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Max Payne

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 33 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Mobius Entertainment
Genre(s): Action
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: December 16, 2003
Summary
At last, the definitive third person shooter arrives on the GameBoy Advance. Max Payne is a stylish, urban, revenge driven action game based in New York City's grimy underground. A dark, searing tale of corruption and murder, Max Payne combines cinematic gameplay with the latest in handheld videogame technology to deliver what promises to be the most intense GameBoy Advance experience this year. [Rockstar Games]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: IGN Preview Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Game Chronicles
Everything from the violent visuals, great sound, classic narration, graphics novel presentation, and intense gameplay is back and condensed into one of the best GBA action titles of 2003.
Read Full Review >GameZone
Both brilliant and amazingly true to the original. Not only does it faithfully capture all the things we loved about the console version of this game, but also it takes advantage of the Game Boy Advances full potential.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
Easily the best isometric shooter available for the system, it's amazing just how much a tiny GBA cartridge can hold. [Feb 2004, p.53]
Gamenikki
The one weak spot in this otherwise bulletproof masterpiece of a game is the replay value. I got so into the action I was in and out in right around four hours.
Read Full Review >VideoGamesLife
For a port of a PC game, Max Payne on the Game Boy Advance is astonishingly well-done.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
A streamlined, somewhat reworked, version that captures the flavor of the real Max Payne but offers its own unique adventure.
Deeko
The overall mechanics found within Max Payne are solid as a rock. The control is efficient and tight, the graphics are drop dead gorgeous and the voice acting is totally immersive and wonderful.
Read Full Review >IGN
Even with the short length and off-screen action issues, Max Payne is a surprisingly awesome conversion that almost came out of nowhere.
Read Full Review >GamingTrend
Although the game is short and there isn't much replay value, I can see myself coming back to this one over and over again because of the addictive gameplay and gritty storyline.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Max Payne definitely deserves its M rating. Its story, tone, and language are miles beyond what most folks are used to from a GBA title. Happily, so is the look and sound of the game.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
A damn good shooter. The film noir story is excellent and knows how to poke fun of itself very well. The only real problem is the length. Sadly, the game is quite short, even if it is a roller coaster ride from start to finish.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The art is detailed and extremely graphic. [Mar 2004, p.120]
Armchair Empire
Incredibly enough all the graphic novel cutscenes feature full voice-overs of the overwrought dialogue and descriptions. Granted its scratchy, but it still comes through as understandable.
Read Full Review >1UP
A GBA game that successfully feels like Payne, even though everyone's tiny and doesn't curse as much.
Read Full Review >Total Video Games
Mobius have done a great job on the control system to ensure its just as fluid as its predecessors, anyone looking for a quick action blast would be well advised to stick this in their GBA.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
An undeniably alluring little isometric shoot-'em-up with some tolerable flaws, and if, like me, you plan to get stuck into the PC sequel in the near future, then it offers a succinct and vital refresher of key plot points.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
It stands head-and-shoulders above the bar that's been set for GBA action games. [Jan 2004, p.160]
Read Full Review >Into Liquid Sky
Most of the original game's elements have been realized in a pretty faithful replication.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Gritty and unforgiving, Max will make your Game Boy bleed fun - if you can stand the pain. [Feb 2004, p.129]
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Technically impressive, but its gameplay flaws really get in the way of the excitement.
Read Full Review >GBA Central
The GBA needed this game, but it could have used a bit more refinement in control and frame-rate before shipping.
Read Full Review >Gamestyle
Despite a few niggling problems Max had lost none of his charm and this title comes highly recommended to both Payne and shoot'em up fans a like.
Read Full Review >GamerArchive
Youll all be no doubt happy to hear the comic book stylised cut scenes make a triumphant return, again showing that you dont need heavily detailed, highly expensive sequences to keep the story trundling along at a hectic pace.
Read Full Review >Pocket Games
It's full of blood and gore, but like most of Rockstar's efforts, this game is very smartly designed. [Spring 2004, p.31]
GamePro
Confusing level design, repetitive action, and the vile villain called slowdown eventually start to grate on the nerves. [Apr 2004, p.86]
Read Full Review >AceGamez
It's a fantastic shooter, there's no doubt about it, but for anyone who's sampled both of Max's outings on the home consoles there's little of interest left in this medley of the morose.
Read Full Review >Worth Playing
An interesting romp and a nice technical achievement; fans of Max Payne or anyone interested would do well to check it out - but should be warned that the game is not the end-all be-all of isometric shooters on the GBA.
Read Full Review >Nintendophiles
Little variety in the gameplay coupled with a mere four hour timespan would probably make Max Payne a bad idea for a purchase, but if you can find it cheap, it's decent fun.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
For every area in which Max slips up the sheer magnitude of the technical achievement saves the day. Aside from slight grievances with accuracy and unseen foes, this is as faithful a port as you're likely to play on a handheld this year. [Feb 2004, p.108]
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
Max Payne isn't a bad way to spend a train journey, but those who've already played the original will have little reason to buy the conversion, apart from to smile at how mini-Max so cutely apes his big brother. [Apr 2004, p.110]
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Najin J. gave it a10:
the game is stylish and witty. the dark commentary is very engaging.
Jeff S. gave it a10:
This is by far the best gameboy game it deserves a 10.
Brandon gave it an 8:
Great game, its fun to play, easy controls, great story. The only problem is its short and dosent have much replay value, but its still probably the best port ever for the GBA. Excellent!
Joe Hell gave it a 9:
Really good game for the GBA. Excellent graphics, impressive soundtrack and lots of blood. Rated-M for Gameboy?...cool I'm an old kid!
David A. gave it an 8:
This was just what I wanted for the holidays to game with, and nothing more. True, it is a no-frills design, the story is a bit on the short side, and the game is explosively easy to beat at first. But the extras increase the challenge, the graphics are stunning, the gameplay even more so, the port translates perfectly (the game is still about violence, seedy sex and drugs). The "feel" of Max Payne is definitely there. And in case there were any doubts: BULLET TIME is AMAZING on the GBA. The music slows down and everything. Recommended for those who want a great 3P shooter with a pretty cool story.
lordofpain gave it a 2:
The game has many flaws such as the bad camera angle that doesn't let you see who is shooting at u & the game is extremly hard to beat!
