The Wars series is a family of tactical turn-based strategy games developed primarily by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. First released in Japan on Nintendo's Famicom as Famicom Wars, the franchise established a compact, approachable form of grid-based warfare built around discrete unit types, terrain effects, base capture and short, scenario-driven campaigns. Outside Japan the mainline games are widely known under the English title Advance Wars, which became the brand familiar to many players on handheld systems.
Gameplay and defining features
Wars games typically place opposing forces on small to medium-sized square-grid maps. Each side takes turns moving units, attacking, defending and capturing structures that provide income or repair. Units include infantry, armored vehicles, artillery, aircraft and naval forces; terrain alters movement costs and defensive bonuses. A prominent recurring mechanic is the presence of commanding officers (COs), characters who confer passive advantages and occasional activated abilities that can shift the tide of battle. Many entries add optional systems such as fog of war, weather effects, combined-arms doctrines and scenario editors that allow players to design custom maps and missions.
Modes, campaigns and multiplayer
The series offers single-player campaigns with story-linked scenarios, skirmish maps for quick matches, and multiplayer options that have included hot-seat, link-cable, local wireless and online play on different hardware. Balanced unit matchups, clear counter relationships and concise mission objectives make the games both accessible to newcomers and deep enough for competitive players. The community around the series is known for creating custom scenarios, hosting tournaments and producing strategy guides that explore optimal unit usage and map control.
Notable entries and spin-offs
- Famicom Wars — the original title released on Nintendo's Famicom system in Japan and the foundation of the series' core mechanics.
- Advance Wars — the Western-branded entries introduced many players to the series on portable hardware and established much of the modern presentation and cast.
- Advance Wars: Dual Strike and other sequels — titles that expanded mechanics with dual maps, new CO systems and varied mission types.
- Battalion Wars — a spin-off series that blends strategic unit management with more direct, action-oriented control on home consoles.
- Collections and re-releases — the franchise has periodically returned through reissues, compilations and remasters aimed at new audiences and longtime fans.
Development, reception and legacy
Developed by a small, consistent team at Intelligent Systems in partnership with Nintendo, Wars games are praised for their elegant rules, strong balance and distinctive visual presentation that mixes clear icons with bright, readable maps. The design philosophy—simple core rules that support large tactical depth—helped the series stand out among both console and handheld strategy titles. Although the franchise has experienced gaps between major releases, it maintains a dedicated fanbase and is frequently cited as an influential example of portable turn-based strategy design.