In 2001 Nintendo introduced the successor to its immensely popular Game Boy and Game Boy Color line of handhelds, the Game Boy Advance. The GBA featured 32-bit processing coupled with a 240 by 160 resolution and a 15-bit color palette. These technological advancements resulted in gameplay that rivaled that of their own Super Nintendo, while still being fully portable.
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In the February 2023Nintendo Direct, it was finally unveiled that Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games would be arriving to theNintendo SwitchOnline service. At launch, the Game Boy Advance selection consists of six classics, leaving plenty of room for more. Here are some Game Boy Advance games we want to see on Nintendo Switch Online.
10WarioWare Twisted
TheWarioWareseries of microgame collections acted as a soft reboot for Wario as a character. The introduction of the series’ first title WarioWare Inc: Mega Microgames, allowed Nintendo freedom to express some of the quirky Japanese culture into the gameplay. Microgames play out like bite-sized simplified minigames, with a brief time limit to complete the outlined task.
The second entry, WarioWare: Twisted, took advantage of the cartridge’s built-in gyro sensor and rumble feature. The microgames’ usage of motion as their primary control scheme creates a unique experience unlike anything else on the Game Boy Advance. Nintendo Switch controllers support motion and rumble, making WarioWare Twisted the perfect addition to the Nintendo Switch Online catalog.
9Pokemon Emerald
WhenPokemonRuby and Sapphire first graced the Game Boy Advance, the series felt like it was taking a big jump forward. Between the two versions over 130 new Pokemon were added, along with new abilities, double battles, and an enhanced storage system. Continuing the trend first started in generation one, a third pillar penultimate game was released, Pokemon Emerald.
Pokemon Emerald combines the best elements and Pokemon from both Ruby and Sapphire, as well as allowing you to catch all three legendaries. Additionally, a fleshed-out post-game challenge, Battle Frontier, is available after completing the Pokemon League. All of the bonus content and quality-of-life features make Pokemon Emerald the definitive Game Boy Advance Pokemon experience.
8Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
The Game Boy Advance had quite a few exclusiveMariogames. One of the console’s biggest criticisms, however, was that it never received a new traditional Mario platformer, instead opting for remakes of his SNES outings. The GBA did, however, receive an entirely new Mario puzzle platformer, Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
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The game was initially developed as an updated remake of the 1996 Game Boy release of Donkey Kong. Production on the remake came to a halt, shifting into what would become an entirely new subseries. While the gameplay of Mario vs. Donkey Kong remains identical to the original Game Boy Donkey Kong, the level design, pre-rendered graphics, and overarching Mini Mario plot greatly differ. The game received multiple sequels, however, the platforming gameplay would be replaced in favor of drastically different touch controls.
7Metroid: Zero Mission
The originalMetroidis one of the most influential games released in the ’80s. Metroid andCastlevaniaare to thank for the creation of the ever-growing Metroidvania sub-genre. Nintendo took thatNESclassic and overhauled it into a completely new experience for the Game Boy Advance, Metroid: Zero Mission.
While Metroid: Zero Mission features the same plot line as the NES original, the ample additions make it feel like an entirely different game. Inclusions such as the Charge Beam and Gravity Suit make a return from Super Metroid, as well as new items such as the Power Grip and Fusion Suit. The game also features an entirely new prologue chapter, which directly ties in with the events ofMetroid Prime.
6Densetsu No Stafy 3
Nintendo is known for leaving many of its projects locked to the Japanese region. One game that never saw a release outside of Japan is Densetsu no Stafy, or The Legendary Starfy. This marine platformer sees you taking control of an anthropomorphic starfish, on a quest to restore peace to his underwater habitation. The fourth entry in The Legendary Starfy would see a release in the United States and Australia, on theNintendo DS, leaving all four previous releases out to sink.
Any of Starfy’s Game Boy Advance adventures would be right at home on the Nintendo Switch. The third and final Starfy game on GBA, Densetsu no Stafy 3, featured vastly improved level design, as well as cameo appearances western Nintendo fans will appreciate. The addition of Stafy 3’s multiplayer-compatible mini-games would also be a great utilization of the Nintendo Switch Online service’s online multiplayer capabilities.
5Mario Party Advance
Mario Partyis renowned for being an easy-to-pick-up multiplayer experience. Getting together with friends to compete in mini-game challenges has always been best suited as a console experience. When Nintendo decided to interpret Mario Party as a traditional Game Boy Advance game, Mario Party Advance, many drastic changes were implemented to better suit a portable device.
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Mario Party Advance’s main focus is on the single-player mode known as Shroom City. Consisting of a large board game-like map, Mario Party fans will be familiar with, Shroom City hosts an abundance of quests, which will unlock mini-game challenges for you to complete. Mario Party Advance’s less traditional approach to the Mario Party formula feels incredibly unique, and is a format, unlike anything the series has attempted since.
4Banjo Pilot
We were all saddened byMicrosoft’sacquisition ofRarein the early ’00s. While many of their planned projects were scrapped, a couple of games trickled out onto the Game Boy Advance. One of those games happens to be Banjo Pilot, a kart-racer spin-off ofBanjo-Kazooie.
Initially conceived as a Diddy Kong Racing spinoff, Banjo Pilot uniquely uses airplanes as the exclusive means of traversal. The gameplay remains identical to more traditional kart racers, with the addition of extra maneuverability that allows you to also move vertically. Banjo Pilot with Nintendo Switch Online service’s online multiplayer support would have us on cloud nine.
3Mario Golf: Advance Tour
During theNintendo 64andGameCubeera, Camelot developed both a console and handheld variation of their well-knownMario TennisandMario Golfseries. While the console games mainly focused on enhancing the gameplay, the Game Boy entries offered up a full RPG single-player mode.
Mario Golf: Advance Tour’s RPG follows a similar story to its Game Boy Color predecessor. You take on the role of a rookie golfer who enters multiple tournaments to eventually take on the greatest golfer of all time, Mario. Characters from the Mario universe act as celebrities within the game’s world, and seeing them clash with traditional golfers adds charm and personality. The legacy lives on in its influence in other role-playing golf games such asGolf Story. WhileMario Golf: Super Rushbrought back an RPG-inspired single-player adventure, it doesn’t compare to the fleshed-out campaign found in Mario Golf: Advance Tour.
2Sonic Advance
After theSonic the Hedgehogseries transitioned to 3D-style gameplay, the quality inconsistencies were ever apparent. Fans of Sonic eagerly awaited the blue blur’s return to the more traditional 2D side-scrolling that made him the platforming icon of the Sega Genesis. Shortly after Sega’s departure as a first-party console manufacturer, they began work on Sonic Advance.
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Sega would go on to publish three Sonic Advance games throughout the lifespan of the Game Boy Advance. Each entry offered unique twists to the traditional Sonic formula while still retaining the speed and momentum we have come to know and love. The first Sonic Advance game in many ways felt like a true successor to Sonic The Hedgehog 3, thanks to its fast gameplay and effective usage of the GBA’s visual capabilities.
1Mother 3
WhenEarthboundwas originally released on the Super Nintendo, it received little critical reception. The quirky RPG was reviewed well, however, it faded more into obscurity. It was not until the SNES’s discontinuation that Earthbound became a sleeper hit, gaining popularity around the world. Releasing exclusively in Japan, the Game Boy Advance received a sequel in the form ofMother 3, which was initially planned as a Nintendo 64 DD exclusive.
Mother 3 continued the series top-down exploration-based role-playing with an all-new cast of characters. Fans have known of Lucas through his appearances inSuper Smash Bros.as a fighter, however, those outside of Japan have yet to experience his game of origin. Fans have been begging Nintendo to localize this late GBA release for multiple console generations, and there is no better opportunity than the Nintendo Switch Online service.
