So, I’ve been getting into GBA and want some recommendations. I’ve been playing advance wars and really like it, anyone know any similar games? (Not fire emblem because permadeath is an annoying mechanic?
And justgoogd GBA games in general
Boktai!
Are you playing on an emulator? There’s a plethora of cool Pokemon roms based on fire red
Currently playing emerald, not a hack, just the standard one
That’s how I roll too.
And justgoogd GBA games in general
I can’t remember the name off the top of my head, but there’s a Godzilla fighting game! It’s amazing
Godzilla: Domination! Developed by WayForward, which is probably why it’s so good.
Rock’n’roll racing got a pretty solid GBA port, it’s a fantastic little isometric battle racer from the 90’s
Zelda: Minish Cap, and Castlevania are my favorites
Minish Cap is just absolutely amazing. The world is small, but very well made and fun to explore. It has aged very well (I imagine most GBA games have?) so I would recommend everyone to give it a go if they like that sort of game!
I’ve never tried any Castlevania games, maybe it’s time.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is one of my favorite games of all time. It’s the last isometric Zelda game, and they made it a swan song. The main quest it pretty short, but it’s the sort of cozy game where doing the sidequests just feels right.
In the game, you shrink down to the size of a mouse to traverse rafters and explore tiny temples and float on lillypads. It’s the sort of thing that would be no big deal in a 3D game, but is wildly ambitious in 2D. Not only do they pull it off, but they fill the environments with lush, lived-in detail that springs to life when you shrink down and look at it up close. The art style still sticks with me after 20 years.
Also, forget all the “hey, listen” stuff, your sidekick Ezlo just sasses you the entire time. It’s great.
Here’s my top 8 in no particular order
- Golden Sun / The Lost Age
- Drill Dozer
- Kirby Nightmare in Dreamland
- Summon Night Swordcraft Story 1/2
- Mega Man Battle Network 3, 5, and 6 (either flavor of each is good)
- Mother 3
- Astro Boy Omega Factor
- Sonic Battle
Might sound odd, but I loved Dark Arena. Basically a Quake-esque FPS but for the GBA.
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis is one of the best tactical rpgs I’ve ever played. I was shocked how short it was when I finished only to find I had been playing for over 40 hours.
I’ve curated a list based on my own preferences. A couple caveats are that I haven’t played most of them, some stuff like DBZ and Yugioh are whatever if you’re not into those franchises and some stuff has better ports elsewhere and isnt included: https://pastebin.com/Fv2RtN61
- Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
- Pokemon LeafGreen and FireRed
- Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
- Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
- Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages (initially released for Game Boy Color, but it works just the same on the Advanced)
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
I’m weird and I have a real soft spot for the original PlayStation 1 Final Fantasy Tactics as well. Both solid games, imho.
Weird? Isn’t FFT widely considered one of the best games of all time?
I honestly only ever see people talking about FFTA, I almost never see people mention FFT for playstation.
Could just be me, but I don’t exactly run into lots of folks who are even aware it exists.
The lack of a modern port makes availability an issue, so it’s definitely more in cult classic territory, but it is definitely a critics’ darling and is often thrown around among the group of best games of all time. It’s not uncommon for it to rank nr. 1 on “Best Final Fantasy Games” lists either.
I have never read much of game reviews and game news nor “top” listicles, so maybe that’s why I’m less aware of the critical acclaim.
This is the correct answer.
mega man battle network 1-6
Came to the comments to say this. Love that series. Wish they hadn’t moved to that follow-up series Star Force. Wasn’t as good, imo.
Wasn’t as good, imo.
The first one was maybe weird because it was still setting itself up. The second one was indeed a filler and the worst of the series (but nowhere near MMBN4-level bad). The third one on the other hand is easily a masterpiece beating MMBN6.
Jeez… I want to play them, but I am foreseeing hundreds of hours in those games lol… Also I didn’t know there was a sixth game for GBA.
they’re great for short bursts of gameplay, each dungeon takes like an hour on average. if it helps your decision, the first game is the shortest at 10-25 hrs but is also the hardest. the hd collection has an easy mode that lets you kill most weak enemies in a few shots. the DS port of 1 is the definitive version & has maps to make the dungeons easier (there’s an English patch)
Wario Land 4 was probably my fave
Core memory right here.
I love the Wario games because they were so chill. You were a invincible protagonist whose goal was solving puzzles and getting money.
I don’t remember 4 being that chill, when you press the frog button and have to leg it back to the start for fear of losing your loot it gets pretty intense!
Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission
Those were the GBA games I played and liked.
- TMNT (from the movie)
- Shining Soul I & II
- Castlevania - Aria of Sorrow
