Top 42 Best GBA Games
Game Boy Advance (GBA) is a handheld video game console released by Nintendo on March 21, 2001.
The Game Boy Advance series (Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, and Game Boy Advance Micro) sold a total of 8.151 million units worldwide.
In total, there are more than 790 game titles released for the Game Boy Advance. In this issue, I will introduce 42 recommended games from among them.
· My Best GBA Games
∘ 1. Mother 3
∘ 2. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
∘ 3. Final Fantasy VI Advance
∘ 4. Mother 1 + 2 (MOTHER1+2)
∘ 5. Final Fantasy V Advance
∘ 6. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
∘ 7. Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
∘ 8. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
∘ 9. Rhythm Tengoku
∘ 10. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
∘ 11. Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
∘ 12. Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
∘ 13. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
∘ 14. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
∘ 15. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
∘ 16. Mario Kart: Super Circuit
∘ 17. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
∘ 18. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
∘ 19. Sword of Mana
∘ 20. Metroid Fusion
∘ 21. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
∘ 22. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
∘ 23. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3
∘ 24. Metroid: Zero Mission
∘ 25. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
∘ 26. WarioWare: Twisted!
∘ 27. Torneko: The Last Hope
∘ 28. Golden Sun
∘ 29. Magical Vacation
∘ 30. Mega Man Battle Network 3
∘ 31. Donkey Kong Country
∘ 32. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
∘ 33. Densetsu no Stafy 2
∘ 34. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
∘ 35. Advance Wars
∘ 36. Mario vs. Donkey Kong
∘ 37. Mario Golf: Advance Tour
∘ 38. Wario Land 4
∘ 39. Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
∘ 40. F-Zero Climax
∘ 41. Tales of Phantasia
∘ 42. Custom Robo GX
My Best GBA Games
I’d like to introduce 42 recommended game titles from the Game Boy Advance softwares that I own.
- The release dates are based on Japan.
- The purchase price is the successful bid price at the Japanese net auction.
- All prices are for ROM cassette only; with box, prices are three to ten times higher.
- The exchange rate is 1 dollar = 147.96 yen.
Below is a list of the top 42 GBA games:
1. Mother 3
The third and final entry in Nintendo’s “MOTHER” series of RPGs produced by Shigesato Itoi.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: April 20, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥4500/$30.41
The story takes place on Nowhere Island, an island whose location and time period are all shrouded in mystery.
The story has eight chapters in total, and the average clear time is about 20 hours.
2. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
This is the third title in the main Pokémon series and takes place in the Hoenn region.
135 new Pokémon were added to this title, bringing the total number of Pokémon to 386.
- Publisher: Nintendo and The Pokémon Company
- Release: November 21, 2002
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥1200/$8.11
The differences between “Ruby” and “Sapphire” are the appearance rate of certain Pokémon and whether the hostile organization “Team Magma” or “Team Aqua” appears in the game; there are no differences in scenarios or Pokémon abilities.
3. Final Fantasy VI Advance
The Game Boy Advance port of “Final Fantasy VI” for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
In Japan, it is the last Game Boy Advance software, and has a premium price.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: November 30, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥3200/$21.63
Additional dungeons and the most powerful weapons for each character have been added.
Like the GBA versions of “Final Fantasy IV” and “Final Fantasy V,” it also includes a monster library and music player.
4. Mother 1 + 2 (MOTHER1+2)
The game includes “Mother (NES)” released in 1989 and “EarthBound (SNES)” released in 1994.
The GBA version has additions and changes, making it easier to play than the original version. However, the sound quality of the background music has deteriorated.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: June 20, 2003
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥3300/$22.30
The standard version uses a lithium battery for saving, but the low-priced version (Value Select) uses flash memory. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase the low-priced version, which has no data loss due to aging.
5. Final Fantasy V Advance
This is the GBA port of “Final Fantasy V” released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: October 12, 2006
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥3800/$25.68
Four new jobs have been added. These four jobs are available at the end of the story and are stronger than the other jobs.
After clearing the game, players can go to additional dungeons, and the difficulty level is difficult.
6. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
A remake of the Game Boy “Pokémon Red and Green,” the main character’s gender can be selected.
The story is almost the same as the original, but there are some rearranged and added elements.
- Publisher: Nintendo and The Pokémon Company
- Release: January 29, 2004
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥2200/$14.87
Since the system in this title is based on “Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire,” Double Battle (2-on-2) has also been introduced.
There are a total of 386 Pokémon illustrated books, but some Pokémon can only be obtained by exchanging them with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
7. Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
The seventh title in the Fire Emblem series, it is set 20 years before the previous title, “Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade”.
There are three main characters, Roy, Eliwood, and Hector, each with a different story. There are also characters that can only be chosen after completing the game.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: April 25, 2003
- Genre: Tactical Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥3000/$20.28
Currently, this game can be played on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
8. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
The Game Boy Advance port of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System’s “Super Mario World”.
Compared to the original version, the difficulty level has been made easier, as well as various additional elements and changes.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: December 14, 2001
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥650/$4.39
Currently, the game can be played on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
9. Rhythm Tengoku
A rhythm action game in which players press buttons in time with the rhythm of the music played during the game.
The development staff is almost the same as those who worked on “Wario Ware”.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: August 3, 2006
- Genre: Rhythm Game
- Purchase Price: ¥2600/$17.57
The rhythm game is divided into 8 stages, each stage consists of 5 rhythm games and a boss stage. The total number of rhythm games is 48.
10. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
This title is not a port of the PlayStation’s “Final Fantasy Tactics,” but a new GBA title.
- Publisher: Square
- Release: February 14, 2003
- Genre: Tactical Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
Each character has a race, and the jobs available to them differ depending on their race.
11. Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
The sixth title in the Fire Emblem series and the first in the series to be released on a handheld device.
The game is always in an auto-save state while attacking a map, and can always be resumed from that state even if it is turned off as is.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: March 29, 2002
- Genre: Tactical Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥2300/$15.54
Currently, the game can be played on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
12. Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
This is the eighth action game in the Kirby series.
This game is not a stage-clearing type game, but an exploration type game in which all areas are connected.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: April 15, 2004
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
The areas are from 1 to 9, and you can go to the final stage by defeating the bosses in each area.
There are a total of 26 copy abilities, including newly added ones.
13. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
This Legend of Zelda game was developed mainly by Capcom.
There are six main dungeons in total, including the last dungeon. Compared to past titles, the volume is small.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: November 4, 2004
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥2100/$14.19
This title was distributed as one of the initial software included in “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online” from February 9, 2023.
14. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
This work depicts the events between the previous “Kingdom Hearts” and the next “Kingdom Hearts II”.
You can visit all the worlds of the previous game, but only the world of “Tarzan” does not exist.
The battle is a 2D action game with card game elements.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: November 11, 2004
- Genre: Action Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
Despite being a GBA title, a 3D movie was inserted, and the ending features the full song “Hikari” by Utada Hikaru.
The volume of the game is large for a handheld game, and can be played for 30 to 40 hours.
15. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
This is a port of “Super Mario Bros. 3” for the NES, and the final title in the Mario Advance series.
The basic system and graphics are based on the Super Mario Collection for the Super Famicom (SNES).
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: July 11, 2003
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥700/$4.73
Currently, the game can be played on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
16. Mario Kart: Super Circuit
This is the third title in the Mario Kart series and the first in the series on a handheld device.
There are five modes in this title: “Mario GP,” “VS,” “Battle,” “Time Trial,” and “Free Run.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: July 21, 2001
- Genre: Kart racing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
There are 4 courses per cup, and 20 courses in 5 cups. In addition, 20 courses from the Super NES version are included, so there are a maximum of 40 courses.
17. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
It consists of two versions: the Nintendo DS version, “Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team” and the Game Boy Advance version, “Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team”.
The first Pokémon is automatically chosen from among 16 Pokémon based on the results of a psychological test given to the player and the choice between a man and a woman.
All 386 Pokémon species that have appeared in the series up to “Pokémon Ruby Sapphire” will become friends.
- Publisher: Nintendo and The Pokémon Company
- Release: November 17, 2005
- Genre: Roguelike
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
On March 6, 2020, a remake of “Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX” was released for the Nintendo Switch.
18. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
This is the third installment of the Mario RPG series, following “Super Mario RPG” and “Mario Story. The first in the “Mario & Luigi RPG Series.
This is the first Mario and Luigi adventure together in the history of Mario RPG titles.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: November 17, 2003 NA
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥750/$5.07
A remake, “Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions”, was released on Nintendo 3DS in 2017.
19. Sword of Mana
This is a remake of the Game Boy “Final Fantasy Adventure” released in 1991.
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release: August 29, 2003
- Genre: Action Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥1000/$6.76
The story and characters are based on the Game Boy version of “Final Fantasy Adventure”, but there are many differences from the Game Boy version.
20. Metroid Fusion
This is the fourth title in the Metroid series, released nine years after the release of the previous title, “Super Metroid (SNES)”.
In Japan, “Metroid Prime” for the GameCube was released two weeks after the release of this title; by linking the two software titles, the first in the series, “Metroid,” can be played.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: November 18, 2002 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥3600/$24.33
Currently, it can also be played on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
21. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
The Game Boy Advance port of “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” for the Super NES, including “Four Swords”.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: December 2, 2002 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥1500/$10.14
If you see the endings of both “The Triforce of the Gods” and “The Four Swords,” a hidden dungeon will appear in “The Triforce of the Gods.
22. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
A remake of the NES game “Kirby’s Adventure” for the GBA.
Features such as multi-player play and sub-games have been added, and the graphics and BGM have also been improved.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 25, 2002
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥450/$3.04
There are eight levels (worlds) in total, each with four to six stages.
23. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3
This game is a port of “Yoshi Island” for the Super NES, with some elements added and changed.
One secret stage (high difficulty course) has been added to each world, which can be played after the game is cleared.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: September 20, 2002
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥600/$4.06
The four Mario Advance series games are available on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
24. Metroid: Zero Mission
The sixth in the Metroid series (including the Prime series), this is a remake of the original “Metroid” released on the Disk System in 1986.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: February 9, 2004 NA
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Purchase Price: ¥6800/$45.96
This game is divided into two parts: the first part is the same as the first Metroid, but the second part is a completely new story.
25. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
The first in the “Wario Ware” series, this is a series of mini-games that take 5 or 10 seconds to complete, one after the other.
A total of 213 mini-games are included in the game. Once you have played a mini-game, it is automatically registered in the “Pictorial Book” and you can keep playing mini-games.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: March 21, 2003
- Genre: Action, Puzzle, Rhythm
- Purchase Price: ¥350/$2.37
Currently, the game can also be played on “Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online”.
26. WarioWare: Twisted!
This is the second title in the Wario Ware series.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 14, 2004
- Genre: Action, Puzzle, Rhythm
- Purchase Price: ¥700/$4.73
The cartridge is equipped with a rotation sensor, and can be operated by rotating the Game Boy Advance.
It contains more than 200 mini-games, but fewer than the previous title.
27. Torneko: The Last Hope
A port of the PlayStation “Torneko: The Last Hope” on the GBA.
- Publisher: Enix
- Release: December 20, 2001
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥3800/$25.68
The number of monster types increased from only 32 in the previous title to more than 100 in this one.
28. Golden Sun
It is one of the few full-length RPGs on the GBA and was developed by Camelot.
Three titles in the Golden Sun series have now been released.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: August 1, 2001
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
This game features a turn-based battle system in which players fight equipped with “four elementals (earth, water, fire, and wind)”.
29. Magical Vacation
This game was developed by Brownie Brown, a company established by the staff of “Legend of Mana” who became independent from the former Square.
Everyone in your party, including the main character, is a magician. There are a total of 16 different magical attributes.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: December 7, 2001
- Genre: Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥1000/$6.76
The pastel 2D graphics and many attractive characters were the talk of the town, and the game sold over 200,000 copies in Japan.
30. Mega Man Battle Network 3
This is the third in the Mega Man Battle Network series. Another version, Mega Man Battle Network 3 BLACK, was released three months later.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: December 6, 2002
- Genre: Tactical Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
Battles are based on a random-encountered system, and enemies are encountered as they move around the cyber world.
Battles take place in battle areas consisting of 3 vertical by 6 horizontal panels, and enemies are defeated using Mega Man and cards.
31. Donkey Kong Country
This is the GBA port of the Super Donkey Kong for the SNES, with some changes and additions.
Super Donkey Kong 2 and Super Donkey Kong 3 were also subsequently ported to the GBA.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: June 6, 2003 EU
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥600/$4.06
The GBA version cannot be played on the Nintendo Switch, but can be played on “SNES Switch Online”.
32. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
It is the first in the Ace Attorney series and consists of four episodes.
- Publisher: Capcom
- Release: October 12, 2001
- Genre: Adventure, Visual Novel
- Purchase Price: ¥300/$2.03
On September 15, 2005, “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney” was released on the Nintendo DS with one new episode added.
33. Densetsu no Stafy 2
This is the second title in the legendary Starfy series. It was sold exactly one year after the previous title.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: eptember 5, 2003
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥450/$3.04
It is a marine action game and has many underwater stages.
There are 11 stages in total, and you can advance to the next stage by defeating the boss at the end of the course.
34. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
This is the eighth title in the “Harvest Moon” series and is a remake of “Harvest Moon,” which was released on the PlayStation.
A version for girls was also released on December 12, 2003. It allowed players to enjoy romance with boys and added new events and elements.
- Publisher: Marvelous Interactive
- Release: April 18, 2003
- Genre: Simulation
- Purchase Price: ¥800/$5.41
On October 17, 2019, a remake of “Harvest Moon: Reunion Mineral Town” was released on Nintendo Switch.
35. Advance Wars
“Advance Wars” and “Advance Wars 2” are included in the collection.
In terms of the game system, the two games are completely independent, and players can choose which game to play from the title screen.
The basic victory condition is either “conquering the opponent’s capital” or “annihilating all enemy units.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: September 10, 2001 NA
- Genre: Turn-based strategy
- Purchase Price: ¥3000/$20.28
A remake of this game, “Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp” for Nintendo Switch, was released on April 21, 2023.
36. Mario vs. Donkey Kong
This action puzzle game is a sequel to the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong.
The controls are almost the same as in the Game Boy version, with actions such as standing on your head and backflips.
There are six worlds, each with eight stages.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: May 24, 2004 NA
- Genre: Puzzle, Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
A remake version is scheduled to be released on Nintendo Switch on February 16, 2024.
37. Mario Golf: Advance Tour
Sequel to the Game Boy Soft “Mario Golf GB”.
The main mode is set three years after “Mario Golf GB,” and the main character from Mario Golf GB is the club champion for each course.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: April 22, 2004
- Genre: Sports
- Purchase Price: ¥600/$4.06
There are six golf courses in total, and courses 1 through 4 are almost identical to the GB version.
38. Wario Land 4
This is the fifth title in the “Wario Land” series.
In this title, a life system is adopted, and players’ lives decrease when they are damaged by enemies or other objects. However, since Wario is invulnerable, the game is not over no matter how many times he makes a mistake.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: August 21, 2001
- Genre: Platform
- Purchase Price: ¥500/$3.38
There are 6 areas and 18 stages in total. The first area and the last area have one stage, and the other areas have four stages each.
Each area has a mini-game, and there are three mini-games to play.
39. Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
This is the second title in the Pokémon Pinball series. It is currently the last title in the series.
The goal is to manipulate the monster ball to get Pokémon on the pinball table.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: August 1, 2003
- Genre: Pinball
- Purchase Price: ¥900/$6.08
There are two types of pinball tables: ruby and sapphire. The gimmicks and Pokémon that can be obtained differ depending on the type of pinball table.
The Pokémon that can be obtained are the 201 Pokémon that appear in “Ruby and Sapphire,” but not all Pokémon will appear.
40. F-Zero Climax
This is the sixth title in the “F-Zero” series of futuristic racing games.
There are 39 cars in the game, and 24 cars, including the player’s own car, race in the Grand Prix.
For the first time, a course edit function was implemented. In the course edit mode, 255 different parts can be placed in a 16 x 16 area.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: October 21, 2004
- Genre: Racing
- Purchase Price: ¥8000/$54.07
Since this is the last F-ZERO title at this time, it is at a premium price on Internet auction sites and used game stores.
41. Tales of Phantasia
The GBA remake of the Super NES version of “Tales of Fantasia”.
- Publisher: Namco
- Release: August 1, 2003
- Genre: Action Role-playing
- Purchase Price: ¥1400/$9.46
With “Tales of Fantasia” released on PSP on September 7, 2006, the main scenario is fully voiced.
42. Custom Robo GX
The story takes place three years after “Custom Robo V2,” which was released on the Nintendo 64.
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release: July 26, 2002
- Genre: Action
- Purchase Price: ¥550/$3.72
The battle system was changed to 2D action to match the GBA’s specifications.
Although the gameplay has changed dramatically with the 2D system, the customization of robots to match the stage and opponent is the same.
