Most GBA games utilize SRAM to save game data. For those who don’t know, SRAM is simply a computer chip that saves game data. However, some Game Boy Advance games utilize a battery to store save data and for other functions.

So why does this matter? Well, not all batteries last forever, so when your GBA battery dies, all your save data will be lost! Also, you will not be able to save your game progress anymore.

Replacing a dead GBA game battery will require you to open the cartridge and solder on a fresh battery.

Here’s the list of GBA games that require a save battery:

Baseball Advance

Boktai

Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django

Bomberman Tournament

Breath of Fire

Breath of Fire II

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game

Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Krazy Racers

Lego Bionicle

Lego Island 2: The Brickster’s Revenge

Mega Man Battle Network

Mega Man Zero

Metroid Fusion

Metroid Zero Mission

Monster Rancher Advance

Monster Rancher Advance 2

Pokemon Emerald (In-game events only, not saving)

Pokemon Ruby (In-game events only, not saving)

Pokemon Sapphire (In-game events only, not saving)

Super Dodgeball Advance

Warioland 4

Note: Only the early releases of Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission use a save battery. The re-releases utilized SRAM.