We already published the list of best GBA games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best GBA strategy games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the GBA definitely has a great library of strategy games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the GBA and strategy 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. Mega Man: Battle Chip Challenge
- Release Data: Capcom, 2004
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
Competing in the tournament, you’ll face off against opponents in one-on-one battles, where your cards are randomly chosen and pitted against the opponent.
As you win battles, you’ll gain Zenny, which can be used to unlock more Battle Chips and playable characters.
#24. Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards
- Release Data: Konami, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
This entry in the Yu-Gi-Oh card-game franchise has a slightly different spin on the expected rules, challenging players to consider new strategies.
As always, you’ll construct a deck full of monsters, items, and traps, with the new addition of elemental abilities.
Despite these changes, the rules have been made less complex, offering an easier point of entry for new players.
#23. Onimusha Tactics
- Release Data: Capcom, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Command a party of your favorite characters from the Onimusha franchise in challenging grid-based battles.
As you fight demons in turn-based battles, you’ll earn crafting resources and experience.
In addition to the several story episodes offered, players can endure extra challenge battles in an alternate realm for more experience.
#22. Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction
- Release Data: Konami, 2004
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
As you explore the world, you’ll duel other players in card battles, summoning monsters and creatures to fight for you.
This challenging entry will force you to think in new ways as you craft a stronger deck and take on harder opponents.
#21. Duel Masters: Sempai Legends
- Release Data: Mistic Software/Takara, 2004
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
This intense card game draws inspiration from games in the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise as well as Magic: The Gathering.
An in-depth tutorial explains all the rules before you play, making this an easy game to learn!
In addition to battling your friends in the multiplayer battleground, you can embark on a single-player adventure in Story Mode.
#20. Fortress
- Release Data: Pipe Dream Interactive/Majesco, 2001
- Genre: Strategy » General
Although Fortress doesn’t have a tutorial, things are pretty easy to figure out.
In the game, you place blocks to form lines, much like the game Tetris. As you form complete blocks, you’ll create new structures and defenses for your fortress.
Once you play a few times, you’ll quickly become addicted to this wild and fast-paced competitive title.
#19. Jurassic Park III: Park Builder
- Release Data: Konami, 2001
- Genre: Strategy » Management » Business / Tycoon
In this management game, players get to create their own Jurassic Park, filling it with any of the 140 different breeds of dinosaurs you can discover.
In addition to making sure dinosaurs are happy and healthy, you can build different attractions and shops to please your guests.
There’s plenty of mechanics and features to manage, providing hours of enjoyable gameplay.
#18. Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004
- Release Data: KCEJ/Konami, 2004
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
This game is an absolute winner for fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! cartoon and original card game.
The main objective of the game is to defeat every enemy duelist, each with a unique deck and strategy.
There are well over 25 different duelists to conquer, so you’ll have to practice and refine your tactics if you want to win.
#17. Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars
- Release Data: WinkySoft/Konami, 2002
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
This epic anime-inspired game offers players over 25 missions of intense mech-suit action.
There are a variety of different mechs and characters to control, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
There are also tons of awesome cutscenes and interesting story-lines to keep you invested in the gameplay.
#16. Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation
- Release Data: Banpresto, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This is the first game in the Super Robot Wars franchise to ever be released in Western countries, bringing the super-popular mech series to more shores.
Players can choose from one of two unique characters, each with their own missions and mechs.
Also, the large variety of mechs and branching story-paths will keep you playing for hours on end!
#15. Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel
- Release Data: KCEJ/Konami, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
This title in the long-running Yu-Gi-Oh card-game series is absolutely packed with content.
After picking their initial deck of cards, players explore Battle City and face off against various opponents.
You can also battle a friend and trade cards by using a Link Cable, as well as fully edit your deck in the Deck and Trunk menu.
#14. The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age
- Release Data: Griptonite Games/EA Games, 2004
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This adaptation of the Lord of the Rings movie franchise lets players battle as either friend or foe.
Both the good and evil sides of the war are playable and have their own separate campaign to enjoy.
There are over 20 campaign levels to enjoy, as well as a number of bonus missions and tutorials to learn the basics.
#13. Defender of the Crown
- Release Data: Crawfish Interactive/Zoo Digital Publishing, 2002
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
This port brings a classic Amiga Commodore game to the Game Boy Advance, offering a bit of gaming history on the handheld.
In addition to defending your territory against incoming armies, you’ll amass your troops, rescue maidens, and even meet with the legendary Robin Hood!
Any fan of medieval warfare and castle sieges will surely enjoy this retro gem.
#12. Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon
- Release Data: Amusement Vision/THQ, 2004
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This remake of the classic Sega Genesis game offers new playable characters, more difficulty options, new battles, and much more!
The game blends genres together, creating an adventure experience full of strategy and depth.
Also, the turn-based combat system offers tons of different enemy classes, unit-types, and battle layouts.
#11. Rebelstar: Tactical Command
- Release Data: Codo Games/Namco, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
This unique turn-based game is reminiscent of games like X-Com, where you and a squad of soldiers must engage in tough battles with alien invaders.
Each map has specific objectives that must be accomplished, so you’ll have to pay attention to unit specialties if you want to survive.
Basically a good game.
#10. Monster Rancher Advance
- Release Data: Tecmo, 2001
- Genre: Strategy » General
Similar to the Pokemon franchise, this game has you managing a team of monsters and training them for intense turn-based battles.
However, instead of finding and collecting monsters, you’ll create totally unique ones by typing out any letters you please!
You can even combine monsters together to form new ones, creating powerful battle-ready creatures.
#9. Yggdra Union: We’ll Never Fight Alone
- Release Data: Sting, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
This fantasy epic ties together turn-based battles with an interesting card system resulting in a wholly unique portable adventure.
Playing as Princess Yggdra, you’ll fight through a series of large-scale military battles, ordering your troops and forming “unions” of soldiers.
As the game gets harder, you’ll have to think before acting, because one wrong move can put your army in danger.
#8. Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town
- Release Data: TOSE/Marvelous Entertainment, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Management » Business / Tycoon
This game is essentially identical to Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, with the main difference being the gender of the lead character.
As a farm-owner, you’ll need to manage your crops and interact with the townsfolk of the nearby Mineral Town.
Playing as a girl, you’ll be able to court several handsome husbands as you work towards starting a family.
#7. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
- Release Data: TOSE/Ubisoft, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Management » Business / Tycoon
This cathartic and relaxing time-management game combines farming elements with role-playing gameplay to produce a unique and charming experience.
In the beginning, players must manage the farm, complete chores and clear out the nearby mine.
In addition to farming, players can interact with residents of Mineral Town and even start a family by marrying one of six available characters.
#6. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
- Release Data: Quest/Atlus, 2002
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
In this grid-based tactics game, players must make choices both on the battlefield and in the story.
There are various enemy and allied units to command, including humans, dragons, beasts, and much more.
There are five different endings for the story, and since the game takes over 20 hours to complete, this ensures you’ll have plenty of reasons to keep playing.
#5. Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This sequel to Fire Emblem introduces new gameplay elements while retaining the excellent storytelling and easy-to-learn combat.
Players must be exceptionally cautious when ordering their army, as any unit that dies will be permanently dead for the rest of the game.
Besides the lengthy single-player campaign, players can face off in competitive multiplayer battles in the Link Arena.
#4. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This imaginative adventure combines an interesting plot with tried-and-true tactical gameplay to produce a Final Fantasy experience unlike any other.
To progress the story, you’ll have to complete missions with Marche and his party, which unlocks new locations on the overworld map.
The fun art style and engaging gameplay make this Final Fantasy Tactics title a must-own.
#3. Fire Emblem
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This epic fantasy adventure is easily one of the best strategy games of all time, providing a deceptively difficult challenge with an engrossing story.
The bright colors and easy-to-understand battle system makes the game simple at first, but the introduction of a perma-death feature provides ample challenge.
If you’re interested in strategy games, this is a great choice.
#2. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2003
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This sequel to the original Advance Wars provides a similar tactical experience with a fresh graphical style and some added features.
Like before, players will command their army units in turn-based battles, learning the strengths and weaknesses of each unique unit.
Also, the campaign plays out in a non-linear fashion, allowing players to choose missions at their own pace.
#1. Advance Wars
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
By offering a slew of amazing game modes and rich gameplay that was unseen outside of Japan before then, this landmark strategy title made a big impact on the Game Boy Advance.
In addition to the tutorial and main campaign, players can also dive into challenge maps, competitive multiplayer modes, or make their own battle arenas with the map editor.
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See also: Best GBC Games & Best GameCube Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which GBA strategy game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
