After an alleged leak of a Nintendo-developed emulator leaked online, rumors that Nintendo plans to distribute Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles on its Nintendo Switch Online subscription service have resurfaced.
As much as we adore the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color systems here at Nintendo Life Towers, now seems like a good moment to take a look at GBA titles we’d want to see come to Nintendo Switch Online — or, maybe more likely, to the more expansive Expansion Pack category.
The following is a list of 24 such novels and short stories. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Harvest Moon, Mega Man Zero, and Advance Wars (at some time) are all titles that have already been released on the Nintendo Switch in some manner.
After the ‘dead’ Sunspot Erupts, the Icelandic Sky Takes on a Brilliant Aurora Glow.
While it is a fact that we would all enjoy the addition of Pokemon to the game, Nintendo’s stance on the matter is that moving and exchanging Pokémon in the Save States of a game with the Save States may be a bit of a problem. Although we expect Pokémon remakes rather than re-releases, a brilliant solution may be found for those particular entries.
The caveats are becoming ridiculous! 24 GBA oldies we’d like to relive via Nintendo Switch Online are on the list.
Golden Sun (GBA)
Golden Sun is an excellent RPG, combining the best aspects of the classic formula with its unique twists. Any excellent role-playing game relies on a rich world, likable people, and an engaging plot, and Golden Sun delivers on all of these fronts. Stick with it, and you’ll be rewarded with a fascinating and rewarding RPG that merits an updated installment… or at the least, a remake.
Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)
The 2004 remake of Metroid, titled Metroid: Zero Mission, is one of the finest remakes ever made (if that conversation is being held with a teenager during the 2010s).
The plot of the previous game is retold in Zero Mission, but with improved graphics and gameplay influenced by Super Metroid. If you want to enjoy Samus’s first mission in the best possible way, this is the quest for you. This is a zero-sum mission.
There are Nintendo Life workers that would prefer this to the SNES game in a head-to-head battle. It is.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (GBA)
With the help of Vicarious Visions, it was possible to create an excellent isometric version of the full-sized Tony Hawk games, one that is fast, responsive, and not at all like the reduced portable port you may have imagined. The GBA version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is one of our favorite games in the series, thanks to its fantastic soundtrack and stunning visuals. And then there’s Spider-Man.
What could go wrong?
Astro Boy: The Omega Factor (GBA)
Osamu Tezuka is a beloved manga and anime character, and this Treasure-developed take on the character was a true standout in the GBA’s library, which is suitable considering the high regard the property has. Astro Boy: The Omega Factor is a departure from Treasure’s regular fare, with more platforming beat ’em up action than usual (with a few shmup-style stages thrown in for good measure).
Traditional manga presentation of characters in dialogue portraits is skillfully combined with more rounded 3D-Esque sprites and backdrops for the action in this successful manga-style work. Licensed to the source material, it’s a tremendous winner.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land (GBA)
Since this year marks the 30th anniversary of Kirby’s debut on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land is a fitting homage. As compared to recent Kirby games, it’s a little barebone, but it’s still fun to play, and there are a few innovative moments that come through.
Playing Kirbster games is always a joy because of the bright and cheerful graphics. This is especially true when you’re searching for something that’s just a little bit of a challenge.
Gunstar Super Heroes (GBA)
This is a sequel that lives up to the majesty of the name it uncomfortably sandwiches a ‘Super’ in the middle of, Gunstar Super Heroes. Even though Treasure’s famous Mega Drive game from 1993 has been reworked to function better on a portable device, the end product is just as intriguing, even though it’s short and doesn’t include co-op play.
Compared to other shoot-em-ups, Gunstar Heroes is among the very best. This sequel is equally excellent, though not exceptional.
If you’re European and want to be awkward, you can say the future.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)
In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Nintendo continued the habit of providing Link with a companion in the form of a talking cap. Once again it was the Ezlo Minish Cap—a cap that could transform Link into a minuscule Link to help him seek and save ‘Picoris,’ the Minish people, from the Kinstone shards.
A classic Zelda adventure that looks and sounds great but doesn’t do much to spice things up, this was another Flagship-developed entry after the firm has proven itself with the superb pair of Oracles (Ages and Seasons).
Link’s ability to fuse materials to his sword and acquire new sword skills was further improved by the addition of certain new items, such as Mole Mitts, Gust Jars, and a Cane of Pacci. Overall, this was a fantastic mini-adventure.
Kuru Kuru Kururin (GBA)
A touch too easy at first, but that’s about the only thing you can complain about Kuru Kuru Kururin’s GBA debut. Playing Helirin without making a mistake is a struggle, but you’ll enjoy every second of it as you steer a gigantic stick through a series of challenging and colorful courses.
You may amuse yourself only by improving your times on the numerous courses, thanks to a diversity of environments and some excellent music. There aren’t many games just like Kuru Kuru Kururin on the GBA, but it’s a lovely diversion that’s excellent for on-the-go enjoyment.
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (GBA)
Although Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES required some familiarity with the series’ cryptic naming practices, this game was well worth the effort (which of course you did).
The Wii U Virtual Console release included all 38 levels without the need for the e-Reader, the cards, and a second GBA to scan them with, something you’d hope would be the case with the game’s e-Reader levels that were never released in North America. Super Mario Advance 4 is a must-have for any Mario fan.
I didn’t see any difference in gameplay between this and the portable edition of SMB3 from the Super Mario All-Stars series. Super Mario Bros. 3 shines brilliantly in whatever form, whether you’re an NES purist or a SNES fan who prefers the enhanced appearance and feel.
Golden Sun: The Lost Age (GBA)
Even though Golden Sun: The Lost Age is a typical RPG, it has a unique quality that makes it stand out. It’s easy to learn and fun to play, so you’ll want to keep playing and experimenting with it. With a lengthier campaign, expanded Djinn gameplay, more difficult puzzles, and small graphics upgrades, The Lost Age improves on nearly everything in Golden Sun.
If you’re a new player, it’s best to start with the fantastic first entry because the game assumes you already know the basics (also, knowing the narrative specifics will help this one make sense, at least at the outset). If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing The Lost Age, you’ll be eager for more.
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! (GBA)
Though WarioWare, Inc.’s microgames are straightforward, the frenzied and fast-paced gameplay that follows from stringing them together in rapid succession is very addicting, and Wario’s trademark brand of mania lends itself particularly well to a portable platform like the Nintendo 3DS.
It’s not the longest game, and there isn’t much to do beyond the single-player mode, but it’s jam-packed with amazing and inventive moments, as well as a lot of nostalgia and charm from the vintage Nintendo era.
Fire Emblem (GBA) 
Another name for this title is Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, and it is a predecessor to the Japan-only Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, which starred series mainstay, Roy. For those of us who were curious about the series after seeing Roy and Marth as combatants in Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Blazing Blade (or just plain old Fire Emblem if you prefer) was a totally good introduction to the franchise.
Sonic Advance (GBA)
When it comes to vintage Sonic games, it’s fair to say that not every developer that’s worked on a Sonic 2D title has managed to capture the delicate sense of inertia and precise mechanics that are so distinctive of the 16-bit era. A good example of this is Sonic Advance.
In keeping with the originals, Dimps adds new aspects that keep the game from seeming like a rehash of the originals. In addition to the Tiny Chao Garden that connects to the GameCube, Sonic Advance has vibrant graphics, amusing animations, and outstanding audio. With multiplayer and the Tiny Chao Garden, Sonic Advance is a platforming delight up there with the hedgehog’s finest.
Jet Grind Radio (GBA)
Although Sega has hinted that they may be working on a relaunch of Jet Grind/Set, we still have a soft spot for it. Jet Grind Radio, a Dreamcast exclusive, exuded more flair than was permissible under the law. While many of the game’s unique features were carried over to the GBA, the latter’s technological restrictions dictated certain compromises.
Even while Vicarious Visions did a terrific job of transferring the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series to the GBA, they probably couldn’t have done a better job of adapting it to television. The game is a wacky, brilliant jewel if you get acclimated to its idiosyncrasies.
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (GBA)
Side stories are sometimes used as an excuse to repeat famous titles, but Tactics Ogre isn’t like other series. One of several Ogre Battle games on the lengthy history of the Game Boy Advance, this GBA-exclusive edition has a slew of secret characters and other endings just waiting to be unearthed beneath its already-detailed and politically-complex surface.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (GBA)
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, the plumber and the ape squared battle for the sake of nostalgia. To begin with, it was meant to be a follow-up to the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong, which was an outstanding game.
However, this game is the only one in the series that offers you direct control of Mario rather than his Minis. While the Mini-Mazza’s are still there to help you along the way, you’ll mostly be controlling the plumber in this charming platformer in the style of the original Donkey Kong. It’s a fantastic piece of work.
WarioWare Twisted! (GBA)
WarioWare Twisted, the third installment in the popular microgame series, is now available! Wario Land 2’s gyro sensor adds a new dimension to the frantic concept introduced in Wario Land 1 and makes it one of the best games in the series’ history.
While you can’t play it on your GameCube’s Game Boy Player because of the sensor in the cart, its simple bite-sized gameplay is just as enjoyable now as it was back in the mid-2000s. Let’s play Twist again.
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA)
The Sacred Stones, Fire Emblem VIII’s eighth installment, was just the franchise’s second game to get a release outside of Japan. To safeguard Magvel from invading invaders, it stars royal twins Eirika and Ephraim, who are separated.
Solid and engaging, even though it didn’t bring much new content, it was a fitting farewell for the series on the GBA in 2005. First-time 3DS owners had a chance to play the series before Fire Emblem: Awakening and its subsequent surge in popularity in the West arrived since it was part of Nintendo’s Ambassador Program.
Metroid Fusion (GBA)
There are a lot of similarities between Metroid Fusion and other SNES games, and that is perhaps its worst flaw. Even though it’s a fantastic game in and of itself, it didn’t accomplish anything to set itself out from earlier Metroid games and seemed much more constrained than its predecessor.
When Metroid Prime debuted on GameCube, the series was propelled ahead at an incredible rate. The linearity of the game is perhaps more suited to a portable Metroid game than a home console Metroid, but it’s still a great 2D entry. If you’re a fan of Metroid Dread, you should check out this prequel on the GBA or the Wii U Virtual Console… or perhaps on Nintendo Switch Online soon.
Riviera: The Promised Land (GBA)
When Sting’s first Dept. Heaven game was launched on the WonderSwan Color in 2002, the sprites and redone character images of Riviera would have likely remained there if Nintendo’s GBA couldn’t fulfill the game’s graphical demands.
Players must carefully evaluate their fighting squad and the goods they carry with them because of a variety of restrictions, and the game’s various endings make it well worth playing through more than once.
Wario Land 4 (GBA)
A testimony to the value of quality over quantity, Wario Land 4’s ingenious nonlinear level layouts encourage numerous plays and more research to gain access to all of the game’s bonus features. A platformer for veterans of the genre, it has a unique audiovisual presentation and flawless level design. It was the inspiration for the WarioWare series. If you’re a lover of platform games, Wario Land 4 is a must-have.
Ninja Five-O (GBA)
Minor issues aside, Hudson Soft’s Ninja Five-O is a wonderful side-scrolling action game with a well-balanced difficulty curve and superb level design that should have had broader distribution. If you’re a fan of 16-bit action games or just searching for something fun to add to your GBA library, Ninja Cop is a must. If you’re able to afford the astronomical amounts it’s fetching on the used market these days.
Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand (GBA)
With Metal Gear’s Hideo Kojima on board as a producer, Konami released Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand, an action-adventure that required players to walk outside to recharge their vampire-defeating solar weapons in the presence of actual sunshine.
The original Game Boy Advance’s non-backlit screen was difficult to view in any light besides direct sunshine. This was fortunate.
Even though its gimmick is what most people remember it for, it’s a fantastic stealth game that deserves a second try. It may even use your Nintendo Switch’s brightness sensor!
Mother 3 (GBA)
It’s a fun little game, I remember. Nintendo, I’m all for it.
Until starters, we think Nintendo will likely include Game Boy and GB Color games in the standard subscription and may hold out on GB Advance games for the Expansion Pack tier. When you’ve got a devoted fanbase clamoring for an official localization of Mother 3 on a current-generation platform, it seems sensible to capitalize on it.
Although we don’t like the notion, it’s how we envision it going down. Like Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light if it isn’t released as a limited-time release on its own.
If the game gets re-released at all, then this is all possible.
We could have kept on. GBA Pokémons are obvious options, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they were excluded owing to the difficulties of exchanging. Nintendo, show us you’re better than we thought!
Let us know what you’d want to see, and what we missed, in the comments section below.
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