The Game Boy Advance (or simply GBA) is one of the most popular handhelds, especially for Nintendo fans.
With so many magnificent series and franchises, the GBA is surely perfect for hardcore fans.
For those of you who have played this remarkable handheld in the past, I bet you want to know the best GBA games of all time.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Sonic Advance 2
- Release Data: Dimps Corporation/Sega, 2003
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Once again, Eggman is trying to take over the world, and it’s up to Sonic and his pals to collect the Chaos Emeralds and thwart his plans.
The gameplay is a bit more difficult than the original game, but the new characters and fun graphics make it easy to keep trying.
#24. Astro Boy: Omega Factor
- Release Data: Hitmaker/Sega, 2004
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
This exciting action game has an interesting sci-fi story, including robot rebellions and time travel.
In it, you play as Astro Boy, a strong fighter with rocket boots.
Using a variety of attacks and powers, you smash your way through the game’s various levels.
#23. Golden Sun: The Lost Age
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Like the original Golden Sun, players explore an overworld map, entering various locations and engaging in turn-based battles.
This sequel puts a bigger emphasis on water exploration, as you spend a lot of time sailing around the world in your own ship.
#22. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise is packed with awesome skateboarding content, and Pro Skater 4 expands that in multiple ways.
The game has an open-ended Career mode, where you explore various maps and complete skating objectives.
You’ll be tasked with finding hidden items, beating trick scores, and much more.
#21. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Like Fire Emblem, this strategy game plays out on a grid-style board, with the player commanding their troops in turn-based battles.
You pick up new missions from pubs, which unlocks various location cards that you can place on the world map.
Overall, this is a fun strategy game with a deep clan-building mechanic and some great customization.
#20. WarioWare: Twisted!
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2005
- Genre: Casual » Party / Minigame
This WarioWare title came with a gyroscopic attachment that you plugged into your Game Boy Advance, sensing the movement of the system.
In short, this is one of the best WarioWare games in the entire franchise, due to its overall quality and smart use of motion controls.
#19. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
- Release Data: KCET/Konami, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
Like other games in the Castlevania series, you’ll travel through a huge castle with distinct areas, defeating monsters and gaining power.
The setting is unique; instead of the expected Medieval era of the other games, Aria of Sorrow takes place in the future.
Definitely a must-have.
#18. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- Release Data: KCEK/Konami, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
This fun side-scrolling adventure game blends classic Castlevania gameplay with fun RPG elements.
You’ll explore Dracula’s castle, finding new abilities that allow you to reach new areas.
Furthermore, there are four additional modes to play once you’ve completed the game, which adds a new layer of challenge.
#17. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
This fun port of the PlayStation 2 title makes the transfer over to the Game Boy Advance with grace.
The skateboarding feels fantastic, and the new revert mechanic allows you to pull off some crazy combos.
There’s also an awesome multiplayer mode to try out, so you and your friends can skate together in fierce competition.
#16. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Casual » Party / Minigame
This crazy compilation of quick micro-games contains over 200 different mini-games, covering nine different themes.
Each character in the game has a set of micro-games to complete quickly, with the speed of the game increasing.
The quick pace of the game makes it excellent for quick gaming sessions, and the massive variety ensures you’ll never get bored.
#15. Fire Emblem
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
In this excellent strategy title, players control their own army in huge wars.
Playing out on a grid, you command your troops into battle and select their movement.
Succeeding in Fire Emblem requires a good bit of planning, but you’re able to make your characters more powerful by leveling them up.
#14. Golden Sun
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
In this fantastical tale of mystery and power, you control four unique characters living in the world of Weyward.
The gameplay is a mix of overworld exploration and puzzle solving, with a mix of turn-based battles and party management.
You can find hidden spirits throughout the world called Djinns, which increase the power of your characters.
#13. Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2002
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This is a port of Yoshi’s Island for the Super Nintendo, and it keeps all the same features and gameplay from the original.
In the game, you play as a group of Yoshi dinosaurs attempting to carry Baby Mario to safety.
Yoshi’s Island is one of the best platforming games of all time, and it’s just as amazing on the GBA!
#12. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
- Release Data: Vicarious Visions/Activision, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Skate / Skateboard
In Career mode, you’ll complete various objectives while fighting the clock, unlocking new levels and earning new gear.
Objectives range from pulling off special stunts, beating scores, and finding hidden letters.
Solid gameplay, tons of unlockable content, and great graphics make this one of the best sports games on the system.
#11. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This sequel keeps the gameplay very similar to the original, but it continues the story and provides excellent gameplay.
Playing out on a grid, you move your military units and attack enemies, with some special goals on select levels.
With multiple modes and endless possibilities, this game has an insane amount of content.
#10. Metroid: Zero Mission
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2004
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
This remake of the classic Nintendo game Metroid is tons of fun, and features updated visuals and modern gameplay.
The game is well known for its smart use of level design and new abilities, encouraging players to explore the game.
This remake also adds some new bosses and areas, giving you more classic Metroid action!
#9. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
- Release Data: Flagship/Nintendo, 2005
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
This quirky Zelda adventure has the familiar gameplay the series is known for, while also introducing some fun new mechanics.
One of the main features of the game is shrinking, where Link can shrink down to the size of a bug and explore a tinier world.
The fun story and weird gameplay makes this a refreshing entry in the Zelda series.
#8. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
- Release Data: Alphadream Corporation/Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
In this Mario franchise spin-off, the beloved Italian brothers trade side-scrolling platforming for role-playing action.
The RPG mechanics are easy to understand and the battle system is welcoming to new players.
The colorful environments are made even better by a hilarious story and fun gameplay, making this a standout RPG.
#7. Final Fantasy VI Advance
- Release Data: TOSE/Square Enix, 2007
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Like other games in the Final Fantasy series, this entry tells a lengthy and complex story full of political intrigue, philosophy, and characters.
The story contains a few crazy twists and turns that will surely shock you, and the battle mechanics are fun and addictive.
Definitely don’t miss this one.
#6. Metroid Fusion
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2002
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
In this quality Metroid game, you explore the Biological Space Laboratory station, after an explosion unleashes a vicious virus.
Your new abilities allow you to reach areas of the map, encouraging you to backtrack and discover hidden locations.
Also, there are awesome boss fights to take on, as well as plenty of secrets to uncover.
#5. Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
This great kart racer has five unique modes of play, giving players plenty of fun options.
There are twenty tracks to race on, and three difficulty settings to try.
Regardless of what mode you choose, you’ll love playing this bright and cheerful racing game with your favorite Nintendo characters!
#4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2002
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
This classic Super Nintendo game from 1991 is just as good on the Game Boy Advance!
One of the biggest elements of the game is the dual world system, where the overworld switches between a Light and Dark version.
Simply put, A Link to the Past is one of the best Zelda games ever made.
#3. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This is a remake of Super Mario Bros. 3, with fresh graphics and some brand new content.
Like in the original, players control either Mario or Luigi and jump their way through eight worlds of exciting side-scrolling platforming.
Also, this version of the game allows players to scan physical cards using an attachment, which unlocks new content and levels.
#2. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2002
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This version lets you play as both Mario and Luigi, and both characters jump and move differently.
There’s also an additional multiplayer mode similar to the arcade game Mario Bros., which supports up to four players with the Link Cable.
With well over 90 levels to complete, Super Mario World is packed with some of the best platforming gameplay ever.
#1. Advance Wars
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Considered one of the best strategy games ever made, Advance Wars does a great job teaching the player its gameplay.
The turn-based combat allows you to command troops in an army, ordering them into battle and adjusting their formations.
There is also an awesome multiplayer mode, where you can go against computer controlled opponents or your friends.
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See also: Best GBC Games & Best GameCube Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which GBA game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!