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[HeadsUpSevenUp]

The NDS has been out for a little over a year, and its fans are so rabid that every game that has even the slightest ounce of fun or creative juice in it has been discovered and squeezed out. We know how great they think Ouendan is, and how much fun they have with Band Bros. jam sessions. We know that Ping Pals and Marvel Nemesis are abominations.

The GBA library is vast and daunting. Many games like Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi were never localized and provided a language barrier, but were translated by fans. Others weren't so lucky. Of course, some don't even need translating because their concept is self-explanatory. Some games just plain didn't sell well despite being very good.

What's so great about Hachiemon, Guru Logic Champ, Starfy, etc.? Why didn't Car Battle Joe or Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars sell well? Why do people make this topic on GAF every month?

Which GBA games flew under the radar of the GAF sleuths?

 

[radios shipping overview]

Double Dragon Advance is pretty excellent, but didn't seem to get much attention, here or anywhere. It's a great update to the original and is one of the best beat 'em ups I've played on any system. More importantly, it wasn't diluted in the transition to a portable format.

 

[Ronabo]

Karnaaj Rally.

Don't let one of the worst box arts fool you. There is a great looking and playing racing game in there.

 

[Wario64]

Sabrewulf

 

[inthegray]

ninja cop/ninja 5-0 got some recognition here, but is a pretty low-profile game for the GBA that was rad. ninja rad.

 

[Beezy]

ffta!

Get outta here with that shit.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

ninja cop/ninja 5-0 got some recognition here, but is a pretty low-profile game for the GBA that was rad. ninja rad.

I really liked that game.

 

[Mama Smurf]

People seem to really like Starfi and say the language isn't much of a barrier, but I must be be a complete retard as I just could not work out what to do at one point. I kept going round in circles and talking to some creature and it obviously was telling me to do something, but I never worked out what.

Seemed fun enough, I really have no idea why Nintendo wouldn't think it ok for translation.

 

[Teddman]

Fun gameplay could be described as Mario Kart Battle Mode meets 2D RPG's. Plus, it has Yozo Koshiro's best soundtrack since the Streets of Rage days.

 

[darscot]

Karnaaj Rally.

Don't let one of the worst box arts fool you. There is a great looking and playing racing game in there.

I'ld like to second this one. It's probable my most played GBA racer.

 

[fr4nz]

Moto Racer Advance.

Fast, great distance of drawing and very fun. Lot of cups and stuff to unlock.

I love it.


Oh, and if you like Karnaaj, try Racing Gear Advance .... this one rox too

 

[Unison]

[16:18] demi: post Denki Blocks and Rebelstar Tactical Command
[16:19] demi: Racing Gears Advance
[16:20] Unison: Kururin Paradise is one of the top 5 GBA games no doubt
[16:21] Hyoushi: Mario vs. Donkey Kong

 

[sammy]

"Kirby: The Magic Mirror" is the best damn kirby game that ever did exist --- It's a healthy alternative to the only 2d exploration games out there - metroid, castlevania - with almost twice the map size - and fresher than them since the puzzle solving 'abilities' aren't franchise-established in your brain already.

It's a simple game to pick up and play, and almost as non-linear as the origional zelda. The 4-player is insanely awesome if you can hook that up (think 4-player metroid like map where you can be anywhere at anytime and teleport back to eachother)

the game has its puzzle-solving challenges that can stump you and get your ass lost if you aren't paying attention, or just thinking it's like any other kirby game. And the challenge is more about keeping a 'puzzle-solving' ability through a level, since you can lose them with a simple enemy bump.

 

[Naked Snake]

Doom II

 

[Matix]

-Astro Boy:
-Metal Slug Advance:
-Groove Adventure Rave (Import)
-Shaman King
-Fire Pro Wrestling 2
-Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
-Super Puzzle Fighter

 

[Sho Nuff]

I just saw the new GBA with the uber backlight and HOLY SHIT is that a magnificent screen. Even brighter and contrastier than the PSP's IMHO. I kinda don't know what I'd wanna play on it tho :/

 

[Unison]

I just saw the new GBA with the uber backlight and HOLY SHIT is that a magnificent screen. Even brighter and contrastier than the PSP's IMHO. I kinda don't know what I'd wanna play on it tho :/

Kururin Paradise looks so fucking beautiful on this new and improved GBA.

 

[Joseph Merrick]

Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament

 

[Blackbird]

[16:18] demi: post Denki Blocks and Rebelstar Tactical Command
[16:19] demi: Racing Gears Advance
[16:20] Unison: Kururin Paradise is one of the top 5 GBA games no doubt
[16:21] Hyoushi: Mario vs. Donkey Kong

demi sure knows his games. *bow*

 

[Unison]

OMFG!

 

[jgkspsx]

My favorite obscure GBA games are, without question:
- Racing Gears Advance
- Car Battler Joe (just beat this, but it seems like the post-game could go on forever. At first it rubbed me the wrong way, but damn do I love it now)
- Chu Chu Rocket (best GBA puzzler, gets no respect)

Kururin Paradise not so much -- too short and not as enjoyable as what I played of the first. Still worth a purchase, though.

 

[Unison]

Kururin Paradise not so much -- too short and not as enjoyable as what I played of the first. Still worth a purchase, though.

It's way longer than the first and has way more achivements to unlock!

 

[citrus lump]

Urban Yeti and Turbo Turtle. No, seriously.



"get ready to yeti"

 

[BuckRobotron]

A good batch of very playable classics, some such as Frogger and Scramble getting graphical updates. And when found, it is usually only $10-15.

Though it seems there is a revised version out now:

 

[Diseased Yak]

I just saw the new GBA with the uber backlight and HOLY SHIT is that a magnificent screen. Even brighter and contrastier than the PSP's IMHO. I kinda don't know what I'd wanna play on it tho :/

Hmm, I'm so confused as to which to get: a Gameboy Micro or the new SP2... I really, really don't like playing GBA games on the DS since it shrinks the screen somewhat (not filling in the entire DS screen) but it looks SOOO much better than the old SP screen that I can't go back to that.

What would you guys recommend?

Anyway, on topic, I'd say these:

Astro boy
Car Battle Joe

Or just get Gunstar Super Heroes and be done with it...

 

[AndoCalrissian]

Well, both the Micro and especially SP2 have better screens than the DS. I just got a micro for christmas and I love it!

 

[Musashi Wins!]

most of my favorites have been mentioned, here are two excellent games I've never seen mentioned on here:

just a fantastic 2D arcade/war title. Seriously fun.

the only really fun game in the series, imo. great amount of game here for the gba, and just a lot of fun building up the cars through racing mario kart like tracks.

 

[DDayton]

A good batch of very playable classics, some such as Frogger and Scramble getting graphical updates. And when found, it is usually only $10-15.

Though it seems there is a revised version out now:

Ok, if that's the SAME game, that's the third revision to its boxart...

Are there ANY differences in the game itself? Or do they just keep changing the cover?

 

[BuckRobotron]

Green Beret is listed on the (apparently) newer version instead of Rush'n Attack. Never heard of it before but screens seem to show it as simply a renamed Rush'n Attack...

Wonder what the deal is with the change of titles.

Edit: Ahh, lack of ESRB rating and fact that R'nA was "known as Green Beret outside of the US" according to KLOV.com must explain this different box listed on Amazon.com. And indeed saw it on some UK sale sites.

 

[Tarazet]

Monster Rancher Advance 2 is a game that anyone who likes Pokemon should try out, because it's 200 times better and easily the best game of its kind. It has the same addictive quality MR2 did on the PSX, but the sprite animation is a huge improvement over the ugliness that was Tecmo's 3D on the Playstation.

Also, regardless of whether it's under the radar or not, you need Mario & Luigi.

 

[captainbiotch]

I had a lot of fun with River City Ransom for about ten hours. meh, I got nothin else, mainstream gaming only for me.

 

[ghibli99]

Most of the unknowns have been mentioned, but I'll throw in a +1 for those selections:

Ninja Five-O: As close to Shinobi, Rolling Thunder and Umihara Kawase Shun as you're likely to get on the GBA. Sold about 2 copies, but got pretty high acclaim across the board, and I dig it. Konami actually put some time into this one.

Rebelstar Tactical Command: If you're a fan of X-COM, you already have this, but yeah, I believe it's from the same team and came out with pretty much no fanfare.

Karnaaj Rally: Holy-crap-that's-bad boxart and character designs, but the game was actually really fun and had cool effects for being a top-down racer. Really fun, too.

I liked the Klonoa GBA games, but they lack the emotional element and magic touch that the PS1/PS2 games have. The level design is great, and the puzzles are good, but I'll be happy if the next Klonoa game (if there is one) doesn't have those water surfing stages.

 

[Hydro_Alexis]

Yeh golden sun is the shit too bad i am stuck at the minute, double dragon advance was a bitch to find but those first two levels music make it worfit.

Street fighter 2 x/Alpha 3 are both worth getting.

 

[RaymondCarver]

What is this? I want it~~~!!!!!

It looks like Uniracers turned to a puzzle.

 

[Tarazet]

That would be Kururin Paradise.

 

[jgkspsx]

It's way longer than the first and has way more achivements to unlock!

I didn't say it was shorter than the first, I said I didn't enjoy it as much

It's still great, and it's a shame it didn't escape Japan, but it's not in my top 3.

 

[inthegray]

most of my favorites have been mentioned, here are two excellent games I've never seen mentioned on here:

just a fantastic 2D arcade/war title. Seriously fun.

oh shit, i forgot all about this one... definitely a must-play. has some of the best portable stealth-gameplay out there.

 

[djtiesto]

People seem to really like Starfi and say the language isn't much of a barrier, but I must be be a complete retard as I just could not work out what to do at one point. I kept going round in circles and talking to some creature and it obviously was telling me to do something, but I never worked out what.

Seemed fun enough, I really have no idea why Nintendo wouldn't think it ok for translation.

What part were you stuck on?

 

[djtiesto]

I'll say:

The Starfi series (was mentioned earlier)
CIMA:The Enemy
Car Battler Joe

I'll second a Ninja Five-O... but be prepared for a challenge... long levels that'll send you back to the beginning if you die.

 

[StorablePrawn]

+1 for Rebelstar Tactical Command. Best GBA game of 2005.

 

[ChryZ]