GBA 15th Anniversary | Top 15 Game Boy Advance Games

For me, GBA is only second to the SNES in terms of my favourite Nintendo console, with DS coming a close third. So many amazing games that picking just 15 was a massive undertaking. There are so many greats that never got localised, as well!

Looking back, GBA has an incredible selection of original and ported games. I still think the first model GBA is one of the comfiest handhelds out there, as well. Rounded and smooth, unlike later Nintendo handhelds that dig into your hands horribly.

I miss all these sprite-styled 2D games. Metroid, Zelda, Sonic Advance, Castlevania, Golden Sun, Mario & Luigi, FFTA... It had just about everything. It baffles me that companies like Nintendo, SEGA, Square, Konami etc don't just make dedicated classic 2D sprite games that can go up on both handheld and home console eShops. I'd like to see this happen with cross-buy next gen (assuming the NX isn't a portable-home console hybrid).

Instead, either the franchises are abandoned completely (Metroid, Golden Sun, FFT, Castlevania, 2D Sonic), or we get fake 2D games with 3D graphics that aren't anywhere near as good (that said, I'm hoping Bloodstained lives up to the Castlevanias of old, even if it isn't stricly 2D sprites).

Never really cared much for GBA, personally. It wasn't till DS when I enjoyed handheld consoles much more. I do love the Gameboy though, but even then, it was mainly just for Pokémon and Gameboy Camera. 3DS is my favourite handheld.

( Edited 27.03.2016 16:32 by Marzy )

Fusion FTW!

Ofisil said:
Fusion FTW!

Let's see... the game that stood out for me on this list was WarioWare.
It was unique and a lot of fun.

Two other games that stood out for me not on the list were non-standard cartridges.

​Boktai, with the light sensor...
I remember being at my grandma's house and going outside to get some sun for the game.

Drill Dozer with the rumble motor...
There was just something so cool about using that drill to destroy stuff.
I feel like this was a situation where the rumble motor was a perfect match for the on-screen drill.

Azuardo said:
 

Ofisil said:
Fusion FTW!

I used to speedrun the hell out of Fusion. I'm sure I was consistently getting around the 1 hour mark. Might dig it out again some time.

( Edited 27.03.2016 22:10 by RudyC3 )

Yeah, would have been any%. Don't think I ever speedran 100%. It's one of the few games I actually speedran tho. And makes sense that it was a Metroid game lol.

Azuardo said:
Yeah, would have been any%. Don't think I ever speedran 100%. It's one of the few games I actually speedran tho. And makes sense that it was a Metroid game lol.

I don't regret a single minute

-sigh- It makes me so upset what's happened to 2D Metroid. I don't understand it. If I had more time, I'd defo replay SM and Fusion.

Can't argue with this list even if there are notable omissions of games like Advance Wars, Super Mario Bros 3 and brilliant ports of Street Fighter 2 and 3. With that said I don't know what you'd take off in place.

My GBmicro is a prized possession of mine. It's useful for a commute into London as it's not as bulky as a 3DS and doesn't draw as much shame for playing games in public.

Sonic Advance 2 and Mario Kart Super Circuit are easily two of my most played GBA games of all time! 

However despite my high praise I have to say the 3DS is my favourite. Plus I now have the original 4 Metroid games on my 3DS although I really wish they'd put Zero mission on the eShop as the original is torture to go back to after playing Zero mission.