The only good Army Men games have been Game Boy Army Men games. It's a rash generalization, sure, but hey, just look at the series track record on the portable -- the series has seen a whopping four Army Men titles on the Game Boy Color, all of them well above average. 3DO's about to pass the plastic gauntlet on to the Game Boy Advance, in a launch game aptly titled Army Men Advance.

Forget what you've seen and played on the Game Boy Color – it looks like all that's being thrown out the window in the Game Boy Advance version, as the license is getting an overhaul both in graphics and in gameplay for the 32-bit handheld. Developer DC Studios (previously known for its NBA Jam 2001 Game Boy Color title for Acclaim has scrapped the realistic plastic men imagery from the past games of the series, and has replaced it with a more cartoony, animated style that looks more like it belongs on television during Saturday mornings.

The new design will be similar to Gauntlet in that it's an overhead scrolling action game – not much like the past Army Men games, as you now have direct control over your character in eight-way directional control. The evil General Plastro is at it again and he's out to finally demolish the Green Army once and for all. You'll play as either Sarge or the itty-bitty female soldier Vicky to infiltrate the Tan Army's base, find out what the bad guys are up to, and put a stop to the sinister plans.

The adventure will jump back and forth between the Plastic World and the Human World – when in Plastic World, everything is as it should be in a war – wilderness, huge fortresses, the works. But when in Human World, these guys are nothing more than plastic shrimps – they're no bigger than alphabet blocks or Matchbox cars, so they'll have to maneuver through the land of the titans in order to complete their missions. Though most of the missions will be on foot, you'll be able to hop in vehicles for added firepower. Grab the yoke of a Tank in the garden, or get behind the wheel of a boat in the bathtub – these will give you the upperhand you're going to need to survive.

Will this drastic change in graphics and gameplay continue the quality of the handheld Army Men titles? We'll know this June when Army Men Advance is released with the Game Boy Advance on June 11th.

-IGN.com