The Game Boy Advance (or simply GBA) is one of the most popular handhelds, especially for Nintendo fans.

With so many masterpieces such as Mario series, Pokémon series, and Zelda series, GBA is surely perfect for hardcore fans.

For those of you who played this remarkable handheld in the past, I bet you would be interested to get to know the best GBA games of all time.

Some of you will probably remember (or even still own) some of the games mentioned on this list.

See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best GameCube Games

#100. Lunar Legend

Game Arts/Media Rings, 2002 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis Jump back into this classic RPG, originally for the SEGA CD, now with brand new graphics and some exciting story changes. Following the story of a hopeful young boy, this fantasy story is sure to keep you playing.

Short Review Originally developed for the SEGA CD and released in 1992, Lunar: The Silver Star was a great RPG with some experimental features. You can now experience this fantastic game on the go, with the GBA remake, Lunar Legend. The game follows Alex, a young boy living in a simple town with dreams of becoming a legendary hero. The game plays from a classic top-down perspective, as you and your party engage in thrilling turn-based battles.

#99. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Griptonite Games/Electronic Arts, 2003 Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Synopsis Experience the epic fantasy tale of the latter two Lord of the Rings films in this exciting hack and slash title. Go on a quest to return the one sacred ring to its rightful home, while fending off hordes of enemies.

Short Review This handheld version of the game is similar to its console and PC counterparts, featuring tons of action with a variety of weapons. There are six different characters to play as, each with their own abilities and special moves. In addition to these six, you can unlock additional characters for added replayability. The story is a mixture of the second and third Lord of the Rings films, with recognizable characters and locations. Similar to games like Gauntlet, you’ll slay waves of enemies while attempting to reach the end of the stage.

#98. Shining Soul II

Nex Entertainment/THQ, 2004 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis Tear through dangerous dungeons with eight different playable characters in this fantasy hack and slash adventure.

Short Review If you love slashing monsters and leveling up your hero, then this game is for you! There are eight different playable classes to choose from, including Warrior, Dark Wizard, Archer, and more. Fight your way through nearly twenty unique dungeons and uncover the mysteries that rest within.

#97. Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure

Vicarious Visions/Universal Interactive, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Crash Bandicoot makes the leap from the PlayStation console straight to the GBA and must once again foil the plans of the evil Doctor Cortex.

Short Review This colorful and addictive platformer game feels similar to the main Crash Bandicoot series, and is a joy to play on handheld. Like the original game, players must navigate treacherous levels to collect crystals and other collectibles. Your main goal is to collect all 20 crystals and defeat Cortex, but there are plenty of other features to keep you playing.

#96. Super Monkey Ball Jr.

Realism Ltd/Sega, 2002 Puzzle » General

Synopsis Roll up your favorite monkey in this unique 3D platforming game with impressive visuals.

Short Review The concept of Super Monkey Ball is very simple. Using a monkey inside a large ball, you roll through dangerous obstacle courses and attempt to reach the end goal. This version of the game is one of the only GBA games to use 3D graphics, which makes it a visual treat. There are tons of levels to complete, and the addictive time-trial gameplay will keep you coming back for more.

#95. Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda

Nintendo, 2004 Action Adventure » Open-World

Synopsis Experience the original tale of The Legend of Zelda for the NES, ported to the GBA for handheld adventures!

Short Review One of the biggest games in all of video game history, The Legend of Zelda remains an absolute blast to play. Explore a vast map full of hidden secrets, maze-like temples, and fearsome foes. Attempt to retrieve the Triforce and save the day, all while experiencing the adventure of a lifetime. If you haven’t played The Legend of Zelda before, this GBA port is a must-own.

#94. Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Nintendo Software Technology/Nintendo, 2004 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Two of Nintendo’s greatest titans go head-to-head in this mindbending puzzle title.

Short Review This quirky title effortlessly combines puzzle and platforming elements, giving us a fun twist on the expected Mario formula. In each stage, Mario must navigate the level, solving puzzles and pulling off tricky jumps. Your ultimate goal is to collect the key and rescue the various Mini-Marios, all in an effort to thwart Bowser’s plan.

#93. Sabre Wulf

Rare Ltd./THQ, 2004 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Lead your character through dank lairs and dangerous caves as he solves a slew of puzzles and meets mystical creatures.

Short Review This colorful title encourages player to think rather than act, as it focuses on interactive puzzles littered throughout platforming levels. When you encounter an obstacle, you’ll have to decide what creature will best overcome it. With a number of unique creatures to use, plenty of inventive puzzles, and some awesome visuals, Sabre Wulf is a head-scratchingly good time.

#92. Konami Collector’s Series: Arcade Advanced

KCEA/Konami, 2002 Casual » Compilation

Synopsis Play a series of classic arcade games developed by Konami in this excellent compilation of retro gaming.

Short Review Fans of classic games from the 1980’s will surely enjoy this jam-packed compilation. This six-in-one cartridge offers six different Konami titles, including: Frogger, Scramble, Gyruss, Time Pilot, Yie Ar Kung-Fu, and Rush’n Attack. Whether you’re a fan of simple arcade platforming, high speed action, or fun brawling, this collection has something for you.

#91. Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town

TOSE/Marvelous Entertainment, 2005 Strategy » Management » Business / Tycoon

Synopsis After deciding to leave her life behind and start anew, a young girl purchases a farm. After discovering that it’s in need of repairing, she begins her life as a farmer.

Short Review Generally speaking, this game is nearly identical to Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town. This is considered the “female” version of the game, as the protagonist and story are slightly altered for female players. Gameplay involves repairing your farm, cultivating crops, and meeting townsfolk. It’s a relaxing experience that’s great for quick gaming sessions, and the lighthearted nature will surely brighten your mood.

#90. Sonic Pinball Party

Sonic Team/Sega, 2003 Action » Pinball

Synopsis Take the blue blur Sonic the Hedgehog through a maze of bumpers and flippers in this pinball adventure that’s both colorful and tons of fun to play.

Short Review Similar to Sonic Pinball for the Sega Genesis, this Sonic-themed pinball adventure lets players control Sonic while he blasts through various pinball tables. There are two modes, Story and Arcade mode, and each one tasks you with collecting as many points as possible. There are five rounds to complete in the Story mode, and Arcade mode ensures endless hours of fun. Pinball fans, look no further; this is a fantastic and quirky title.

#89. Chessmaster

Ubisoft, 2002 Casual » Board / Card Game

Synopsis Test your wits, your skill, and your mastery over the classic game of Chess with this fun take on the classic formula.

Short Review This is a chess game for the purest of chess players, as it doesn’t have much in terms of bells and whistles. Players are able to compete in tense chess matches against computer controlled players. A ton of work has gone into the computer intelligence and quality of the chess gameplay, making Chessmaster the premiere title for chess players.

#88. Tekken Advance

Eighting/Raizing/Infogrames, 2002 Action » Fighting » 3D

Synopsis Fists will fly in this handheld version of one of the greatest 3D fighting games ever made.

Short Review Fans of Tekken can finally enjoy fighting-on-the-go, as this is the first Tekken game to ever release on a Nintendo platform. There are ten different unique fighters to play as, and a new simplified control system makes things easy to pick up and learn. Those players looking for deeper strategy will enjoy a few new fighting mechanics that focus on stunning your opponent.

#87. Mega Man & Bass

Capcom, 2003 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis The blue bomber is called back into action once again when an evil entity known as King threatens the existence of the world.

Short Review This action/platformer is similar to other games in the Mega Man franchise. You’ll complete side-scrolling levels and fight unique bosses at the end of each, ultimately gaining their weapon and power. This game lets you play as either Mega Man or Bass, and both characters play differently. A great collection of bosses and fantastic stage design makes this an engrossing and entertaining Mega Man romp.

#86. Mega Man Battle Network

Capcom, 2001 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis This complex card game takes the universe of Mega Man and brings it into a futuristic world where technology reigns supreme. Using your tactics and strategy, you’ll explore an alternate version of the original Mega Man universe.

Short Review Created during the surge of card-collecting popularity, Mega Man Battle Network borrows elements from popular card games like Pokemon and introduces them to the Mega Man universe. The plot is deep and interesting, and the grid-style combat is unique and surprisingly fun. Although it’s very different from your standard Mega Man title, Battle Network is an interesting and refreshing take on a beloved franchise.

#85. V-Rally 3

Velez & Dubail/Atari SA, 2002 Racing » Simulation » Automobile

Synopsis Burn rubber and put the pedal to the floor in this exciting racing game that features endless seasons of enjoyment.

Short Review As a port of the PlayStation 2 game of the same name, V-Rally 3 does an excellent job bringing high-speed racing to the Game Boy Advance. Players can participate in an endless season mode, or choose from a wide variety of single race tracks. There are dozens of licensed cars to choose from, mostly plucked from the 2000 – 2002 World Rally Championship.

#84. Riviera: The Promised Land

Sting, 2005 Role-Playing » General

Synopsis In an epic fight against angels and demons, you play as Ein, a powerful being known as a Grim Angel. Along with his party of companions, he must fight in a brutal war to seal away an evil entity known as the Accursed.

Short Review This epic fantasty story takes place across seven different chapters, and sees Ein and his friends exploring the world and engaging in battle. Unlike other RPGs, exploration is guided instead of free, so there’s often more combat than walking around. The combat system mixes turn-based mechanics with fun “formation” abilities. There’s also a dating simulator element, which provides alternative endings.

#83. Max Payne

Mobius Entertainment/Rockstar Games, 2003 Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down

Synopsis Plagued by the loss of his wife and newborn child, detective Max Payne digs deep into the criminal underworld of New York City to stop a rampant new drug from infecting the streets.

Short Review This is a port of the console version of Max Payne, and although the graphics and gameplay have been lowered to work on the Game Boy Advance, many other features stay the same. The game’s story is gritty, dark, and contains some cool comic-book sequences. Players run and shoot through an assortment of levels, viewing Max from an isometric point of view. The simpler controls and visuals make for a fun arcade-like shooter, with a serious and impacting narrative.

#82. Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts

Affect/Capcom, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis The evil Emperor Sardius has kidnapped the beloved Princess, and once again, it’s up to King Arthur to rescue her. This remake of the Super Nintendo game is just as fun as the original, and it even features some new content.

Short Review The original version of the game for the SNES was known for being incredibly difficult, and that’s still true for this Game Boy Advance remake. With only a limited amount of health and weapons, you must guide Arthur through many brutally difficult stages. You’ll fend off demons, nightmarish creatures, and other fantastical beasts as you fight for your life. You can also enjoy the new “Arrange Mode”, which lets players take on new stages based on the original Ghouls ‘n Ghosts game.

#81. Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand

KCEJ/Konami, 2003 Action Adventure » General

Synopsis With the end of the world in sight, a young hero named Django hunts vampires with his solar-powered weapon. He must reach the city of death, Istrakan, if he wants to save the world.

Short Review This stealth game made interesting use of the light sensor on the Game Boy Advance system, integrating it into the core gameplay. Since Django’s weapon is powered by the sun, you have to charge your weapons by exposing the Game Boy Advance to direct sunlight. If you run out of weapon energy, you’ll have to sneak through each level without any defense. It’s a fun game with a quirky use of the light sensor, and there’s nothing quite like it in the Game Boy Advance library.

#80. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

HAL Labs/Nintendo, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis This remake of Kirby’s Dreamland features more modes, better graphics, improved audio, and an abundance of cute charm.

Short Review Like the original game, this side-scrolling adventure has players controlling Kirby. Kirby can suck up enemies and gain their powers, which allows him to find hidden exits and defeat enemies. This remake keeps the original level designs, but adds bright new colorful graphics and brand new sound effects. There is also a four-player cooperative mode, three new minigames, and an unlockable character as well. Simply put, this is one of the best Kirby games on any handheld Nintendo system.

#79. Doom

David A. Palmer Productions/Activision, 2001 Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade

Synopsis Blast demons and fight your way through Mars in this violent, bloody, and intense shooting game that defined a genre.

Short Review Doom is a game that has been released on nearly every device ever made, and for good reason. It is considered one of the best video games ever made, and possibly the best first person shooter ever made. You play as a lone soldier, and using only your fists and bullets, must battle through dozens of stages filled with terrifying creatures. Endlessly addictive and full of excitement, Doom is a game that should be played by everyone.

#78. Activision Anthology

Aspyr, 2003 Casual » Compilation

Synopsis Take a journey through developer Activision’s greatest Atari hits, all in one compact compilation for your GBA.

Short Review This collection is a great purchase for fans of the Atari 2600 game system, as it features a slew of classic games to choose from. Released on numerous systems, this anthology contains well over twenty different classic Atari games to play. The Game Boy Advance version also contains seven exclusive homebrew games to enjoy.

#77. Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2

Flight-Plan/Banpresto, 2006 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis As a young apprentice under a group known as the Craftknights, you must train to become a swordcrafter while resealing ancient runes that have recently unleashed evil creatures.

Short Review This fun and cheery side scrolling game contains a good mixture of action, role playing, and puzzles. As a young apprentice, you’ll explore the vast world from a top-down view, seeking out your objectives. Once you stumble into combat, you’ll enter into side-scrolling levels that feature platforming and various enemies. There are a bunch of weapons to equip, thanks to the game’s crafting system which allows players to make their own blades.

#76. Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls

TOSE/Nintendo, 2004 Casual » Compilation

Synopsis Experience the first two games in the Final Fantasy franchise; one of gaming’s most renowned and high-quality RPG series.

Short Review This collection of the first two Final Fantasy games lets players relive these classic adventures on the go. Each has an epic story about overcoming evil, and will have you assembling a party of heroes and engaging in turn-based battles. This GBA collection adds some new content, including four brand new dungeons to explore.

#75. Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

Jupiter Corporation/Nintendo, 2003 Action » Pinball

Synopsis This exciting themed pinball title effortlessly mixes the pleasures of classic pinball with the addictive collection aspect of Pokemon.

Short Review This is a sequel to the original Pokemon Pinball game, and plays in a similar way. There are two different pinball tables to choose from, each one themed after Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire. Like normal pinball, your aim is to get the highest amount of points possible before losing your balls. However, there are areas on the pinball tables that activate small mini-games, rewarding you with pokeballs that you can use to catch a variety of Pokemon. It’s a simplistic but entertaining pinball experience that is doubly fun for fans of the Pokemon franchise.

#74. Iridion II

Shin'en/VU Games, 2003 Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical

Synopsis Far in the future, humans travel to the far reaches of space to colonize a set of planets. After years of peace, the alien race known as the Iridion return to claim their homeland from the settlers.

Short Review There are three modes to choose from in Iridion II, but the most important one is Story mode. In it, you play as a defense pilot who leads attacks against incoming Iridion forces. You’ll execute these missions in over fifteen unique stages, using a variety of cool and unique weapons. Once you’ve completed the Story mode, you can replay stages in the Arcade and Challenge modes for extra fun. It’s a thrilling and hectic game full of intergalactic battles; perfect for handheld action in bursts.

#73. Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros.

Nintendo, 2004 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Super Mario Bros. on the original NES is one of the most popular and well known games of all time. Now, you can experience the game in all its side-scrolling glory in the palm of your hands.

Short Review The concept of Super Mario Bros. is incredibly simple, and that’s mostly why it was such a resounding hit when it released in the 1980’s. Controlling Mario, you run and jump through eight worlds of side-scrolling levels, with each world tougher than the last one. The controls feels incredibly responsive, and the addictive gameplay makes it impossible to put down. As a Game Boy Advance game, Super Mario Bros. is an excellent way to relive a classic on the go.

#72. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2

Full Fat/Acclaim, 2001 Sports » Individual » Biking

Synopsis This extreme sports title rivals even the fiercest competitors, thanks to its great graphics, excellent features, and pure representation of the BMX sport.

Short Review Riding bicycles off ramps and doing insane tricks is loads of fun, and this game lets you do all of that and more. You can choose from a selection of professional BMX riders, and take on a variety of awesome courses and locations. The controls might take some practice to master, but they allow for intricate trick combos. There’s a good number of modes as well, ranging from timed challenges and to story chapters.

#71. Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace

Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2001 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Led by the magical and illusive Mysterio, several of Spider-Man’s greatest villains wreak havoc. It’s up to Spider-Man to save the day by web-slinging and using his spider sense.

Short Review If you’re a fan of the Spider-Man universe, you’ll definitely enjoy this game. It features a slew of popular villains, like Rhino, Scorpion, and Hammerhead. The game is split up into stages, and each stage ends with a face-off against a boss villain. You’ll use a wide variety of Spider-Man’s powers to navigate the platforming levels, really making you feel like the webslinger himself! Along the way, you can even upgrade Spider-Man’s suit to improve your powers and gain new abilities.

#70. Karnaaj Rally

Paragon 5/Jaleco Entertainment, 2003 Simulation » Vehicle » Combat

Synopsis Speed through over 40 races in an effort to become the champion; but watch out, these cars are equipped to do some serious damage.

Short Review Played from a top-down and slightly isometric view, players control car in various offroad and track races. In the game’s story mode, you’re able to use your winnings to upgrade your vehicle, adding new powerups and defense. You can even bet on the races, earning some winnings on the side. In addition to the story mode, there are also time trials, single races, and even a multiplayer mode.

#69. Baseball Advance

Smilebit/Sega, 2002 Sports » Team » Baseball » Arcade

Synopsis This is the sport of baseball in it’s purest form; all your favorite MLB teams are included, and the field is wide open for play.

Short Review This is a perfect portable baseball game for true fans of the sport. You can choose from 30 different licensed Major League teams, and then take a swing at one of four fun modes. For quick fun, play a single game in Exhibition mode, or take part in the 2001 All-Star Game. For extended play, you can enjoy a full season of baseball with statistic tracking, or play through a heated World Series. No matter what kind of baseball itch you have, Baseball Advance can scratch it.

#68. Konami Krazy Racers

KCEK/Konami, 2001 Racing » Arcade » Other

Synopsis Hop in your kart and race in wacky courses with characters from a variety of Konami titles.

Short Review While this racing game might seem very similar to Super Mario Kart, the coolest part is the variety of characters and power ups. There are a dozen characters to choose from, each one from a unique Konami game. Race as characters like Goemon, Gray Fox, Dracula, Pastel, and more! You can attack your opponent racers with a variety of fun powerups that are scattered across the map. Overall, it’s a fun and hectic kart racer with a unique cast of characters.

#67. Mario Tennis: Power Tour

Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2005 Sports » Individual » Tennis

Synopsis Mario and his friends decide to take a break from platforming and go on an epic tennis adventure!

Short Review This tennis title is highly acclaimed for its interesting and compelling story mode. Starting out as a new recruit at the Royal Tennis Academy, you must make your way through a number of tests before taking on tournaments. You’ll participate in tournaments for both singles and doubles tennis as you try to climb the ranks of the Academy. The tennis gameplay feels tight and responsive, and the colorful visuals keep things light and cheery. Great tennis and the Mario universe make for an awesome game, and Mario Tennis: Power Tour is the evidence of that.

#66. Pokemon LeafGreen Version

Game Freak/Nintendo, 2004 Role-Playing » Trainer

Synopsis This enhanced remake of Pokemon Blue updates the visuals and adds some new features while retaining the classic formula.

Short Review Like Pokemon Blue, this remake sees your custom Pokemon trainer traveling through the region of Kanto. You’ll battle different Pokemon in turn-based battles, capturing them and adding them to your collection. The ultimate goal is to catch every unique Pokemon and defeating the Elite Four, becoming the Pokemon Master. LeafGreen introduces some new features, like the ability to link to other Pokemon games and trade between them. Most notably, the visuals have gotten a huge upgrade, making this a beautiful remake of an masterpiece-quality game.

#65. Medal of Honor: Infiltrator

Netherock Ltd./Electronic Arts, 2003 Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade

Synopsis Experience some of the most notorious battles from World War II by controlling Jake Murphy, a soldier fighting the Axis during the brutal war.

Short Review This military shooter blends top-down action with first-person shooter action, by mixing them together in an awesome way. You battle through fifteen unique missions in the game’s story mode, which takes you to various historic battlefields. Completing the main story also unlocks Survival mode, where you try to survive against waves of enemies for as long as possible. True completionists will also enjoy Max GI Mode, which tasks players with completing the entire game in one sitting.

#64. Duke Nukem Advance

Torus Games/Take-Two Interactive, 2002 Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade

Synopsis Ridiculous action hero Duke Nukem returns for another zany adventure in this first-person shooter that’s foul-mouthed and tons of fun.

Short Review Visually speaking, this game is very similar to Duke Nukem 3D, but features entirely new levels. The story sees Duke Nukem visiting a wide array of places, such as Egypt, Area 51, night clubs, and outer space. There are four different difficulty options to choose from, providing a good amount of replayability. As an added bonus, there are multiple control schemes, so you can find the controls that feel best for you.

#63. Donkey Kong Country 2

Rare Ltd./Nintendo, 2004 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis The villainous King K. Rool has captured Donkey Kong, and now Diddy Kong and his girlfriend Dixie must embark on a dangerous quest to save him.

Short Review This is a re-release of Donkey Kong Country 2 for the Super Nintendo, and contains most of the same content. The game feels much quicker than the original Donkey Kong Country, thanks to the speedy cartwheels that you can pull off. There are eight worlds to complete, with over fifty unique levels to conquer. Players control Diddy and Dixie as they jump, roll, and bounce through side-scrolling levels. There’s an excellent variety in level locations, unique enemies, and friendly characters. Donkey Kong Country 2 is definitely one of the best platforming games ever made.

#62. Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars

Revolution Software/Bam Entertainment, 2002 Adventure » Point-and-Click

Synopsis Experience this classic point ‘n click adventure on the go, full of conspiracy, intrigue, and brain-stumping puzzles.

Short Review You assume the role of George, an American tourist who stumbles upon a huge conspiracy while vacationing in Paris. The game is slow paced, encouraging players to observe the environment and hunt for clues. There are characters to talk to, but you’ll mostly have to solve puzzles by interacting with various items that you find along the way. Broken Sword is a hugely acclaimed adventure series, and the ability to play it on the Game Boy Advance is a treat within itself.

#61. Super Puzzle Fighter II

Atomic Planet Entertainment/Capcom, 2003 Puzzle » Matching

Synopsis Mix the characters from Street Fighter with the bubbly and addictive nature of match three puzzle games, and you have and incredibly fun experience that is endlessly entertaining.

Short Review This fun puzzle game has a unique gameplay structure, and features some awesome characters and designs. You participate in one-on-one battles, choosing from a roster of characters from the Street Fighter franchise. The gameplay involves dropping colored gems onto your playing field, and then exploding them with a special block. Your ultimate goal is to overwhelm your opponent by creating combos, resulting in an exhilarating competitive experience.

#60. Sonic Advance 3

Dimps Corporation/Sega, 2004 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Sonic and his friends attempt to thrwart Doctor Eggman’s plans once again by teaming up and taking him on.

Short Review Like other Sonic games, this title is a fast-paced sidescroller that has you racing from start to finish. However, you are able to choose from five different characters, including Knuckles, Amy, Tails, Sonic, and Cream. Each character has unique abilities, and can access various portions of the different levels. This gives the game a lot of replayability, as there’s no way to see everything in a level in one play. There are over twenty awesome levels to enjoy, with seven bosses to defeat. If you like Sonic, this is a must-play.

#59. Mega Man Battle Network 2

Capcom, 2002 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis Following the events of the original game, a new threat emerges in the form of Gospel, who plan to end society. It’s up to Lan Hikari to fight back using his high-tech abilities.

Short Review Like the first game, this sequel focuses on card-collecting gameplay with a fun and unique grid-style combat system. The story is deeply tied into computer and internet technology, with recognizable Mega Man characters mixed in. You control Mega Man in a variety of battles, using collected cards to enable various attacks. There’s enough strategy and tactics to please serious RPG fans, but with enough action and Mega Man content to appeal to more casual fans as well.

#58. Drill Dozer

Game Freak/Nintendo, 2006 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Using a powerful machine known as the Drill Dozer, a young girl named Jill sets out to retrieve a stolen family artifact.

Short Review This intense side-scrolling game puts the Drill Dozer front and center, as Jill has to use it in a slew of ways to navigate each stage. Using the shoulder buttons, you dash back and forth across the hectic levels, discovering upgrades for your drill and defeating enemies. There are numerous bosses and mini-bosses to fight, and the overall art design is fantastic. The challenging difficulty offers a great experience for seasoned action gamers, and the interesting story pushes you forward when things get tough.

#57. Racing Gears Advance

Orbital Media, Inc., 2005 Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Synopsis Slam into your opponents and cause havoc in this combative racing title that features tons of licensed cars.

Short Review Considered one of the best racing games on the system, this chaotic racer lets players unleash their fury on a number of courses. There are five circuits to enter, each with five courses to race on. Players can choose from a variety of cars, including selections from Dodge, Mitsubishi, and others. You’ll have to out-race several different characters in intense races, all in an effort to claim the championship title.

#56. Mega Man Zero

Inti Creates/Capcom, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis 100 years after the events of the Mega Man X franchise, Zero awakens during a war between humans and their robotic companions.

Short Review This Mega Man entry keeps the expected run and gun gameplay that the series is known for, but changes up the level structure. Instead of playing individual stages and fighting bosses, Zero fights across an interconnected world. You’ll attempt to complete a variety of objectives as you jump from level to level. Along the way, you discover new powerups to your weaponry, giving you elemental powers. This game is great for fans of classic Mega Man gameplay who don’t mind a new kind of experience.

#55. Pokemon FireRed Version

Game Freak/Nintendo, 2004 Role-Playing » Trainer

Synopsis This is a remake of Pokemon Red, a game that started the Pokemon craze we know today. With new graphics and some updated features, it retells the classic story with the pure gameplay fans remember.

Short Review Just like in the original game, players take on the role of a hopeful Pokemon trainer in the region of Kanto. You must explore the vast region and battle creatures known as Pokemon in turn-based battles, choosing to capture them and add them to your collection. Your journey to becoming the Pokemon Master is full of fun characters, challenging encounters, and memorable areas. The new graphics make the world even more fun to explore, and the addictive gameplay remains just as enjoyable as it ever was.

#54. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town

TOSE/Ubisoft, 2003 Strategy » Management » Business / Tycoon

Synopsis This excellent farming simulator is a remake of Harvest Moon: Back to Nature for the PlayStation 1, with a slew of new and exciting features.

Short Review If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own farm and living off the land, then Harvest Moon is a great game for you. In it, you play as a young man who gets lost and winds up on a farm. Choosing to stay and help out, you spend your time planting various crops, meeting new characters, and experiencing a heart-warming story. Harvest Moon is a feel-good game that’s both relaxing and rewarding.

#53. Super Mario Advance

Nintendo, 2001 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis This excellent Super Mario package contains a version of the original Mario Bros. game, as well as an enhanced remake of Super Mario Bros. 2.

Short Review As a launch title for the Game Boy Advance, this Mario game knocked it out of the park. The main attraction is the remake of Super Mario Bros. 2, which has upgraded visuals and plenty of new features. Some new enemies enter the mix to shake things up, and there are even brand new bosses. Players will also enjoy Yoshi Challenge, which has you revisiting previous levels in search of hidden Yoshi eggs. Overall, this is a great Mario package with plenty of content to keep you playing.

#52. Rock ‘N Roll Racing

Mass Media/Blizzard Classic Arcade, 2003 Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Synopsis Put up your devil horns and rock out in this extreme racing game with a killer rock ‘n roll soundtrack.

Short Review In this racing title, players race from an isometric view, trying to damage each other and win the race. There’s an emphasis on attack your opponents, as you can earn bonuses for destroying them. You earn money by winning races, which you can spend on things like turbo, new tires, missiles, and land mines. The game has a great soundtrack, featuring bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and more.

#51. Mega Man Zero 2

Inti Creates/Capcom, 2003 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Following the events of the original game, Zero roams the desert weakened. However, he is quickly thrust back into a fight against the evil Neo Arcadia.

Short Review Once again, players control Zero, a powerful robotic hero with a good collection of weapons. Most weapons and abilities are the same as the first game, but there have been a few new additions. The biggest change is the mission structure, which returns to the classic Mega Man formula. Players choose from one of four stages, completing a tough side-scrolling level and then fighting a boss. There are a great variety of enemies and the difficulty is a bit tougher than before, providing an excellent challenge.

#50. Puyo Pop

Sonic Team/Sega, 2002 Puzzle » Matching

Synopsis Match colorful blob-like creatures together to create combos and topple your opponent’s board in this competitive puzzle game.

Short Review The Puyo brand is a high quality name in puzzle games, and Puyo Pop shows off why. In the main mode of the game, you must match together strings of puyos as they fall onto your board. Creating a string of them fills your opponent’s board with obstacles, and your aim is to overwhelm your opponent. It’s a simple puzzle game with a surprising amount of strategy. The cute visuals make things fun and exciting, and there are multiple environments and challengers so things stay fresh. There are also three additional modes to try out, offering endless Puyo Pop gameplay.

#49. Rayman 3

Ubisoft, 2003 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis A group of evil lums known as the Hoodlums threaten to overtake Rayman’s homeworld, sending him on a quirky and humorous adventure.

Short Review This handheld port of Rayman 3 plays as a sidescrolling game, instead of a 3D platformer. Players guide Rayman through a variety of levels, fighting dark enemies known as lums. Combat and platforming is fun and snappy, and there are plenty of collectibles to keep your exploring. Overall, this is a fun adventure that feels more like a classic Rayman title.

#48. Final Fantasy V Advance

TOSE/Square Enix, 2006 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis Enjoy a rich and beautiful RPG world with this great remake of the classic Final Fantasy title.

Short Review This excellent remake contains the same great story and gameplay that fans will remember. It also dials up the visuals, adding a slash of new graphics. There are four additional jobs for your character to take up, as well as new dungeons to explore. There are dozens of hours of great turn-based gameplay, with a rich and deep fantasy story as well. Fans of RPGs will surely enjoy this remake of a classic.

#47. Colin McRae Rally 2.0

Spellbound/Ubisoft, 2002 Racing » Simulation » Automobile

Synopsis Tear up the dirt as you race through exciting rally events in a slew of modern cars.

Short Review Like the first game in the series, this rally racing title invites player to choose their favorite car and blast onto the track. There are three difficulty levels to choose from, as well as a new “Arcade” mode to try out. There’s a decent selection of licensed cars to choose from, picked from the lineup of the 2000 World Rally Championship. If you’re a fan of off-road racing with a slice of speed, this is a great game to satisfy those gaming needs.

#46. Denki Blocks!

Denki/Rage Software, 2001 Puzzle » General

Synopsis Tickle your brain with perplexing puzzles in this colorful block matching game.

Short Review This puzzle game contains three distinct modes: Workout, Tournament, and “Perfecto!”. Workout is a nice introduction to the gameplay mechanics, as it lets you practice the game in a laid back manner. Tournament mode contains numerous puzzles to complete, and Perfecto! mode provides a hefty challenge. Regardless of the mode you pick, you’ll have to move blocks around the board, combining them to form clumps. There are also numerous multiplayer modes, so you can battle against a friend as well!

#45. ChuChu Rocket!

Sonic Team/Infogrames, 2001 Puzzle » General

Synopsis It’s a mad game of cat and mouse in this wacky puzzle game. Place arrows to successfully lead the mice to safety, otherwise they’ll be eaten by cats!

Short Review This quirky puzzle title is great for both solo and multiplayer sessions. There are a slew of modes to choose from, including solo puzzle mode, a puzzle editor, cooperative challenges, and other competitive multiplayer modes. This hectic puzzle game has players dropping arrows onto the board, attempting to lead mice to the safety space. It’s a simple idea in concept, but the fast pace and colorful graphics make it chaotic and fun. The game supports up to four players via the Link Cable, so gather your friends around and catch those mice!

#44. Super Street Fighter II Turbo: Revival

Capcom, 2001 Action » Fighting » 2D

Synopsis Test your might in unruly street fights in this excellent port of a classic arcade fighting game.

Short Review This fantastic fighting game hops right from the arcade directly into your hands, thanks to an excellent port. This version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo also contains exclusive moves, stages, and music to enjoy. The concept is simple; pick your fighter and go head-to-head against a roster of opponents. The gameplay is tough but addictive, making it a perfect portable treat.

#43. Moto Racer Advance

Adeline Software/Ubisoft, 2002 Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Synopsis Rev up your motorcycle and enjoy this quality racing title that pits you against the track.

Short Review This awesome motocross game doles out the content in a variety of cool modes, with the focus being “Progression” mode. This main mode takes you through a number of races, each in a different environment. As you win races, you’ll unlock new content to play with! You can race on paved tracks in Grand Prix mode, take on the outdoors in Motocross mode, and weave through cars in Traffic mode. There’s a great mixture of race locations and vehicles, and the crisp visuals heighten the game even more.

#42. Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

Now Production/Namco, 2001 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Awakening in the mysterious Empire of Julius, Klonoa must hunt down four evil monsters to prove his innocence.

Short Review This fun sidescrolling game is full of fun platforming, exciting action, and interesting puzzles. Each level of the game contains three hidden stars. Collecting them opens up the next level, where you’ll continue to toss enemies, find secret areas, and flap your wings. Klonoa is a fun character with plenty of cool moves, and you’ll have to use them smartly to solve environmental puzzles and find the hidden stars. Overall, this is a lighthearted and enjoyable sidescrolling adventure that’s a blast to play.

#41. Gunstar Super Heroes

Treasure/Sega, 2005 Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical

Synopsis This exciting run-and-gun sequel changes up the gameplay from the original Gunstar Heroes, but still manages to be tons of chaotic fun.

Short Review Like the first game, Gunstar Super Heroes is a fast-paced sidescrolling action game with an emphasis on blasting your enemies. There are various storylines depending on which character you pick, but they all revolve around traveling moons and locating the Treasure Gems. Instead of combing weapons like before, players can now choose from three different weapon types at any time. There are also new melee abilities to use, as well as a supercharge meter. This fun and hectic title is a blast to play solo or with a friend, so be sure to try it out!

#40. Sonic Advance

Sonic Team/Sega, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Enjoy an all-new adventure with Sonic the Hedgehog, full of classic Sega Genesis era gameplay.

Short Review Once again, Sonic and his friends must hunt down the evil Doctor Eggman and collect the Chaos Emeralds. Much like the original Sonic the Hedgehog game for Sega Genesis, players blast through sidescrolling levels with blistering speed. You can play as four different characters, including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. There are six different zones to complete, with two stages in each. Although it’s a bit short, Sonic Advance is a great portable game that feels fast and fun.

#39. Final Fantasy IV Advance

TOSE/Nintendo, 2005 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis Experience the journey of Cecil in this fantastical RPG port with improved visuals, a better story, and new content.

Short Review This is a port of the classic SNES turn-based RPG, Final Fantasy IV. Once again, players go on a lengthy journey as Cecil, military captain with an interesting destiny. This port offers updated visuals, as well as a brand new translation for English readers. You’ll fight in intense turn-based battles, all while growing your party of companions and experiencing the story. There has been new content added, including new powerful gear and exclusive end-game dungeons.

#38. F-Zero: Maximum Velocity

Nd Cube/Nintendo, 2001 Racing » Arcade » Futuristic

Synopsis Reach untold speeds in this futuristic racing game, a part of the excellent and highly acclaimed F-Zero franchise.

Short Review This intense and exciting racing game puts you in a hyper-fast hovercraft. You’ll blast around colorful tracks for five laps, as long as you don’t explode! There are four different racing series to compete in, with five difficulty settings. You’ll unlock new content as you complete races, providing some fun progression. You can also go head-to-head with a friend using the Link Cable, using either one or two cartridges for different races.

#37. Street Fighter Alpha 3

Crawfish Interactive/Capcom, 2002 Action » Fighting » 2D

Synopsis Explore your fighting style in this excellent entry in the Street Fighter series, with more characters than any other system.

Short Review This is a fun and compact port of the arcade fighting game of the same name. There are dozens of characters to choose from, including some exclusive fighters unavailable on other systems. This fighting game offers three fighting styles per character, which allows you to use different super attacks. The colorful visuals and upbeat music keep things charming, and the great fighting mechanics are enjoyable to learn. It also serves as a prequel to Street Fighter II, revealing some background information about popular characters.

#36. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis

Quest/Atlus, 2002 Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics

Synopsis This addictive and complex strategy game gives you command over a powerful army, armed with a great variety of magical spells and weapons.

Short Review This in-depth strategy game has a compelling political story, and gives players the experience of building an army. You start out with six men in your army, which are all unique and have a variety of skills and abilities. As you engage in battle, you’ll hire new characters into your army. There are tons of different character types to recruit, such as dragons, zombies, demi-gods, and more. You’ll have to think ahead and smartly plan if you want to succeed in battle, making this a slow but rewarding game.

#35. Bomberman Tournament

Amble/Hudson, 2001 Puzzle » Action

Synopsis Trap your friends with bombs in eight competitive multiplayer modes, or enjoy a lengthy singleplayer bombing adventure.

Short Review This game is mainly about multiplayer, allowing up to four friends to play together with using the Link Cable. There are eight different variations of Bomberman to play, each with a fun twist on the expected gameplay. Collecting powerups to upgrade your bombs, you’ll attempt to blow up your opponents while attempting to stay alive. There are a variety of stages to play on as well, and the multiple modes give the game a lot of replayability. There is also a unique single player adventure mode, which mixes in fun mini-games.

#34. Ninja Five-O

Hudson/Konami, 2003 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis This highly sought after action title follows a ninja named Joe, who must stop a group of terrorists.

Short Review This exciting action sidescroller is full of fun ninja gameplay, exciting weapons, and quick movement. In the story, you play as a powerful ninja who attempts to take down terrorists wearing magical masks. Using his grappling hook and a variety of other equipment, you’ll control Joe through six different missions. Each missions contains three unique levels and ends with an exciting boss fight. If you’re a fan of ninjas, this is a must-play game!

#33. Pokemon Sapphire Version

Game Freak/Nintendo, 2003 Role-Playing » Trainer

Synopsis Enter the third generation of the successful Pokemon franchise, now with new battle features and even more Pokemon to collect! This is a partner game for Pokemon Ruby, and shares many of the same features.

Short Review This new Pokemon adventure takes place in the Hoenn Region, a beautiful island full of exotic and interesting Pokemon. As a new kid in Littleroot Town, you’ll go on a magical adventure to take on the Elite Four and become the Pokemon Master! This generation of Pokemon games introduces a variety of new features. For example, you can now battle with two Pokemon at once in double battles. There are also 135 new Pokemon to discover and collect, bringing the total to well over 350!

#32. Pokemon Ruby Version

Game Freak/Nintendo, 2003 Role-Playing » Trainer

Synopsis Go on a mystical Pokemon adventure in this alternative third generation game. This is a partner game for Pokemon Sapphire, and shares many of the same features.

Short Review Like Pokemon Sapphire, the story takes place in the Hoenn region. There are minor differences in the overall story, but each game contains a handful of exclusive Pokemon to catch. The gameplay is very similar to past Pokemon games, where you form a team of Pokemon and participate in turn-based battles. The third generation of Pokemon games introduced a slew of new features, including a weather system that effects battle. Pokemon now have species-specific abilities, which strengthen them during battle. This is a great Pokemon game for all players, both new and seasoned.

#31. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

Criterion Games/Midway, 2002 Action » Fighting » 3D

Synopsis This bloody and violent fighting game continues the story from Mortal Kombat 4, and focuses on fighter Scorpion as he attempts to get revenge for the death of his family.

Short Review This port of the PlayStation 2 game contains many of the same features, with some limited graphics. There are multiple modes to play, including Arcade, Survival, and the Krypt. There is a good roster of characters to choose from, including fan favorite characters like Scorpion. Some really cool new fighters appear as well, such as the blind swordsman, Kenshi. As you battle in both Arcade and Survival mode, you’ll gain coins that can be spent in the Krypt. Here, you unlock new items such as costumes, story pieces, and even new fighters. Overall, this is a fun fighting game with plenty of replayability.

#30. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2005 Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics

Synopsis An evil conqueror named Grado has begun invading five ancient nations and stealing their magic stones. In an effort to prevent Grado’s plan to unleash demons, two heroes set out to fight back.

Short Review This strategy game is both fun to learn and tough as nails, resulting in a great challenge. The story follows two royal siblings as they travel around the world of Magvel, fighting in epic battles. The story is interesting and motivates you to keep fighting on. Combat plays out from a top-down grid, and you are able to direct your troops in battle. If a character dies, they can’t be revived, so it’s important to plan ahead. If you’re looking for a challenging strategy game that’s easy to learn, look no further!

#29. Rayman Advance

Digital Eclipse/Ubisoft, 2001 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis The limbless protagonist Rayman sets out to rescue Protoons, magical creatures that give him special powers. Along the way, he must protect the world from the evil Mr. Dark.

Short Review This is a remake of the classic platforming game Rayman for the PlayStation. However, some of the levels have been reworked to lower the difficulty. In the game, you control Rayman, an interesting character that floats and punches his way to victory. You’ll have to pull off impressive jumps and glides to survive the game’s tough platforming levels. The visuals are beautiful and great to look at, and the gameplay is smooth and enjoyable. In several ways, this version is even better than the original!

#28. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

KCET/Konami, 2002 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis Juste Belmont, grandson of Dracula-slayer Simon Belmont, travels to an ominous castle to save his kidnapped childhood friend.

Short Review Like other Castlevania games, Harmony of Dissonance is all about exploring an expansive castle while destroying enemies and discovering new paths. The castle in this game is actually two castles in one, with two “layers” that players can explore. You’ll have to jump back and forth between the castle’s layers, destroying objects and discovering hidden items. You’ll encounter a wide variety of creepy creatures to fight, ranging from zombies to demonic birds. Luckily, Juste Belmont can use his trusty whip to smash foes to pieces, or use one of several sub-weapons. The game is tough but rewarding, and one of the more interesting games in the Castlevania frachise.

#27. Wario Land 4

Nintendo, 2001 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis The loud and obnoxious anti-hero Wario finds himself in another predicament, as he must collect four treasures to save a princess trapped in a pyramid.

Short Review In Wario Land 4, Wario wants to save a princess. To do so, he must travel through eighteen levels spread across four themed worlds, collecting treasure and finding gem pieces. You’ll hop over enemies, flip switches, and explore the branching levels searching for goodies. Each world is based on a fun theme, such as nature, toys, technology, and horror. The variety of enemies and environments make finding treasure fun for hours and hours.

#26. Mario Golf: Advance Tour

Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2004 Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim

Synopsis Become the “ultimate golfer” by participating in four golfing tournaments against iconic Mario franchise characters.

Short Review This golfing title is a fun mix of golfing and role playing, making it welcoming for new players. You choose to play as either Neil or Ella, starting your journey towards the top of the golfing ranks. There is an overworld map to explore, where you can visit four different golf clubs that host tournaments. Join the tournaments, practice in mini-games, and even discover hidden items while you’re visiting! The golfing is simple to learn and intuitive, so you won’t have to be an expert to have fun. This is a great sports game for all players, whether you’re a fan of golf or not.

#25. Sonic Advance 2

Dimps Corporation/Sega, 2003 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Sonic and his friends return for another Game Boy Advance adventure, now with new characters and even more challenging gameplay!

Short Review Once again, Eggman is trying to take over the world, and it’s up to Sonic and his pals to collect the Chaos Emeralds and thwart his plans. Although you start with Sonic, you’ll eventually be able to unlock four other characters, each with unique movement and abilities. There are seven zones with two levels in each zone, ending with an exciting boss battle. Completing the game also unlocks some other fun modes, including Time Attack and Chao Garden. The gameplay is a bit more difficult than the original game, but the new characters and fun graphics make it easy to keep trying.

#24. Astro Boy: Omega Factor

Hitmaker/Sega, 2004 Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D

Synopsis Based on the popular anime series Astro Boy, this exciting beat ’em up is ripe with pretty visuals and entertaining gameplay.

Short Review This exciting action game has an interesting sci-fi story, including robot rebellions and time travel. In it, you play as Astro Boy, a strong fighter with rocket boots. Using a variety of attacks and powers, you smash your way through the game’s various levels. There are three difficulty levels to choose from, with a good balance for players of all skills. You can also level up Astro Boy’s powers by interacting with the numerous characters found throughout the world.

#23. Golden Sun: The Lost Age

Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2003 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis Players return to the fantasy world of Weyward in this wonderful RPG. In an effort to stop the evil plot of Saturos, a group of heroes work against the forces of darkness.

Short Review Like the original Golden Sun, players explore an overworld map, entering various locations and engaging in turn-based battles. As you progress through the story, you’ll meet new characters and become stronger, unlocking new abilities and spells. This sequel puts a bigger emphasis on water exploration, as you spend a lot of time sailing around the world in your own ship. One of the biggest elements of the Golden Sun franchise revolves around Djinn; magical spirits you can collect. The Lost Age adds a bunch of new Djinn enemies to find and capture, expanding your abilities and powers.

#22. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4

Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2002 Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard

Synopsis Grind rails, ollie high, and pull off sweet tricks in this expansive and story-driven skateboarding title.

Short Review The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise is packed with awesome skateboarding content, and Pro Skater 4 expands that in multiple ways. The game has an open-ended Career mode, where you explore various maps and complete skating objectives. You’ll be tasked with finding hidden items, beating trick scores, and much more. The game plays from an isometric angle, which is different from the console versions. Despite these limitations, it still contains most of the content from the main console versions.

#21. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Square Enix, 2003 Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics

Synopsis Four children discover an ancient book that transports them to another realm. Intent on returning home, they venture out into the dangerous world to face unknown challenges.

Short Review Like Fire Emblem, this strategy game plays out on a grid-style board, with the player commanding their troops in turn-based battles. You play as Marche, the leader of the group who commands the rest in combat. You pick up new missions from pubs, which unlocks various location cards that you can place on the world map. As you gain new recruits, you can upgrade their abilities and unlock new perks in the job system. Overall, this is a fun strategy game with a deep clan-building mechanic and some great customization.

#20. WarioWare: Twisted!

Nintendo, 2005 Puzzle » General

Synopsis Twist and turn your Game Boy Advance in order to complete ridiculous microgames. It’s more WarioWare goodness, with the added bonus of motion!

Short Review This WarioWare title came with a gyroscopic attachment that you plugged into your Game Boy Advance, sensing the movement of the system. Like other games in the franchise, players complete dozens of bite-sized games in a few seconds, with the game speeding up over time. The addition of motion controls provides some inventive microgames, and keeps gameplay fun and intuitive. This is one of the best WarioWare games in the entire franchise, due to its overall quality and smart use of motion controls.

#19. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

KCET/Konami, 2003 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis In the year 2035, a student named Soma discovers his ability to absorb the souls of monsters and harness their power. Eager to learn more about his powers and uncover his destiny, Soma heads into a mysterious castle.

Short Review Like other games in the Castlevania series, you’ll travel through a huge castle with distinct areas, defeating monsters and gaining power. The setting is unique; instead of the expected Medieval era of the other games, Aria of Sorrow takes place in the future. As you defeat monsters with a variety of weapons, you can also absorb their souls and use unique abilities. Almost every monster has a unique soul to try out, offering a lot of combat options. In addition to the main story, there is also a New Game Plus mode, as well as two unlockable bonus modes.

#18. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

KCEK/Konami, 2001 Role-Playing » Action RPG

Synopsis In the year 1830, vampire hunter Nathan Graves travels to Dracula’s castle to rescue his teacher and face the vampire king.

Short Review This fun sidescrolling adventure game blends classic Castlevania gameplay with fun RPG elements. You’ll explore Dracula’s castle, finding new abilities that allow you to reach new areas. Nathan has a set of skills that you can upgrade as you defeat monsters, gaining experience towards an overall level. There’s also a brand new system that involves collecting cards and combining them for magical powers. Furthermore, there are four additional modes to play once you’ve completed the game, which adds a new layer of challenge.

#17. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3

Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2002 Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard

Synopsis Pull off insane skateboarding tricks in six different stages, now with a focus on longer and cooler combos!

Short Review This fun port of the PlayStation 2 title makes the transfer over to the Game Boy Advance with grace. The game has six different levels to explore, with a number of fun objectives to complete. The skateboarding feels fantastic, and the new revert mechanic allows you to pull off some crazy combos. There’s also an awesome multiplayer mode to try out, so you and your friends can skate together in fierce competition.

#16. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!

Nintendo, 2003 Casual » Party / Minigame

Synopsis Complete wacky and wild micro-games, each one more ridiculous and hilarious than the last.

Short Review This crazy compilation of quick micro-games contains over 200 different mini-games, covering nine different themes. Each character in the game has a set of micro-games to complete quickly, with the speed of the game increasing. The sets of micro-games are themed, including throwbacks to classic Nintendo games, sports, food, and more. The quick pace of the game makes it excellent for quick gaming sessions, and the massive variety ensures you’ll never get bored.

#15. Fire Emblem

Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2003 Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics

Synopsis In the fantasy world of Elibe, three young warriors go on a journey to fight corruption and hunt down a group of dangerous assassins.

Short Review In this excellent strategy title, players control their own army in huge wars. Playing out on a grid, you command your troops into battle and select their movement. Different units in your army have unique attributes, which play into the game’s triangular strength and weakness structure. Succeeding in Fire Emblem requires a good bit of planning, but you’re able to make your characters more powerful by leveling them up. The excellent story makes it easy to keep playing, chapter after chapter.

#14. Golden Sun

Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2001 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis A group of magical heroes join forces to save their world against invading forces, who wish to revive and ancient evil and plummet the world into chaos.

Short Review In this fantastical tale of mystery and power, you control four unique characters living in the world of Weyward. The group of characters are sent on a mission by a wise guardian, and attempt to stop the powers of Alchemy from returning to their land. The gameplay is a mix of overworld exploration and puzzle solving, with a mix of turn-based battles and party management. You can find hidden spirits throughout the world called Djinns, which increase the power of your characters.

#13. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Nintendo, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Save Baby Mario in this Yoshi-filled classic adventure from the Super Nintendo.

Short Review This is a port of Yoshi’s Island for the Super Nintendo, and it keeps all the same features and gameplay from the original. In the game, you play as a group of Yoshi dinosaurs attempting to carry Baby Mario to safety. To do this, you’ll make tough jumps and flutter through the air, throwing eggs at enemies. There are numerous hidden items to collect, which give you an exclusive bonus stage. Yoshi’s Island is considered one of the best platforming games of all time, and it’s just as amazing on the Game Boy Advance!

#12. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2001 Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard

Synopsis Pick your favorite professional skateboarder and tear through a number of time trial levels.

Short Review This awesome skateboarding game features three modes, Career, Freeskate, and Session. In Career, you’ll complete various objectives while fighting the clock, unlocking new levels and earning new gear. Objectives range from pulling off special stunts, beating scores, and finding hidden letters. Freeskate lets you explore and skate without a timer, enjoying the level at your own pace. Session strips away the progression of Career mode, allowing you to enjoy a single play of the level of your choice. Solid gameplay, tons of unlockable content, and great graphics make this one of the best sports games on the system.

#11. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2003 Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics

Synopsis As a direct sequel to Advance Wars, this game follows the heroic Allied Nations in their fight to repel the military of the invading Black Hole.

Short Review This sequel keeps the gameplay very similar to the original, but it continues the story and provides excellent gameplay. Instead of playing out in chapters, the main missions of the game can be completed in any order. Your journey takes you across five different regions, with new characters and villains to meet. Playing out on a grid, you move your military units and attack enemies, with some special goals on select levels. There are also additional modes, including multiplayer that uses the Link Cable. You can even customize your own map in Design mode. With multiple modes and endless possibilities, this game has an insane amount of content.

#10. Metroid: Zero Mission

Nintendo, 2004 Action Adventure » Open-World

Synopsis Experience the original Metroid adventure with brand new graphics and updated gameplay!

Short Review This remake of the classic Nintendo game Metroid is tons of fun, and features updated visuals and modern gameplay. You play as bounty hunter Samus Aran, who travels to planet Zebes to take out a group of space pirates. The game is well known for its smart use of level design and new abilities, encouraging players to explore the game. There are countless hidden areas to discover, which often hold permanent upgrades for Samus. This remake also adds some new bosses and areas, giving you more classic Metroid action! Check it out on Amazon »

#9. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Flagship/Nintendo, 2005 Action Adventure » Open-World

Synopsis After Princess Zelda is petrified and Hyrule is sent into chaos, the King sends Link on a fantastic journey that has him shrinking to the size of a bug.

Short Review This quirky Zelda adventure has the familiar gameplay the series is known for, while also introducing some fun new mechanics. On your journey to save Zelda and restore Hyrule, Link will need to complete a series of temples. Completing temples often rewards him with new items, which you can use to discover other parts of the world. One of the main features of the game is shrinking, where Link can shrink down to the size of a bug and explore a tinier world. The fun story and weird gameplay makes this a refreshing entry in the Zelda series. Check it out on Amazon »

#8. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Alphadream Corporation/Nintendo, 2003 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis Mario and Luigi explore the Beanbean Kingdom as they try to overcome Cackletta, an evil witch who has stolen Princess Peach’s voice.

Short Review In this Mario franchise spin-off, the beloved Italian brothers trade sidescrolling platforming for roleplaying action. After the evil witch curses Princess Peach, the brothers team up and head off to a magical land. There, they have to work together to complete puzzles and defeat enemies. The RPG mechanics are easy to understand and the battle system is welcoming to new players. Leveling up your party is simple, and unlocking new moves feels natural and fun. The colorful environments are made even better by a hilarious story and fun gameplay, making this a standout RPG. Check it out on Amazon »

#7. Final Fantasy VI Advance

TOSE/Square Enix, 2007 Role-Playing » Japanese-Style

Synopsis Widely considered one of the best RPGs ever made, this game follows the story of Terra, a girl with amnesia who can control magic with ease.

Short Review Like other games in the Final Fantasy series, this entry tells a lengthy and complex story full of political intrigue, philosophy, and characters. Players explore the world as Terra, a young girl attempting to retrieve her memory after being freed from mind control. As you move through the story and explore caves and dungeons, you’ll meet new characters and recruit them to your party. You can level up these characters and equip them with new gear and weapons, strengthening your attack power. The story contains a few crazy twists and turns that will surely shock you, and the battle mechanics are fun and addictive. Check it out on Amazon »

#6. Metroid Fusion

Nintendo, 2002 Action Adventure » Open-World

Synopsis Bounty hunter Samus Aran sets out to investigate an outbreak of the mysterious X parasite on a derelict space station.

Short Review In this quality Metroid game, you explore the Biological Space Laboratory station, after an explosion unleashes a vicious virus. Like other games in the franchise, you explore the map, obtaining new powers and weapons. Your new abilities allow you to reach areas of the map, encouraging you to backtrack and discover hidden locations. This game also introduces things like climbing and ledge grabbing, making jumps a bit easier. There are awesome boss fights to take on, as well as plenty of secrets to uncover. Check it out on Amazon »

#5. Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2001 Racing » Arcade » Automobile

Synopsis Race against your favorite Mario characters in this exciting and welcoming racing game.

Short Review This great kart racer has five unique modes of play, giving players plenty of fun options. In Mario GP, you compete against other racers in five different cup series. There are twenty themed tracks to race on, and three difficulty settings to try. Time Trial is all about completing courses as fast as possible, and your best times are saved as ghost characters to race against. Quick Run lets you pick your favorite course and tweak the options, giving you a satisfying single race. Versus mode pits you and your friends against each other using the Link Cable, and Battle mode offers a more action-packed form of competition. Regardless of what mode you choose, you’ll love playing this bright and cheerful racing game with your favorite Nintendo characters! Check it out on Amazon »

#4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Nintendo, 2002 Action Adventure » Open-World

Synopsis Revisit one of the best Zelda games of all time, where Link must balance the forces of the Light World and Dark World of Hyrule.

Short Review This classic Super Nintendo game from 1991 is just as good on the Game Boy Advance! In it, you control Link, a young boy with an important destiny. You explore the world of Hyrule, fighting enemies with your sword and completing dungeons. As you gain new items, you’ll be able to uncover new areas of interest. One of the biggest elements of the game is the dual world system, where the overworld switches between a Light and Dark version. Some puzzles require you to switch back and forth, and exploring both versions of the map are important if you want to succeed. Simply put, A Link to the Past is one of the best games ever made, and arguably the best game in the Zelda franchise. Check it out on Amazon »

#3. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

Nintendo, 2003 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis Enjoy one of Mario’s best adventures in this stunning portable version of Super Mario Bros. 3!

Short Review This is a remake of Super Mario Bros. 3 for the original Nintendo console, with fresh graphics and some brand new content. Like in the original, players control either Mario or Luigi and jump their way through eight worlds of exciting sidescrolling platforming. This remake uses the updated graphics found in Super Mario Allstars, giving the game a Super Nintendo look. This version of the game allows layers to scan physical cards using an attachment, which unlocks new content and levels. There is also a fun multiplayer mode, based on the original Mario arcade game. Check it out on Amazon »

#2. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2

Nintendo, 2002 Action » Platformer » 2D

Synopsis This excellent port brings the best Super Nintendo Mario game straight to the Game Boy Advance, now with an easier difficulty and new unlockable content.

Short Review This port of Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo is mostly the same as the original, but with a few key differences. This version lets you play as both Mario and Luigi, and both characters jump and move differently. The game features more collectibles, such as new Dragon Coins to find, and a handy new menu keeps track of your progress. There’s an additional multiplayer mode similar to the arcade game Mario Bros., which supports up to four players with the Link Cable. With well over 90 levels to complete, Super Mario World is packed with some of the best platforming gameplay ever. Check it out on Amazon »

#1. Advance Wars

Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2001 Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics

Synopsis This epic military strategy game tells the story of the Orange Star army, a group of military heroes who go to war with invading nations.

Short Review Considered one of the best strategy games ever made, Advance Wars does a great job teaching the player its gameplay. The turn-based combat allows you to command troops in an army, ordering them into battle and adjusting their formations. There are eighteen different kinds of military units to control, giving players a lot of options and tactics. Some missions even have wars with four different armies, making things hectic and fun. There is also an awesome multiplayer mode, where you can go against computer controlled opponents or your friends. Besides the main story, you can also play in War Room mode, which offers high score challenges. You can also check out the Designer mode, where you can make your very own battle map! Check it out on Amazon »

Are your favorite games on the list? Leave a comment below!

If you think there are games that should OR shouldn’t be on this list, let us know by leaving a comment below.

Determining which GBA game is the best is (probably) a never ending topic, but it’s fun!