Napoleon (2001). Play online

Summary

Discovering Napoleon on the Game Boy Advance was like finding a hidden gem of RTS on a handheld. Unlike most portable titles of its era, this Genki‑crafted real‑time strategy lets you ride a horse‑mounted Napoleon straight into the thick of battle, issuing orders to each unit by walking up to them – a stark contrast to the click‑and‑command norm.

The game skips classic resource gathering, yet still forces you to balance unit limits and troop morale; lower‑ranked commanders need constant encouragement, and Napoleon can even rally them with a war‑cry. Units can be grouped under a commander, allowing mass commands, and both healing and being healed flow through this chain of command. Oddly, some missions toss in monster summons, reminding you it isn’t a strict historical simulation.

Originally a launch title for Japan’s GBA launch and released only in Japan and France (as L'Aigle de Guerre), it later synced with the Mobile Adapter GB until late 2002. A fan‑made English patch appeared in 2018, and the quirky title even earned a cameo as "Napoleon" in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, while Famicom Tsūshin gave it a modest 27/40.

Storyline

In the game's Story Mode, you control Napoleon Bonaparte leading the revolutionary army against the British. Set in the late 18th century, the narrative is delivered through Fire Emblem‑style strategic maps and character dialogue. The title, Napoleon for the Game Boy Advance, mixes historical backdrop with turn‑based tactics.

Each mission varies, but the core objective remains: send out units, defeat the enemy, and capture the opponent’s stronghold. The developers also added fantasy flair, pitting Napoleon’s troops against man‑eating ogres and abominable snowmen, so the experience strays far from strict history.