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Tell me what GBA games to buy!
Karn
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I frequently have long breaks at school and started trying to play games on my phone but I have suddenly remembered that I actually own an old GBA. I don't have many games though, just some pac-man collection, Mario Kart, Advance Wars, and Bomberman. What I am looking for are games a long the lines of simple time wasters, like ports of arcade classics or puzzle games (like Bejeweled) or even a bowling, pool, golf, tennis, or chess game. I suppose shmups would work too.
Basically anything that I can pick up and play and then put down without any real investment into the game play.
Also, I've been thinking about getting an SP, but what is an acceptable price for one? Is picking up a used one a good idea? If so, what should I look out for and how much should I pay?
I've considered getting a DS but I don't have money to be throwing around for a DS when I probably will only be buying a couple of GBA games at the moment.
Basically anything that I can pick up and play and then put down without any real investment into the game play.
Also, I've been thinking about getting an SP, but what is an acceptable price for one? Is picking up a used one a good idea? If so, what should I look out for and how much should I pay?
I've considered getting a DS but I don't have money to be throwing around for a DS when I probably will only be buying a couple of GBA games at the moment.
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Other than that, I love Ninja 5-0, and the Megaman Zero games.
As for games, WarioWare, Fire Emblem, Metroid, basically anything made by Intelligent Systems is a safe bet. Also Pokemon.
It's like Metroid, but with an isometric top-down perspective. It works well for short sessions, because save points are so frequent.
It's very "pick up and play" for an RPG.
Alternatively, I'm going to repeat the recomendations for Wario Ware and Pokemon Emerald.
Also, aren't the newer Pokemon games a bit more complicated than Red or Blue? Also, having no one to play with or trade with kind of takes away part of what made Blue so fun for me.
Karnaaj Rally was a great top-down racing game, good for short bursts if you're a racing fan.
Space Invaders was also pretty good, I believe it had a save anytime feature, as well as the classic game for short high score runs.
All the Tony Hawk's were very good, especially for pick up and play.
There are also a ton of puzzle, shooter, side-scroller (CT Special Forces and Metal Slug come to mind), and fighting games which were great. Take a look at IGN's reviews and sort them by score, you should be able to find plenty of games for burst playing.
SteamID: FronWewq
Battle.net: Orange#1845
3DS Friend Code: 1289-9498-5797
And you totally need to pick up an SP. It is such an advancement over the GBA its amazing. A micro works too, but I find them too small. Its kinda funny, I remember how bright I thought my NESp was. But after going back to it after DSL it almost looks dull.
And third about Emerald, although I also toss up FireRed or Leafgreen.
worth whatever you have to spend and whatever depths you have to go to.
If you haven't got another version of it, Zelda: A Link to the Past is a good choice, although I've also heard good reviews of Minish Cap (you should be able to find LttP for $20 though).
I haven't seen any mention of the Castlevania games, which all were great.
And I'll back up everyone else with Fire Emblem.
And lastely, I recommend getting Street Fighter Alpha 3. It really isn't made for hardcore players (if only because it uses 4 buttons) and has some stuff noticeably missing (story), but the gameplay remains intact and is still great if you're a casual player.
there are but a few titles or series I would consider adding to it
http://users.ign.com/collection/Deusfaux
Gotta love those classics!
And if you can find it, you should at least consider it.
Edit: And unless you can get Kirby's Adventure for Wii's Virtual Console...
Pretty much the same game, given a Super Mario All-Stars makeover, and it is oh so pretty on DS and SP screens.
I WILL NOT BE DOING 3DS FOR NWC THREAD. SOMEONE ELSE WILL HAVE TO TAKE OVER.
Spoiler contains Friend Codes. Won't you be my friend?
More Friend Codes!
Mario Kart Wii: 3136-6982-0286 Tetris Party: 2364 1569 4310
Guitar Hero: Metallica: 1032 7229 7191
TATSUNOKO VS CAPCOM: 1935-2070-9123
Nintendo DS:
Worms: Open Warfare 2: 1418-7870-1606 Space Bust-a-Move: 017398 403043
Scribblenauts: 1290-7509-5558
Please.
And I'd personally recommend the Micro. With the DS being what it is, the Micro is the only portable gaming system at the moment that lets you game in public without looking like a complete dork. (Even if, like me, it is the truth.)
Feel free to add, just PM me.
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World (the first one with Yoshi) is a player's choice game ($20), and you can save in between levels. Plus there are a ton of levels, especially if you try and find all of the secret areas.
Doom and Doom II hit the GBA, and they're pretty awesome for just pick up and play kill some stuff for five minutes or whatever. Wolfenstien 3D also hit the GBA, but those games are pretty hard to find nowadays.
The Pokemon games are pretty good, because if you've got a while in between classes, you can continue the story, or if you only have a few minutes you can just powerlevel for a while.
Steam / Bus Blog / Goozex Referral
Quick question, I was looking at the GBA game list on wikipedia and saw "Donkey Kong" listed. Is the original Donkey Kong available for the GBA? Also, I didn't see Bubble Bobble, which made me sad. Is it included in a pack that perhaps I do not know the name of?
Is Final Fantasy Tactics really a light game? I am a bit weary of buying a game that I don't think I have enough determination to finish.
I'd also like to thank you guys for the help. I didn't even know Micro's existed until you told me, and now I have one and think it is awesome!
Whoa! Back up there a second!
If you are considering getting the ORIGINAL Wario Ware, then reconsider your purchase of Puzzle League/Dr. Mario. Inside Wario Ware Inc. is Dr. Mario as an unlockable, but just renamed as Dr. Wario.
But, you know, Puzzle League.....
I WILL NOT BE DOING 3DS FOR NWC THREAD. SOMEONE ELSE WILL HAVE TO TAKE OVER.
Spoiler contains Friend Codes. Won't you be my friend?
More Friend Codes!
Mario Kart Wii: 3136-6982-0286 Tetris Party: 2364 1569 4310
Guitar Hero: Metallica: 1032 7229 7191
TATSUNOKO VS CAPCOM: 1935-2070-9123
Nintendo DS:
Worms: Open Warfare 2: 1418-7870-1606 Space Bust-a-Move: 017398 403043
Scribblenauts: 1290-7509-5558
on the ps3 - doubttom
on wii - 2056 0358 8899 2028
Also is Virtual Kasparov a good chess game or is there a better one? Additionally, I am in the market for a pool game, but don't see any listed.
SteamID: FronWewq
Battle.net: Orange#1845
3DS Friend Code: 1289-9498-5797
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Oh, TMNT just came out, and it's supposed to be :^:
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
And I didn't know they made a GBA version of Alien Hominid
But, the nice thing is that the GBA is region free, so you can import it if you like.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Edit: beat'd...
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is kinda love-hate. Its a lot like the PSOne version, but you learn your goddamn skills from whatever items you have equipped. Want to learn a spell? kill stuff with a special item equipped. Want three guys to learn that spell? Get three items or start a queue.
Also the missions where you send a single member to go complete were a really cool idea but the chance of success seemed to be totally random. Hopefully they flesh that out for the sequel, it would be really fun if you could send out a 2 or 3 man squad to accomplish your tasks for you and actually play the mission rather than send an assassin out and hope he picks enough of the right flower to get paid 30 gil and a potion.
Anyway, the game was pretty simple when you realize all you have to do is fill your non-required spots with sharpshooting bunny assassins.
Oh, and oddly enough, games like super ghouls and ghosts dont have slowdown on the micro, while they do on the SP and the DSL. I found that odd yet cool.
And finally, I recommend Street Fighter Alpha 3 if you can find it. Its a really good port.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
They changed the music in Dr. Mario?
I'm definitely not looking into RPGs. I have a few for consoles that I never really touch. I guess they just aren't my thing.
-Game and Watch Gallery 4
Sort of a Best-Of collection of the three previous games, plus a few new ones (9 that are vailable in classic and enhanced modes, as well as 9 classic-only games). Best pick up and play since you can pause, turn off the system, and resume right where you left off. The gameplay isn't terribly deep and more relies on rythem than skill, but for pick-up-and-play you can't do much better. Also includes the G+W version of Zelda.
-Super Mario Advance series
It's Mario. All games use sleep mode and most include the ability to save any time (Progress, not save states). SMA4 (SMB3) gets my heartiest recommendation.
-Ultimate Card Games/Ultimate Board Games
Titles are self explanitory. Each includes games of their respective genres. Both let you save games in progress as well as extensive stat tracking.
-Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo
Dispite random crashes and sometimes guady color-loss, a very well done port of the PS1/Arcade titles. Includes all modes, characters, and secrets of it's console brother.
That's about all I can think of for now
Brawl: 3265 4738 2973
Now I like this thread, and I like all of your suggestions. Only problem is, most of the games you mentioned are not ones that are easy to find. Heck, while we're at it, go find car battler joe and lunar advance, and the nintendo classic version of super robot wars.
Here are some less rare, totally awesome options for the GBA.
Super Mario Brothers 3
Mario Kart:Super Circuit
Warioware:Twisted (fun fact, this and Mario Kart used to be hard to find, but now are as common as dirt.)
The neat thing about the GBA is that you can find some ridiculous deals on the games sometimes. Look for bargain bins at your local big box retailers, and check the used shelf at your local game store. Some games are bootlegs, some are way overpriced, but you can find some gems sometime if you look hard enough.
Another suggestion for someone looking to get in cheap to the GBA (AND ONLY GBA) market. Wal-Marts have GB Micros for less than $50. If you want something cheap and awesome you really can't do any better than this. Of course if you still play old GB and GBC games, the GBA SP with the improved screen is a great deal, however, it's quite a bit bigger and costs about $30 more.
And it can be a "pick up and play" title because it does have a Save State feature for when you are in the middle of a battle and have to turn off the system. Gunstar Super Heros, Metal Slug Advance, and the arcade port of Metal Slug for the GBA are also great for quick and action packed platformer sessions.
I also second the suggestion of the Game and Watch Gallery 4. That title is fairly good for wasting time with little investment.
As for rare titles, I have noticed that a lot of the GBA titles are being culled from store shelves steadily these last few months. Chances are that the majority of good titles will have to be either found used, in a bin, or from ebay by sometime next year anyways.
How does the game play compared to the console version?
Also, some good, easy to find GBA games are:
Advance Wars 1 or 2
Fire Emblem (either one)
Minnish Cap
Mario & Luigi
Any of the Super Mario Advance games
Any of the Warioware games
Any of the Golden Sun games (although get the first one first)
And a ton of other games I can't think of at the moment.
Aaaanyway, I bought TMNT based on all the hype around here but was pretty disappointed. It's got some very minor flaws but they were enough to put me off the game. Enemies take too long to kill compared to the likes of Streets of Rage and Final Fight, even basic grunts take many combos. That and the game is very nitpicky on the alignment of the Y-axis, you have to be perfectly aligned with a bad guy to hit him and it felt very finnicky at times. Overall it was okay but I didn't finish it, traded it in.
Fire Emblem is definitely great if you like the genre, good for pick up and play, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is even better imo, but it is very long, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly though, I'm over 40 hours in and not finished it yet, it's good value.
Metroid Zero Mission is absolutely great and recommended, Fusion is also very worthwhile. Not sure about pick up and play factor though, sometimes you can spend 20-30 minutes between save points.