35 Best GBA Games OF All Time | Bring Your Childhood Back

The GBA games are long gone, but the era still reminds us our sweet childhood memories. If you are still looking for those games and didn’t find any better list then we have a great news for you. You don’t have to visit any different site to search so many incredible, vintage games. It was such a hearty little wonder that we couldn’t resist ourselves from gathering some of the best Game Boy Advance games of all time.

If you have lost your antique GBA player, you need to download a GBA emulator for your device to run these games. We’ve also included the available link to play online. Enjoy!

35. Spider Man: Mysterio’s Menace

Total Sales: 610,000

Released In: February 2001

Published by: Activision

This is an action game consisting 7 stages, each featuring a boss at the end. The player is free to select between 3 stages to start with, each opening a next level after completion. Throughout the game, the player will be gathering upgrades to enhance Spider Man’s health, strength and webbing.

34. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

Total Sales: 810,000

Released In: March 2001

Published by: Konami

It’s an adventurous, action role playing game that follows non-linear style of gameplay. Player gets a role of Nathan who can only traverse specific areas of the castle by acquiring different abilities like becoming able to run, double jump, wall kick and more. Every time the player defeats enemies, Nathan gets a level up, and acquires new abilities to progress further in the game.

33. WarioWare: Twisted!

Total Sales: 1 million

Released In: October 2004

Published by: Nintendo

This is an action-puzzle game where players goes through a series of microgames. Most of the microgames supports in-built gyro sensors, so it becomes more complex as the game progresses it requires the player to fully rotate their system. Twisted also features items called souvenirs, which are unlocked after boss stages in story mode.

32. F-Zero: Maximum Velocity

Total Sales: 1 million

Released In: March 2001

Published by: Nintendo

Maximum Velocity is futuristic racing video game that can by played in 2 multiplayer modes, with one cartridge per player. 2 to 4 players can play in both modes. Each race has 5 laps and a player will lose if his/her machine explodes due to either landing outside of the track or taking too much damage.

31. Golden Sun: The Lost Age

Total Sales: 1.1 million

Released In: June 2002

Published by: Nintendo

Golden Sun is role-playing game where player interact with other characters, acquire magical spells, battle monsters and build predefined narrative. The games lets player complete different objectives in order of their choice, visiting past location to advance story elements and finish off puzzles which they could not solve earlier.

30. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Total Sales: 1.2 million

Released In: November 2002

Published by: Electronic Arts

It’s an action adventure game based on the J.K Rowling’s novel. The game is straight forward: the player (Harry Potter) explores Hogwarts castle and encounters events that tie into the storyline of the 2nd edition. The player will learn new spells for combating bosses, how to fly a broomstick, and much more.

29. Frogger’s Adventures: Temple of the Frog

Total Sales: 1.3 million

Released In: November 2001

Published by: Konami

The game’s character Frogger searches five worlds to four sacred items needed to rescue his friends and save his swamp. Throughout the game, one of his friends, Lumpy helps him by providing key information. Overall, Frogger has to face 15 levels and 5 bosses, including the final showdown with the evil Mr. D.

28. Mega Man Battle Network 4

Total Sales: 1.3 million

Released In: December 2003

Published by: Capcom

Battle Network 4 is a real-time tactical game role playing game that introduced the concept of Double Souls. A criminal organization known as Nebula attacks and spreads corruption with the use of Dark Chips. Lan and MegaMan fights them and prove that all people has the ability to conquer their inner darkness.

27. The Lion King

Total Sales: 1.4 million

Released In: October 2003

Published by: Disney Interactive

The action-platformer games puts the player in the role of Timon and Pumbaa to search Hakuna Matata. Player need to make sure that they do not hit any obstacle, and after each chapter is completed they are awarded with special puzzle pieces. To unlock time-limited bonus levels and video clips from the movie, you need to collect all bugs in a level.

26. The Incredibles

Total Sales: 1.4 million

Released In: November 2004

Published by: THQ

The Incredibles is an action-adventure game featuring 18 levels and four playable characters: Mr Incredible, Elastigirl, Dash and Voilet. In a battle reminiscent of those of the old days, all characters work together to destory the robot. As usual, superheroes are loved by the public again.

25. Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Total Sales: 1.4 million

Released In: May 2004

Published by: Nintendo

This is a puzzle-platform game where player gets a character of Mario and pursues Donkey Kong via a toy factory, who has stolen dozens of mini-Mario toys. The game has many different environment, ranging from a classic construction site to the lava environment. To make the game more exciting, Mario has given the ability to perform handstands and backflips.

24. Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku

Total Sales: 1.4 million

Released In: May 2002

Published by: Infogrames

It’s an action-role playing game with a main focus on combat. It covers the story of Dragon Ball Z until the destruction of the planet Namek. Goku (the only playable character) travels though various stages by completing simple missions and defeating enemies in order to gain experience. In the final stage he transforms into a super Saiyan to defeat Frieza.

23. Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

Total Sales: 1.4 million

Released In: April 2004

Published by: Nintendo

The game features a maze layout where player is supposed to explore the world, solve puzzle, defeat enemies and collect gems. There are numerous items to improve in-game performance like extra health points and lives. Also, several new powers have been included such as Cupid that allows Kirby to fly around with wings, and a Missile, which can be guided in any direction.

22. Sonic Advance

Total Sales: 1.5 million

Released In: December 2001

Published by: Sega THQ

Sonic Advance is an action game that feature 4 characters: Sonic, Knuckles, Tails and Amy. Each character is assigned with a special ability, such as Sonic has a special shield, Knuckle has climbing abilities and Tail’s got a flight. There are are 6 normal zones, each having two acts. Act 1 is cleared by accomplishing the goal and Act 2 is cleared by destroying the boss robot at the end.

21. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Total Sales: 1.5 million

Released In: November 2004

Published by: Square Enix Disney Interactive Studios

This is an action role-playing game that features a card-based action battle and a story, which bridges the gab between Hearts I and II. It was the first GBA game to incorporate full motion video. Each card in the game has a particular effect, for example, green cards affect the power of player’s deck, and red cards affect the number and type of enemies.

20. Metroid Fusion

Total Sales: 1.6 million

Released In: November 2002

Published by: Nintendo

This is side-scrolling action-adventure game set in a giant open-ended world with elevators that connect regions. The whole game revolves around solving puzzles and shooting enemies while searching for power-ups. It was praised by critics, especially for its action scenes. It received numerous awards, including handheld game of the year 2002, best GBA adventure game from IGN and GameSpot.

19. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Total Sales: 1.6 million

Released In: February 2003

Published by: Nintendo Square

This a tactic role-playing game where players are free to decide abilities, classes and statistics of their character. To advance the story, the game consists of 4 type of missions – regular, dispatch, encounter and area. The world map is empty at the initial stage and it is customized after the player completes certain missions and wins area.

18. Yu- Gi -Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul

Total Sales: 1.8 million

Released In: July 2001

Published by: Konami

It’s a first card-battle game to include polymerization as an actual card. All opponents are arranged in tiers, where a tier may have four or five duelists. All duelists on a tier must be beaten a particular amount of times before the next tier can be unlocked. The another key element is in-game calendar. On certain days, random events may trigger like receiving a pack of cards or being challenged to a match by an opponent.

17. Golden Sun

Total Sales: 1.6 million

Released In: August 2001

Published by: Nintendo

It’s a role-playing game in which player controls 4 characters throughout a fantasy-themed world journey. Players are supposed to battle monster, interact with other characters, gain power abilities and take part in an ongoing narrative. The game allows the player to go back to previous locations and complete particular goals out of order.

16. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Total Sales: 1.8 million

Released In: November 2004

Published by: Nintendo

This is an action-adventure game that retains some common elements from previous version like the presence of Gorons while introducing Kinstones. Along with the traditional items such as arrows, bombs, pegasus, The Minish Cap launches three new items – mole mitts, gust jar and can of pacci. It was well received among critics and selected as the 2005 GBA game of the year by GameSpot.

15. Donkey Kong Country

Total Sales: 1.8 million

Released In: June 2003

Published by: Nintendo

This version of Donkey Kong game had increased brightness, at the cost of contrast and color saturation. It supports time trial mode and multiplayer option. The game lets you use all platforming skills as you swing on vines, navigate treacherous mine cart obstacle courses, rocket out barrel cannons, fight massive bosses and ride animal pals like Rambi the Rhino.

14. Finding Nemo

Total Sales: 1.8 million

Released In: May 2003

Published by: THQ

Finding Nemo is an action-adventure game where the objective is to complete various levels playing the role of Nemo, Marlin or Dory. It includes scenes from the movie, and each clip is based on a level, for instance, hopping through a batch of jellyfish.

13. Spyro: Season of Ice

Total Sales: 2.2 million

Released In: October 2001

Published by: Universal Interactive

It’s an isometric platform game where season of ice takes you to the fairy realms. You will play a role of Spyro and fight evil menace. There are total 4 seasons, each having 5 levels. If you collect 100 percent of all the gems and fairies from all levels and realms, a new portal opens to play the extra game ‘Dragonfly X’.

12. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Total Sales: 2.1 million

Released In: October 2002

Published by: Nintendo

The game features updates graphics and sound with slight alterations along with a few minor retooling of areas to suit the new graphical style. The aim is to get Kirby to the end of the current level through running, jumping over obstacles and defeating enemies. The game supports multi-player, with up to 4 players, 32-bit graphics, hats for most abilities and a decrease in difficulty.

11. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Total Sales: 2.1 million

Released In: November 2003

Published by: Nintendo

Different from the traditional games of the genre, it centers on a battle theme with emphasis on more elaborate attacks and timing. Battles are turn-based. Mario and Luigi can deal with multiple hits and their actions can be controlled individually. Superstar Saga features the enhanced remake of the Mario Bros arcade game and supports rumble functionality.

10. Wario Land 4

Total Sales: 2.2 million

Released In: August 2001

Published by: Nintendo

It’s a linear transformation game where Wario has to collect 4 treasures to unlock a pyramid and save princess Shokora from the Golden Diva. The treasures include 4 gem pieces, a Keyzer, a music CD to unlock bonus music, and many coins and gems. To complete this, Wario is given a heart meter that contains total 8 hearts. Wario can also gather hearts throughout the stages.

9. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

Total Sales: 2.3 million

Released In: November 2005

Published by: The Pokemon Company

It’s a mission-based game where objective is to either finish the job or go through all the floors to find an exit. All the battles take place in the dungeon map, where Pokemon fight using the standard ‘A button’ attack or throwing rocks. While doing mission, players gets hungry and has to consume food in order to survive.

8. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Total Sales: 2.8 million

Released In: December 2002

Published by: Nintendo

It’s an action-adventure game with a minor modification from the original 1991 release. Being a sword and shield, you will be involved in fighting and defending. The sword can do many different things including, sword spin, energy projectile and Hurricane spin. Also, collect a wide range of equipment throughout adventure like a bow, lamp, boomerang and bombs.

7. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Total Sales: 2.8 million

Released In: September 2002

Published by: Nintendo

This is a prequel of Mario franchise that casts players as Yoshi as he escorts baby Mario. Player needs to cross 50 levels to reunite Mario with his brother Luigi, who had been kidnapped by minions. All levels involve solving puzzles and collecting various items. The game was packed with new abilities to create eggs from swallowed enemies and transform into vehicles.

6. Pac-Man Collection

Total Sales: 3 million

Released In: July 2001

Published by: Namco

This is a compilation of 4 Pac-Man games: Pac-Man, Pac-Mania, Pac-Man Arrangement and Pac-Attack. The game didn’t release with multiplayer or versus mode feature. It received positive responses but was criticized for removing tiny elements of sound effects, lacking a save facility and for inconsistent issues with both screen option for Pac-Man.

5. Pokemon Emerald

Total Sales: 7 million

Released In: September 2004

Published by: The Pokemon Company

It’s a role-play game where player controls a Pokemon trainer from an overhead perspective. Player needs to complete 8 gym challenges and defeat the Elite Four and its champion. Meanwhile, player would face both Team Aqua and Team Magma. The game has received and award for excellence at the 9th annual CESA game awards.

4. Super Mario Advance

Total Sales: 5.5 million

Released In: March 2001

Published by: Nintendo

The game contains a remake of Mario Bros and includes many new features like the addition of a robotic Birdo, Yoshi challenge, enemy Robirdo, and all-new point-scoring system. Moreover, multiple hit combos, health meter level, digital voice acting, and other small audio and graphical enhancement made the game even more appealing.

3. Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Total Sales: 6 million

Released In: July 2001

Published by: Nintendo

It’s a kart racing game – the third installment in the Mario Kart series. It was the first version for handheld consoles, and retains all traditional Mario Kart elements set by its predecessors. The game features same cast of playable drivers as in previous version, and five modes, of which most can be played in single-player races.

2. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Total Sales: 12 million

Released In: January 2004

Published by: The Pokemon Company

These are the enhanced remakes of the original Pokemon Red and Blue, in which player captures and raises Pokemon for use in battle. Once an opponent Pokemon faints, all of the player’s Pokemon involved in a battle get experience points. After gathering enough experience points, a Pokemon may level up.

1. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire

Total Sales: 16.2 million

Released In: November 2002

Published by: The Pokemon Company

Read: 20 Best Game Emulator for Android and iOS

They are the first two games introduced for Generation III series, and came out as the best-selling GBA games of all time. They featured a brand new Elite Four syndicate that is found in Ever Grande City. These games introduced Double Battles, which are heavier on strategy than usual. Also, new abilities were given for each Pokemon, like immune to ground-type attacks, stab attacks, ability to absorb specific attacks and recover HP.