
    .____________________________________________________________________.
    |.                                                                   |
    |.:.                           T H E                                 |
    |:::.       ______|_ _            ______                             :
   _______    __\_    |____  /\__. ___\_    \___|_   __  _______  _____/\___
  /     _/__ /   _   .|    \/    |/    /   //   |____  ___\_    \/    /    /
 //    |    /    |   ||.        ://   _____/.   _    \/    /   //    /   //
 \______    \_________||   \/    \________/||   |   //\________/\_____   /
  \  _______|         l____||____|         |________/  -rtx/art  \  ____/
   \/       `                              '                      \/     .
    .                 __ |_____   ______|_ _      ___/____               |
    |       _______ .____|    | __\_    |   ______\_    _/______ __      |
    |     _/     _/ |    |   .|/   _   .|___\_    \/    \/    _/___      |
    |    //      |__|    _   |/    |   ||.   /    /     \\_____    \     |
    |    \_________/|    |____\_________||   \____\______/\  ______/    .|
    |               `----'               l____|            \/         .::|
    |  Issue #666 (Advance)  -  May 2003      '                     .::.:|
    `--------------------------------------------------------------------'


  [- Released on June 5th, 2003 - Gameboy Charts Staff: Statler & Waldorf -]


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------' 


        [- Section #1 - Scene-Dumped Games & Scene-Produced Patches -]        


 INTRODUCTION
 ------------

 Welcome!

 Charts, charts, charts and no end in sight. I hope none of you out there
 took the GBA-NFO charts serious, as their point system does not at all
 reflect the ideals of this scenes top groups. And as the lazy bastards
 who used to run the Gameboy Charts took a break, we felt it's up to us to 
 bring you this special edition of the Gameboy Charts.

 You might ask 'do we really need all these charts?' - we don't think so,
 you only need those made by the real sceners, measured by real scene
 standards. And if you insist on our point system being unfair, I am 
 afraid you obviously just don't belong here.

 Enough of this - on with the show!

                                                                    - Statler


 Ditto. Those Console World and Gameboy Charts guys really let us down...
 Since they stopped doing charts all we've had to read are crappy ones or 
 none at all.

 Sick of flawed point systems? Inconsistently applied to different groups?
 Inaccurate reporting of releases? Well so are we. And we're here to set 
 things straight. So buckle up and get ready, cause the Gameboy Charts are
 back under new management and it's up to us to give a definitive answer to
 the question on everyone's mind: 

 Who's on top and who's not?

                                                                    - Waldorf


 SECTION #1 : RULES & POINTS
 ---------------------------

 The rules are simple. Territories are relative and unimportant. Distinctions
 in these charts are made by language. A Japanese game with all English text
 or an English select is considered English.


 +4 Points - MAJOR: Usually the best/most-anticipated game of the month.

 +3 Points - A world-first English game (never before released in English,
             or as a 100% PLAYABLE Foreign).

           - A world-first PLAYABLE Foreign (non-English) release. 

 +2 Points - An English FINAL of a previously PLAYABLE Foreign release.
             This rule is applied with discretion, depending on how playable
             the previous Foreign release was.

 +1 Points - A world-first UNPLAYABLE Foreign (non-English) release.

           - A TRAINER, or useful gba/hardware related tool.

           - A CRACK for a previously uncracked game will net you 1 point.
             Whether it's in the form of a patch, or a pre-cracked rom image,
             points for the game are only awarded if dumped from your own
             source with proof. Otherwise +1 for the CRACK.

 +0 Points - TER.DUPE: Any subsequent version of a game that has already been
             released in English (final) is considered a dupe, regardless of
             any extra languages or which territory it is from.

           - BETA: A beta version of a game will get 0 points.

           - UNCRACKED: If a game requires a crack to work on a flashcart, it
             is understood that the image must be pre-cracked or include an 
             IPS patch. No extra points are awarded for this. Failure to 
             comply will result in 0 points for an UNCRACKED release. If the
             same group later releases a crack fix for their previously
             uncracked release, full points for the game are awarded.

           - A late trainer with the same or less options is a DUPE trainer.

 -1 Point  - If you release a game/trainer/crack that doesn't work, -1 time!

           - DUPE: If you release a game that's identical to a previous 
             release, this is different from a territory dupe and the penalty
             is more severe.


 NOTES
 -----

 This section scores only those releases which are produced by the same group
 that releases it. Patches and games repackaged from the net/web/irc/p2p/etc
 are charted under section #2.
 
 Overdumps are noted for posterity, however no points are deducted for over-
 dumping a game, as it doesn't affect the playability of a game, and is easily
 truncated with any number of tools. Similarly, "redumps" and "propers" of 
 overdumped games will not receive any points, or even a mention in these 
 charts.

 The playability of a foreign game is based upon the experience of any 
 number of people who have actually played the game. Decisions are final, so
 don't bitch that your favorite super shogi pachinko slot gaiden game 
 deserves more points.


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Cezar

      ___/\____/\_________   /\   ________
      \__  ___/  __/\__  /__/  \__\  _   /poyZ
   __ _/  /  |  __/  /  / _/    \_  _/ _/_ __
  \\_\\ _____| _____/_____\__/\__/__\  \ //_//
   ----\/----|/----------------------\  /---- 
                                      \/
 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 14  Rockman Zero 2 +11 Trainer                    JAP/IPS    +1

 May 19  Wario Ware Inc (incl. +3 Trainer) - Nintendo  EUR/64M    -1   BROKEN

 May 21  Donkey Kong Country +6 Trainer                EUR/IPS    +1

 May 23  Wario Ware Inc (Trainer Fix)                  EUR/IPS    +1        

 May 24  Tottoko Hamataro 4 - Nintendo                 JAP/64M    +1

 May 31  Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow +10 Trainer       EUR/IPS    +1
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 4]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Looks like some euro or asian guy in Cezar got the training bug this month
 and decided to help all the cheaters out there with a batch of late but nice
 trainers. One thing tho.. using gameshark codes as a basis for your trainer
 options is hella gay. It's not so hard to find them yourself.

 Although the original release of Wario + trainer was broken, they gain a 
 point back for fixing the trainer (and 0 for fixing the TER.DUPE it was 
 included in)

 - Waldorf


 Nice move from Cezar to bundle broken trainers with their needless 
 dupes now, probably an attempt at keeping the sites more clean - if 
 they wouldn't be so eager to bring us a fix just four days later.
 
 With Rockman Zero 2, Donkey Kong Country and Castlevania, Cezar chose a
 couple of more or less recent popular games to train - maybe they're lucky
 and there are some rom lamers out there who haven't beaten the games 
 already by the time these came out.

 - Statler


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Drastic & Lost


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 24  Midnight Club: Street Racing - Digital        EUR/32M     0 TER.DUPE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 0]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Drastic & Lost, indeed!
 
 - Statler


 DNL continue their releasing streak of one GBA dupe per year. Here's looking
 forward to another DNL dupe in 2004!

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Eurasia
                                   ___:.
    ______._ __:____.  _____:____. \  /_____.
  _|   ___/ |  |  _  \_\__  |  __/__\/_\__  |_
  \_   __/  |  |  /  <   _  |___   //\   _  _/
   |_____\_____|__\___\_____|_____/___\_____|
   ------------:------------:-----------MTX!-

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May  1  Naruto - Tomy                                 JAP/64M    +3 PLAYABLE

 May  3  Castlevania: Minuet of Dawn - Konami          JAP/64M    +1

 May  5  Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - Konami          EUR/64M    +4  G.O.T.M

 May  7  Lufia: The Ruins of Lore (Working) - Atlus    USA/64M    +3

 May 17  Iridion II (Cracked) - Majesco                EUR/64M    +3
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [14]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Regarding the general slowness of this month, Eurasia made just another
 excellent performance. Castlevania, Iridion II and Lufia were among the 
 top titles this month and Eurasia brought us all of them.
 
 Respect for the crack on Iridion II, this is how it should be done. 

 My personal pick for Game Of The Month would have been Iridion II but no
 matter which game, Eurasia saved this extra point.

 - Statler


 A quick start for Eurasia bring them to the top spot for the month of May. 
 They remain the only group able to release the best playable Jap titles in a
 timely manner. Add a couple early Euro majors, and a proper dump to fix 
 Mode 7's Lufia release, and you get the formula for #1. All in all a good 
 month for the 'pleasure not pressure' boys.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Loom

     _____     _________________  /\__  ______
   _/    / ___/   _   _/   _    \//   \/    .|
  .\    /_/  \    /   \    /   //    \  /   ||
  ::\\ _______\_______/\_______/_____|\/|____|
  -- \/ ----------------------------- rtx! -->

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 28  The Incredible Hulk +5 Trainer                USA/IPS    -1   BROKEN
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [-1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 To my surprise, just a few hours after the release of The Incredible Hulk,
 Loom, who are not actually famous for their tempo, came up with this 
 trainer. It could have been nice, if it wasn't broken. The key combination
 chosen for the ingame level-skip was already assigned to one of The Hulks
 special moves. Moreover, the invincibility option did not work either.

 But Loom is rather new to trainers, I've got a feeling they'll be on the 
 right track soon. My advice: do not let this discourage you.

 - Statler


 A valiant attempt, however flawed. It's a plus to see Loom trying to take 
 their game to the next level and add speed to their repertoire of training
 skills. But don't sacrifice testing for speedy releasing... as you can see,
 it never works out.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Menace

     ___ __   ____ ____ ._______  ____   ____
    /   '  \_/__  \ _  \|  ____ \/ .  \_/__  \
  _/   \/   \ \___// \  \_ /  .  \_|--<_ \___/
  \____||___/______\__\____\__|___/____/_____\

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 19  Donkey Kong Country - Rare                    EUR/64M    +4  G.O.T.M
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 4]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Even if they're just making a release every now and then, Menace still
 stands there, solid as a rock and always seems to have a lucky hand when
 it comes to European major releases. And this is what actually counts: 
 quality over quantity - even with dozens of dupes and repacks you wouldn't 
 even come close to the fame of Menace. Respect is due.

 - Statler


 I would say just when you least expect it... but only those without a sense
 of history would be surprised to see Menace release another major title
 weeks before it retails. And what could be bigger than the GBA release of
 the title that revolutionized 16bit platformers? DKC looks beautiful on the
 small screen.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Mode 7

  ._     - M O D E 7 -   ______       _________
  | /\__  ____________ __\    | _ ____\__     /
   /    \/   _/   _   \      .|___\_   \/   //
  //   \  /  \    /  //   |  |/   _____/____/ .
   ____|\/|___\______/\_______\_______/-rtx! _| 

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May  7  Lufia: The Ruins of Lore - Atlus              USA/64M    -1   BROKEN

 May 11  Finding Nemo - THQ                            USA/64M    +3
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 2]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Mode 7 on and on. I've noticed some clueless people already wondered if 
 they are still alive - obviously they don't know the spirit behind this 
 group and don't have an overview of what's going on in the scene. Mode 7 
 always brought the scene quality first releases and there is only so many
 of them each month.

 Nevertheless, bad luck this month with the not fully working release of
 Lufia, probably just due to a design error in the intro adder. Eurasia
 were the first to hear about the broken dump and so they got the points.

 Left is Finding Nemo, just an average platform game but good enough to
 save Mode 7 from a negative score this month.
 
 - Statler


 Things were lookin' good for Mode 7 when they started off the month with
 an early AM release of Lufia. But events took a turn for the worse... and
 their dump turned out to be corrupt. Shit happens...

 Look for them to continue to go head-to-head with Venom for USA titles next
 month. And the month after that. And the month after the month after the...

 If consistency is king, give these guys a crown.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Patience

   _                                 -poyZ! _
  /(_______ /\____________/\  ____/\________)\
  \_  _   /\\_  _/\_   __/  \|  _/ _____  ___/
   | _/  /  \|  |  |  _/\  \ \  |  |/  / _/ |
  _| \__/    \_ | _|  |  \  \_  |  / _/  |  |_
  \| _|___/\  /_|_\| _____\  /__|____\_____ |/
  -|/-------\/-----|/------\/--------------\|-

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May  9  Medal of Honor Underground - Ubi Soft / EA    EUR/64M     0 TER.DUPE
         Tom and Jerry in Infurnal Escape - Ubi Soft   EUR/64M     0 TER.DUPE

 May 20  Sega Arcade Gallery - THQ / Sega              EUR/64M    +3

 May 24  Disney Sports Snowboarding - Konami           EUR/128M   +3

 May 28  Pro Beach Soccer - Wanadoo                    EUR/32M    +3
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 9]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Still considered as newcomers by most out there, it's definitely about
 time to take Patience a bit more serious. Three first releases this month,
 one of them being Sega Arcade Gallery which feels like a walk down
 memory lane for a lot, no wait, just for a few of our readers. And there's
 a reason why I am saying 'a bit more serious' - word is on the street that
 Patience are now cooperating with a large IRC rom fileserver-channel, just
 in order to get ahold of useless dupe and Japanese crap releases.

 I am wondering why, guys. You don't really seem to need this any more.

 - Statler

 
 Despite a solid third place performance from the frogs this month, Patience
 still seem to have a total disregard for any type of quality control. Their
 alliance with GBAcrap, and their recent flood of ancient jap-repacks are a
 testament to that.

 There was a so-called "race" on Pro Beach Soccer, however the Patience 
 release was on sites 5 or 6 hours previous to RS' dupe.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Precision

  __ ___  ___  ___ ___ ____ ____ ____ ____       __ 
    /___)/___)/_  /     /  /___   /  /   / /\  /    
   /    /  \ /__ /__ __/_ ____/__/_ /___/ /  \/     

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 12  Wario Ware Inc - Nintendo                     USA/64M    +2  ENG.FIN
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 2]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Another visitor. Stay a while. Stay forever. Looking at Precision's first
 GBA release, a flawless and early dump of Wario Ware Inc, this quote
 from Epyx' classic 'Impossible Mission' might apply. More of that.

 - Statler


 The dudes from Precision get their hands on a nice in-store display cart of
 Wario Ware Inc a couple weeks before it hits shelves. Unfortunately for 
 them, the JAP release from a couple months ago was quite playable. It's 
 going to take a bit more to top these charts, but Precision are off to a 
 good start.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Rising Sun

   _____  ___  _____  ___  ___ ____ ______
  _)__ /__) (__\ __/__) (__\   \  /_) ___(_
  \__/  /_____\_____ /____\___|____\__\   /
  +--\___/    /_______\               /___/+ 
  |       _______  ___ ___     _____       |
  |      _) ____(__)  |  (_____\   /_      |
  |      \_____  /________/\    \   /_     |
  +----- /________/-------/___|_____\sDW --+

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 20  Britney's Dance Beat - THQ                    EUR/64M     0 TER.DUPE

 May 22  Bratz - Ubi Soft                              EUR/32M     0 TER.DUPE

 May 24  Disney Sports Football - Konami               EUR/128M    0 TER.DUPE
         Disney Sports Skateboarding - Konami          EUR/128M    0 TER.DUPE

 May 27  Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 - Activision         GER/64M     0 TER.DUPE

 May 28  Bouken Yuuki Plaston GP (Crack) - Takara      JAP/64M    +1   
         Pro Beach Soccer - Wanadoo                    EUR/128M   -1     DUPE

 May 30  Bouken Yuuki PlaStar World (Crack) - Takara   JAP/64M    +1
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Another new group on the scene, you might think. Unfortunately, the
 releases they are bringing aren't all that new.

 The dupe release of Pro Beach Soccer makes it more obvious - these guys
 don't seem to be all that in touch with the actual scene, otherwise they
 wouldn't release a game several hours after another group put it out.

 Additionally, the RS version was an overdump, this just underlines how
 sloppy these guys are working.

 These cracks look promising but unfortunately they are for games that
 no one is interested in at all. You'll need some more work to make it up
 there.

 - Statler


 A point is awarded for each crack, however none are given for the games the
 cracks are patched onto, as they are repacks. Not in this section anyways.

 It's good to see RS are dumping some of their own games in between the
 winny repacks, even if they're just old territory dupes. But it's sad to see
 a group celebrate their own mediocrity with such fervor.

 Will they still be around by this time next month? Only time will tell...
 And only if the well of ancient crap doesn't run dry first!

 In all seriousness, the cracks and the almost-first were the best releases
 of the bunch... there is no need to surround it with sub-par stuff. And if a 
 patch will suffice, don't stoop down to repacking the game too. If you know
 you got beat on a release, don't put yours out... Separate yourself from the
 rest of the crap pack. Respect isn't earned overnight.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Supplex

   ____                     ___       ___  ___
  /  _/_  ___/_____________/  /  _____\  \/  /
  \___  \/  /  / _   / _  /  /__/  _   \    /
  /  / //  /  /  /  /  / /  /  //  ____/    \
  \____/\____/  ___/  ___\____/\_______  /\__\
  <---------/__/--/__/-- rtx! ---------\/---->

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 28  xXx - Activision                              EUR/64M    -1     DUPE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [-1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 While Supplex' release of xXx is dumped from a European cart, the rom image
 itself is byte-for-byte identical to the USA release done by Venom nearly a
 year ago.

 - Waldorf


 Supplex, a name that should be very familiar to everyone who ever called an
 Amiga their own. Some of the original guys actually seem to be involved
 with this comeback. But why, oh why have you lost your sense of quality?

 - Statler


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Suxxors

    ____     ___  ____  ___     ______  ____
   /  _/_____\  \/  / \/  / ____|_ _  \/  _/__
  _\__   /  / \    /\   // /  _   \/  /\__   /
  \  / //  /  /    \/    \/   |  //   \  / //
   \___/\____// /\____/\  \______/\____\___/
  <---------\__/--------\__/--------- rtx! -->

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 16  Finding Nemo - THQ                            GER/64M     0 TER.DUPE

 May 18  Buffy The Vampire Slayer: R.o.t.D.K - THQ     GER/32M    +3 PLAYABLE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 3]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Even if it's just German versions, one should not overlook that Suxxors
 pulled quite a stunt here. Both these games are way early, the German
 version of Finding Nemo is not due for about another five months. And for
 those who don't mind to miss the barely existing storyline, Buffy is,
 well, still a very average platformer. Nevertheless, I guess it's been
 a while since we've seen games released that early.

 - Statler


 A quality crap-group.. is that an oxymoron? A few days earlier on Nemo, and
 it would have been 2 world-firsts for Suxxors. Props for a couple of nice
 early games from Germany's REAL #1.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Trashman

   _____ ___   ____ _   _ __  __    __ __
  |_   _|__ \/\ ___| |_| |  \/  |/\|  \  |
    | |  _  /OO\__ |  _  |      |OO\   \ |
    |_|_| |_\__ \__|_| |_|_/\/\_|__ \|\__|
          /_/   \_\          /_/   \_\ 

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 16  Iridion II - Majesco                          USA/64M     0 UNCRACK.
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [ 0]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 The only positive thing I ever connected with Trashmen was "Surfin' Bird",
 featured on the Full Metal Jacket Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - and
 this release didn't change my point, not at all.

 In other words: releasing uncracked games is nothing but lame. Please
 don't come back.

 - Statler


 Trash? They aren't kidding! Even Shin'en is laughing at you.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Tristar & Red Sector Inc

   .____/\_________/\__________.
   l___/  |_____  /  __________|
      /   |  __ _/.___   \_/   |  tRiStAR
    _/RtX |  \    |   |   /    |    AND
    \  ___|___\   |____  /\  __| RED SECtOR
  <--\/---:----\__|----\/--\/---------------->

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 17  Tennis Masters Series - Microids              EUR/64M    -1     DUPE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [-1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 An unfortunate waste of time and resources for TRSI results from improper
 dupe checking... A step down from the nice world-first they did last month.

 - Waldorf


 Just like Supplex, TRSI don't do their name any justice with this. On a
 sidenote, the intro that was attached to this release probably features the
 longest scrolltext I've yet seen on GBA.

 - Statler


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Venom
  
       ___________ ____  ______________ _____.
  .____/    /  _/__|_  \/     /   \    \/    |
  |   /    /   _/   /   \    /  \  \  \      |
  |_______/________/___\____/_______\__\/    ;
  <----------------------- / --------mAZ!____|

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 21  Sega Arcade Gallery +7 Trainer                EUR/IPS    +1

 May 28  The Incredible Hulk - Universal               USA/64M    +3

 May 29  The Incredible Hulk +5 Trainer (Working)      USA/IPS    +1

 May 30  Wing Commander Prophecy - Electronic Arts     USA/32M    +3
         Rugrats Go Wild - THQ                         USA/32M    +3
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL SCENE PTS:  [11]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 After a slow start, Venom succeeded to score all the USA titles released 
 in the end of May and also brought us two quality trainers. Even if you are
 not into that type of game, the 3d engine of Wing Commander is definitely 
 worth a look.
 
 Loom managed to get a trainer for The Incredible Hulk out before Venom
 were done testing but obviously this extra testing time was a good
 investment.

 - Statler


 A nice selection of USA games and quality trainers rounds out another 
 consistent month of nothing but grade-A releases from Venom. The only group
 releasing trainers and world-first games on a monthly basis, and they've 
 been doing it for over 2 years now. The releases speak for themselves...
 Wing Commander was an especially nice title.

 - Waldorf


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


           [- #1 Group Charts - SCENE Point Standings - May 2003 -]           


    .____________________________________________________________________.
    |.                                                                   |
    |::.    SCENE     __ |_____   ______|_ _      ___/____               |
    | .     _______ .____|    | __\_    |   ______\_    _/______ __      |
    |     _/     _/ |    |   .|/   _   .|___\_    \/    \/    _/___      |
    |    //      |__|    _   |/    |   ||.   /    /     \\_____    \     |
    |    \_________/|    |____\_________||   \____\______/\  ______/     |
    |               `----'               l____|            \/            |
    |                                                                    |
    |    Position                Group Name              Total Points    |
    |    --------                ----------              ------------    |
    |    1ST                     Eurasia                      14         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    2ND                     Venom                        11         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    3RD                     Patience                      9         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    4TH                     Cezar                         4         |
    |    4TH                     Menace                        4         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    6TH                     Suxxors                       3         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    7TH                     Mode 7                        2         |
    |    7TH                     Precision                     2         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    9TH                     Rising Sun                    1         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    10TH                    Drastic & Lost                0         |
    |    10TH                    Trashman                      0         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    12TH                    Loom                         -1         |
    |    12TH                    Supplex                      -1         |
    |    12TH                    TRSI                         -1        .|
    |                                                                  ..|
    |                                                                .:::|
    `--------------------------------------------------------------------'


 SUMMARY
 -------

 Another month gone by, a typical slow summer month. Well maybe not so 
 typical, as the majority of the games turned out quite nice. We saw more
 majors this month than shelfspace-filler (movie licenses, etc).

 It was a good month for fans of 3D space games with the release of
 Raylight's breathtaking 3D space sim Wing Commander Prophecy and Shin'en's
 psuedo 3D space shooter Iridion II. A stunning showcase of 3D graphics on
 the GBA. Castlevania, DKC, Lufia, and Sega Arcade Gallery round out the rest
 of the best title's this time around.

 Newcomers Precision and Trashman both showed us what they are capable of 
 with a couple early USA releases. Too bad one was a just a US final, and
 the other uncracked. Sleeping giant Menace and Mode 7 both come through
 with a quality title as well. Eurasia and Patience split the majority of
 Euro firsts, while Venom and Mode 7 split up the US firsts.

 May was also marked by a preponderance of old Euro groups coming up with
 a singular dupe release. I guess their dupechecking skills are a bit rusty
 from not being used for so long.

 As we've come to expect, Venom and Loom continue their consistent trainer
 output. A surprise comes from Cezar who threw their hat into the training
 ring this month. An even bigger surprise would be if they keep it up next
 month and the month after...

 That just about wraps things up for the month of May. Don't expect to see
 us next month!

                                                                   - Waldorf


 All in all, not a bad month for the Gameboy Advance. Eurasia in the lead
 and Venom being second won't surprise our loyal readers. But with Patience
 ending up third, they definitely became a competitor to the established 
 groups around. While these groups released the majority of games, Menace,
 Mode7, Precision and Suxxors also brought us some enjoyable titles.

 Precision and Rising Sun had their first appearance this month and the
 Amiga legends Supplex and TRSI found a new home on our beloved handheld
 as well. 
 
 Trainers came from Cezar, Loom and Venom while Eurasia and Rising Sun 
 brought us pre-cracked games where needed, proving that there's still some
 people around who can do more than just dump roms and are willing to
 spend their time, just to bring you quality releases.
 
 As always, some groups seem to have a problem with quality control but
 I guess some people out there just won't ever learn it.
 
 Better luck next month!

                                                                   - Statler

 .________________.                                        .________________.
 |                |  END OF SECTION #1 : SCENE/REAL-DUMPS  |                |
 `----------------'  ------------------------------------  `----------------'


            [- Section #2 - Internet-Sourced Releases & Repacks -]            


 INTRODUCTION
 ------------

 Because of the overwhelming prevalence of some kiddies thinking they can 
 make a name for themselves by repacking old games from winmx, we have added
 a separate REPACK section!

 - Statler


 Can't compete in the real scene? Starved for attention? Well here you go 
 kiddies... Your very own special section! YAY! Love me daddy!

 Where do these games come from? Peer2peer sharing programs, file servers, 
 irc, pulled from a monkey's ass, etc.

 Who dumped these games? Who knows!

 Who released these games? The following shitty groups!

 - Waldorf


 SECTION #2 : RULES & POINTS
 ---------------------------

 Since the people that participate in this activity known as repacking 
 obviously do not operate under the same set of standards as those dumping
 and releasing games themselves, a separate section/chart is necessary to 
 determine who the top repackers are.

 Furthermore, since none of these releases are playable world firsts, the
 legit scene points system does not apply here. Instead, I've come up with a
 system of assigning points to these releases that I believe accurately
 reflects this sub-culture of hardcore 31337 mothafuckahs. 

 No distinction is drawn between territory, language, whether the game is 
 a first or the 13th release of a game, etc. In other words, the quality of 
 the release is unimportant! Cracked or uncracked, it doesn't matter! These 
 people don't care about quality. It's reflected in the releases, and so it's
 reflected in the point system!

 In fact, the only thing that does matter is the number of days elapsed 
 between the commercial release of the game, and the release of the repack!

 The point system itself is very simple, and as follows:

 +1 Point  - 1 to 60 days old 

 +2 Points - 61 to 120 days old

 +3 Points - 121 to 180 days old

 +4 Points - 181 to 240 days old

 +5 Points - 241 to 300 days old

 +6 Points - 301 to 360 days old

 +1 Bonus  - O.G.O.T.M: The oldest game of the month gets an extra point, to
             reflect that extra effort that went into finding the oldest
             possible crap one could release!

  0 Points - Because just about any muppet with an internet connection can
             leech the latest internet-sourced anonymous/independent dumps 
             and repack them, DUPE releases are a regular occurrence. No 
             points are taken away when this happens. First repack to hit
             sites gets the points. All others are considered DUPE.

 -1 Points - The only exception to the above rules: BROKEN releases, BETAs,
             and FAKEs receive negative points. This is even lamer than 
             repacking!

 NOTES
 -----

 Essentially, the older the game, the more points you get! You are cool!

 No one is given the benefit of the doubt. Every release is checked and 
 researched. We have ways of making you talk, err i mean finding out what's
 a repack and what's a real dump. If you release internet-sourced repacks,
 we will know. 


 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Batman


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 25  Chessmaster - Ubi Soft                        USA/24M    -1   BROKEN
         Chessmaster - Ubi Soft (Fixed)                USA/32M    +5 263 DAYS
OGOTM -> Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron - THQ        EUR/32M    +6 317 DAYS
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [10]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Statler:  317 days?

 Waldorf:  Heh, that's longer than most of these group's lifespan.. 

 Statler:  Combined!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Lightforce

   ___   _   ___      _____     _____         
  /  /__\/__/ _/____ /    /___ /    /----+(\S!
    /         \_    /    /    /   _/+        +
  _____________/___/____/____/____\ ---------.
   _____ _____  _____ ___     __             :
  /   _/   _ /_/_   // _/____/_/___lIGHTfORCE'
     _/    //  _/  /   \     _\    / 2 o o 2  
  ___\ _____\__\____\ ____________\-----------

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 10  Sutekina Obentou - MTO                        JAP/64M    +1  57 DAYS
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Statler:  There's nothing like good quality releasing...

 Waldorf:  Yeah, nothing like it from these guys!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Mugs

   ___  ___ ___ ___  ______  ______ sDW
  _)  \/  (_)  |  (__) ___(__) ___(__ 
  \   \/   /__ |    \___\    \_____  \_
  /___||----|_______/  /_____________/  

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May  9  Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters International - Konami JAP/128M   +1  22 DAYS

 May 20  Iridion II (Cracked) - Majesco                USA/64M     0     DUPE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Waldorf:  I guess all's well that ends well.

 Statler:  I don't care, as long as it ends.

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Patience

   _                                 -poyZ! _
  /(_______ /\____________/\  ____/\________)\
  \_  _   /\\_  _/\_   __/  \|  _/ _____  ___/
   | _/  /  \|  |  |  _/\  \ \  |  |/  / _/ |
  _| \__/    \_ | _|  |  \  \_  |  / _/  |  |_
  \| _|___/\  /_|_\| _____\  /__|____\_____ |/
  -|/-------\/-----|/------\/--------------\|-

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 25  Hamster Monogatari 3 Advance - Culture Brain  JAP/64M    +3 152 DAYS
         Okaitoku Series 5: Puzzle & Tantei Collection JAP/64M    +1  58 DAYS
         Woody Woodpecker: Crazy Castle 5 - Kotobuki   JAP/64M    +3 170 DAYS
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 7]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Statler:  We'd love to see your act.

 Waldorf:  We'd hate to miss your act.

 Statler:  In fact, we'd love to hate your act!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Patientz


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May  2  Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo - Capcom        USA/64M    +1  31 DAYS

 May 12  Matchbox Cross Town Heroes - THQ              EUR/32M    +3 164 DAYS

 May 13  Spirit: Der Wilde Mustang (Final) - THQ       GER/32M    -1     FAKE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 3]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Statler:  Final?

 Waldorf:  Fake!

 Statler:  Looks to me like a repacker with a bit of ambition...

 Waldorf:  And a hex editor!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Retards Dumping Games


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 23  Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition - Konami          USA/128M   +1  37 DAYS

 May 25  Get Backers Dakkanoku Metropolis D.S - Konami JAP/64M     0     DUPE

 May 30  Bouken Yuuki PlaStar World - Takara           JAP/64M    +1  36 DAYS
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 2]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Statler:  Anonymous Internet Users Dumping Games...

 Waldorf:  And Retards Repacking Them!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Rising Sun

   _____  ___  _____  ___  ___ ____ ______
  _)__ /__) (__\ __/__) (__\   \  /_) ___(_
  \__/  /_____\_____ /____\___|____\__\   /
  +--\___/    /_______\               /___/+ 
  |       _______  ___ ___     _____       |
  |      _) ____(__)  |  (_____\   /_      |
  |      \_____  /________/\    \   /_     |
  +----- /________/-------/___|_____\sDW --+

 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May 23  Agassi Tennis Generation 2002 - Dreamcatcher  USA/32M    +3 159 DAYS

 May 25  Get Backers Dakkanoku Metropolis D.S - Konami JAP/64M    +2  66 DAYS

 May 28  Bouken Yuuki Plaston GP (Cracked) - Takara    JAP/64M    +1  34 DAYS

 May 30  Bouken Yuuki PlaStar World (Cracked) - Takara JAP/64M     0     DUPE
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 6]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Waldorf:  This new group is sure off to a fast start...

 Statler:  Good, maybe it'll end quicker!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 - Sars


 DATE    GAME/COMPANY                                  OGN/SIZE  PTS     INFO
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 May  9  Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - Konami          USA/64M    +1   2 DAYS
                                                       ----------------------
                                                       TOTAL REPACK PTS: [ 1]
                                                       ----------------------
 COMMENTS
 --------

 Statler:  There's a lot to be said about this group.

 Waldorf:  Too bad you can't say it in a family chart!

 .__________________________________________________________________________.
 |                                                                          |
 `--------------------------------------------------------------------------'


           [- #2 Group Charts - REPACK Hall of Shame - May 2003 -]           


    .____________________________________________________________________.
    |.                                                                   |
    |::.    REPACK    __ |_____   ______|_ _      ___/____               |
    | .     _______ .____|    | __\_    |   ______\_    _/______ __      |
    |     _/     _/ |    |   .|/   _   .|___\_    \/    \/    _/___      |
    |    //      |__|    _   |/    |   ||.   /    /     \\_____    \     |
    |    \_________/|    |____\_________||   \____\______/\  ______/     |
    |               `----'               l____|            \/            |
    |                                                                    |
    |    Position                Group Name              Total Points    |
    |    --------                ----------              ------------    |
    |    1ST                     Batman                       10         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    2ND                     Patience                      7         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    3RD                     Rising Sun                    6         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    4TH                     Patientz                      3         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    5TH                     Retards Dumping Games         2         |
    |                                                                    |
    |    6TH                     Lightforce                    1         |
    |    6TH                     Mugs                          1         |
    |    6TH                     Sars                          1        .|
    |                                                                  ..|
    |                                                                .:::|
    `--------------------------------------------------------------------'


 SUMMARY
 -------

 Statler:  It was wonderful!

 Waldorf:  Bravo!

 Statler:  I loved it

 Waldorf:  It was great

 Statler:  Ah, it was pretty good

 Waldorf:  Well, it wasn't bad

 Statler:  There were parts of it that weren't very good though

 Waldorf:  Yeah, it could have been a lot better

 Statler:  I didn't really like it

 Waldorf:  It was pretty terrible

 Statler:  It was bad!

 Waldorf:  It was awful!

 Statler:  Terrible!

 Waldorf:  HEY!! BOOOOO!!!!


 .____________.                                                .____________.
 |            |  END OF SECTION #2 : INTERNET-SOURCED/REPACKS  |            |
 `------------'  --------------------------------------------  `------------'









                                 gbanfo-R-sux!                                
