Gameboy Advance a.k.a. GBA was available for almost a decade and is still thought-out to be one of the most prosperous handheld devices.

Allegedly, there are over a thousand GBA games which are available. Even though it was not the most powerful, the prettiest console ever, the Game Boy Advance (GBA) console itself sold over 85 million units. Despite being an old console, many of the original games are available online.

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In this article, I will talk about top 20+ Gameboy Advance games that you can play on your device to enjoy your time.

An extensive list of the best Gameboy Advance (GBA). Top 20+ games that will make your time more amusing.

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) is a handheld video game console which was developed, assembled and sold by Nintendo. It was released for the first time in Japan on March 21, 2001.

Top 20 GBA games that are still worth playing today

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

If you are a fan of racing games, then this is the one you must play. Without mentioning this well-known game, this article would not be complete. There are dozens of hours of gameplay right from the very beginning.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing Mario Kart since you were a kid or this is your first time with the series.  Nintendo has accommodated this game to work just for you.

Players can choose from 42 Nintendo-themed characters, including a few new ones like Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy from Splatoon. All tracks and characters are available from the start. The only content that is not unlocked is the various kart and bike parts such as bodies, wheels, and gliders.

2. Wario Ware Inc

WarioWare is one of those franchises I always liked, despite the array of weird directions they have taken. Every series does have its humble beginnings. If you never played a Wario Ware game before, you are in for a surprisingly fun journey.

There are a bunch of endless games, and those will unlock when certain conditions are met. There are also four two-player minigames, and in the original, you would be both holding onto on the shoulder buttons of the GBA. Also, each player can use their controller and play the game on the TV.

The characters have their themes, and they are colourfully represented.  WarioWare, Inc: Minigame Mania is a fun game.  It brought constant smiles to my face while I played it.

3. Golden Sun: The Lost Age

This is a story about ancient times when alchemy turned humanity toward a thriving civilisation. But a new party seeks to unlock the lighthouses & release the alchemic forces. When the alchemy was sealed in elemental lighthouses, their corrupting influence was removed.  You are joining up with a party and using powers to control that element.

In Golden Sun: The Lost Age you will reactivate the power of alchemy and try to bring forth another golden age! The story continues where the original left off, Jenna's point of view in the Venus Lighthouse.

This game is one exciting turn-based combat which combines with immersive puzzle-solving and a compelling storyline for thrilling role-playing action. There are Djinns which you have to collect to boost your power and character statistics. Also, you can play this game simultaneously with your friend through GameLink cable.

4. Sonic Advance

This Gameboy Advance product takes themes and ideas which are established in the original Sonic the Hedgehog series while adding new elements brought up in his more modern adventures on the Dreamcast. Sonic Advance is a strict side-scrolling platformer that moves through more than twelve different levels in six separate environments.

The task is straightforward. The goal is to get to the end of the round uninjured. Take a hit and any rings, that Sonic has collected along the way, explodes out of his grip. As long as he holds onto one ring, he'll survive any hit from an enemy.

5. Gunstar Super Heroes

This is an old-school game with simple movements but with a high level of energy thanks to the development. This is a Gameboy Advance game that pulls off every sprite trick in the book to wow the gamer, pushing the handheld hardware every which way possible. Blue and Red characters ( those are their real names; Red wears red, Blue wears blue) have to do whatever it takes to prevent a crystal which has high power from falling into the hands of a vicious empire which plans to revive the God of Ruin!

Both characters take distinct paths to achieve the same goal. The choice of the level difficulty will also affect the routes you take.  Both characters are the same warrior with similar abilities and challenges.

This brilliant action game pushes the GBA as hard as it can while offering some seriously tight and fun gameplay throughout the special effects display.

6. Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Kirby is cute and cuddly. His day consists of him sucking up enemies and swallowing them. In this GBA game, our character wanders about his magical land hoping to find enemies who are blocking platforms that he needs to use to get to the next area.

Kirby’s plot is nothing but pure brilliance. The game relies strictly on the sheer addictive nature of platforming with Kirby to keep you playing. Kirby is your modern knight, fighting through over more worlds for the rights of him and his friends.  Kirby’s platforming is satisfying to play through. I was able to finish the game in just one sitting. I never got bored with it. The level design is also entertaining.

7. Mega Man Zero

Mega Man Zero is a GBA action game. It offers familiar 2D side-scrolling gameplay which has clever level structure. Also, it provides satisfaction during playtime because it has incredible power-up system and more, such as beautiful 2D graphics and animation.

The cool thing is that you can take your pick from several available levels that open up, once you have defeated a level.

The GBA's sprite effects are also put to use throughout the adventure, especially during the boss battles. The design produced for the Gameboy Advance is a great, challenging one. It consists of many different missions. In my opinion, this is a non-stop action which gives you the satisfying display of explosions and other effects.

8. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is the game where the plot is set in the future which is very interesting, I must say. The year is 2035, 36 years after Castlevania was permanently imprisoned inside an eclipse over Europe. The game itself is relatively short, but I must confess that it is the best of GBA Castlevania games.

This is probably the most original story ever in a Castlevania game. First of all, as I already mentioned, it is set in the future. Second, your quest is not to defeat Dracula. And third, the main and supporting characters are very cool.

Genya Arikado, who plays the mysterious, brooding unofficial leader of the vampire hunters, is a cool individual, but he is also hiding a secret that makes him even cooler. There’s also J who is the mysterious amnesiac who carries the great Vampire Killer whip. And last but not least Graham, the villain of the story. He is an interesting fellow, nonetheless. These are not all characters. There are more of them, and they are interesting too.

9. F-Zero: Maximum Velocity

In this Gameboy Advance, you're a competitor in a race series which are set shortly. Each race is five laps long, and you have to finish in a specific position in the field of eight to continue racing. It would be too easy and a little bit boring if you have to do this, but to make matters slightly more interesting, the barriers on each side of the racecourse are electrified, and if you stray onto them you lose speed, and your power bar gradually starts draining until you die. On more massive tracks with narrow causeways, things become quite tricky.

The game is full of useful items.  There are some twenty tracks to learn and overcome, and four difficulty levels: beginner, standard, expert and master as you work your way through the various races you earn cars with improved vital statistics that make races less of a trouble.

10. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

This GBA game is a stirring example of how great Nintendo’s tactical RPG series can be. Originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2005, the gameplay remains sharp and requires keen attention and calculating manoeuvres to win the many turn-based battles. Units offer a range of skills and each type, or weapon class has strengths and weaknesses.

There are over thirty classes to master, but there is also a limited number of troops that can enter a battle. To find the right combination of characters, and then use their specific advantages in the struggle, is no small feat, I must say. As you can imagine, the game gets more complicated as it goes on, with more characters joining.

11. Wario Land 4

Wario Land 4 was initially released in Japan as Wario Land Advance: Yoki’s Treasure. This is a platform game which was developed by Nintendo Research and Development 1 by Nintendo for the Gameboy Advance.

In this game, Wario has to gather four treasures to unlock a pyramid and save Princess Shokora from The Golden Diva.

Upon creating a new save file, the player can select a game mode to play. There are regular, hard, and S-hard options. When we talk about controls, Wario has several different moves in Wario Land 4. You need to master each one of them is essential for progressing in the game.

12. Mario vs Donkey Kong

This is a game that melds elements from several different Mario/Donkey Kong games but also adds new content. Mario vs Donkey Kong is a puzzle game released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. Donkey Kong has stolen Mini-Marios from Mario’s Toy Factory! Mario is chasing him through eight worlds and must battle Donkey Kong, saving Minis along the way.

I must notice that the Game Boy title introduced keys, levers, and magic platforms that you could place. Mario also has a handstand, a triple jump, and even a backflip.

Gameplay is simple. You have over a hundred levels to explore and several new modes.

13. Pokémon Emerald

It’s your mission to travel forth into the world and capture animals called Pokémon! This GBA game comes with over 200 different creatures. The ability to take on trainers that specialise in specific Pokémon types, moves, etc. is given to you. Enjoy it!

The more a Pokemon fights, the stronger it’ll become, attaining a myriad of powerful moves and astounding abilities. The battle system has developed into an art form with deep strategy and dozens of steps.  The Pokemon journey is an epic adventure for sure.

By using the Nintendo Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, you can trade and battle wire-free with other players. Or you can use the Game Link Cable to do that.

14. Advance Wars

There is a lot to this Gameboy Advance game. For anyone who enjoys strategy games, this one is addictive, even if the animations look a bit cartoony. Also, the storyline may come off as a bit childish and is very simple; a blue army fights against a red army. Nevertheless, this game is more than impressive.

This game offers you 114 battle maps and even the map creation mode. Single system and multisystem multiplayer are included.

The game offers a diverse assortment of tanks, ships, planes, anti-aircraft artillery and troop transporters, etc.

15. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Your primary job is to collect the four fundamental elements: water, fire, earth and wind and combine them with your sword. As you progress through the game, the problem-solving aspects become more complex. The Minish Cap has an exciting level design which is different from the previous The Legend of Zelda titles. This GBA game displays a nice little touch that shows how far the 2D titles have come in development.

The funny part of this game is that the enemy design in this game is poorly executed that you are more likely to take damage from the environment than from actual opponents. Another good thing about this game is that it consists of plenty of items and several dungeons and has a vast number of characters, besides the main ones, such as Great fairies, Hylians, pets, Blade brothers, etc.

16. Final Fight One

Final Fight One is an arcade action game which is, the most faithful port of, not that famous, Final Fight which was released in the late 1980s. Final Fight One is undoubtedly a must-have in your GBA collection. This game has six levels and a unique boss within each level. Also, each character has his unique dialogue with each boss. Enemies must be thrown, punched, smashed or stabbed.

Game’s graphics are pretty good; the game seems sharp on the GBA. Besides the graphics, I have to praise the gameplay with new dialogues inserted.

Further, there's a two-player link mode and five different difficulty levels.

17. Astro Boy: Omega Factor

This is an action game which was published by Sega in 2003 for the GBA. The main character is a robot boy created by a man called Doctor Tenma. Astro Boy who attacks enemies using high-powered punches and kicks which can also knock enemies into other ones and destroy them as well. He can perform special attacks which are required in some situations.

In spite of having levels and enemy situations that are nearly as difficult as Metal Slug, the gameplay
experience is much different.  There’s shooting in this game, but it’s not the primary form of combat. In this game, there are cool movements, but the exciting thing is that your only line of defence is dashing.

The game usually saves after each battle which is a good thing because you certainly won’t beat it in a day. Maybe in two or three if you are hardcore.

18. Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend

Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend is a 2003 action beat them up developed for the Gameboy Advance. While you're playing this game, you're controlling a well-known martial Artist Bruce Lee who plays the role of Hai Feng. His teacher is murdered, and our character is out to avenge the death of his martial arts master.

This is a one-player game where you can enjoy in an impressive array of punishing moves punches, kicks, blocks, back punches, split kicks. Unlockable and plenty of combos, make this game an instant classic. My opinion is that this is more than average karate fighting game. The graphics and background are clear. The acoustics and pounding seem so real, and there is plenty of action, flipping, bouncing, weapon-grabbing and plenty of different characters to fight.

19. Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu

This is the story of the well-known DC Superhero called Batman. It was developed and published by Ubi Soft in conjunction with Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. The Rise of Sin Tzu: Sin Tzu makes history as the first Batman character to debut in a videogame.

Play the game and battle the evil forces of Gotham City by yourself or with a friend. Two Players can fight the forces of evil as the Dynamic Duo: Batman and Robin. More, you can choose to control Nightwing or Batgirl!

There is an exciting thing that I must point up – There is also a challenge mode in which players, either cooperatively or competitively take on groups of thugs without a storyline.

20. Madden NFL 07

Madden NFL 07 is an American football video game based on the NFL. It is the first in the video game series to be released for the PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles as launch titles and the last one to be released on the Game Boy Advance.

If you are a fan of sports games, this is the one you can try, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. Graphically, Madden 07 is smoother than last year's game, but fundamentally it's almost exactly like Madden 06. Although some annoying problems can occur (random gameplay bugs), this is a cool game with some few new minigames.

21. Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc

This GBA game is full of some unique set pieces like the ethereal crystal castle and the house of mirrors, where platforms are only visible in their reflection. The game does eventually settle into a bit of a pattern platforming puzzle, hoodlum fight, platforming puzzle and a hoodlum fight at the same time, boss fight, and so on. But the actual action itself is engaging and unique that by the time you've become acutely aware of the pattern.

Rayman 3 is a pretty short game, and most players won't take much time to finish it. Rayman has always been a platforming hero, with the jumping and the punching and the grappling and the gliding. Rayman 3 expands considerably on the lead character's abilities. This game puts a greater focus on combat than previous entries. The character is better equipped too.

22. Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid Zero Mission is an action/adventure game and is a fantastic remake of the original Metroid. A good thing about this game is that after completing the quick game, there's even an entirely new mission. When you start playing it, you are put in the suit of Samus Aran in a 2D side-scrolling, exploration-based platforming shooting game.

Metroid’s plot is about exploration and travels. To do so, you will get abilities such as the morph ball that let you roll through tight tunnels and the high jump. These are not all abilities that you possess; some new are added from previous Metroid games.

23. Drill Dozer

This atypical 2D platformer is worth a look. If you want to be Jill, who has been made the temporary boss of a gang of bandits known as the Red Dozers, you should play this game. The group also stole a Red Diamond, a gift that was given to Jill by her dead mother. It's up to you and your group to get the diamondback. But be aware, along the way you will meet a cast of characters, many other diamonds and multiple areas of fun.

Drill Dozer is an atypical 2D platform game. The foundation of the gameplay comes from the machine Jill rides around in, the titular Drill Dozer by whom the game got the name. The display of Drill Dozer is pleasant. This late released GBA game features beautiful 2D backgrounds and character sprites. The environments are detailed, while the sprites are well.

24. Metal Slug Advance

Here is my favourite! My friends and I think that anyone who didn't play this game didn't have a childhood.  Its development and design are entirely original to the GBA. Players have a significant number of weapons; they can pilot large tanks, and the rescued hostages leave the scene after offering up a hearty salute to their hero.

You can keep track of the different hostages you have rescued. But the hook is that you have to get through a mission on a single try. The game forgets the checkpoint location if the player turns off the system, so if you want to solve the whole mission, you must not shut down the game.

25. Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors

The Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors is a series of fighting games based on the Dragon Ball franchise. The first game, Dragon Ball Z Supersonic Warriors was developed and released for the Game Boy Advance on June 22, 2004.

This game features one of the best single player modes for a Dragonball Z game ever. The mode also has enough depth that you will get a decent amount of gameplay playing through it. Not like in a cartoon, the game mechanics don't quite keep to the traditional one-on-one fighting design, but that's the nature of this game. While you are in combat with another character/player, you combine strong and weak attacks to make a combo. Each character has its own three ‘Certain Kills' that deal massive damage.

26. The Pinball of the Dead

If you are a fan of the pinball (who isn't?), then try this one that has original table design, challenging play. In this GBA game, everything is combined to make it hard to put this one down. Furthermore, it combines excellent visuals, good sound effects and music. It had me at zombies at pinball! So, fans of The Walking Dead bring it on! For those, this is a must-have.

There are just so many features and to unlock in this game. In this pinball game, which features three pinball tables, Wondering, Movement and Cemetery, you have to save the table with the silver ball. It is an extremely addictive game and funny enough to take your mind of everyday situations.  The Pinball of the Dead is undoubtedly a fine-looking, great-sounding, fun-filled game

Conclusion

It’s never late for a Gameboy Advance! Eighteen years ago is considered to be an extended period, but when it comes to the GBA, it isn't. This little thing can save your day while you're stuck in traffic or while you are bored because your friend is late.

There are plenty of games that can be played on this console. It brings me back to my childhood every single time I use it. So, if you want a retrospect, go ahead! Come on, and it was Nintendo's third handheld game platform. Also, it was released in three significant hardware variations. One more reason to go, it supports a vast software library.

To close this article just with one question: Which GBA game will you play tonight?