Finally, inspired by the great DS and PSP games threads, this is the GBA games love thread GAF was asking for
Enjoy!
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ACTION
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Developer: Treasure
Publisher: Sega
Release: US 2004 | EU 2005
Description:
Treasure worked on a few games for the GBA..We're talking Tiny Toons all the way up to Gunstar Heroes. Astro Boy on the GBA was by far better than the Playstation 2 version. If you're a Treasure fan you owe it to yourself to pick this game up.
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Gunstar Future Heroes | Gunstar Super Heroes
Developer: Treasure
Publisher: SEGA
Release: US & EU 2005
Description:
This is old-school run/jump/blasting action, but with a high level of energy thanks to the development team's bells-and-whistles presentation. This is a GBA game that pulls off every sprite trick in the book to wow the gamer, pushing the handheld hardware every which way possible. But even though a lot of the focus was put on graphic techniques, gameplay doesn't sit on the sideline -- Gunstar Super Heroes is enormously fun with a game structure that throws a whole lot of variety at the gamer. This game is a huge blast to play.
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Megaman Zero
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 2
Publisher: Capcom
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
Outstanding 2D sidescroller, even with the Mega Man-esque gameplay limitations. There's lots of challenge here. It's hard but not overly so. Beautiful handdrawn backgrounds and stunning pixel animation for the character sprites. But the game can't really keep up with the action, with all that slowdown. Great digitized sound effects of explosions and other anime-style effects, but the music is routine and forgettable.
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Megaman Zero 2
Developer: Capcom / Inti Creates
Publisher: Capcom
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
If you're looking to get your ass kicked, this sequel's for you. If you loved the original Mega Man Zero there is absolutely no reason why you won't love this sequel...unless, of course, you're looking for a brand new gaming experience. What it lacks in new elements it makes up for it in tighter design and more ass-kicking level designs...don't think for a second that this game is going to be a simple trek through. If anything, it's an excuse to see just how much patience you have, and just how much gaming skill oozes from your fingertips. The game still looks great with excellent pixel animation.
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Megaman Zero 3
Developer: Capcom / Inti Creates
Publisher: Capcom
Release: US & EU 2004
Description:
It's fun, challenging, and even with the old GBA engine, the game looks great. If you haven't played the other two it might be tough to figure out what the heck's going on, but it shouldn't stop you from picking up the version with the best balance. 16 levels and you're through. But it's not an overnight game experience it'll take you a while. Wonderful sprite and handdrawn art used throughout the game. He's still a looker after all these years.
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Megaman Zero 4
Developer: Capcom / Inti Creates
Publisher: Capcom
Release: US & EU 2005
Description:
This is a continuation of what's already been established in Mega Man Zero, Zero 2, and Zero 3. But even with that noted, it also has to be mentioned that even with the dèjà vu all over again the game still works, especially if you haven't picked up any of the previous three games. To comment on the visuals and sound of Mega Man Zero 4 would be picking at the previous three games as well; this sequel simply reuses the same solid and impressive engine of Mega Man Zero 1, 2, and 3, adding new background and sprite elements, and changing up the cutscene artwork to fit the new scenario. Luckily, this scenario moves Zero out of the same base that's been used in the past sequels, so at the very least there's fresh blood in the location where this storyline takes place.
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River City Ransom EX
Developer: Million Co.
Publisher: Atlus
Release: US 2004 | EU Not released
Description:
River City Ransom EX is not the visually-stunning redux that could have been possible on GBA, and is also not the full-out sequel that some still dare to dream about, but it is an improved version of the game many of you fell in love with. And despite being a sparse as far as modern features and presentation, Atlus allowed the developers to explore to their heart's desire the founding basis of this great game: the gameplay.
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Ninja Five-O [US] | Ninja Cop [EU]
Developer: Hudson Soft
Publisher: Konami
Release: US 2003 | EU Not released
Description:
Ninja Five-O is a surprisingly great game that almost came out of nowhere; Konami released this game as quiet as can be, with relatively no previous hype. The game harkens back to the days of Ninja arcade games, and even though it borrows its gameplay elements from previous designs, it's not a me-too Game boy Advance game. A really fun action game with a lot of technique to master. The controls are really tight with excellent collision detection between the ninja and enemies.
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Super Ghouls'n Ghosts
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
This game is the most difficult game ever made But what's interesting is that as frustrating as it is, the game is still fun to play. The game should lighten up on gamers, at least in the first level, because there are some places that are just way too unfair to those just starting out. But even with the difficulty breaking the "expert" scale, this is a keeper...and it'll take you quite a few times through to see everything. Thankfully the game offers that necessary cartridge save. This game is definitely recommended...but take some stress pills before you boot up the cartridge.
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Double Dragon Advance
Developer: Million Co.
Publisher: Atlus
Release: US 2003 | JP 2004
Description:
The classic brawler returns in a slight update on the GBA. Enjoyable, but short. It's great that the game retains an old-school feel in an updated version on the Game Boy Advance, and as excellent fun as this brawler is on the GBA. It still looks classic Double Dragon even with updated character models and new frames of animation. It's a classic brawler, and the game's fun for the short time it lasts...especially when you learn all the new moves at the character's disposal. Its still no 30-hour marathon, but Atlus has added a whole lot to an already-excellent beat em up. If you need some classic thug-punching gameplay in your GBA then look no further than this little gem.
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Advance Guardian Heroes
Developer: Treasure
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: US & JP 2004 | EU 2005
Description:
Advance Guardian Heroes is a scrolling fighter videogame featuring over 20 controllable characters, more than 160 powerful moves to master, and many incredible multiplayer scenarios. Gamers play as one of three brand-new characters in an action-packed story of courage and sacrifice, upgrading and improving their powers as they progress. The graphics and Mode 7 effects are stunning, the music is epic and superb, and there are tons of options to choose from, including over 20 fighters to unlock and 160 attacks to master! The gameplay is solid action, not quite a fighting game, not quite an RPG, and always an action filled beat em up. It has its warts - mediocre extra modes, laughable text localization, occasional slowdown, a Story Mode that's over much too soon - but it also has fun and addictive gameplay with a lot of interesting features.
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ADVENTURE / ACTION ADVENTURE
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Developer: Flagship & Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: US & EU 2004
Description:
The Minish Cap is certainly worthy to sit among the best of the Zelda best. The main focus of The Minish Cap is the new ability to get small barely a couple of pixel's tall when the process is complete. Much of the time spent in mouse-sized form happens in the normal camera perspective since players will need to find the special Minish routes laid out in the normal-sized world.
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The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past w/ the Four Swords
Developer: Nintendo R&D2 / Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
The Game Boy Advance game is a 100% accurate port of the Super NES game, right down to the pixel. The GBA game uses all of the original art assets from the game released in 1993 for its graphics, which admittedly look a bit dated to today's standards and what the GBA can actually pull off. But it remains extremely faithful to the original, which will definitely please videogame purists; any slight alteration of the original game and you could definitely hear all the fanboy comparisons to the original SNES version.
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Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Developer: Konami TYO
Publisher: Konami
Release: US & EU 2003
Description:
Though it's a short quest if you accomplish only the bare minimum, it'll take a while to beat to get 100%. The game is as good, maybe a little better, than Harmony of Dissonance in terms of graphic effects. Lots of stuff going on. A definite improvement over the previous game in the series. There are still some forgettable pieces, but overall the soundtrack is great. It may not have a Belmont in the lead, but this is true Castlevania. The soul collecting element is an excellent addition that's handled extremely well.
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Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Developer: KCE Tokyo
Publisher: Konami
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
It's almost a no-brainer to learn that a new 2D Castlevania ends up being one of the best games on the system, but hey, it has to be said: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance is really great. The gameplay techniques, the graphics, the length of the quest, all top-notch. Outstanding use of the Game Boy Advance's sprite and background effects make it look almost as good, maybe better than Symphony of the Night.
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Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Developer: KCE Kobe
Publisher: Konami
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
Circle of the Moon is all about the gameplay -- and it's here where the game really shines. This is one of the best playing Castlevania games released. The world is huge, the boss creatures are massive in size and challenging to defeat. And the overall quest is extremely fulfilling, as the game will take several hours to complete in its entirety.
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Metroid Fusion
Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: US & EU 2002
Description:
The extensive plot in Metroid Fusion is excellent and engaging, even though it eventually takes the form of a familiar science fiction film in its surprises. But where the game really shines is in its overall gameplay. The developers take what's been established in Super Metroid for the SNES, Metroid for the NES, and Metroid II for the Game Boy, and follow that formula for Metroid Fusion's level design.
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Metroid Zero Mission
Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: US & EU 2004
Description:
Metroid: Zero Mission is not a remake of the original Metroid released on the Nintendo Entertainment System nearly 20 years ago. Instead, team members have taken situations, locations, and enemies from the 8-bit NES adventure, and reformulated an entirely new game design.
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