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Turn-basedTop 12 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time
April 20, 2024
Speaking of handheld game consoles (GameBoy Advance - GBA), many players of the 8x and early 9x generations are no longer unfamiliar with the famous games that appeared on GBA consoles back then. To evoke memories of that time, let's take a look at 12 GBA games of that time!
Mario Kart - Super Circuit
Nintendo combined with Intelligent Systems to launch a "racing boy" version of Mario with the game Mario Kart: Super Circuit (GBA). With a rather strange game, not part of the Mario storyline, it received high praise from critics and was honored to receive the IGN Editors' Choice Award voted by editors. Mario Kart: Super Circuit has many options for riders with game modes such as: Mario GP, Time Trial, PvP, Battle. With Battle mode, racers can pick up weapons that appear on the track to attack opponents or defend themselves. With a completely new Mario game, why don't the racers team up to show off their "drift" ability?
Year Released: 2001
Pokemon - Version Ruby
We couldn't do a top game list without Pokemon being in there somewhere, and the first official update to the incredibly deep Pokemon RPG franchise -- Ruby and Sapphire -- squeak in there with a place in the Top 10. And rightfully so, too. Yes, the game's clearly aimed at the younger crowd, and yes, it's really cool to hate on the hundreds of cute little critters and the millions upon millions of gamers who've enjoyed the design since the late 90s. But the Game Boy Advance game offers so much strategy...and everything you do in the package can be moved over to the console versions of the Pokemon battle games. The game might not be a visual or audio marvel, but it's got it where it counts: gameplay.
Year Released: 2003
Zelda no Densetsu
Every Nintendo system needs a Legend of Zelda game. It's almost the law or something. It took the Game Boy Advance several years before a development team hunkered down to create an original adventure for the portable system, and the one that was created was an incredibly fun and charming adventure that brought back a lot of the familiar 2D overhead game mechanics established in past games on the Super NES, NES, and Game Boy. The inclusion of the ability to shrink and grow was explored to some really good results, giving Link and players the ability to explore a world that would have normally gone unnoticed at the character's feet. There's a huge world to explore when you're the size of a bug, and the designers pushed some great ideas in this adventure.
Year Released: 2005
Mother 3
Mother 3 began life as a Nintendo 64 title before eventually transferring to the Game Boy Advance. In the West, it's become something of a cult — a near-mythical Japan-only release that fans of Earthbound have been desperate to play in an official capacity since 2006. That fervent fanbase has taken matters into its own hands with (excellent) unofficial translations, but beyond the Lucas Smash Bros. amiibo and the arrival of the game for Japanese Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, there's been no indication we'll see a localised version soon.
Year Released: 2006
Yoshi - Super Mario Advance
Still a Nintendo product and continuing in the popular Mario game series - Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance, since its launch Yoshi Island has received a lot of positive feedback from reputable review sites, typically: 9.4/10 (GBA) on IGN, 9/10 (GBA) on Eurogamer, 5 stars (SNES) on Next Generation,... Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance tells the story of Yoshi and Baby Mario's journey to overcome Magikoopa and the "creps", together crossing "many oceans", overcoming dangerous terrain to reunite with their brothers. Yoshi's is on the other side of the island. Transform into Yoshi to support Baby Mario and learn more interesting things at Yoshi Island.
Year Released: 2002
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is a quite special version of publisher Nintendo for players. To be more specific about this version, the publisher wants to give players the role of many characters, being able to form teams of up to 4 people, so you can call on more comrades to join. What's more special, Superstar Saga sold more than 1,000,000 copies in the United States in 2006. Superstar Saga tells the story of how Mario and Luigi must ask for the help of their archenemy - Bowser, so that he can help the brothers Mario & Luigi rescue Princess Peach from a mysterious Witch. Because of this, the publisher has increased slots for Mario players to feel less lonely when participating in this legendary game.
Year Released: 2003
Metroid - Fusion
By the time of Metroid Fusion's development, the franchise had already been snagged by the GameCube as the ultimate first-person adventure. But for those who really wanted to go back to the roots of the series, and that's the void Metroid Fusion fills -- the game is a throwback to the gameplay mechanics of the classic Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid II, but it moves the story forward and gives Samus a sleek new look. It was an incredibly fun adventure with the traditional "Metroid Twist."
Year Released: 2002
Metroid - Zero Mission
Metroid Fusion may have brought the franchise to the Game Boy Advance, but it was Metroid: Zero Mission that really validated its existence. The design, touted as a remake of the game that started it all -- Metroid on the NES -- was far more than that. It was a visual upgrade with familiar areas, but the designers took liberties with where the game went. And even when it ended, it didn't -- there was something else waiting for gamers that was fresh and new, bringing a different style of gameplay that fit the overall Metroid theme. It was a wonderful surprise, and that element's actually being referenced to in an announced, upcoming Wii title. No spoilers here, nope!
Year Released: 2004
Mario vs Donkey Kong
Way back in the black and white Game Boy days Nintendo updated its classic Donkey Kong arcade design with a contemporary design that fleshed out the barrel-jumping, hammer-whacking mechanics into a huge assortment of full-screen puzzle games. That concept was the basis for this NST-developed production. The added power of the Game Boy Advance not just enhanced the visuals, but the team managed to squeeze in a bunch of new puzzle ideas in the update. It's a great game that fits the Game Boy Advance's pick-up-and-play environment since players could whip out the system, solve a puzzle, and put it away for later.
Year Released: 2004
Wario Land 4
Wario Land 4 is a testament to quality over quantity, with the clever nonlinear level structures that lend themselves to multiple playthroughs and further exploration to unlock all the extras. It's a platformer for platforming veterans, full of impeccable level design and a quirky audiovisual presentation that would go on to set the precedent for the WarioWare series. If you're a fan of platformers — which will probably be the majority of you if you're Nintendo aficionados — Wario Land 4 is an absolute must-play."
Year Released: 2001
Super Monkey Ball
Though THQ gave the Game Boy Advance rendition the moniker "junior," there was nothing small about this portable product. The series began in the arcades and on the GameCube as a Marble Madness-inspired action game with tons of unlockable features and modes, and for the Game Boy Advance version the UK development studio Realism managed to squeak out every ounce of potential in the GBA's hardware to offer that same fun and frantic experience. The GBA version might not stand the test of time when compared to the rising power of other handhelds, but when it was released Super Monkey Ball Jr. managed to really show off what the system could do, and it's rare to see a third-party developer pour so much effort into so many game modes on the portable system. Though the development studio couldn't survive very long after Super Monkey Ball Jr.'s release, Realism went out with a bang with one of the finest console-to-handheld ports on the GBA.
Year Released: 2002
Mega Man Zero 4
At this point in a series, you should know what to expect, and Mega Man Zero 4 delivers in the same way that other high-numbered Mega Man titles do in other branches of Capcom's franchise. You get more of the same excellent gameplay in this final game, with the addition of an optional Easy Mode for those who prefer a light jog-and-gun as opposed to a full on run-and-gun, although things were already simplified in Zero 3. There is still a secret hard mode if you want a truly harrowing experience, as well a plethora of unlocks that are quite difficult to acquire. All-in-all, this relatively late release in the GBA's life cycle is another fine franchise entry.
Year Released: 2005
Recently I mentioned "Top 12 best Game Boy Advance, most worth playing". Everyone, please join me in experiencing those games to get a ticket "back to childhood". Game Boy Advance has contributed significantly to publishers creating hit game series and receiving extremely high reviews from critics, so what are you waiting for, let's go.