We already published the list of best GBA games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best GBA shooter games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the GBA definitely has a great library of shooter games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the GBA and shooter games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Van Helsing
- Release Data: Saffire/Sierra Entertainment, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
There are too many bad things to say about Van Helsing for the Game Boy Advance, and very few good things.
But if you’re looking for a horrifically bad game that takes less than two hours to finish, then, by all means, give Van Helsing a shot.
#24. Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon
- Release Data: Pocket Studios/THQ, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
Unfortunately Flight of the Falcon doesn’t really take off at all.
All the right elements are here and nothing would have been more satisfying than piloting the beloved Millennium Falcon as Han Solo himself, but the game feels stiff and often times rather empty.
#23. Ace Combat Advance
- Release Data: Human Soft/Namco, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down
Fans expecting an authentic Ace Combat on the go are sure to be disappointed.
That said, if you’re merely looking for a portable shoot-’em-up, Ace Combat Advance does have enough going for it to offer a few solid hours of aerial combat.
#22. Army Men Advance
- Release Data: DC Studios/3DO, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Army Men Advance perpetuates the franchise’s legacy of mediocrity.
Its graphics are at the bottom of the Game Boy Advance totem pole, none of the hardware’s interesting features like multiplayer are utilized, and the one-player mode can be finished in one day.
#21. Iridion 3D
- Release Data: Shin’en/Interplay, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
Iridion 3-D is easily one of the Game Boy Advance’s most visually impressive launch titles.
It looks great, and it will really sell you on this whole portable gaming thing.
If you decide to pick it up, be warned that, after the initial “wow” wears off, you’ll be stuck with an empty experience.
#20. Star X
- Release Data: Graphic State/Bam Entertainment, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
Star X is a sight to be seen on the Game Boy Advance.
While the game definitely borrows heavily from its ancestors, it manages to stand out it its own right.
While this goes for both good and bad, in the end, this game would be a solid addition to any owner of Nintendo’s portable wonder.
#19. Classic NES Series: Xevious
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
All in all, this Classic NES Series game does a great job of playing the NES version of Xevious.
Unfortunately, the NES version of Xevious was never really all that great of a game, and its “classic” status on the NES is questionable, at best.
#18. Robotech: The Macross Saga
- Release Data: Lucky Chicken/TDK Mediactive, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
If you’re a Robotech fan who cares about nothing more than adding to your collection of memorabilia, then by all means, pick this game up.
However, if you’re after a meaningful shooter with lasting value, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.
#17. Dark Arena
- Release Data: Graphic State/Majesco, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
It’s technically competent in the end, and many of its little touches are quite impressive, but there are clearly more memorable shooters of its kind already available.
The four-player deathmatch mode might warrant a look if you’re already bored of Doom‘s, but otherwise, you’re probably already covered.
#16. Wings
- Release Data: Crawfish Interactive/Zoo Digital Publishing, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
Wings on the GBA is an enjoyable game with three different styles of gameplay, all of them with their own pros and cons.
The entire package could have used a few more tweaks to tighten up the gameplay, but overall it’s an enjoyable arcade-style take on the WWI air combat theme.
#15. The Sum of All Fears
- Release Data: Red Storm Entertainment/Ubisoft, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Tactical
In the end, The Sum of All Fears is a good entry point for people interested in discovering the tactical espionage genre, but it doesn’t offer anything over Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear.
At the same time, people who purchase the game based upon its title will be annoyed when they discover that it doesn’t follow the plot of the movie.
#14. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever II
- Release Data: Crawfish Interactive/Bam Entertainment, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
If you’re an FPS fan then you should really check this game out.
If you prefer stealthy gameplay to the cut-and-dried running and shooting that Duke Nukem offers then you may well prefer this.
It’s all down to personal taste but it’s well worth getting your hands on.
#13. 007: Everything or Nothing
- Release Data: Griptonite Games/EA Games, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing ditches the FPS design from the previous game for a more traditional isometric guns-and-fists setup.
And if you’re in the mood for a brief yet satisfying action game that faithfully captures the look and feel of a typical James Bond movie, pick this one up.
#12. Monster Force
- Release Data: Digital Eclipse/Universal Interactive, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Overall, Monster Force offers up some good times that hearken back to the old days but the awkward gameplay elements get in the way far too often.
While this game is certainly inspired by Gauntlet it doesn’t manage to purport the same methodic intrigue and amusement as the timeless classic on which it is loosely based.
#11. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear
- Release Data: Ubisoft Milan/Ubisoft, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Tactical
In all, Rogue Spear is a pretty robust GBA game—one that will likely take up a good deal of your time if you allow it to.
It’s quite faithful to its source material and it more than manages to re-create the experience of its PC forefather, albeit in a more abstracted form.
#10. Ecks vs. Sever
- Release Data: Crawfish Interactive/Bam Entertainment, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Ecks vs. Sever is a good, solid game that gets the job done in a simple, effective way.
Older players might not be as impressed because of how old the game seems, but the simple fact that the GBA can actually deliver a decent first-person shooter is an achievement in its own right.
#9. Gradius Galaxies
- Release Data: Mobile 21/Konami, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
If you like a challenge, Gradius Galaxies is great.
The artistic visuals and ever increasing challenge level are sure to keep you occupied for a long time, while smaller touches, such as the battery restore feature and hint mode, help offset the perception that the game is merely a linear exercise.
#8. DOOM II
- Release Data: Torus Games/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Overall, this is possibly one of the very best games available on the Game Boy Advance, although it might be somewhat uninteresting to someone who knows the original version inside-out.
This is solid gaming and a great addition to a GBA game collection.
#7. Metal Slug Advance
- Release Data: Noise Factory/SNK Playmore, 2004
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
While Metal Slug Advance is fairly short, clocking in at only five missions, there are extra dungeon levels as well as 100 cards to find and collect to add the replay value.
Plus it’s just fun, and with virtually no learning curve it can be picked up at any time for a quick shooter fix.
#6. Max Payne
- Release Data: Mobius Entertainment/Rockstar Games, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down
There is just no denying it; Max Payne on the GBA is both brilliant and amazingly true to the original.
Not only does it faithfully capture all the things we loved about the console version of this game, but also it takes advantage of the Game Boy Advance’s full potential.
#5. DOOM
- Release Data: David A. Palmer Productions/Activision, 2001
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This was a classic game on the PC and PSone and now it’s a classic on the Game Boy Advance.
Doom was the game that made people take the genre seriously.
If you’re a first-person shooter enthusiast or just a fan of action games in general, you owe it to yourself to pick up Doom.
#4. Iridion II
- Release Data: Shin’en/VU Games, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
Iridion II is much better than Iridion 3D—not only is it a beautiful game, but it’s also fun to play.
If you enjoy space shoot-’em-ups, you can’t go wrong with Iridion II.
It looks gorgeous, sounds great, and plays at least as well as many of the classics.
#3. Medal of Honor: Infiltrator
- Release Data: Netherock Ltd./Electronic Arts, 2003
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Medal of Honor: Infiltrator captures most of the things that give the franchise its identity.
The developer has taken that simple design and has updated it by adding depth through the inclusion of stealth elements and tricky AI.
The end result is a fun handheld game that should please anyone who’s looking for a great action game.
#2. Duke Nukem Advance
- Release Data: Torus Games/Take-Two Interactive, 2002
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Attitude is what distinguishes Duke Nukem Advance from the other FPS games available for the Game Boy Advance.
The overall gameplay is solid enough to satisfy most players, but it’s the superiority of vocal one-liners that you’ll remember long after you’ve powered down the system.
#1. Gunstar Super Heroes
- Release Data: Treasure/Sega, 2005
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Vertical
Gunstar Super Heroes is a really great game for the GBA. Fans of the original game will not be disappointed with this game.
The great gameplay and the amount of variety of the gameplay are sure to please almost everyone.
The graphics will probably have a few of you dumbfounded wondering just how powerful the Game Boy Advance really is.
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See also: Best GBC Games & Best GameCube Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which GBA shooter game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
