Today, we’re exploring the Game Boy Advance, a handheld console with a strong library. The list spans multiple genres and features some of the GBA’s games.
Whether you’re a retro gaming enthusiast or just someone looking to play solid handheld titles, these ten GBA games are absolute must-plays.
Golden Sun
Golden Sun is a technical marvel and was the first RPG title to blow me away on the GBA.
It had gorgeous visuals, an epic soundtrack, and an interesting system with Djinns. The Djinn system adds a layer of strategy to the combat with the way you can mix and match elements. The battle animations and visuals are some of the best the GBA can offer. Some of the puzzles in the dungeons are a decent challenge.
The other games in the series couldn’t really stoke the flames like the first entry, but they should be a must-play for JRPG fans.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
The GBA Castlevania games had a few solid entries, but Aria of Sorrow stands above the rest.
The Soul System is a brilliant mechanic that keeps the gameplay fresh. Like most games from the series, the castle is packed with secrets to uncover. Adding RPG elements made this title a solid Castlevania game.
It perfectly blends action, exploration, and a spooky gothic atmosphere.
Fire Emblem
The game that introduced a lot of Western audiences to the Fire Emblem series, and what an introduction it was.
Fire Emblem had a challenging permadeath mechanic, memorable characters, and deep tactical gameplay. Lyn’s story alone is worth the price of admission. Just remember, characters that die during the story will be gone. This isn’t like comic books, where no one truly dies.
The GBA was stacked with Strategy RPGs, but this is probably the best one.
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The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Did you know that Capcom developed Zelda games?
Nintendo and Capcom teamed up to deliver one of the best handheld Zelda titles, and boy, did they knock it out of the park. The Minish Cap is a masterclass in top-down Zelda design, with its charming visuals, tight gameplay, and the shrinking mechanic.
The Minish Cap isn’t often mentioned, but it should be praised as one of the better Zelda titles.
Metroid Fusion
Despite being a GBA game, Metroid Fusion is one of the best in the series.
Samus Aran’s GBA debut is a tense, horrific, atmospheric masterpiece. You may have felt some uneasiness in the Metroid Prime series, but Fusion leans way more into horror elements. You have SA-X stalking you throughout the game, which adds to the tension. The level design is incredible, and the story actually adds depth to the Metroid lore.
The body horror and the mutated enemies really make Fusion stand out in the Metroid games.
Advance Wars
One of the most enjoyable turn-based strategy games is in the GBA library.
Advance Wars made its own lane in the turn-based strategy genre. Its colorful visuals, addictive gameplay, and a decently long campaign made Advance Wars a hit. You’ll get addicted to forming and carrying out the best strategy you can.
Advance Wars 1 and 2 were remade for the Nintendo Switch in 2023 if you want an easy way to play them.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Eternal Duelist Soul
For fans of the TCG or the anime, Eternal Duelist Soul is a dream come true.
Eternal Duelist Soul is packed with hundreds of cards, challenging opponents, and a deep meta. Whether you’re summoning a Blue-Eyes White Dragon or setting up the perfect counter trap card, this game captures the magic of Yu-Gi-Oh! in a way few others have.
Eternal Duelist Soul will be re-released later this month in Yu-Gi-Oh! EARLY DAYS COLLECTION, which features fourteen handheld titles from 1998-2004.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Somehow, combining Super Mario Bros. and the RPG genre always seems to work out.
Superstar Saga is pure joy from start to finish. The writing is witty, the combat is engaging, and the Bros. Attacks are some of the most creative moves in any Mario game. It’s a perfect example of how to do a spin-off right.
Superstar Saga is a must-play for fans of Mario and RPGs.
Final Fantasy VI Advance
The GBA port of this legendary RPG is the definitive way to experience Final Fantasy VI.
Enhanced visuals, additional content, and a translation that does the original justice, Final Fantasy VI Advance is a masterpiece. Terra, Locke, and the gang deserve your attention. It also features one of the best villains in all of gaming.
There are newer versions, but this is the closest you can get to its purest form.
Wario Land 4
Wario’s GBA outing is a bizarre, hilarious, and an excellent platformer.
The level design is some of the most creative on the system, and the treasure-hunting mechanics multiply the fun. Wario’s antics are as entertaining as ever. I would put this Wario title over any of the Mario platforming titles on the GBA.
It’s a criminally underrated gem; no other platformers are this fun and entertaining.
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