[General Discussion] End of an Era -Impressions and Best Games-

Well, within the next few months, the last few games for the Gameboy Advance will be released. Probably, the last, great game people are looking foward to is Final Fantasy VI. Despite that game though, the amount of games to look forward to (or just coming out in general) is nil.

Hence, I thought it might be useful to make a thread concern ing the system.

The system itself was rather amazing...somewhere between a Playstation and a SNES graphics-wise and soundwise, but small enough that it could easily fit inside your bookbag, or as could be seen in the Micro, your pocket. The library of games was a healthy mix of remade (or at least ported) classics consisting of both NES and SNES games, as well as the first time some games were brought over to the states (Tales of Phantasia for instance), to a slew of new games, both innovative, and just simpily a lot of fun.

I feel that given the fact that the system's lifespan is reaching it's end, and save for (again) Final Fantasy VI, few if any games are coming out that have gamers on end, that one can now give a list of "must-play/must-have" games. I will give my list of the top five and the reasons why, but I encourage others to do the same because 1) I am sure to miss some games, 2) there are some games (Final Fantasy V, Rydia, etc) that I have yet to play that have made some waves and 3) There are surely more great games than the five I mention due to differences in taste.

Here are mine:

1.) Fire Pro Wrestling 2 (Japanese Version preferable) - Okay, so I am a wrestling fan. Get over it. Nonetheless, this game by Spike was a WELL MADE 2-D wrestling game. While it was missing some things like chairs and bulbs from Pro Wrestling D, it still provided a heck of a lot to the player regarding types of matches, roster (although they were renamed to varios aliases), and a wonderfully huge move set. Add in some random factors like criticals and you got a wonderful little wrestling game that EASILY tops any of the WWE GBA games. Oh yes, while I have not played it much due to it being in another language, the Japanese version of FPW2 has a wonderful "general manager" like section, that was an early (but well made) predecessor to that in the latter Smackdown! games.

2.) Zelda - THe Minish Cap - THis game has some distinguishable above all other RPGs for me. It is the first RPG I have beaten in seven years (since, ironically, Zelda for the N64). Yes, I played Xenogears, Wild Arms 2, Suikoden 2, Golden Sun, and a slew of other games, but none of them could fully catch my interest to the point that I played it to the end. The game is fairly challenging, although how to beat a boss or solve a puzzle will eventually become apparent. The selection of items is a nice combination of both old and new, as are the types of enemies. The storyline is decent, and gameplay rocks. If you are having trouble lately with getting into a game and staying with it, try this game. It's fun, and as stated above, it is "small enough" to sit right inside of your bag (well, that's holding your GBA anyway!).

3.) CastleVania - Aria of Sorrow - I am not an avid CV player. Yes, I played CV SOTN, and enjoyed it thoroughly (although I did not beat it). However this game has a wonderful mix of spells/abilities, as well as a good balance between being fun and challenging. The storyline is fairly decent as well. While others may hate the Soul System, I think it's rather nice and just adds a new flavor to the CV series.

4.) Megaman Battle Network 1/3/6 - I did not play 2, 4 or 5. Word has it that 2 is the best. Nonetheless, I played some of one, some of three, and a good bit of six. All wonderfully made games! This is not a typically megaman game. There is no scrolling back and forth like in the past. Nonetheless, the game is well made, with a good combination of strategy, and fun. The controls were well made too, as you bounced on the grid and can add a sense of timing (racing in, nailing an enemy with an attack and racing out)

5.) FIre Emblem - So, I had a choice between this and Advance Wars. I took a stab at this (not to say I won't play Advance Wars...I will!). The game is pretty darn fun! While it resembles that of early day RPGs/simulation/strategy RPGS, that can't be helped because anything else would not make it what it is. One thing I really like about this game is how UNforgiving it is if you don't listen to the advice you are given or use good strategy. A good example is sending a "Pegasus Knight" (my mind is blanking but I think that's the name of the class against a spearman when warned explicitedly NOT to. What happens? Yep, good-bye Pegasus knight and hello reset button! A good game that forces you to think moves out CAREFULLY as not to have all your heroes wiped out.

So those are my five. Again, there are many, MANY other games. Thoughts? Questions? Arguments?!

Jam it back in, in the dark.

The Gameboy brand will be missed. Oh lovely memories of Tetris, Pokemon and Wario flood back to me with such velocity.

Well there are many games in which were great for the GBA, but I'm going to list my five in which has stood the test of time. Ones that I pull out for the sake of using my girlfriend's present to me (The GB Micro):

1) WarioWare: One of the most creative games I have ever played. The concept is pure weirdness but the execution is flawless. Foregoes graphical whority, yet establishes great art style and funny animations. Even the music gets a nod, with the tunes ranging from weird to addicting. The Japanesey songs come to mind.

2) Advance Wars 1/2: Turn-Based Strategy in its best, AD really rocked hard. Using cute, slick 2D anime for its graphics, the innocent fun found in Mario Kart is also present here. The gameplay is excellent, with units, bases, terrain effects and CO powers (to name a few). Music is great and kickin' with funky themes and some pretty cool guitaring there.

3) Street Fighter 3 Alpha: Considered one of the greater Street Fighters, this game was a near-perfect port of the arcade classic. Huge roster, great moves packed with nearly all the features of the Playstation version. The gameplay was great, though the GBA's controls were hard to get used to. The graphics were great for the GBA, only missing a few frames of animation. Music was still dinky (though alright considering the game's size), but it is addictive as Wonka's everlasting gobstopper.

4) Sonic Advance 1: I've played 2 and 3 but Sonic 1 on GBA is the one I still play. Though the Sega Sonics will always remain unbeaten, Sonic on GBA is still entertaining. The graphics were fast, furious and detailed. The gameplay was classic Sonic all the way. However, the generic music and sometimes "slowness" of the game didn't allow it to reach the heights it's predecessors had.

5) Fire Emblem: Forgetting the second GBA release (third if you count the Japanese Fire Emblem featuring Roy), Eliwood's tale of monsters, magic and corruption was fascinating and complemented by the art direction, music and gameplay. With this turn-based strategy/rpg, the graphics were typical GBA, but effect. Music was grand, moving and emotional. Gameplay rocked as much as AW, with the added "attachment" in losing characters. This game needs a Mr. Resetti to teach careless players in losing their characters!

There's nowhere I can't reach.

1) Warioware Twisted! - In addition to the original mentioned above, the follow up kept it original most shockingly by adding the gyroscopic mechanic of having to twist the gameboy left and right to complete the microgames. Lots funny applications such as manipulating platforms, and surprisingly enough, maneuvring a plane. They even threw in fun trinkets and toys to exploit the feature even more. Twisted did this even better that Yoshi Topsy Turvy or DK King of Swing.

2) Final Fantasy Tactics Advance - A welcome return to the job system and an overall cuter look and feel. It was very time consuming, and trying to do all of the missions definitely kept one busy. Lots of fun to brutally stab a unit from behind or summon a screen filling phantasm.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Hey guys, Yydra Union is also a really nice new release for GBA, but yeah, seems that FF6 is the latest "big" GBA game, i dont know if there will be more releases, im very sure that Electronic Arts will launch more ports of his game for a long time as usual and Japan is always got a list of "after-death console games" (just look at the Megadrive, Super Famicom and specially the Dreamcast, i mean, Trigger Heart Exelica will be ported to DC on next February!) so i dont know if the machine will really "die" too soon, maybe Nintendo can release some Bit Generation games in the future too.

Hope that im not just an optimist guy, because i love the GBA... it was maybe the last 2D machine in the history of the Videogame industry.

By the way, my favorite GBA game is still Kuru Kuru Kururin, one of the first and still one of the best.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I strongly second Aria of Sorrow, and I also strongly recommend Circle of the Moon - hands down the most challenging "Metroidvania" title ever (thats a good thing because all the other games are easy as pie).

Metroid Zero Mission - This game was designed with rabid Super Metroid fanboys in mind, and did it ever deliver. Gratuitous amounts of fan service and fantastic level design made this much more satisfying than Metroid Fusion IMO.

Double Dragon Advance - severely underrated remake of one of the greatest arcade games of all time. The moveset (which included dash kicks, grappling, and ground pounding) was great and added a whole new dimension the the typical beat em up experience.

I was speaking idiomatically.

River City Ransom EX - A remake of the most underrated beat em up ever. This game had it all! Gang wars, weapons, decent move list, great co-op multiplayer, and pure fun! Get this game ASAN!

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Wha? What happened to Mother 3? It ain't coming outside Japanland?

FELIPE NO

If NOA had its way it would sell it as a mini hotdog in a cardboard gba case and all the Mother fans would eat it up and be like ahhh they finally brought over Mother 3. It would be delicious but the replay value would be terrible.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by AcerBandit

If NOA had its way it would sell it as a mini hotdog in a cardboard gba case and all the Mother fans would eat it up and be like ahhh they finally brought over Mother 3. It would be delicious but the replay value would be terrible.

Who cares? It's Mother 3 I guess they're not gonna release it over here and force everyone to wait for a translation. Good thing it's almost done because I've been waiting for it for far too long. ;_;

Jam it back in, in the dark.