasma rifle, and the beautifully devastating BFG-9000. Conversely, there are seven monsters present in various quantities just waiting to absorb your ammo. They include former humans, zombie sergeants, ghoulish imps, pudgy demons, ghostly lost souls, floating cacodemons, and the Minotaur-like barons of hell. Even though the aim of most levels is tediously searching for keys, the cathartic release of blasting heads is a great equalizer. On the game's toughest difficulty setting, nightmare, there are more than 3,000 enemies to obliterate.

Cool 3D visuals and violent gameplay aside, the best way to play Doom is to enlist a few friends and take part in its multiplayer features. All of the game's single-player levels are available in both deathmatch and cooperative varieties--provided everyone has his or her own cartridge. Even with four human characters and scads of monsters onscreen, the frame rate never stutters any more than in a single-player match. There aren't any onscreen indicators in the multiplayer modes, but the action is so fast and the overall effect so priceless that you won't mind.

For those of you who are totally burned out on everything Doom has to offer or who have totally abused the GBA's multiplayer capabilities, Doom may be a bit too dated and/or simplistic to draw you back in. However, if you appreciate the beauty of straightforward gameplay, happen to have a few feisty friends, and absolutely adore your Game Boy Advance, Doom is an excellent choice.

A Diffent Point of View

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: February 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you browse the reviews just like I did before I bought the game, then you notice one thing in peticular: Most reviews compare this version of Doom to others (most commonly the PC). I never owned any other version of Doom. I never even played any of them before. So I hope some words from a non-expieenced Doom player will help you.

I own many GBA games, but this is by far my best game. The graphics are AMAZING, considering this is a GBA. The sound is EXCELLENT, all the moans, grunts, shrieks, gunshots, doors, and other effects are crisp and clear, and by far the best sound I've ever heard on a GBA. The movement is very fluid (I thought a first person shooter on a handheld system would be slow and jerky). So overall, this is a great game will no flaws.

This game is one of the best I have ever seen for this console. I recommend this game to anyone who wants a great time (it is violent, and you must be able to stomach the carnage).

Doom

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 13
Date: October 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Many a year have a dreamt of the time when I could play my all time favorite game anywhere, anytime. So maybe I still can’t play it anywhere (like in the dark), but still this is close enough to make me very, very happy. A direct port of the original doom this is not, but very close. Any long time doom fan will notice right away that details from the original PC doom are missing, a pool of blue goo here, a pillar there, but nothing to cry over and it is still very close to the original. That said, the game is amazing! I had my doubts that the GBA could handle Doom but it seems to just fine (though I have yet to try the multi-player mode). Every once in a while you might notice the frame rate drop but it is nothing that will hamper the players enjoyment. The game has always been dark, but the developer has addressed this issue very well by give player the ability to lighten or darken the game to suit there lighting situation and also by allowing you to turn of the in game dynamic lighting. I will post an updated review as soon as I have a chance to beat it and try all the features.

GET THIS NOW!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

this is a MUST GET GAME OF THE SEASON. you HAVE TO get this game!!! i have played PC version and GBA version and GBA is soooooo much more fun. the PC version is kinda better since the blood is actully "red" instead of green. and plus a couple of our old monster friends are gone. but the GBA is way better because the graphics are just a slight bit better than the PC.. although most people dont tell the difference. also the gameplay is alot better. i give it this rating:

graphics:10

sound:9
FPS:9
replay value:10
YOU MUST BUY THIS GAME this game is so much better. my mom finnaly lets me play these games now that they rated them Teen. but thats not important!! i played the PC version next door. but hey, all i am saying is if you get this game you will never have to sell it or give it away and definitly never get bored, such a great game. BUY NOW!!!

Doom Rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 14
Date: September 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Of course i havn't played Doom for GBA, but i have played it for computer. The game is awsome. I have checked out the official Doom GBA website and it appears to have no major changes to the game other than its on GBA. I really think that the 2 player co-op and 4 player deathmatch will be sweet. I am definately buying this game when it hits stores.

Doom Is Da Bomb!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you are looking for one of the best first person action games, Doom is for you. I have this game and it rocks! You get to battle demons and zombies and all those other monsters from hell. The weapons are one of the best on this game, featuring rocket launchers, shotguns, pistols, plasma rifles, chainsaws,
and the best weapon on the game, the BFG9000! This game packs a
lot of action so you won't have to take your eyes off the screen!
So what are you waiting for? Get this game for Gameboy Advance! If you don't have a Gameboy Advance, I suggest you get it because the prices for it have dropped a lot: From [price range]!

Can't get any better!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: September 09, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Activison brings ID Software's classic FPS to the GBA, complete with all the frentic pace and carnage of a game that blistered thumbs, fried brains, and outraged parents back in 1993. Twenty-four of the original 29 labrinthine levels are back, complete with indoor and outdoor environments, sprawling staircases, satanic pentagrams, and secrect doors have been beautifully translated. The wall and floor textures are impressive, but tenebrous tones in some levels make it hard to see where you are going on the tiny GBA screen. Switching weapons with the shoulder buttons take some time to get used to, but the control scheme is like a virgin: nice and tight. Some players may find the games non-stop action a little repetitive, but gamers looking for a healthy dose of brutal nostalgia can do no better.

Ohh my god...what a classic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: April 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is simply the best classic...non stop fun and u can play it for hours...no flaws no nuthin....just pure fun

A 13 year old gamer from Missouri

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: April 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

WOW!!!!!!! I am so excited Doom came out for the GBA. I remember when I was a little kid sitting on my dad's lap shooting while my dad steered. I haven't bought it yet but I'm going to get it soon.

One of the best first person shooters ever, comes to the GBA

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is exelent and here's why. The action is unmatched by any GBA game so far! The gore is awsome (this game is not for those under thirteen)!! This games puzzle like levels are very difficult and fun to navagate through the maze of corridors!! This game is great, so buy it right now!!!

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