Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Metal Slug Advance is a one-player Game Boy Advance run-and-gun cartridge, and a genuine US loose copy is currently worth about $80.50 on PriceCharting’s completed-sale guide (checked November 14, 2026). A raw complete US copy is guided at $225. If a listing is dramatically cheaper—especially a repeated $20–$30 “tested” cart—treat the price as an authenticity warning until you see clear cartridge and, ideally, PCB photographs.
This guide explains the US, PAL and Japanese price differences; what “complete” actually includes; how to compare sold prices with asking prices; and which GBA authentication clues still matter in 2026. No source reviewed publishes a Metal Slug Advance print-run figure, so market rarity is described through sales, ranks and observed availability rather than a claimed production total.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Metal Slug Advance price snapshot
These are market references, not guaranteed prices for every photographed copy. PriceCharting calculates its guide from completed sales and excludes unsold asking prices; the figures below were checked November 14, 2026.
| Region and condition | Reference value | Source and trading context |
|---|---|---|
| US loose | $80.50 | PriceCharting, 2026; about one sale per week |
| US cart and manual | $121.00 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
| US cart and box | $170.50 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
| US complete | $225.00 | PriceCharting, 2026; about two sales per month |
| US new | $263.04 | PriceCharting, 2026; about three sales per year |
| US graded complete | $420.00 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
| US graded new | $600.00 | PriceCharting, 2026; about one sale per year |
| PAL loose | $50.48 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
| PAL complete | $182.17 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
| Japanese loose | $60.00 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
| Japanese complete | $226.73 | PriceCharting, 2026 |
Prices checked November 2026.
For a player who simply wants the cartridge, budget roughly $70–$100 for a photographed, authentic-looking US loose copy. For a box collector, a raw US complete copy generally belongs around $200–$250, with the box condition and region doing substantial work. Sealed and graded examples are a separate, much thinner market.
Popular on Amazon
- 【90 Degree Full Function USB C Adapter】Supports the latest USB4 standard for up to 40Gbps of bandwidth, 8K video support, and up to 240W Fast charging; Support USB PD 3.1 Extended Power Range (EPR) including 140W, 180W and 240W. Your productivity is easily doubled. *Warm Tip: For the best fit, please make sure the USB-C port is fully exposed; thick or bulky cases may affect compatibility.
- 【Reliable Quality】Made from high-quality, scratch-resistant aluminum alloy, delicate metal frame. get excellent wear resistance and heat dissipation. Non-Slip Design for easier insertion and removal.
- 【Small and portable】Ultra thin size, ultra compact design, a petite physique that matches the minimalist design of your modern laptops. Coming with a slim figure that won't block the port next to the one it's plugged into.
- 【Compatibility】Widely work with most usb c, thunderbolt 4/3 devices. Compatibilit for ROG Ally, Steam Deck, Switch, MacBook Pro, Quest 3 VR headset, Surface Book 2, iPhone 18/17/16/15, Samsung Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20/10, Google Pixel, ChromeBook, etc.
- 【Excellence Customer Support】If you experience any issues or cable failure, simply reach out to our dedicated customer service team. We provide a prompt response within 18 hours, providing you with the necessary technical support to resolve any concerns.
What is Metal Slug Advance?
Metal Slug Advance is a handheld-exclusive entry in SNK’s run-and-gun series. The 2004 US package is commonly credited to SNK Playmore; European catalogues also identify Ignition Entertainment. Full Set describes the developer as Noise Factory and the physical release as one Game Boy Advance cartridge, while its editorial characterizes the game as a portable adaptation rather than a direct arcade conversion.
The game has five missions, on-foot and vehicle sections, underwater bases, hostage rescues and strategic puzzles. It also includes more than 100 collectible E-cards that enhance the character. Those are an in-game collection system, not a pack of physical cards that should be present in a “complete” cartridge package. The PriceCharting catalog lists one-player play, an ESRB Teen rating and compatibility with the original Nintendo DS family slot. Its release-date and developer fields are blank, so the often-repeated November 12, 2004 date should be treated as an aggregator date rather than a publisher-confirmed launch date.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRetail identifiers can help you search, but they do not authenticate a cart by themselves: PriceCharting lists UPC 828862700018, Amazon ASIN B0000CG8GW, eBay ePID 10851 and PriceCharting ID 2370. A listing title containing one of these identifiers is still only a seller’s description.
How much is a US copy worth?
PriceCharting’s US Game Boy Advance splits provide the clearest starting budget: $80.50 loose, $121 for cart plus manual, $170.50 for cart plus box, $225 complete and $263.04 new. The same page lists $90 for a box alone and $40.12 for a manual alone. Those component values explain why a box can add more than a manual, and why a complete copy costs substantially more than a working cartridge.
RetroGamePriceGuide’s separate sample estimates complete-in-box value at $200.77 from 55 eligible sales, with the last sale recorded in November 2026. It ranks Metal Slug Advance 55th among 1,092 Game Boy Advance entries and estimates an overall $80 value from 18 auctions in the preceding 30 days. Its 2026 row contains 65 sales, a $89.95 median and a $112.01 average. These numbers are useful context, but they are a different sample and condition mix from PriceCharting’s guide.
Why do loose prices conflict?
The conflict is most visible in loose carts. RetroGamePriceGuide’s loose row shows a displayed $29.99 price, a $41.34 average from only 11 sales, and a range of $18.99 to $104.99. Another 33 sales are filed as “not specified,” ranging from $24.99 to $249.99. Its November feed contains repeated generic listings near $24.99 and a “GAME ONLY” sale at $25.85, alongside higher sales for explicitly authentic carts: $71, $98, $89.95, $89.99 and $102.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
PriceCharting’s recent loose completed sales tell a similar but higher-quality story: $71 on October 28, $47.85 on October 26, $89.99 on October 11, $83.99 on September 24 and $74.99 on September 17, 2026. The practical interpretation is not to average the sites blindly. Ordinary tested, authentic-titled US carts are clearing around $70–$100, which supports the $80.50 guide. Repeated $20–$30 carts are below that band and require photos; the data does not prove that any particular cheap listing is counterfeit.
How much more does a complete copy cost?
On the US guide, complete is about 2.8 times the loose price ($225 versus $80.50). That is close to Read-Only Memories’ broad observation across the 100 most popular GBA games: a boxed copy averages roughly $90 more than cart-only, with a median gap of about $58, and a complete copy often costs around three times as much. That is a library-wide rule of thumb, not a substitute for Metal Slug Advance’s own splits.
For this title, “complete” should mean the cartridge, matching regional box, manual, inner tray and edition-appropriate inserts. Full Set recommends matching the region, product reference and artwork across the jacket, manual and cart, then checking the connectors, label, shell, screws and startup on compatible hardware. A US box paired with a PAL or Japanese cart is a mixed copy: value the pieces separately instead of paying the US complete premium.
| Component | PriceCharting US guide (November 2026) | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Loose cartridge | $80.50 | Best player budget when authenticity is documented |
| Cart and manual | $121.00 | Manual condition and regional match matter |
| Cart and box | $170.50 | Inspect crushed corners, seams and inserts |
| Complete | $225.00 | Cart, box, manual, tray and relevant inserts |
| Box only | $90.00 | Useful for restoration, but check region and artwork |
| Manual only | $40.12 | A lone $180 sale in another database is an outlier |
RetroGamePriceGuide records recent complete sales at $199.95 on November 12, $244.97 on November 3 and $245 on October 16, 2026. Its single box-only sale was $150, and its single manual sale was $180; those one-sale observations are too thin to replace PriceCharting’s component guides.
Recommended Free Tools
Are PAL and Japanese copies cheaper?
Usually for loose and complete examples on the same snapshot, yes—but not for every condition. PriceCharting lists PAL loose at $50.48 and complete at $182.17, both below the US equivalents. Japanese loose is $60, also below US loose, while Japanese complete is $226.73, essentially level with the US complete guide. New values reverse the simple pattern: PAL new is $364 and Japanese new is $400, both above the US new guide of $263.04.
Read-Only Memories says European and UK GBA versions generally sell for less than US versions and that Japanese imports can be attractive when a game is playable without much Japanese text. That article discusses other GBA games, not a Metal Slug Advance language audit. Do not assume the Japanese cartridge has English menus; inspect screenshots or obtain a seller’s language confirmation if that matters to you.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Full Set’s November 14, 2026 page detected seven mostly European listings and showed an indicative median ask of €178.30. Its broader GBA median was €14.89, and its rarity index was 60/100 (“Peu courant”), with relative price in the 97th percentile and availability in the 35th percentile. Full Set explicitly labels the index “limited confidence” and says it measures observed market scarcity, not historical print run. Its visible asks ranged from €11.99 for a vague GBA/SP listing to €249.99 for a French complete copy, €199.90 for a UKV complete copy, €74.99 for a manual and €394.30 for a Japanese copy. These are asking prices, not completed-sale evidence.
How can you tell if a Metal Slug Advance cart is authentic?
The strongest practical check is an opened PCB photograph. Read-Only Memories states that a black epoxy blob covering the main chip is a decisive counterfeit tell: “If you spot a black blob, it is not an authentic cart.” A seller who will not open a cartridge is not automatically dishonest—many do not own a tri-wing driver—but a higher-priced purchase deserves enough evidence to manage the risk.
Request these photos before paying
- Front and back of the cartridge: ask for sharp images of the label, shell, screw and molded text.
- Bottom-slot view: the board text above the contacts should be readable through the opening.
- Small label code: compare it with known references for the same region; do not rely on an auction title alone.
- Opened PCB: at prices near or above the normal authentic band, request a full board photo. Reject a black blob.
- Complete-copy paperwork: photograph the box front, back, all edges, manual cover and an interior page, plus inserts.
For an $80-ish loose US cart, a front photo, back photo, bottom-slot image and clear label code are a reasonable minimum. For a complete copy near $225, require the same cart proof plus matching box and manual images. For sealed or graded items, ask for the grading label, case condition and population information.
Closed-cart clues that support, but do not prove, authenticity
- Shell lettering: Game Verifying says “GAME BOY ADVANCE” should be shallowly etched under the lip. Counterfeits often mold the front logo and bottom arrow too deeply.
- Back markings: look for Nintendo’s typeface, the standard AGB-002 model marking and correctly spaced “PAT. PEND. MADE IN JAPAN.” AGB-003 identifies a battery-pack shell; AGB-033 is not a valid AGB code according to the wiki.
- Label quality: blur, spelling errors, an incorrect product code or a low-resolution home-printed appearance are strong warnings. ESRB artwork alone is weak evidence because genuine GBA labels vary.
- Screw: GBA cartridges normally use a tri-wing screw. A Phillips or flat screw is a warning, although a correct tri-wing screw can be copied.
- Contacts and shell: inspect for corrosion, pitting, cracks, clouding, replacement screws and stripped heads. These affect condition even when the board is genuine.
Better modern bootlegs can reproduce a factory imprint, board number, Nintendo-style logo, contact holes and the four gold rectangles. Read-Only Memories notes that label printing and the etched logo under the lip remain harder to copy, but some fakes are close. Treat every external clue as supporting evidence and prioritize the PCB.
Which popular GBA checks do not authenticate this game?
Several tests circulate in collector discussions but cannot pass a Metal Slug Advance cartridge on their own.
- Pressed two-digit label number: HitGaming says, “A pressed one proves little: fakers stamp them too.” Some genuine carts lack one, and wear can erase it.
- Four gold rectangles: Game Verifying says counterfeits have used them since 2017, while some genuine boards omit them or use a different count.
- PCB year: the date marks when a board variant was designed, not necessarily the game’s release year. A 2004 game can use a 2002-designed board.
- Nintendo silkscreen alone: a 2015 PriceCharting blog guide called the stamp above the pins a good first step, but Game Verifying now warns that high-quality fakes reproduce the typeface and even use misspellings. The stamp is no longer a verdict.
- Boot logo or saving: a working counterfeit can display the Nintendo logo and save normally. Neither proves original hardware.
- Battery presence: the sources reviewed do not establish Metal Slug Advance’s save-chip type. Do not call a cart fake because you see, or do not see, a coin cell.
Game Verifying also notes 29 legitimate cartridge variants across eight shell types. A color or shape difference needs a variant check before it becomes a rejection.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Also popular on Amazon
- Portable and powerful USB-C HUB: BENFEI USB Type-C HUB, with super-soft and knot-free silicone woven design cable, meets most mobile office needs. Compact, lightweight, stylish, and powerful portable USB C Hub equipped with 1 x HDMI port, 1 x 100W charging, and 3 x USB ports. 18-month warranty, 24-hour response, to ensure you feel at ease when using our product.
- Design centered on comfort and reliability: Thanks to BENFEI's end-to-end in-house cable production capability, in-house PCBA and assembly capability, using the industry's most advanced silicone woven design and process, 20cm cable in length, no knots, super-soft, the HUB is easy to use in all scenarios: laptop, tablet, stand etc. Super-soft, 25000+ life cycles, to meet your daily carrying and office needs.
- 100W Charging: Support up to 90W USB C pass-through charging via Type-C port to keep your laptop powered. 10W is reserved for other interface operations. No data and video function on the Type-C port.
- 4K HDMI Display: The HDMI port supports media display at resolutions up to 4K 30Hz, keeping every incredible moment detailed and ultra vivid. Please note that the C port of the Host device needs to support video output.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Transfer files and from your laptop at speeds up to 10 Gbps with USB A 3.2 port. Extra 2 USB A 2.0 ports are perfectly for your keyboards and mouse.
What should you pay for sealed or graded copies?
Do not use the $263.04 raw “new” guide as a ceiling for sealed collecting. New and graded sales are scarce: PriceCharting shows roughly three new sales and one graded sale per year. RetroGamePriceGuide’s new row contains only two sales, from $45 to $446.96, and its sealed row contains six sales, from $75.15 to $349.99.
Recorded examples show the spread:
- RetroGamePriceGuide lists an unopened Italian-titled copy at $446.96 on October 24, 2026 and a partial-seal sale at $225 on October 11.
- PriceCharting records a CGC 9.0 A+ sale at $360 on May 13, 2025.
- PriceCharting records $600 for a factory-sealed VGA 95 sale on July 10, 2020.
- PriceCharting records $813 for the VGA 95 Heritage lot dated October 31, 2025; Heritage’s catalog gives the auction date as October 2, 2025.
- An older VGA 90 eBay result at $1,249.99 on February 20, 2022 is a historical sale, not a 2026 going-rate claim.
Heritage’s catalog for lot 80004 says its August VGA census contained only 10 examples and none graded higher than the VGA 95 offered. That is a grading-population statement, not evidence that only 10 copies were manufactured. Heritage’s public extract does not show the hammer price; the $813 figure is PriceCharting’s recorded result for the linked lot. An offer line of $1,219 or more on the Heritage page is not the auction result.
How should you compare two listings?
Score each copy on five separate axes: region, completeness, cosmetic wear, authenticity evidence and sale type. A $99 near-mint loose US cart with a readable PCB photo can be a safer purchase than a $199 “complete” copy with a crushed box and no board image. A PAL complete copy near €200 may be sensible for a buyer who accepts its language and regional packaging, but it should not be compared directly with a US complete copy without adjusting for region.
- Confirm the region first. Match the cart, box and manual. Separate US, PAL and Japanese prices.
- Classify completeness. Loose, cart plus manual, cart plus box, complete, sealed and graded are different markets.
- Separate condition from authenticity. A clean reproduction label is not a clean original. A genuine cart with a faded label may still be the safer buy.
- Use sold comps. Treat active asks as negotiation signals, not proof of value.
- Price the evidence. Missing PCB photos should reduce what you are willing to risk, especially below or above the normal price band.
- Check hardware compatibility. The catalogued compatible system is Nintendo DS; do not assume DSi or 3DS support from that listing.
What does rarity mean for Metal Slug Advance?
The available evidence supports “mid-high value among GBA games,” not a claimed grail status. RetroGamePriceGuide’s complete-in-box estimate ranks it 55th of 1,092 entries. 8bitedge labels it “Uncommon” and reports 77/100 from 35 IGDB user ratings, with one critic rating of 89/100 and an overall 83/100 from 36 ratings. Those are reception and market-position indicators, not production counts.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →No reviewed source gives a shipment total, print-run figure or SNK manufacturing quantity. If a seller claims that only a specific number were made, ask for a primary source. Observed sales volume, asking scarcity and grading census numbers cannot be converted into a print run.
A safe buying workflow
- Set the target. Decide whether you need a playable loose cart, a complete display copy or a sealed/graded investment-style piece.
- Choose the region. Filter for US, PAL or Japanese packaging before comparing prices.
- Open the sold-price references. Start with the PriceCharting product page, then cross-check recent results in RetroGamePriceGuide.
- Ask for the required photos. For loose, request front, back, label-code and bottom-slot views; for a higher-priced cart, request the opened PCB.
- Reject decisive failures. A black blob, wrong product code, severe label-printing error or unmistakably incorrect shell marking is enough to walk away.
- Verify the complete set. Check the box, manual, tray and inserts, and make sure all pieces belong to the same region.
- Document the transaction. Save the listing, photos and messages showing the promised condition and authenticity.
Use a tri-wing screwdriver only if you own one and can open the shell without damaging it; asking the seller for a clear PCB photo is usually safer. Do not force a seller to open a cartridge, but do not pay an authentic-cart premium without evidence you can evaluate.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Read before You Buy】 Note: This adapter is USB 2.0 version and cannot transmit HDM, VGA, or other video signals. Nevertheless, they are fully capable of charging devices,duplicating files, and can be seamlessly integrated with USB-C earphones, wireless network adapters, and SD card adapters.
- 【Easy to Use and Safe】Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, we've made these adapters sufficiently compact so that they can remain inserted in your device without noticeable protrusion or inconvenience. This means you don't have to constantly plug and unplug them, reducing the likelihood of wear and misalignment, and making them more convenient to carry around.
- 【Reliable Quality】Engineered for enhanced durability, durable aluminum alloy shell material,get excellent wear resistance and heat dissipation,the male USB C and female USB connectors & the male USB and female USB C connectors are designed to be plugged and unplugged up to 20000 times. Provides data transfer, device charging, memory space expansion, and additional computer peripherals.
- 【Think more for you】Do you need to connect a USB-C-enabled device to an odd device that only has USB-A ports? Then these USB-A male to USB-C female adapters are made for you.Simply insert the adapter into the USB-A port on the device, and you can instantly connect your USB-C device to the device that originally didn't have the correct connection port.
- 【Trusted xiwxi Quality and Service】As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and lifetime friendly customer service, you're not just buying a product,you're investing in peace of mind with all-round quality and exceptional customer service.
How we interpret the market
The price guidance above prioritizes completed-sale data, identifies the condition and region for every figure, and separates authentic-looking recent sales from generic low-price listings. It treats one-sale box, manual, sealed and graded results as volatile, uses asking-price pages only as availability context, and keeps grading-census numbers separate from manufacturing claims. Prices can move quickly: loose volume is roughly weekly, while new and graded examples may trade only a few times a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Japanese Metal Slug Advance cartridge have English text?
The sources reviewed do not provide a title-specific language audit for the Japanese release. Ask the seller for gameplay-menu photos or confirm the language before buying if English text is essential.
Should I buy a cheap $25 Metal Slug Advance cart if it is listed as tested?
Only after the seller supplies clear cartridge photographs, preferably an opened PCB image. A working boot logo and save file do not prove originality, and repeated $20–$30 listings sit well below the usual authentic-titled loose sales.
Can a 2002 date on the PCB be correct for a 2004 game?
Yes. The PCB date identifies when that board variant was designed, not necessarily the game’s release year. Game Verifying specifically notes that later releases can use earlier board designs.
Is a VGA population of 10 the same as a print run of 10?
No. The Heritage figure refers only to examples counted in VGA’s August grading census. It does not indicate how many cartridges SNK manufactured or how many ungraded copies exist.
What should I do if the seller will not provide a PCB photo?
Treat the cart as unverified and adjust your offer downward, or choose another listing with better evidence. Refusal alone does not prove a fake, but it removes the most decisive check available to a buyer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
