Best GBA Games : The Advanced Must-Play Titles For Gamers

Gaming has a significant impact on our lives, including mental health, brain health, cognitive skills, creativity, innovation, and language learning. Gamers tend to improve their mental skills, such as problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, better concentration, and logic. It can change the brain’s physical structure and help us learn new things. Video games are also said to reduce stress, anxiety, and isolation.

Most people find solace in playing games, which is why it is still a common and popular habit. There are wide varieties of games available and GBA is one of the popular handheld video game consoles of all time. It was released in 2001 and was part of the sixth generation of video game consoles which has gained quite popularity and over 81.51 million units are sold worldwide. Continue reading this article to learn more about GBA, the best BGA games gamers should know about, and much more.

What is GBA?

GBA (Game Boy Advance) is a 32-bit handheld game console developed by Nintendo and released in 2001. Its features include a 32-bit microprocessor, built-in speaker, 16-bit graphics, stereo digital sound, and a headphone jack for connecting headphones. It also has a battery life of 15 hours on a pair of AA batteries. GBA was part of the sixth generation of video game consoles and was a successor of the Game Boy Color. It was then followed by the Game Boy Advance SP model in 2003 and a newer version of the SP with a backlit screen, released in 2005. GBA can be played online with friends using the Nintendo Switch Online app or played in a retro style with a retro-styler filter or with a smaller screen size.

GBA was available in several colors and limited editions throughout the production. The most popular colors were Orange, Black, Arctic, Fuchsia, Glacier, Indigo, Red, Platinum, White, and Gold. Hello Kitty edition, Mario Bros edition, Pokémon-themed limited editions, and much more were available. GBA was one of the most popular, old-school gaming consoles. It has become a fond memory for gamers now, but it has some of the best incredible games.

Best GBA games: The Advanced must-play titles for gamers

GBA games always stood out against the test of time. The final GBA-licensed game was Samurai Deeper Kyo, released in 2008. All GBA games are incredible but a few of the best GBA games include;

Mario Kart Super Circuit

Mario Kart Super Circuit was published by Nintendo and developed by Intelligent Systems in the year 2001. It was considered the premiere game of the GBA and contains single-player and multiplayer game modes. In this game, the player races opponents around tracks, and the tracks will contain obstacles and power-ups that slow down and boost the player’s progress respectively. Simply put, it is a racing game that features characters and elements from the Mario franchise.

Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World

Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World was a game developed and published by Nintendo and released in 2002. It is a game in the Super Mario series and has introduced new game mechanics to the mix, such as multiple endings, branching paths, multiple exits, Yoshi!, and more.

Mario Tennis Power Tour

The developer of Mario Tennis Power Tour was Camelot and published by Nintendo. It was released in 2005 and this game features a more fleshed single-player experience. It also brought forth characters and moves from Mario, making this update awesome.

Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire

Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire was published by Nintendo and developed by Game Freaks in 2003. This game is an enjoyable entry-level pinball game that offers so much strategy. People still have a still for this game even after all these years. This game might not be a visual or audio marvel but it gives an engaging and amazing game experience.

Final Fantasy VI Advance

Final Fantasy VI Advance was developed by Square and published by Nintendo. It was released in 2007 and is a remake of the Final Fantasy game. This game has a better soundtrack and awesome graphics, which is why it is known as the best 2D game in its series.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

The publisher of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is Activision which was developed by Vicarious Vision. This game was released in 2001 and even though it had system limitations with which the game had to remain in a fixed overhead perspective, it was still a stunning game. It held up over the years even after a dozen sequels in GBA’s lifespan.

Super Monkey Ball Jr.

Super Monkey Ball Jr. was developed by Realism and published by SEGA in the year 2002. This game began in the arcades and on the GameCube as a Marble Madness-inspired action game. It has several unlockable features and modes. It provided a fun and frantic experience.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Mario vs. Donkey Kong was released in the year 2004 by Nintendo publisher. It was developed by NST, and way back in the black and white GBA days, this game has updated its classic Donkey Kong design. This game has enhanced its visuals and also managed to squeeze in a bunch of new puzzle ideas. This game is ideal for those who can whip out the system, solve a puzzle, and put it away for later.

Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap

This game was developed by Flagship and published by Nintendo. It was released in the year 2005. It is more like a traditional Zelda game and was a prequel to Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures. This game has many elements in common with the previous Zelda games and also includes new features and mechanics.

Metroid Fusion

Metroid Fusion was developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo in the year 2002. Even though this game is a throwback to the gameplay mechanics of the classic Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid II, it moves the story forward and gives Samus a sleek new look. It offers an incredibly fun adventure filled with traditional “Metroid Twist”.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

The developer of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was Square Enix and the publisher was Nintendo. It was released in 2003 and brought back a excellent PlayStation game theme with a new and original storyline. This game has come up with a great strategy, excellent characters, and challenging gameplay.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was released in the year 2003 and was developed by Alphadream. It was published by Nintendo. It is a lengthy main adventure game. Both Mario and Luigi work together in this action game that resembles the Super Paper Mario design. The battles in this game feature some real-time elements that increase player involvement to boost and spice up the gameplay.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

This game was developed and published by Nintendo and was released in the year 2002. Super Mario World was one of the best games in the Super Mario series, as it introduced new game mechanics including multiple exits, branching paths, multiple endings, and Yoshi! It also provides an excellent handheld gaming experience.

Wario Ware Twisted

Intelligent Systems was the developer of Wario Ware Twisted which was published by Nintendo. It was released in 2005 and this game had a twistable controller and game designs with awesome challenges. Even though this game was amazing and very engaging, it never really reached that coveted “million seller” that was enjoyed by Nintendo fans.

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with Four Swords

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with Four Swords was published by Nintendo in 2003 and developed by Square. It is a memory-adventurous game and even has a multiplayer mode with four swords. It had link cables to everyone connect everyone and had a combination of cooperative adventuring and competitive fighting.

Mario Golf

Mario Golf was developed by Camelot and published by Nintendo in the year 2004. This game is a follow-up to Camelot’s incredible Game Boy Color golf game, which was a part of the Nintendo 64 console design. It has plenty of course designs with cool little tricks that could not be done in real-world courses.

Metroid: Zero Mission

The publisher of Metroid: Zero Mission was Nintendo and was developed by Nintendo R&D1 in the year 2004. It is a remake of the original Metroid, a game that has been considered the best. This game focuses on visual upgrades with familiar areas but the designs took liberties where the game went. This game also brought a different and fresh style for gamers that fit the overall Metroid theme.

Sonic Advance

Sonic Advance was released in 2001 and published by Sega. It was developed by Sonic Tea and Dimps. This game provides a classic feel and course design that made the original special by adding fresh elements. This very fact made the game not feel like a re-tread of old ideas. It offers vibrant visuals, excellent audio, and charming animation.

Advance Wars

Advance Wars was developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo in the year 2001. The speciality of this game is that it had deep and fulfilling design that uniquely challenged console players. It offered strategic gameplay and an extensive single-player campaign with memorable characters and situations. However, this game was unfortunate at its time of release.

Fire Emblem

Fire Emblem was developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo in the year 2003. This game is also known as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. It brought about a unique RPG-focused strategy game to the states. This game revolves around battles between the player’s team of characters and enemy non-player characters across the maps.

Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town

Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town was developed by Marvelous and published by Natsume in the year 2003. It provides the best gaming experience and the gaol if live a full life on the farm. It also has additional fun, surprises, and secrets outside the present working land.

Ninja Five-O

Ninja Five-O was developed by Hudson and published by Konami which was released in 2003. It is an old-school-inspired action design game that is incredibly fun and challenging. This game is about the epic and ruthless voyage of Joe Osugi, who was a detective and players become the Ninja Five-O.

Golden Sun

Golden Sun is a game developed by Camelot and published by Nintendo in the year 2001. This is one of the hyped games on GBA as it has amazing visuals, a dynamic soundtrack, a complex story, and plenty of battles. From the latest announcement, we know that Golden Sun will be coming to Nintendo Switch Online, making it available again in 2024 on a modern console.

Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island

As you know the developer and publisher of Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island is Nintendo. This game was released in 2002 and has award-winning gameplay and level design for the handheld. It focuses on a gorgeous art style inspired by Yoshi’s Island. This game offers a more in-depth and challenging gaming experience.

Other best GBA games include

Unlimited Card Games
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
Bomberman Tournament
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Rayman
Racing Gears Advance
ChuChu Rocket!
Puyu Pop
Mega Man Zero 2
Doom
Astro Boy: The Omega Factor
Drill Dozer:
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Mother 3
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Botkai: The Sun Is in Your Hand
Double Dragon Advance
Gunstar Future Heroes

Conclusion

Gaming has played an important role in our lives from the beginning of our childhood. It has helped improve cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, concentration, logic, and more. Many claim that video games have helped reduce stress, anxiety, and isolation. Among the video games, GBA was a popular one. GBA (Game Boy Advance) is a 32-bit handheld game console developed by Nintendo and released in 2001.

It was part of the sixth generation of video game consoles and there was a wide variety of games available in it that were the most popular handheld video game consoles of all time. GBA had plenty of limited editions and they were available in plenty of colors. However, it has now become a fond memory for gamers as it has been discontinued. Some of the popular and best GBA games include Mario Kart Super Circuit, Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World, Mario Tennis Power Tour, Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, Final Fantasy VI Advance, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Super Monkey Ball Jr., Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Others include Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, Wario Ware Twisted, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with Four Swords, Mario Golf, Metroid: Zero Mission, Sonic Advance, and more. All these games have stood against the test of time and have offered an amazing gaming experience.