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25 Final Fantasy Tactics: Advance
Grid-based tactical battles governed by magical judges
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance delivers strategic depth with a unique twist. You control Marche and friends, real-world children transported to the fantasy realm of Ivalice. The gameplay focuses on turn-based tactical combat with an extensive job system. The unique "Law" system adds complexity by restricting certain actions in battle.
The graphics feature charming isometric battlefields with detailed sprite work for the various races and job classes. The battle animations are simple but effective, clearly conveying the action without slowing down the tactical gameplay. The soundtrack creates a whimsical atmosphere with memorable themes that enhance the fantasy setting. Controls are intuitive for a strategy game, with a straightforward cursor system for issuing commands and navigating menus.
Tactics Advance deserves its high ranking for successfully adapting the complex tactical RPG formula to a portable format. The job system provides incredible depth, with each race having access to unique classes and abilities. The story explores surprisingly mature themes of escapism and responsibility beneath its colorful exterior. The "Law" system, while sometimes frustrating, creates strategic puzzles that force players to adapt their tactics. It offers hundreds of hours of content for strategy fans to sink their teeth into.
| Developer | Square-Enix |
| Coupled platform(s) | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
24 Metroid Fusion
A claustrophobic, horror-tinged take on Metroid
Fusion creates a sense of dread unlike any other entry. You control Samus Aran, now bonded with Metroid DNA and hunted by an unstoppable copy of herself called the SA-X. The gameplay follows the classic Metroidvania formula of gaining abilities to access new areas, but with a more linear, story-driven approach than previous games.
The graphics are stunning, with fluid animations that make Samus feel appropriately vulnerable in her fusion suit. The environments are richly detailed, from sterile laboratory sections to organic nightmare zones infected by the X parasites. The enemy designs are particularly unsettling, with creatures that melt and reform in alien ways. The soundtrack creates a perfect atmosphere of isolation and tension, with ambient tracks that heighten the horror elements. Controls are precise and responsive, crucial for the demanding platforming and combat challenges.
Fusion successfully creates a more narrative-focused entry without sacrificing the core gameplay. The SA-X encounters generate genuine tension, transforming parts of the game into horror-stealth sections. The more guided experience makes it an excellent entry point for newcomers to the series. The biological horror elements add a distinctive tone unlike anything else on the GBA. It's a master class in building atmosphere and tension through gameplay, visuals, and sound design.
| Developer | Nintendo R&D1 |
| Coupled platform(s) |
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23 WarioWare Twisted
This Wario Ware lets you flip your GBA
WarioWare Twisted adds literal new dimensions to microgame madness. Building on the original WarioWare formula, this installment uses a built-in gyroscope sensor to detect rotation. You'll twist, turn, and spin your GBA to complete bizarre challenges lasting only seconds each. From steering cars to unscrewing jar lids: if it rotates, it's a game!
The graphics maintain the deliberately eclectic style of the series, with each microgame featuring a different artistic approach. The rotation mechanics are clearly communicated through visual cues that indicate which way to turn. The built-in rumble feature provides satisfying physical feedback when you succeed or fail. The soundtrack is as weird and wonderful as the games themselves, with music that often ties directly to the rotation mechanics. Controls are primarily based on physical rotation, with occasional button presses, creating a uniquely physical gaming experience.
Twisted deserves its cult classic status for its innovative use of motion controls years before they became mainstream. The gyroscope implementation feels natural rather than gimmicky, creating gameplay that couldn't exist any other way. The microgames cleverly explore different applications of rotation, from gentle steering to frantic spinning. The unlockable toys and souvenirs provide meaningful rewards for mastering the twisted gameplay. It's a perfect example of Nintendo's willingness to experiment with new forms of interaction.
| Developer | Intelligent Systems |
| Coupled platform(s) | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
WarioWare: Twisted! was not released in Europe.
22 Golden Sun
A traditional JRPG with mind-bending puzzles and spectacular magical effects
Golden Sun delivers an epic adventure. You control Isaac and friends, Adepts who can manipulate elemental Psynergy. The gameplay combines turn-based battles with extensive environmental puzzles solved using your magical abilities. The story involves preventing the powerful alchemy from being unleashed upon the world.
The graphics push the GBA to its limits, with pseudo-3D battle sequences featuring spectacular spell effects. The character sprites are detailed and expressive, with charming idle animations during dialogue. The world environments are richly detailed, from cozy villages to ancient ruins. The soundtrack is simply outstanding, with memorable themes that range from gentle village melodies to pulse-pounding battle music. Controls are responsive and intuitive, both in battle and when solving the environmental puzzles.
Golden Sun deserves its place among RPG royalty for creating a truly console-quality experience on a handheld. The Djinn system offers deep customization for your party's abilities and summons. The puzzle-solving elements create a perfect balance between combat and exploration. The spectacular spell effects and summon animations remain impressive even by modern standards. It raised the bar for what was possible in a handheld RPG, both technically and in gameplay depth.
| Developer | Camelot Software Planning |
| Coupled platform(s) |
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21 Ninja Cop/Ninja Five-O
Play as a ninja SWAT officer with a grappling hook
Ninja Five-O combines ninja skills with hostage rescue missions. You play as Joe Osugi, a ninja police officer using traditional skills to battle modern terrorists. The gameplay focuses on using your grappling hook to swing through levels while rescuing hostages and defeating enemies. Think Bionic Commando meets Shinobi!
The graphics feature detailed character sprites with smooth animations, especially Joe's acrobatic movements. The environments range from office buildings to ancient temples, all with enough detail to create atmosphere without cluttering the screen. The soundtrack delivers energetic action tunes that drive the fast-paced gameplay forward. Controls are precise and responsive, with the grappling hook mechanics feeling particularly satisfying once mastered.
This overlooked masterpiece deserves its place in the GBA hall-of-fame for its perfectly tuned action gameplay. The grappling hook mechanics create a unique movement system that's easy to learn but difficult to master. The level design cleverly encourages experimentation with different approaches to each situation. Despite limited initial production numbers making physical copies rare, its reputation has grown among action game aficionados. It represents the kind of hidden gem that makes exploring the GBA library so rewarding.
| Developer | Hudson Soft |
| Coupled platform(s) | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |