entertainment

10 Best Game Boy Advance Games You Can Play On Your Phone For Free Right Now

From RPGs to strategy, take a trip down memory lane with these classic Game Boy Advance games.

Cover image via Sukhbir Cheema (SAYS) & The Chozo Project

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If you're itching for some nostalgia, you can actually play classic Game Boy Advance games on your smartphone for free

Android users can download Lemuroid from Google Play and if you're an iOS user, you can download Delta. Both emulator apps let you run Game Boy Advance ROMs.

You can find Game Boy Advance ROMs with a simple Google search. However, download them at your own risk, as some files may contain viruses, and there could be legal risks depending on where you live.

If you've downloaded either of the emulators above, here are 10 Game Boy Advance games we recommend playing.

1. Golden Sun (2001)

Image via IGN

Developed by Camelot, Golden Sun and its sequel, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, are intricately connected role-playing games (RPGs) that complement each other.

Both games offer exceptional RPG experiences. Although the decisions you make during your journey may not have as significant an impact as Camelot suggests, the depth of the story and engaging characters you encounter are undeniable.

Mechanically, the games excel, particularly in combat, which revolves around capturing Djinn, similar to Pokémon. These creatures can be acquired through exploration or by defeating them in battles, enhancing your party's combat abilities. Additionally, the games feature some of the most stunning pixel art seen on the GBA platform. Highly recommended!

2. Pokémon Emerald (2004)

Image via Retro Recall

Pokémon Emerald is the third edition of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Saphire.

According to many fans of the series, the game is among the best due to its enhanced and well-developed storyline. The inclusion of the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza also adds depth to the narrative and provides players with new challenges to overcome.

The Battle Frontier, a post-game area with various challenging facilities where players can test their skills against powerful trainers, is another reason why the game is highly re-playable even after completing the main game.

Other features such as trainer rematches and the implementation of the weather system make Pokémon Emerald one of the most memorable titles in the series, which explains why it is a favourite among Pokémon fans.

3. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)

Image via Medium

Despite the absence of Eiji Aonuma's guiding influence, who has been overseeing the series since Ocarina Of Time, The Minish Cap retains the essence of a traditional Zelda game.

What's unique about The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is that it refined dungeon layouts and introduced new sword techniques for Link, the primary character, to learn and master.

But what impressed gamers at that time was Link's newfound ability to shrink in size. This added depth to puzzle-solving because it required players to switch between forms to uncover new paths and solve various challenges.

Oh, and who can forget Ezlo, the game's titular talking hat? Its witty remarks and humour made The Minish Cap among the best games created for the Game Boy Advance.

4. Metroid: Fusion (2002)

Image via IGN

Regarded by many as the best Game Boy Advance game ever created, Metroid: Fusion is remembered for its atmospheric visuals, which were one of the finest on the platform at the time.

Yoshio Sakamoto's vision led to an intriguing evolution of the series. While Metroid: Fusion sacrificed some freedom for a linear narrative, it delved deeper into Samus' character and introduced the menacing SA-X.

Play this game if you're looking for a game that will put you on the edge of your seat.

5. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town (2003)

If you're looking for a super chill and adorable game, you can never go wrong with Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town.

Your goal is simple: Turn a rundown farm into a moneymaking business while raising your family. Yes, you can get married and even have a baby in this game. There are also minigames and festivals, making this game such a memorable experience.

There are no villains in this game except, probably, time itself as you will find yourself racing to quickly tend to your crops and feed your livestock before the day ends. But this can be fixed once you upgrade your tools.

6. Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001)

Image via Hogan Reviews

Okay, maybe you might not be a fan of the pre-rendered graphical style. However, Mario Kart: Super Circuit has karting mechanics that have stood the test of time by building upon the previous two games.

While there are no new power-ups or characters, racers will appreciate the cleverly designed 20 race tracks that come with their own sets of challenges.

You'll also be able to unlock 20 racetracks from the first game in the series, Super Mario Kart.

7. Mother 3 (2006)

Released at the tail-end of Game Boy Advance's life, Mother 3 gained a cult following thanks to its plot.

The game is the final entry in the Mother series and involves a group of kids preventing a mysterious alien army from invading their planet.

While it was released in Japanese and never got an international release, there's an unofficial English version created by fans of the series. If you find it, you must play the game for its heartfelt story.

8. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2003)

Image via Polygon

In total, three Castlevania titles were released for the Game Boy Advance. However, if you need to choose one, Aria of Sorrow is the one to play.

The game is aesthetically pleasing and introduces a distinctive game mechanic through its Tactical Soul system. This innovative feature enables players to absorb the souls of vanquished enemies, empowering protagonist Soma Cruz with enhanced skills and abilities.

From extravagant bosses to an awesome soundtrack alongside numerous weaponry you can experiment with, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a fun game to play. 

9. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (2002)

An underrated game, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis pulls you into a bleak world with an immersive story.

Despite its difficulty, the game is memorable for allowing players to build armies of various races while assigning roles to them. The game's environment plays a big factor in deciding the outcome of each battle.

This is an extremely interesting and enjoyable game that strategy lovers should play at least once in their lifetime.

10. Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure (2004)

Image via Hogan Reviews

There aren't that many solid fighting games on the Game Boy Advance. But Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure is among the few that get mentioned often simply because of its three game modes.

You have the story mode, which follows kid Son Goku's journey. The auto-scroller allows you to battle enemies in mid-air, and there's the versus mode, where you get to fight other Dragon Ball characters.

Each time you defeat bosses in the story mode, more characters get unlocked in the versus mode. There are over 20 characters that players can choose from.

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