Nintendo’s 32-bit handheld received a lot of love from game developers, as it was able to run older games well and offer a lot of features that modern handhelds don’t have.
The GBA’s game library is full of unmissable exclusives, but there are definitely some highlights. Some of the most popular and well-known games include Super Mario World, Sonic Adventure 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. There are also a number of new and exciting titles being developed on the GBA every day, so be sure to check out our website for updates!
These system sellers managed to get the Game Boy Advance to over 80 million units sold, and they continue to be some of the biggest reasons to keep your handheld running in the 2020s.
15. Sonic Advance 2 (2003)
Sonic Advance 2 is a great platformer that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys playing Sonic games. It’s one of the earliest games in the series, and it features some of the best mechanics and design elements that have made Sonic games so popular over the years.
Sonic Advance 2 is a fast-paced action game that features creative level design and gameplay that focuses on speed rather than combat. This makes for an exciting and unique experience that is sure to please fans of the classic Sonic games.
Sonic Rush was the first game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series to feature a 2D platformer gameplay style. This style would be used again in Sonic Unleashed (2006) and Sonic Adventure 2 (1998).
14. Kuru Kuru Kururin (2001)
Spinning a pencil between your fingers is a simple and fun activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. ..
Kuru Kuru Kururin is a game that can be played with pencils. If you manage to master the art of pencil-spinning, playing this game is the logical next step.
In this unusual puzzle game, you’ll use the Helirin, a spinning baton known as the “Helirin,” to navigate your way through increasingly complex mazes. The game features an unique control scheme that will require you to use your fingers and mind to solve the puzzles.
Kuru Kuru Kururin, the cursed monkey who never made it to the United States, was finally localized in English by a team of volunteers. Unfortunately, Kuru Kuru Kururin never had a good enough reputation in the PAL regions to make it onto store shelves. However, an English localization was released for those who love monkeys just as much as we do.
13. Densetsu no Stafy (JP) (2002)
If this was a “Top 10 Lost Business Opportunities in Gaming”, not releasing Densetsu no Stafy in the US would be at the top.
In this cutesy platformer, you play as an adorable star-shaped hero who helps his underwater friends. It could be classified as an “amphibian platformer,” as walking on dry land and swimming underwater are equally important. ..
According to insiders, the Japanese company didn’t even bother trying to get it localized back then because they were overwhelmed by references to Japanese culture that would not make sense to Westerners.
In Kirby, we don’t really know what’s going on. The gameplay is good, and the protagonist is adorable. A printer that prints money!
This could have been the defining moment in your career.
12. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams (2001)
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams is a video game for the PlayStation 2 that tells the story of Klonoa, a young boy who must use his power to stop an evil empire from taking over his world. The game features an innovative control system that allows players to move Klonoa around the environment using a variety of tools, including a grappling hook and a jetpack.
Klonoa was a side-scrolling platformer that relied on sprites for its graphics, which translated well to 2D graphics. ..
The controls feel just as good on the GBA as they did on the PlayStation. The Wind Bullet is a great way to take out enemies and reach higher areas.
The graphics are colorful and bright, with boldly outlined sprites that give it a cel-shaded look.
11. Wario Land 4 (2001)
This is an opinion piece. WarioWare Inc.’s fourth entry in the platforming series, Super Mario Party, is easily the best game in the series so far. It’s a party game with a lot of content and it’s well-made. The levels are challenging but not too hard, and there are plenty of secrets to find. The controls are responsive and easy to learn, making it a great game for anyone who can play games.
Wario challenges the dangers of an ancient temple in search of four treasures to free Princess Shokora.
The platforming levels are well designed and provide plenty of challenges and puzzles. The boss fights are also a highlight, thanks to the wacky and bizarre boss design.
After the boss battles, the game really starts to heat up.
Wario has to run back to the entrance of each passage as it collapses behind him, creating some of the most high-adrenaline gameplay on the GBA. ..
10. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2001)
But that’s exactly what you get in the form of the Nintendo Switch’s new game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This updated and enhanced version of the classic game features all-new tracks, characters, and items that make it a must-play for any fan of the series.
In the 2000s, the PlayStation and Game Boy Advance were the two most popular console platforms. They both had their own games, systems, and capabilities. But today, the Nintendo Switch can do it all – but you couldn’t expect your Game Boy Advance to compete with a PlayStation in the 2000s.
Unless we’re talking about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 on the GBA, most video games are not worth buying. ..
Neversoft’s translation of the excitement of sliding down a rail or landing epic tricks from 3D to isometric 2D was superb.
9. Drill Dozer (2006)
Nintendo’s success on the Game Boy Advance was due in part to the team at Game Freak. Without them, the system would not have been able to reach such a wide audience.
Pokémon Red & Blue (2002) and Pokémon Green & Yellow (2004) were two of the most successful video games ever made.
The company’s newest game for the handheld system, called Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, is a must-play title for any fan of the series.
Drill Dozer is a unique action platformer where you play as a little girl in a badass drilling robot. It’s basically Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, but with a cutesy aesthetic.
The gameplay is amazing and the graphics are beautiful, but the rumble-pak on the cartridge makes it even more memorable.
This is going to take a lot out of your batteries in half the time.
8. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2002)
Tactics Ogre is a strategy RPG that can be played on the go, and it’s one of the most popular games on portable consoles. The game is easy to learn and play, but it’s also difficult to put down. It’s perfect for people who want to take their gaming experience with them wherever they go.
Quest Corporation brought the intricate field-and-class combat system to the GBA, making it a great choice for those looking for an exciting and challenging game experience.
The Knight of Lodis is a new action role-playing game set in the world of Lodis. The game is designed to be more accessible to new players, and retains the complex and detailed graphics and gameplay that made the series famous.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is also a great game for the GBA, but if you’re looking for a real challenge and a well-written story, Tactics Ogre is the way to go. ..
7. Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (2003)
The first Fire Emblem released in English was a watershed moment for the strategic RPG genre in the West – and it required a Game Boy Advance to experience it. ..
In 1990, Intelligent Systems released Shadow Dragon in Japan. After years of perfecting the formula, they were able to bring their product to the Western market. This polished product was a success, and they continue to make games today.
The Fire Emblem series features a brutal campaign, perma-death, and unforgettable characters. Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector are the main characters and they all have unique personalities that make their stories unforgettable. The game also features a variety of different enemies and items that can be encountered throughout the game.
The complex storyline, full of moral dilemmas, war politics, and scheming, felt mature but exciting. It drew in new fans from a wide age range.
6. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising (2003)
Both games are strategy RPGs that involve commanding armies to defeat enemies in turn-based battles. They also share similar mechanics, such as the ability to recruit characters and use items to help them in battle. ..
Your forces are deployed on a grid-based map, trying to capture strategic positions until routing the enemy.
Your army is made up of unnamed characters, which gives the game a more open feel.
Commanding Officers in Advance Wars are responsible for directing their troops on the battlefield. Each unit has a unique skill set that can be used to help win the war. ..
While the original Advance Wars (2001) is a must-play, Black Hole Rising has more content, including all-new Commander Officers.
5. Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand (2003)
The Gun del Sol is a unique gimmick that allows players to fire guns from their hands. It’s a great way to add an extra layer of excitement to your games, and it can also be used as a tool for puzzle-solving.
The Gun del Sol is a powerful weapon that Django uses to fight the vampire menace. It is made from the sun and releases powerful energy that can damage undead creatures.
The GBA cartridge has a tiny photosensitive detector that’ll charge your gun as you stand under the sun in real life.
The Game Boy Advance is a handheld console that was released in 2001. It was designed to be a successor to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The Game Boy Advance had many features that the NES did not have, such as a built-in speaker and screen. One of the most memorable experiences on the Game Boy Advance was playing Super Mario World on it.
4. Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001)
Mario Kart is a great game for all ages, and Super Circuit is no exception. It’s a challenging and fun race that will have you coming back for more. ..
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2014) may have more beautiful graphics, but gameplay in this new version feels tighter and races are just as exciting. ..
Super Circuit lets you play every circuit from the original Super Mario Kart.
You’re telling me I get all of this on the go? Get out of here! ..
A well-rounded GBA game collection includes games in a variety of genres, which can be enjoyed by all types of gamers. ..
3. Pokémon Emerald (2005)
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are two of the most popular video games ever made. They were released in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and their graphics, monster designs, and Hoenn region are still some of the best out there. ..
Emerald introduced the Battle Frontier – a lengthy final challenge after the player conquers the Pokémon League. This new feature allows players to test their skills against other trainers in a variety of different formats, including single and double battles, as well as team battles. ..
If you’re looking for a region to explore in Hoenn, then Surf, Dive, and Waterfall are your best friends. These regions offer a sense of exploration and discovery that is second to none.
This generation has some of the best starters in the history of the game. Torchic is one of the cutest things.
2. Metroid Fusion (2002)
The Metroid series has been around since the early 1990s, and its roots can be found in the GBA game Metroid Prime. The game was released in 2001, and it helped to define the Metroid series as a console-exclusive franchise. The game’s popularity on the GBA led to a number of sequels and spin-offs, including Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The release of Metroid Dread on the Nintendo Switch has me looking back on the franchise’s history and how big of a role the GBA played in shaping what it is today. The GBA was an important console for the development of the Metroid series, and its capabilities helped to make this console-exclusive franchise one of the most popular in all of gaming.
The Metroid series is a classic side-scrolling game series that has kept the gameplay alive on the Gamecube by updating and streamlining it to resemble the Metroid Prime series.
Metroid Fusion is a must-play for fans of the Metroid franchise, as it offers a unique and exciting experience that is not found in other games in the series.
Metroid Dread is a great game because its tight gameplay, excellent graphics, and absorbing storyline make it easy to see why players fell in love with Metroid games in the first place. ..
1. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2005)
The game’s new world and characters are exciting and well-done, and I’m looking forward to playing more of it.
In the early 2000s, people were up in arms about the new cartoonish art style. They called it too “kiddie” and “mature.” Thankfully, I was a kid in the early 2000s, so the change was a big win in my eyes.
The Wind Waker’s cel-shaded graphics made it one of the prettiest games on the GameCube – and this focus on bright and colorful graphics translated just as well into the 2D realm. ..
The Minish Cap on the Game Boy Advance is just as good, if not better, than previous 2D Zeldas like Oracle of Ages/Seasons (2001) and A Link to the Past (1991). ..
