The Gameboy and Gameboy Color were tremendous handheld consoles, cementing Nintendo as the authority in gaming on the go.
Their successor, the Gameboy Advance, had enormous shoes to fill, and it delivered in a BIG way. The GBA has dozens of phenomenal games in its library.
ThePokémongames are fantastically refined,Metroid Fusionis one of the bestMetroidgames in existence, and titles likeGolden Sunare highly regarded to this day.
We all know about the heavy hitters, but let me share a list of games that snuck under the radar and never got the appreciation they deserved.
10Alien Hominid
A Newgrounds Classic
Alien Hominid
The originalAlien Hominidis a surprisingly bloody 2D shooter in which you play asan alien trying to escape the FBI.
The GBA version makes the list because it is faithful to the original vision. Thecontrols are absolutely perfect, and you can zip around the screen with all the precision of the PC and console games.
All the animations are smooth, and the GBA retains all the gory kills of the original Newgrounds release. Many GBA ports make huge sacrifices, and the worst offenders barely resemble what they are supposed to be.Alien Hominidis aremarkable exceptionto the rule.
9Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
This Is How You Do A Movie Tie-In
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Movie-licensed games have a reputation for poor quality, a stigma the industry has never shaken. Even with legendary IPs likeLord of the Rings, the games can be miserable, and yes, I’m looking at you,Gollum, from 2023.
One of the most surprising titles to buck that trend isLord of the Rings: The Two Towerson GBA. The game isan accomplished 3D hack and slash, made even better with a satisfyingRPG progressionsystem.
The visuals are decent, and there’s just the right number of nods to the source material. There’s even someFMV from the moviesthat look naff nowadays, but it was rather impressive back in 2002.
The Two Towersmay be a more compact experience than you’re used to from the genre, but it’s a bitesize tie-in that’s worth your time.
8Boulder Dash EX
A Classic Re-imagined
Key Information
Vision Works
Puzzle Adventure
Release Date
September 2002
Boulder Dash EXoffers a brave attempt atmodernizing an arcade puzzle classic.
Armed with nothing but a pickaxe, your goal onBoulder Dash EXis to collect gems and reach the exit in each stage. The problem is thatrocks and gravity exist, and one misstep can trigger a stoney avalanche that immediately kills you.
Navigating each stage provides a unique challenge, as whenever you move, you clear the dirt tile in front of you and permanently alter the layout.
Boulderdash EXadds a couple of modern additions to the mix, includingthe ability to flip gravity. It sounds odd, but it is well-executed, and the game is a perfect fit for a handheld.
7Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend
The Art Of Fighting Without Fighting
Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend
Bruce Lee’sEnter the Dragonis anincredible martial arts classic, but it also sold the idea that Bruce could be quite the stealth operative if required.
Bruce Lee: Return of the Legendreally sells that vibe, offering a superbblend of action combat and stealthsequences. The game is ultimately a 2D side scroller, but Bruce can often hide in the background to take fights on his own terms.
Combat is fun and nuanced, with button combinations toperform stylish attacks, like a splits kick.
Return of the Legendmakes the list as it’s a polished arcade-style title that will be enjoyable even if you’ve never watched a Bruce Lee movie.
The game is pretty punishing later on, but you feel like a true martial arts master when everything goes your way.
6Columns Crown
A Criminally Underrated Puzzler
Columns Crown
The GBA has its fair share ofpuzzle games, but I never see anyone talk aboutColumns Crown.
Columns Crownis a straightforwardgem-matching gameat its core. The gameplay is pretty simple. Match three gems of the same color to make them disappear.
However, like all great puzzle games, there’splenty of nuance and strategyif you want to explore the title further.
The game also hasbattle-puzzler elements, where you duke it out against AI opponents. Speed and combos are rewarded, and it’s a solid entry for fans of the genre.
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5Konami Krazy Racers
A Forgotten Kart Racer
Konami Krazy Racers
It’s easy to forget other Kart racers exist on Nintendo systems whenMario Kartis flying around the speedway, looking so cool.
That said,Konami Krazy Racersis abold entry in the genreand tries to compete, even without the same iconic cast. Don’t get me wrong, the roster isn’t doomed from the start. I’m just saying the octopus from Parodius isn’t as popular as a certain Italian plumber.
As for the gameplay,Konami Krazy Racersdoes so many things right.Steering is responsive, and sliding around corners is wonderfully satisfying.
The graphics are great for the system and show off the stellar track pool, which will take you fromlush meadows to outer space. There’s also a decent selection of weapons because what would a Kart Racer be without them?
4Onimusha Tactics
A Portable Spin On A Legendary PS2 Game
Onimusha Tactics
Onimushais aphenomenal action-adventure gamewhere you let your samurai sword do the talking. I’ve already mentioned that many GBA versions of home console games bite off more than they can chew. Fortunately, that’s not the case here.
Onimusha Tacticsembraces the console limitations, trading intense action combat for something completely different. As you probably guessed by the title, fights are performed on a gridded map in atactical RPGstyle.
The choice works, and the title still captures the theme and atmosphere of the PS2 games. On top of that,Onimusha Tacticsis pretty accessible as a tactical RPG, making it agreat place to start with the genre.
3V-Rally 3
Get Someone Else To Wash Your Car
Eden Games
‘Realism’ is anunrealistic proposal on a small handheldlike the GBA, and many game developers at the time understood this and avoided it entirely.
That issue didn’t stop Eden Games from trying, and the result is one of the mostgraphically impressivegames on the system.V-Rally 3has exceptional visuals for the GBA, with decent vehicle sounds.
Controls are just ‘out of control’ enough for a rally game, and the varied locales look and feel different. There’s a solid driving title here, andV-Rally 3stretches the system’s capabilities with advanced features like an ‘interior camera.’ It’s optional, butthe windscreen even cracks if you crash, which is a lovely touch.
V-Rally 3impresses me on a technical level, but it’s also asuperb racerand a welcome break from fantasy-kart games.
2Ecks Vs. Sever
Who Vs. Who?
Ecks vs. Sever
Considering the GBA’s system limitations, you’d be forgiven for thinking the console can’t do first-person shooters. Butyou’d be wrong.
Ecks Vs. Severoffers abrave attempt at the FPS genreand feels surprisingly responsive, considering the lack of twin sticks for movement. You can move and turn with the d-pad, and strafing works well with the L and R buttons.
Players can choose between playing as Ecks or Sever, andtheir plots intertwineas you progress through the campaign.
The game is grounded in reality, with contemporary weapons and even a sniper rifle. Combat feels great, as most enemies only take a couple of shots to take down, and the gun sounds are pretty decent.
Strictly speaking,Ecks Vs. Severisn’t the only first-person shooter on the handheld, and games like the legendaryboomer shooterDoomtranslate quite nicely to the console. Still, this one is worth checking out if you want a shooter with a unique story.
1Super Dodge Ball Advance
Remember The Five D’s Of Dodgeball
Super Dodge Ball Advance
Super Dodge Ball Advanceis a sports game withso much nuance and complexitythat it begs to be replayed over and over.
I was taken aback when I playedSuper Dodge Ball Advancefor the first time, as it’s not a sport I associate with depth. The video game adaptation isfull of intricacies, from picking positions to many different ways to throw the ball.
There areover 50 unique ‘super throws,‘and the title is oozing with replayability as you unlock new teams by beating the tournament mode.
You could argue the game is too complex for its own good, but I firmly believe it’s part of what makes the title charming.
