Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc- I expected this to be a shitty game just released alongside the console versions to try to latch onto the big version's success. I was quite wrong. It's a great 2D platformer in the same style as the original Rayman back in 1995. I love the console versions too of course, but the GBA version has a charm entirely its own. It isn't really based so much on Rayman 3, it's more like a 2D version of Rayman 2 in terms of style. It's really really fun, and one of the best original 2D platformers i've played on GBA!
Sabre Wulf- for me, this game gets a bad rep for no good reason. I'll say right here and now, i've never played the original on whatever system it came out on. I have no nostalgia there, what i found was a fun colorful platformer with some nice creative levels and fun puzzle aspects. The world map could looks cleaner, but the levels themselves look pretty nice (besides the washed out colors seen in all Rareware GBA games). I loved this one, and don't get why it's disliked by so many...
Pinobee Wings of Adventure- This is another 2D platformer that reminds me a bit of Rayman or something. It was a launch title for the system and no one really paid it any heed. And those that did seem to crap on it. Well i'm honest and i find it to be a thoroughly enjoyable game, attractive looking as well. There was a sequel, Pinobee and Phoebee which was only released in Japan. I assume it to have similar gameplay, though i've not tried it yet. Still, good game, sadly unknown and pushed aside.
Shaman King Master of Spirits- if you want a Castlevania SOTN experience, this is like that a bit. Not much to say besides it's that kind of game. I found it very fun. There's a sequel which i've not played, i assume it's similar. Check them out.
Spyro Ice/Flame/Rhynoks- the first three Spyro games on GBA actually do a fair job replicating the PS1 classics' gameplay. Not as good of course, but they're still quite good on their own merits.
Spyro Eternal Night- easily the best version of this game. It was released on all consoles of the time, but the GBA version turns out to be the best by far. It's not like other Spyro's, but it's a rather lovely 2D platformer. And one of the final released GBA games worth having.
Sword of Mana- another game that gets a bad rep for no good reason. This is actually a remake of the very first Mana game from the original Gameboy, then titled Final Fantasy Adventure in the US. And a great remake too IMO. The story is far enhanced, and the graphics are gorgeous, in some ways superior to Secret of Mana on SNES. Music is great as well. Gameplay is like Secret of Mana. So what's the deal with the hate? Beats me. Mana games are clearly a dying breed and not really good anymore, but this one is. I love it.
Summon Night Swordcraft Story- This is a trilogy of action RPG's with gameplay similar to the Tales of series. All three have weapon building and dungeon exploration. I don't always like dungeon grinding, but these are all good. Plus they show you how the GBA port of Tales of Phantasia SHOULD have been done. The first two are in English, but sadly the third game is Japan only and has no translation that i'm aware of. Sad, considering they seem to get better with each game...
Shining Soul- This includes the first and second. They're basic but satisfying dungeon crawlers that remind me of the Mana games, action RPG's hack n slash. The second is superior, but they're both great fun. Underrated by a good amount.
Juka Monophonic Menace- Hard to describe this one, it's kind of an action adventure game of sorts. You mix potions from ingredients found from the environment and use them to beat monsters with. There's some dungeon crawling, puzzles, and action elements. Nice graphics and music too. It's an isometric view.
Scurge Hive- I'm not a fan of constant time limits, but this one is manageable thanks to plentiful restore points. You're a space girl infected with a parasite which is slowly poisoning her. There's a time limit which you need to keep an eye on while exploring levels and killing alien hostiles. It's basically an isometric 3d-ish Metroid. Not as fun, but satisfying and decent.
Star Wars Episode 3- This one surprised me, it's a solid movie game for one, and a beat em up no less. I don't always take to beat em ups unless totally spectacular, but this one got my attention. It follows the movie plot closely, so spoilers abound. You can play as either Obi Wan or Anakin, and both characters play differently, have different levels, and have different stories. Some nice lightsaber duels as well. Very impressive. There was a port of the game to DS for the DS' launch as well. It is slightly better, with a fully orchestral score from the films and some neat 3D flying stages. I'd choose the DS version over the GBA, but the GBA one is great too.
Lady Sia- a launch title for the system. It has some really nice graphics and a catchy soundtrack (even though it's low tech sound from early GBA days). It's a 2D action platformer. Great levels and a fun protagonist! There was a sequel planned but later canned, how sad...
Klonoa Empire of Dreams/Dream Champ Tournament- If you've played a Klonoa game, you know what to expect. A cat like creature can grab things with a magic grappling ring and toss them back (including enemies). Your basic 2D platformer very similar to Kirby. The GBA games replicate the gameplay of the PS1/PS2/Wii versions ever so nicely, great platformers!
Sabre Wulf- for me, this game gets a bad rep for no good reason. I'll say right here and now, i've never played the original on whatever system it came out on. I have no nostalgia there, what i found was a fun colorful platformer with some nice creative levels and fun puzzle aspects. The world map could looks cleaner, but the levels themselves look pretty nice (besides the washed out colors seen in all Rareware GBA games). I loved this one, and don't get why it's disliked by so many...
Pinobee Wings of Adventure- This is another 2D platformer that reminds me a bit of Rayman or something. It was a launch title for the system and no one really paid it any heed. And those that did seem to crap on it. Well i'm honest and i find it to be a thoroughly enjoyable game, attractive looking as well. There was a sequel, Pinobee and Phoebee which was only released in Japan. I assume it to have similar gameplay, though i've not tried it yet. Still, good game, sadly unknown and pushed aside.
Shaman King Master of Spirits- if you want a Castlevania SOTN experience, this is like that a bit. Not much to say besides it's that kind of game. I found it very fun. There's a sequel which i've not played, i assume it's similar. Check them out.
Spyro Ice/Flame/Rhynoks- the first three Spyro games on GBA actually do a fair job replicating the PS1 classics' gameplay. Not as good of course, but they're still quite good on their own merits.
Spyro Eternal Night- easily the best version of this game. It was released on all consoles of the time, but the GBA version turns out to be the best by far. It's not like other Spyro's, but it's a rather lovely 2D platformer. And one of the final released GBA games worth having.
Sword of Mana- another game that gets a bad rep for no good reason. This is actually a remake of the very first Mana game from the original Gameboy, then titled Final Fantasy Adventure in the US. And a great remake too IMO. The story is far enhanced, and the graphics are gorgeous, in some ways superior to Secret of Mana on SNES. Music is great as well. Gameplay is like Secret of Mana. So what's the deal with the hate? Beats me. Mana games are clearly a dying breed and not really good anymore, but this one is. I love it.
Summon Night Swordcraft Story- This is a trilogy of action RPG's with gameplay similar to the Tales of series. All three have weapon building and dungeon exploration. I don't always like dungeon grinding, but these are all good. Plus they show you how the GBA port of Tales of Phantasia SHOULD have been done. The first two are in English, but sadly the third game is Japan only and has no translation that i'm aware of. Sad, considering they seem to get better with each game...
Shining Soul- This includes the first and second. They're basic but satisfying dungeon crawlers that remind me of the Mana games, action RPG's hack n slash. The second is superior, but they're both great fun. Underrated by a good amount.
Juka Monophonic Menace- Hard to describe this one, it's kind of an action adventure game of sorts. You mix potions from ingredients found from the environment and use them to beat monsters with. There's some dungeon crawling, puzzles, and action elements. Nice graphics and music too. It's an isometric view.
Scurge Hive- I'm not a fan of constant time limits, but this one is manageable thanks to plentiful restore points. You're a space girl infected with a parasite which is slowly poisoning her. There's a time limit which you need to keep an eye on while exploring levels and killing alien hostiles. It's basically an isometric 3d-ish Metroid. Not as fun, but satisfying and decent.
Star Wars Episode 3- This one surprised me, it's a solid movie game for one, and a beat em up no less. I don't always take to beat em ups unless totally spectacular, but this one got my attention. It follows the movie plot closely, so spoilers abound. You can play as either Obi Wan or Anakin, and both characters play differently, have different levels, and have different stories. Some nice lightsaber duels as well. Very impressive. There was a port of the game to DS for the DS' launch as well. It is slightly better, with a fully orchestral score from the films and some neat 3D flying stages. I'd choose the DS version over the GBA, but the GBA one is great too.
Lady Sia- a launch title for the system. It has some really nice graphics and a catchy soundtrack (even though it's low tech sound from early GBA days). It's a 2D action platformer. Great levels and a fun protagonist! There was a sequel planned but later canned, how sad...
Klonoa Empire of Dreams/Dream Champ Tournament- If you've played a Klonoa game, you know what to expect. A cat like creature can grab things with a magic grappling ring and toss them back (including enemies). Your basic 2D platformer very similar to Kirby. The GBA games replicate the gameplay of the PS1/PS2/Wii versions ever so nicely, great platformers!
