Summary
Around the late ’80s,Nintendofound itself dominating both the home and handheld console markets after launching theNESandGame Boywithin a few years of each other. Nintendo continued to develop new hardware for home entertainment and portable gaming until 2017, when it fused both concepts together to create a hybrid console you may have heard of, theNintendo Switch.
Updated on July 27, 2025, by Kyle Chamaillard:With the recent arrival of Wario Land 4, we’ve decided to update this article to see where it ranks against the other Game Boy Advance games on Nintendo Switch Online.
While most people will recognize Starfy from his role as an assist trophy inSuper Smash Bros., the bright mascot starred in a trilogy of games for the Game Boy Advance that was never available outside of Japan until now. If you enjoy simple and aesthetically pleasing platformers, the Starfy games are definitely worth checking out.
The first game in the series does an excellent job setting the tone and introducing important characters like Moe and Old Man Lobster, but, later entries improve this formula even further. Still, Densetsu no Stafy is a pleasant platformer with more charm than difficulty.
It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally a game that didn’t launch in North America will appear in Nintendo Switch Online’s virtual library. Kuru Kuru Kururin first appeared in Europe and Japan in 2001. Your main goal is to maneuver a spinning stick - known as the Heliren - through a series of mazes without touching the walls or obstacles.
Kuru Kuru Kururin may not be the most popular puzzle game, but the Heliren has become a recognizable mascot after appearing as an assist trophy in the Super Smash Bros. series multiple times. If you enjoy playing relaxing puzzle games before bed or during breaks, Kuru Kuru Kururin’s bite-sized stages aren’t too complicated and are unlike anything else on Nintendo Switch Online.
Densetsu no Stafy 2 successfully builds upon the foundation created by the first game and includes an impressive amount of fresh content despite only coming out a year after the original. With new levels to explore and underwater friends to help, this platformer is overflowing with fun and positive vibes.
It’s a small change, but Densetsu no Stafy 2 introduces the Stuff feature, allowing you to customize Starfy with clothes you may unlock by completing mini-games and clearing levels. Collectibles can be fun, but they are even better when you can actually use them to create a unique look for the main character.
Densetsu no Stafy 3 continues the story from the previous two titles and even introduces a new main character to work alongside Starfy as he faces Oguta again and tries to save the world. It might not have as many stages as the previous game, but the quality-of-life improvements help make this entry the best in the series.
There is a lot to do between the hidden collectibles and mini-games in Densetsu no Stafy 3, but the most impressive aspect of the game is its distinct personality. It was easy to compare the first couple of games to other platformers like Kirby and Yoshi, but the unique setting and tone allow this title to feel like its own entity.
F-Zero: Maximum Velocitywas the first entry in the series developed for a handheld device, and it made the transition onto the small screen perfectly. Featuring spectacular graphics and adrenaline-pumping races, Maximum Velocity is just as thrilling as other F-Zero titles and even includes multiplayer modes for up to four people.
With 20 new courses to race on and a roster of new faces to play with, it will take some time to master them all and become a famous pilot like Captain Falcon or Dr. Stewart. It’s great to have another F-Zero game on Nintendo Switch Online, but if you’re not a fan of the other games, Maximum Velocity doesn’t do anything different enough to bring in new players.
Kirbyrarely goes on adventures alone, often bringing companions like Waddle Dee or even enemies like King Dedede along with him to stop alien forces from destroying their planet. This trend is pushed forward in Kirby & the Amazing Mirror, the first mainline entry in the series with an emphasis on cooperative multiplayer and allowing up to four players to work together to escape the Mirror World.
Aside from the multiplayer aspect, Kirby and the Amazing Mirrorchanges up the series' usual formulaby introducing a Metroidvania-inspired map system that lets you tackle most stages in any order you like. There is a lot of fun to have either alone or with a couple of friends, but Amazing Mirror has a hard time stacking up to some of the other excellent Game Boy Advance Games on Nintendo Switch Online.
SinceSuper Mario Kartlaunched on theSNESin 1992, Nintendo has developed a new or expanded entry in the series for each of its following consoles. Mario Kart: Super Circuit was the first portable version of the popular game, and it ended up being one of the highest-selling titles on the Game Boy Advance of all time.
While a portable version of Mario Kart was a fantastic idea in 2001, Mario Kart: Super Circuit has never felt asinnovative or smooth as other entriesin the series. It features the same roster as Mario Kart 64, and the new maps are fun but not nearly as iconic as others. Super Circuit is worth checking out if you haven’t before, but you’re much better off playing either Super Mario Kart orMario Kart 8 Deluxe.
F-Zero Climax is the last game in the series, and it was exclusive to Japan until its arrival on Nintendo Switch Online. While F-Zero struggled to garner mainstream appeal during its final lap, the games were still a blast for anyone who loved the original’s unique and complex twists to the racing genre.
Climax is easily the best-looking entry in the series, and it’s the only one with a built-in track editor that allows you to create your own courses. There is a lot to like about Climax, though its shorter tracks make races feel a bit unfair at times. It’s a great entry for anyone with a need for speed, though it doesn’t feel nearly as ambitious as other F-Zero games.
As Nintendo continued to port older platformers onto the handheld device, it also seems like the motivation to add new content began to wane. While games like Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario World arrived on the Game Boy Advance with a plethora of extra content, the portable version of Yoshi’s Island was rather bare bones in comparison.
The original Yoshi’s Island is a fantastic platformer, and having the option to play it on the go was revolutionary when Super Mario Advance 3 shipped. But instead of receiving new modes or worlds to explore, the Game Boy Advance Version is essentially the original game with six additional levels. It’s still a blast, but it feels a bit empty compared to the other re-releases.
When the Game Boy Advance launched, it needed at least one Mario game beside it to compel audiences to upgrade their hardware. While a new title was unavailable, Nintendo ported Super Mario Bros. 2 with many new features, such as Super Mario Advance, which showcased the Game Boy Advance’s improved graphics and sound chip.
Though you’ve probably played through Super Mario Bros. 2 once or twice, the Super Mario Advance version changes things up with new enemies, such as the new boss at the end of World 3. An additional Yoshi Challenge also requires you to search for two hidden eggs in past levels without losing a life.
