By the time the Game Boy Advance dropped in the early 2000s, Nintendo had already nailed the handheld formula. The strategy was simple but effective: pack serious power into a sleek design, then keep the hits coming with a steady flow of great games. Unsurprisingly, it was a massive hit. With over 1,500 titles released for the system, picking our favorites for your personal handheld hall of fame isn't easy--but the list below is a solid place to start. These are our top picks for the best GBA games, listed in alphabetical order.
More Nintendo best lists
- Best SNES Games
- Best Game Boy Games
- Best Game Boy Color Games
- Best N64 Games
- Best GameCube Games
- Best Wii Games
As the follow-up to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, the GBA stayed true to what made those consoles great while also pushing the envelope. It introduced some cool innovations—like linking with the GameCube for unique multiplayer experiences--and packed in more horsepower than anything else in its category at the time. Once the SP model came out and solved a few design gripes (hello, backlit screen), the GBA really hit its stride.
In our book, the Game Boy Advance SP stands as the greatest handheld console ever made. But even more impressive was its library--stacked with killer games from both Nintendo and third-party legends like Capcom, Konami, and Square. It was a golden era for portable gaming.
Advance Wars + Advance Wars 2
Anyone who believed that strategy games could only function on PC with a mouse-and-keyboard setup had clearly never played Nintendo's superb Advance Wars series. Turn-based tactical gameplay of a more accessible breed, Advance Wars treated the entire world as a battlefront as various armies went to war. It was a deceptively easy game to get into, but beneath the cute visuals and simple numbers, there was an addictive layer of strategy that rewarded players who fought with cunning and guile.
By the time that Advance Wars 2 rolled around, developer Intelligent Systems knew exactly where to expand on the game's formula and which technical nuts to tighten to create a perfect blend of tactics for military commanders on the move. Fans have been badgering Nintendo for a new Advance Wars game, and while a brand-new sequel isn't in development, a remaster of the first two games should provide some relief when it marches out in 2022.
Read our Advance Wars review.
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Osamu Tezuka’s legendary Astro Boy was no stranger to video games by the time that this take on the beloved character hit the market in 2003, but Omega Factor is arguably the best of the bunch. An uncomplicated beat 'em-up where you turn various threats into scrap metal, Omega Factor's triple-threat appeal boiled down to gloriously over-the-top boss fights, attention-grabbing graphics, and gameplay that allowed Astro to unleash a range of terrific attacks once his EX gauge had been charged up.
With a surprisingly solid storyline and some gameplay variety thrown in for good measure, developers Treasure and Hitmaker did justice to one of Japan's finest contributions to pop culture.
Read our Astro Boy: Omega Factor review.
Bomberman Tournament
Only one video game series is allowed to regularly bomb, and that's Bomberman! Bomberman Tournament is an all-time great entry in the Konami franchise, not only for its massive, Zelda-style single-player adventure but also for its engaging multiplayer mode. What made it something of a technical marvel was that a single cartridge could support up to four players--provided each player had their own GBA and a link cable--and this made Bomberman Tournament a must-have party game early on in the lifecycle of the Nintendo handheld. Revenge Mode was also a neat idea, giving players a fighting chance to respawn in an arena, and the single-player mode drew inspiration from major Nintendo IP. Combining puzzle-filled dungeons with Pokemon-influenced creature collecting, this Bomberman game had it all.
Read our Bomberman Tournament review.
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
The Game Boy Advance was Castlevania at its very best, as that era of handheld gaming gave rise to a trilogy of superb games. Aria of Sorrow stands tall above them all for its mix of Castlevania gameplay essentials with a superb soundtrack, a stacked arsenal of weapons, and of course, the ingenious Tactical Soul system that made protagonist Soma Cruz a force to be reckoned with. Pure riveting excellence from start to finish, Soma's journey through Dracula's castle is the quintessential Castlevania of its time.
Read our Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow review.
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
The Game Boy Advance was perfectly positioned for the influx of extreme sports games that began to dominate the game charts following the genre-defining release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. With skateboarding games being a huge success, it was only a matter of time before BMXing was given a chance to shine in the sports spotlight. The late Dave Mirra attached his name to a short-lived series of freestyle BMX games, and the GBA version of the first sequel, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, is a technical marvel. Just as much fun to play as the home console version, it featured surprisingly fluid animation, large parks, and stat progression systems that made it highly replayable. Best of all, the game was a joy to play as its controls were both accessible and deep. This made it easy to jump into, but pulling off huge combos would require serious skill.
Read our Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 review.
Double Dragon Advance
One of the best--and sadly forgotten--beat-'em-up games to ever grace an arcade screen or a home console, Double Dragon's two-fisted action was at its best on the Game Boy Advance. Developer Million re-tuned the original arcade game, slapped in four extra stages, and tweaked the combat to make it a more satisfying game overall. Even better with a second player joining you for some melee mania, Double Dragon Advance was an energetic throwdown on the Nintendo handheld.
Read our Double Dragon Advance review.
Drill Dozer
Between Pokemon games, Game Freak has proven it can pump out wildly imaginative digital diversions such as Pocket Card Jockey and Tambo The Badass Elephant. Before all of those games came along though, Game Freak was dropping titles such as Drill Dozer into the market, an action-packed platformer with some of the best sound design around. It also looked great, its pacing was excellently executed, and every level was jam-packed with extra treasure to uncover along the way.
Read our Drill Dozer review.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
How Square managed to fit such a lengthy game into the tight confines of a Game Boy Advance cartridge is something that must have required some black magic. The PlayStation Final Fantasy Tactics game was an absolute treat when it first came out, and this GBA version proved to be a superior successor with a number of enhancements under its belt. A completely new standalone story, more jobs than you could shake a Moogle at, and the introduction of Judges to the portable world of Ivalice, made this spin-off constantly engaging, and a perfect slice of just-one-more-turn action during bus rides and brief breaks.
Final Fantasy VI Advance
In BFF7 era of Square's long-running RPG series--that's Before Final Fantasy VII--the sixth chapter in the mainline series is often considered the pinnacle of classic Final Fantasy. It's not hard to see why, as Square's SNES hit from 1994 is a masterclass in storytelling and technical wizardry. Ported over to the Game Boy Advance, this version of the game added tweaks, extra Espers, new spells, and a dungeon that was designed to help ease the grind, making for a competent update.
It's a testament then to the strengths of Final Fantasy VI that even with a modest number of enhancements, that it was still one of the best RPGs on Nintendo's handheld. A masterpiece then and still worth playing today, this was old-school Final Fantasy at its very best.
Read our Final Fantasy VI Advance review.
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
The second Fire Emblem game to be given an international release--and the eighth game in the series in its native Japan--The Sacred Stones was notable for being the final Fire Emblem on the Game Boy Advance. While it didn't massively shake anything up in the formula--aside from some more player-choice and branching class progression--Sacred Stones was still a reliably polished entry with an epic storyline, strategic gameplay, and bright graphics.
Read our Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones review.
Golden Sun + Golden Sun: The Lost Chapter
One of gaming's most underrated RPGs, Golden Sun on the Game Boy Advance and its successor largely flew under the radar when they first arrived. While both games have admittedly taxing openings, pushing past those introductory grinds reveals pure RPG bliss. Visually decadent, memorable on the audio front, and jam-packed with uniquely rich gameplay features and a memorable cast, Golden Sun is a fantasy epic for the ages.
Kirby And The Amazing Mirror
The first time Kirby hovered onto the Game Boy Advance, it was with a colorful remake of his NES adventures that was warmly-received. For his sophomore effort though, the pink bubble with cute attitude had a grander plan in mind that involved teaming up with his fellow Kirbies to save the day. A feature that worked best when you and three other friends linked up your Game Boy Advance consoles, Kirby and the Amazing Mirror is still a great Kirby adventure that uses its trademark gameplay to craft a fun tale with delightful mini-games, puzzles, and even some Metroidvania influences.
Read our Kirby And The Amazing Mirror review.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land is a near-perfect remake that honors its NES predecessor (Kirby's Adventure) while elevating the experience for a new generation of players on the Game Boy Advance. With updated visuals, smoother animations, and refined gameplay mechanics, it stands as one of the GBA's most charming and polished platformers.
The game's most immediate strength lies in its presentation. Every level is brought to life with rich, colorful environments and clean, expressive sprite work. The upgraded graphics don't just modernize the original--they enhance it, making Dream Land feel more vibrant and immersive than ever before.
In addition to the main campaign, the game includes several enjoyable minigames and multiplayer options that extend its replay value. The inclusion of a harder "Meta Knightmare" mode, unlockable after completion, adds further depth for players seeking a more challenging run.
Read our Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land review.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap
After dabbling with Ocarinas and wind-altering conductor batons, Link's next adventure involved a talking hat by the name of Ezlo that could shrink him down in size and help explore the world of the Minish: bug-sized inhabitants who require some help from the hero in green. Minish Cap was your typical Zelda adventure, blending action and puzzles together while Link searched the land for artifacts of power that could help him out on his quest against memorable villains.
It also looked stunning on the Game Boy Advance, with the world around Link benefitting from the vibrant colors and adorable art design that defined the era of Wind Waker and would continue with several entries on the Nintendo DS.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
No matter the generation, Nintendo will never fail to capitalize on the nostalgic success of The Legend of Zelda. Years removed from his NES and SNES days, Link's arrival on the Game Boy Advance looked better than ever and also benefitted from the console's sound chip to give him more life in the vocal department. The real treat here though was Four Swords, a multiplayer quest that allowed for up to four friends--who each had to have their own separate copy of the game and a Game Boy Advance--to link up and take on a multiplayer-only quest.
It was an ambitious extra, but one that rewarded players with a new dungeon in A Link to the Past and bragging rights once they completed it.
Read our The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords review.
Mario Golf: Advance Tour
Mario Golf: Advance Tour is the type of game that would hit a hole-in-one even if it didn't have Nintendo's most bankable characters attached to it for brand recognition. A mechanically superb spin on golf that adds surprisingly great RPG elements to the mix, Mario Golf on the Game Boy Advance went the extra 18 holes with its extra mini-game modes, multiplayer options, and charming aesthetic when it teed off.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario Kart on the Game Boy Advance might not be a visual tour de force after all these years, but the game still has appeal in the areas that count. It has dozens of tracks to zip around, a solid roster of characters to burn rubber with, and it provides plenty of challenge across various difficulty levels. It may not have added anything new to the Mario Kart formula when it was first released, but it's still a handheld version of Nintendo's addictive kart-racing series that's predictably brilliant with its familiar and fun takes on series staples.
Read our Mario Kart: Super Circuit review.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario was no stranger to games with an RPG focus, but Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga holds a special place in the hearts of fans for its wickedly hilarious story and bonkers visuals. Mechanically though, the game is an absolute treat thanks to the appearance of Luigi, which adds an extra layer of fun to any combat encounter. The BeanBean Kingdom that players explored was whimsical, and the laugh-a-minute antics between Nintendo's favorite brothers made for a uniquely weird RPG when it first came out in 2003.
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
Mario and Donkey Kong's original feud was reignited on the Game Boy Advance, but with a brand new twist that saw you control Mario and the Mini-Mazzas. An absolutely delightful combo of puzzles and platforming action, Mario vs. Donkey Kong managed to re-bottle the lightning magic of the arcade original for a new generation of gamers, kickstarting an entirely new series of rematches between the plumber and his simian adversary.
Read our Mario Vs Donkey Kong review.
Mega Man Zero 2
Mega Man Zero is essentially a spin-off of a spin-off, following in the footsteps of Mega Man X with a game that was, at the time, viciously difficult with some very rough edges. Its first sequel thankfully smoothed out those more annoying aspects of the first game, striking a perfect balance between risk and reward while also improving on visuals, audio, and replayability. It's everything that a sequel should be, one that irons out wrinkles and introduces a few ideas of its own along the way, making this particular chapter in Zero's journal a cult classic.
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Fusion emerged as an essential experience on the Game Boy Advance, one that took protagonist Samus Aran in new directions along lines of tightly-focused linear storytelling and constantly challenging gameplay. Unlike other Metroid games, Aran's journey was fraught with more peril than usual thanks to her Power Suit being damaged and replaced with a deadly parasite. Always outmatched but never outgunned, Metroid Fusion focused on enhancing its gameplay with atmospheric visuals and sounds, creating a deadly journey for the hero and a template from which future Metroid games would be inspired.
Read our Metroid Fusion review.
Metroid: Zero Mission
The original Metroid is a flawed classic, a pioneer in action from the 8-bit genre that was just begging for a proper remake. Nintendo's R&D1 studio took on that challenge, updating the NES classic for a new audience with fresh new visuals that added to the original game's eerie atmosphere. What really made Metroid: Zero Mission one of the best remasters of its time though, was the love and care that was applied to its core mechanics and tweaks to create a smoother experience.
Once you unlocked the original game as a slyly-hidden extra, those differences really stood out, and when combined with the new cinematics and extra gameplay content after the traditional battle with Mother Brain, Zero Mission stood tall as one of the best Metroid experiences on the Game Boy Advance.
Read our Metroid: Zero Mission review.
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
Any Pokemon game following in the footsteps of Pokemon Gold and Silver on the Game Boy Color had its work cut out for it. Game Freak had raised the bar for sequels with its mammoth tour of the Johto region, and for Pokemon's third-generation debut on the Game Boy Advance, the developer had its work cut out for it. While Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire may not have as much real estate to explore as its predecessor, it was arguably a superior sequel that further polished every single aspect of a traditional Pokemon journey with a stunning new region, dozens of new critters to capture, and a presentation that looked like a million Poke-bucks.
With some of the best new Pokemon designs of its time, a wonderfully wet landscape to explore, and extra features such as stuffing your team full of delicious handcrafted candies, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire continued to raise the bar, while the Emerald edition of the game refined its ideas into a well-received greatest hits package.
Read our Pokemon Ruby review.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
In what would become a new tradition for the Pokemon franchise, the original games of the series were entirely remade and brought into the modern era of handheld gaming. The main beats of the story--a trainer challenging eight gyms in order to prove their worth to the Elite Four and ultimately become a Pokemon master--had been retained, but these remakes also contained several features that had been introduced in Generation III.
A new region in the form of the Sevi Islands was added, Team Rocket had a much larger role in the story, and numerous other tweaks under the hood made the classic Pokemon games feel like a rejuvenated experience.
Read our Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen review.
Racing Gears Advance
There's no shortage of fun racing games for the Game Boy Advance, but Racing Gears Advance is a hidden gem on the system. An angled, isometric top-down perspective ensured that you always had a full view of the racing circuit, and even when the track was crowded with challengers, Racing Gears Advance never skipped a frame. Arcade-handling gameplay made it easy to get behind the wheel, and opponents challenged you with actual AI skill instead of rubber-band physics that let them quickly close the gap. Licensed vehicles from brands like Mitsubishi and Lotus made it something of a treat for petrolheads, and there was even a layer of strategy between races as you invested in upgrades.
Read our Racing Gears Advance review
Sonic Advance
The age of Sega hardware was winding down in the 2000s, but Sonic the Hedgehog was still a force to be reckoned with. Having proven on the Sega Game Gear that a handheld system could contain his high-speed momentum, Sonic Advance showed just how good a pocket-sized Sonic experience could really be. A perfect port of Sonic's 16-bit speed and platforming glory days, Sonic Advance is a perfect blend of pixel-art and smooth animation. Having the option to play as Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose only added to the game's appeal, and Sonic Advance proved that the gaming mascot could thrive outside of Sega hardware.
Read our Sonic Advance review.
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Capcom didn't need to change a winning formula when it ported Street Fighter Alpha 3 to Game Boy Advance, but it did need to ensure that the game lived up to the technical expectations of fighting game fans. Developer Crawfish Interactive was tasked with turning one of the best arcade experiences into a pocket-friendly handheld game, and the studio pulled off a modern miracle. All of the fast-paced animation and deep technical gameplay were preserved for GBA players; the game featured over 30 playable fighters--including a few exclusive brawlers--and various single-player modes offered plenty of content for lonely days.
Read our Street Fighter Alpha 3 review.
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World
Originally an SNES game, Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World was pure platforming bliss when a tweaked version stomped its way onto the Game Boy Advance. The always-lovable Luigi was playable, the visuals were tweaked to look better on the handheld console, gameplay readability was a cut above the original game, and stages now had extra collectibles to search for in the form of Dragon Coins. It may not have added that much to the original game, but that's because there really wasn't much more that Nintendo could do to improve on an all-time classic.
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
Released in 2001 in Japan and 2002 in North America, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis arrived quietly near the midpoint of the Game Boy Advance's life, yet it remains one of the system's most refined and ambitious strategy RPGs. Developed by Quest, the studio behind the Ogre Battle series, it would be their final title before being acquired by Square, making The Knight of Lodis a poignant swan song for a legendary tactical RPG team.
Taking place between Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, the game tells a mature, morally complex story that explores themes of loyalty, faith, and the price of duty. The branching narrative, shaped by player choices, encourages multiple playthroughs to uncover its various endings and character arcs.
While the visuals are modest, they're clean and expressive, supported by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that elevates the game's somber tone. The interface is intuitive, the pacing is brisk, and the overall difficulty strikes a rewarding balance. Though it didn't receive the widespread recognition of titles like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, The Knight of Lodis remains one of the GBA's hidden gems--a thoughtfully crafted experience that continues to stand out for its narrative depth and strategic complexity.
Read our Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis review.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
More than two decades after it heel-flipped onto the Game Boy Advance, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is still a modern-day miracle that has held up brilliantly. Developer Vicarious Visions somehow managed to squeeze all the addictive attitude of Neversoft's sensational skateboarding game into an isometric package of sick flips, instrumental covers of the influential soundtrack, and impressive graphics that never skipped a beat.
Some concessions were obvious, but at its core, this version of Birdman's adventures had all the charm and attitude it needed to skate with its bigger brothers on home consoles.
Read our Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 review.
WarioWare Twisted
The third game about micro-games starring Wario, Mario's hilarious doppelganger was in his prime with this outing. A gyro sensor in the cartridge made each digestible micro-game that much more fun to play, providing the signature twisting excitement that the box art delivered. Immaculately presented with Wario's bizarre art design, the third time was the charm with this collection of quirky games.
Wario Land 4
In the 2000s, Wario had finally stepped out of the shadow of Mario and begun forging an identity for himself as Nintendo's mascot for weird, wonderful, and wacky games. Wario Land 4 is no different, as between superb platforming segments there was a clever selection of bonuses that could be uncovered with a return to each stage. While it may have looked like a smaller game at first, Wario Land 4's modest stages were packed with extra detail, providing substance and style in each.
Read our Wario Land 4 review.
By the time the Game Boy Advance dropped in the early 2000s, Nintendo had already nailed the handheld formula. The strategy was simple but effective: pack serious power into a sleek design, then keep the hits coming with a steady flow of great games. Unsurprisingly, it was a massive hit. With over 1,500 titles released for the system, picking our favorites for your personal handheld hall of fame isn't easy--but the list below is a solid place to start. These are our top picks for the best GBA games, listed in alphabetical order.
More Nintendo best lists
- Best SNES Games
- Best Game Boy Games
- Best Game Boy Color Games
- Best N64 Games
- Best GameCube Games
- Best Wii Games
As the follow-up to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, the GBA stayed true to what made those consoles great while also pushing the envelope. It introduced some cool innovations—like linking with the GameCube for unique multiplayer experiences--and packed in more horsepower than anything else in its category at the time. Once the SP model came out and solved a few design gripes (hello, backlit screen), the GBA really hit its stride.
In our book, the Game Boy Advance SP stands as the greatest handheld console ever made. But even more impressive was its library--stacked with killer games from both Nintendo and third-party legends like Capcom, Konami, and Square. It was a golden era for portable gaming.
Advance Wars + Advance Wars 2
Anyone who believed that strategy games could only function on PC with a mouse-and-keyboard setup had clearly never played Nintendo's superb Advance Wars series. Turn-based tactical gameplay of a more accessible breed, Advance Wars treated the entire world as a battlefront as various armies went to war. It was a deceptively easy game to get into, but beneath the cute visuals and simple numbers, there was an addictive layer of strategy that rewarded players who fought with cunning and guile.
By the time that Advance Wars 2 rolled around, developer Intelligent Systems knew exactly where to expand on the game's formula and which technical nuts to tighten to create a perfect blend of tactics for military commanders on the move. Fans have been badgering Nintendo for a new Advance Wars game, and while a brand-new sequel isn't in development, a remaster of the first two games should provide some relief when it marches out in 2022.
Read our Advance Wars review.
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Osamu Tezuka’s legendary Astro Boy was no stranger to video games by the time that this take on the beloved character hit the market in 2003, but Omega Factor is arguably the best of the bunch. An uncomplicated beat 'em-up where you turn various threats into scrap metal, Omega Factor's triple-threat appeal boiled down to gloriously over-the-top boss fights, attention-grabbing graphics, and gameplay that allowed Astro to unleash a range of terrific attacks once his EX gauge had been charged up.
With a surprisingly solid storyline and some gameplay variety thrown in for good measure, developers Treasure and Hitmaker did justice to one of Japan's finest contributions to pop culture.
Read our Astro Boy: Omega Factor review.
Bomberman Tournament
Only one video game series is allowed to regularly bomb, and that's Bomberman! Bomberman Tournament is an all-time great entry in the Konami franchise, not only for its massive, Zelda-style single-player adventure but also for its engaging multiplayer mode. What made it something of a technical marvel was that a single cartridge could support up to four players--provided each player had their own GBA and a link cable--and this made Bomberman Tournament a must-have party game early on in the lifecycle of the Nintendo handheld. Revenge Mode was also a neat idea, giving players a fighting chance to respawn in an arena, and the single-player mode drew inspiration from major Nintendo IP. Combining puzzle-filled dungeons with Pokemon-influenced creature collecting, this Bomberman game had it all.
Read our Bomberman Tournament review.
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
The Game Boy Advance was Castlevania at its very best, as that era of handheld gaming gave rise to a trilogy of superb games. Aria of Sorrow stands tall above them all for its mix of Castlevania gameplay essentials with a superb soundtrack, a stacked arsenal of weapons, and of course, the ingenious Tactical Soul system that made protagonist Soma Cruz a force to be reckoned with. Pure riveting excellence from start to finish, Soma's journey through Dracula's castle is the quintessential Castlevania of its time.
Read our Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow review.
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
The Game Boy Advance was perfectly positioned for the influx of extreme sports games that began to dominate the game charts following the genre-defining release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. With skateboarding games being a huge success, it was only a matter of time before BMXing was given a chance to shine in the sports spotlight. The late Dave Mirra attached his name to a short-lived series of freestyle BMX games, and the GBA version of the first sequel, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, is a technical marvel. Just as much fun to play as the home console version, it featured surprisingly fluid animation, large parks, and stat progression systems that made it highly replayable. Best of all, the game was a joy to play as its controls were both accessible and deep. This made it easy to jump into, but pulling off huge combos would require serious skill.
Read our Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 review.
Double Dragon Advance
One of the best--and sadly forgotten--beat-'em-up games to ever grace an arcade screen or a home console, Double Dragon's two-fisted action was at its best on the Game Boy Advance. Developer Million re-tuned the original arcade game, slapped in four extra stages, and tweaked the combat to make it a more satisfying game overall. Even better with a second player joining you for some melee mania, Double Dragon Advance was an energetic throwdown on the Nintendo handheld.
Read our Double Dragon Advance review.
Drill Dozer
Between Pokemon games, Game Freak has proven it can pump out wildly imaginative digital diversions such as Pocket Card Jockey and Tambo The Badass Elephant. Before all of those games came along though, Game Freak was dropping titles such as Drill Dozer into the market, an action-packed platformer with some of the best sound design around. It also looked great, its pacing was excellently executed, and every level was jam-packed with extra treasure to uncover along the way.
Read our Drill Dozer review.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
How Square managed to fit such a lengthy game into the tight confines of a Game Boy Advance cartridge is something that must have required some black magic. The PlayStation Final Fantasy Tactics game was an absolute treat when it first came out, and this GBA version proved to be a superior successor with a number of enhancements under its belt. A completely new standalone story, more jobs than you could shake a Moogle at, and the introduction of Judges to the portable world of Ivalice, made this spin-off constantly engaging, and a perfect slice of just-one-more-turn action during bus rides and brief breaks.
Final Fantasy VI Advance
In BFF7 era of Square's long-running RPG series--that's Before Final Fantasy VII--the sixth chapter in the mainline series is often considered the pinnacle of classic Final Fantasy. It's not hard to see why, as Square's SNES hit from 1994 is a masterclass in storytelling and technical wizardry. Ported over to the Game Boy Advance, this version of the game added tweaks, extra Espers, new spells, and a dungeon that was designed to help ease the grind, making for a competent update.
It's a testament then to the strengths of Final Fantasy VI that even with a modest number of enhancements, that it was still one of the best RPGs on Nintendo's handheld. A masterpiece then and still worth playing today, this was old-school Final Fantasy at its very best.
Read our Final Fantasy VI Advance review.
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
The second Fire Emblem game to be given an international release--and the eighth game in the series in its native Japan--The Sacred Stones was notable for being the final Fire Emblem on the Game Boy Advance. While it didn't massively shake anything up in the formula--aside from some more player-choice and branching class progression--Sacred Stones was still a reliably polished entry with an epic storyline, strategic gameplay, and bright graphics.
Read our Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones review.
Golden Sun + Golden Sun: The Lost Chapter
One of gaming's most underrated RPGs, Golden Sun on the Game Boy Advance and its successor largely flew under the radar when they first arrived. While both games have admittedly taxing openings, pushing past those introductory grinds reveals pure RPG bliss. Visually decadent, memorable on the audio front, and jam-packed with uniquely rich gameplay features and a memorable cast, Golden Sun is a fantasy epic for the ages.
Kirby And The Amazing Mirror
The first time Kirby hovered onto the Game Boy Advance, it was with a colorful remake of his NES adventures that was warmly-received. For his sophomore effort though, the pink bubble with cute attitude had a grander plan in mind that involved teaming up with his fellow Kirbies to save the day. A feature that worked best when you and three other friends linked up your Game Boy Advance consoles, Kirby and the Amazing Mirror is still a great Kirby adventure that uses its trademark gameplay to craft a fun tale with delightful mini-games, puzzles, and even some Metroidvania influences.
Read our Kirby And The Amazing Mirror review.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land is a near-perfect remake that honors its NES predecessor (Kirby's Adventure) while elevating the experience for a new generation of players on the Game Boy Advance. With updated visuals, smoother animations, and refined gameplay mechanics, it stands as one of the GBA's most charming and polished platformers.
The game's most immediate strength lies in its presentation. Every level is brought to life with rich, colorful environments and clean, expressive sprite work. The upgraded graphics don't just modernize the original--they enhance it, making Dream Land feel more vibrant and immersive than ever before.
In addition to the main campaign, the game includes several enjoyable minigames and multiplayer options that extend its replay value. The inclusion of a harder "Meta Knightmare" mode, unlockable after completion, adds further depth for players seeking a more challenging run.
Read our Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land review.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap
After dabbling with Ocarinas and wind-altering conductor batons, Link's next adventure involved a talking hat by the name of Ezlo that could shrink him down in size and help explore the world of the Minish: bug-sized inhabitants who require some help from the hero in green. Minish Cap was your typical Zelda adventure, blending action and puzzles together while Link searched the land for artifacts of power that could help him out on his quest against memorable villains.
It also looked stunning on the Game Boy Advance, with the world around Link benefitting from the vibrant colors and adorable art design that defined the era of Wind Waker and would continue with several entries on the Nintendo DS.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
No matter the generation, Nintendo will never fail to capitalize on the nostalgic success of The Legend of Zelda. Years removed from his NES and SNES days, Link's arrival on the Game Boy Advance looked better than ever and also benefitted from the console's sound chip to give him more life in the vocal department. The real treat here though was Four Swords, a multiplayer quest that allowed for up to four friends--who each had to have their own separate copy of the game and a Game Boy Advance--to link up and take on a multiplayer-only quest.
It was an ambitious extra, but one that rewarded players with a new dungeon in A Link to the Past and bragging rights once they completed it.
Read our The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords review.
Mario Golf: Advance Tour
Mario Golf: Advance Tour is the type of game that would hit a hole-in-one even if it didn't have Nintendo's most bankable characters attached to it for brand recognition. A mechanically superb spin on golf that adds surprisingly great RPG elements to the mix, Mario Golf on the Game Boy Advance went the extra 18 holes with its extra mini-game modes, multiplayer options, and charming aesthetic when it teed off.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario Kart on the Game Boy Advance might not be a visual tour de force after all these years, but the game still has appeal in the areas that count. It has dozens of tracks to zip around, a solid roster of characters to burn rubber with, and it provides plenty of challenge across various difficulty levels. It may not have added anything new to the Mario Kart formula when it was first released, but it's still a handheld version of Nintendo's addictive kart-racing series that's predictably brilliant with its familiar and fun takes on series staples.
Read our Mario Kart: Super Circuit review.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario was no stranger to games with an RPG focus, but Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga holds a special place in the hearts of fans for its wickedly hilarious story and bonkers visuals. Mechanically though, the game is an absolute treat thanks to the appearance of Luigi, which adds an extra layer of fun to any combat encounter. The BeanBean Kingdom that players explored was whimsical, and the laugh-a-minute antics between Nintendo's favorite brothers made for a uniquely weird RPG when it first came out in 2003.
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
Mario and Donkey Kong's original feud was reignited on the Game Boy Advance, but with a brand new twist that saw you control Mario and the Mini-Mazzas. An absolutely delightful combo of puzzles and platforming action, Mario vs. Donkey Kong managed to re-bottle the lightning magic of the arcade original for a new generation of gamers, kickstarting an entirely new series of rematches between the plumber and his simian adversary.
Read our Mario Vs Donkey Kong review.
Mega Man Zero 2
Mega Man Zero is essentially a spin-off of a spin-off, following in the footsteps of Mega Man X with a game that was, at the time, viciously difficult with some very rough edges. Its first sequel thankfully smoothed out those more annoying aspects of the first game, striking a perfect balance between risk and reward while also improving on visuals, audio, and replayability. It's everything that a sequel should be, one that irons out wrinkles and introduces a few ideas of its own along the way, making this particular chapter in Zero's journal a cult classic.
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Fusion emerged as an essential experience on the Game Boy Advance, one that took protagonist Samus Aran in new directions along lines of tightly-focused linear storytelling and constantly challenging gameplay. Unlike other Metroid games, Aran's journey was fraught with more peril than usual thanks to her Power Suit being damaged and replaced with a deadly parasite. Always outmatched but never outgunned, Metroid Fusion focused on enhancing its gameplay with atmospheric visuals and sounds, creating a deadly journey for the hero and a template from which future Metroid games would be inspired.
Read our Metroid Fusion review.
Metroid: Zero Mission
The original Metroid is a flawed classic, a pioneer in action from the 8-bit genre that was just begging for a proper remake. Nintendo's R&D1 studio took on that challenge, updating the NES classic for a new audience with fresh new visuals that added to the original game's eerie atmosphere. What really made Metroid: Zero Mission one of the best remasters of its time though, was the love and care that was applied to its core mechanics and tweaks to create a smoother experience.
Once you unlocked the original game as a slyly-hidden extra, those differences really stood out, and when combined with the new cinematics and extra gameplay content after the traditional battle with Mother Brain, Zero Mission stood tall as one of the best Metroid experiences on the Game Boy Advance.
Read our Metroid: Zero Mission review.
Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
Any Pokemon game following in the footsteps of Pokemon Gold and Silver on the Game Boy Color had its work cut out for it. Game Freak had raised the bar for sequels with its mammoth tour of the Johto region, and for Pokemon's third-generation debut on the Game Boy Advance, the developer had its work cut out for it. While Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire may not have as much real estate to explore as its predecessor, it was arguably a superior sequel that further polished every single aspect of a traditional Pokemon journey with a stunning new region, dozens of new critters to capture, and a presentation that looked like a million Poke-bucks.
With some of the best new Pokemon designs of its time, a wonderfully wet landscape to explore, and extra features such as stuffing your team full of delicious handcrafted candies, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire continued to raise the bar, while the Emerald edition of the game refined its ideas into a well-received greatest hits package.
Read our Pokemon Ruby review.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
In what would become a new tradition for the Pokemon franchise, the original games of the series were entirely remade and brought into the modern era of handheld gaming. The main beats of the story--a trainer challenging eight gyms in order to prove their worth to the Elite Four and ultimately become a Pokemon master--had been retained, but these remakes also contained several features that had been introduced in Generation III.
A new region in the form of the Sevi Islands was added, Team Rocket had a much larger role in the story, and numerous other tweaks under the hood made the classic Pokemon games feel like a rejuvenated experience.
Read our Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen review.
Racing Gears Advance
There's no shortage of fun racing games for the Game Boy Advance, but Racing Gears Advance is a hidden gem on the system. An angled, isometric top-down perspective ensured that you always had a full view of the racing circuit, and even when the track was crowded with challengers, Racing Gears Advance never skipped a frame. Arcade-handling gameplay made it easy to get behind the wheel, and opponents challenged you with actual AI skill instead of rubber-band physics that let them quickly close the gap. Licensed vehicles from brands like Mitsubishi and Lotus made it something of a treat for petrolheads, and there was even a layer of strategy between races as you invested in upgrades.
Read our Racing Gears Advance review
Sonic Advance
The age of Sega hardware was winding down in the 2000s, but Sonic the Hedgehog was still a force to be reckoned with. Having proven on the Sega Game Gear that a handheld system could contain his high-speed momentum, Sonic Advance showed just how good a pocket-sized Sonic experience could really be. A perfect port of Sonic's 16-bit speed and platforming glory days, Sonic Advance is a perfect blend of pixel-art and smooth animation. Having the option to play as Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose only added to the game's appeal, and Sonic Advance proved that the gaming mascot could thrive outside of Sega hardware.
Read our Sonic Advance review.
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Capcom didn't need to change a winning formula when it ported Street Fighter Alpha 3 to Game Boy Advance, but it did need to ensure that the game lived up to the technical expectations of fighting game fans. Developer Crawfish Interactive was tasked with turning one of the best arcade experiences into a pocket-friendly handheld game, and the studio pulled off a modern miracle. All of the fast-paced animation and deep technical gameplay were preserved for GBA players; the game featured over 30 playable fighters--including a few exclusive brawlers--and various single-player modes offered plenty of content for lonely days.
Read our Street Fighter Alpha 3 review.
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World
Originally an SNES game, Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World was pure platforming bliss when a tweaked version stomped its way onto the Game Boy Advance. The always-lovable Luigi was playable, the visuals were tweaked to look better on the handheld console, gameplay readability was a cut above the original game, and stages now had extra collectibles to search for in the form of Dragon Coins. It may not have added that much to the original game, but that's because there really wasn't much more that Nintendo could do to improve on an all-time classic.
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
Released in 2001 in Japan and 2002 in North America, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis arrived quietly near the midpoint of the Game Boy Advance's life, yet it remains one of the system's most refined and ambitious strategy RPGs. Developed by Quest, the studio behind the Ogre Battle series, it would be their final title before being acquired by Square, making The Knight of Lodis a poignant swan song for a legendary tactical RPG team.
Taking place between Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen and Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, the game tells a mature, morally complex story that explores themes of loyalty, faith, and the price of duty. The branching narrative, shaped by player choices, encourages multiple playthroughs to uncover its various endings and character arcs.
While the visuals are modest, they're clean and expressive, supported by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that elevates the game's somber tone. The interface is intuitive, the pacing is brisk, and the overall difficulty strikes a rewarding balance. Though it didn't receive the widespread recognition of titles like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, The Knight of Lodis remains one of the GBA's hidden gems--a thoughtfully crafted experience that continues to stand out for its narrative depth and strategic complexity.
Read our Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis review.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
More than two decades after it heel-flipped onto the Game Boy Advance, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is still a modern-day miracle that has held up brilliantly. Developer Vicarious Visions somehow managed to squeeze all the addictive attitude of Neversoft's sensational skateboarding game into an isometric package of sick flips, instrumental covers of the influential soundtrack, and impressive graphics that never skipped a beat.
Some concessions were obvious, but at its core, this version of Birdman's adventures had all the charm and attitude it needed to skate with its bigger brothers on home consoles.
Read our Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 review.
WarioWare Twisted
The third game about micro-games starring Wario, Mario's hilarious doppelganger was in his prime with this outing. A gyro sensor in the cartridge made each digestible micro-game that much more fun to play, providing the signature twisting excitement that the box art delivered. Immaculately presented with Wario's bizarre art design, the third time was the charm with this collection of quirky games.
Wario Land 4
In the 2000s, Wario had finally stepped out of the shadow of Mario and begun forging an identity for himself as Nintendo's mascot for weird, wonderful, and wacky games. Wario Land 4 is no different, as between superb platforming segments there was a clever selection of bonuses that could be uncovered with a return to each stage. While it may have looked like a smaller game at first, Wario Land 4's modest stages were packed with extra detail, providing substance and style in each.
Read our Wario Land 4 review.
