There is no universal GBA top ten: critics and editors favor different games, and the strongest choice depends on whether you want action, role-playing, strategy, or multiplayer. This editorial shortlist weighs critical standing, distinctiveness, and variety across genres—not just nostalgia—and includes both new GBA adventures and adaptations of earlier games.
10 Game Boy Advance games worth playing
The order below is an editorial selection, not a ranking published by any one source. Nintendo Life places the first five games here near the top of its list; the remaining choices broaden the genre mix and reflect Metacritic’s critic chart. Those lists use different methods, so their positions and scores are useful context rather than a single measure of quality. Nintendo Life’s GBA ranking and Metacritic’s all-time chart provide the underlying editorial and critic-chart perspectives.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Sonic Advance 2 (Renewed) | $43.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Super Mario Advance (Renewed) | $32.78 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Renewed) | $37.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61g0nBu-mNL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 [video game] | $44.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Includes Four Swords Adventure) (Renewed) | $58.03 | Buy on Amazon |
-
Metroid: Zero Mission
A remake of the original Metroid, Zero Mission rebuilds Samus’s first adventure with new areas, items, mini-bosses, and save rooms. Its exploration draws on the more approachable feel of Super Metroid, making it a strong starting point for players curious about the series without requiring familiarity with the original. Nintendo Life ranks it first in its GBA list. Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
-
Metroid Fusion
Fusion keeps the 2D exploration and action that define Metroid, but its route is more guided and linear than many entries in the series. That structure gives the adventure a clear pace and makes it a good pick if you want a focused, story-led run rather than broad, open-ended exploration. Nintendo Life ranks it second. Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
Sonic Advance 2 (Renewed)- Blazing Quest
- Evade obstacles
- Unlock secret areas
-
Final Fantasy VI Advance
This GBA adaptation brings a large, character-driven role-playing adventure to a portable format, with added dungeons and summons. It is a compelling choice for players who want a substantial turn-based RPG, though the GBA version has a music-quality trade-off compared with other versions. It is one adaptation among several ways to play the game, not the only current option. Nintendo Life ranks it third. Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
-
Pokémon Emerald
Emerald expands on Ruby and Sapphire with changes to story elements and available Pokémon, plus the Battle Frontier for players who want a postgame challenge. It is an especially appealing choice if you want a Pokémon adventure with a substantial competitive-style endgame, rather than simply finishing the main story. Nintendo Life ranks it fourth. Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
Rank #2
Sale
Super Mario Advance (Renewed)- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
-
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Link’s ability to shrink is more than a visual trick: it changes how you explore familiar spaces and find routes through the world. New items and sword techniques add variety to its action-adventure structure. Its compact scale makes it a natural choice for a first Zelda game, while still giving series fans a distinctive GBA entry. Nintendo Life ranks it fifth. Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
-
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
This role-playing adventure builds its battles around the brothers’ timing and coordination, rather than relying only on menu commands. Its humorous presentation and active combat make it a lively alternative to more traditional turn-based RPGs. Nintendo Life includes it in its top ten. Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Rank #3
Sale
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Renewed)- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
-
Golden Sun
Golden Sun pairs classic role-playing structure with Djinn, creatures that shape combat and character abilities. Its pixel-art presentation remains one of the series’ most distinctive strengths. It is the first half of a two-game story; players who want the continuation can follow it with Golden Sun: The Lost Age, which Nintendo Life also includes in its top ten. GamesRadar+ likewise highlights the duology’s Djinn-based combat and art. Nintendo Life’s ranking and GamesRadar+’s GBA list.
-
Advance Wars
This turn-based tactical strategy game is a strong fit if you enjoy planning several moves ahead. Its approachable presentation helps make the rules easier to grasp, while balanced battles give decisions real weight. Metacritic’s all-time GBA critic chart places it fifth, and Nintendo Life also describes it as approachable strategy. Metacritic’s chart and Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
Rank #4
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 [video game]- Bowser and his troublemaking kids have brought trouble to the land, and turned the local kings into animals. Only Mario & Luigi can stop them!
- Jump over bottomless pits, stomp your foes and collect awesome new power-ups like the Warp Whistle and the Tanooki Suit
- Open up new levels by scanning special cards through your e-Reader
- Dash, swim, and take to the air -- complete difficult platform levels while you fight your way to Bowser
- Multiplayer Mario madness with 4-person link-ups (Separate games required)
-
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords
This GBA package adapts the SNES adventure A Link to the Past and adds Four Swords, a multiplayer mode for up to four players. It stands out as a way to get both a substantial solo Zelda adventure and a cooperative option in one release. Metacritic’s critic chart lists it at the top, tied with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 at 95. Metacritic’s all-time chart.
-
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
This GBA adaptation brings Super Mario Bros. 3 to a portable system. The Switch Online version includes all 38 e-Reader levels without requiring the original e-Reader hardware and cards, giving that version a notable content advantage over the original GBA setup. Metacritic’s chart gives it a 94 critic score; Nintendo Life also includes it in its top ten. Metacritic’s chart and Nintendo Life’s ranking and game notes.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Best Value
Sale
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Includes Four Swords Adventure) (Renewed)- AUTHENTIC CARTRIDGE & BRAND NEW BATTERY: Genuine game cartridge, fitted with a brand new battery. Authenticated using software and experience. The cart and label are in great condition. The save files are refreshed and reset ready for a new adventure!
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
- REGION FREE: This game is region free and works on ALL GBA consoles around the world.
- ENGLISH LANGUAGE GAME: This game plays in English
- PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY: Designed for the Nintendo GBA system, this cartridge is also compatible with the Nintendo GBA SP, Original DS & DS Lite Consoles
Choose by the kind of game you want
| If you want… | Try | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Exploration and action | Metroid: Zero Mission or Metroid Fusion | Zero Mission remakes the original adventure with additions; Fusion offers a more linear route. |
| A long role-playing game | Final Fantasy VI Advance or Golden Sun | Final Fantasy VI is a large, character-focused RPG; Golden Sun centers combat on Djinn and continues in a second game. |
| Pokémon and postgame challenges | Pokémon Emerald | Its Battle Frontier adds a substantial challenge after the main adventure. |
| A first Zelda adventure | The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap | Its shrinking mechanic gives exploration a clear, distinctive hook. |
| Strategy | Advance Wars | Turn-based battles reward planning and tactical choices. |
| Multiplayer Zelda | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords | The package pairs a solo adventure with a mode for up to four players. |
How to play these GBA games now
Nintendo includes a Game Boy Advance Classics collection with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Nintendo UK says the collection works on Switch and Switch 2 and supports features including save-anytime, rewind, and compatible multiplayer; features vary by game and region. Check the live catalog for the specific title and your region before subscribing or making plans to play. Nintendo’s GBA Classics page.
GBA Classics require an active Expansion Pack membership. Nintendo says members can play offline, but the console must connect to the internet at least once every seven days to verify membership. If the membership lapses, access to the library ends, though save data remains on the console. Nintendo does not publish a fixed schedule for new classic-game additions. Nintendo Switch Online overview and FAQ.
Availability is title- and region-specific, so the service should not be treated as a guarantee that every game on this list is currently included. Nintendo’s catalog is the authority for current availability; Nintendo Life also marks some titles in its ranking as available through Expansion Pack. Nintendo’s GBA Classics page and Nintendo Life’s ranking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
