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80 CT Special Forces 2: Back in the Trenches
CT2 delivers stealthy counter-terrorism action
CT Special Forces 2 delivers tactical side-scrolling missions. You control elite soldiers using various weapons and gadgets to complete objectives behind enemy lines. The gameplay alternates between side-scrolling infiltration, top-down stealth, and helicopter-based shooting segments. It's like Metal Gear meets Contra with mission variety!
The graphics feature detailed soldier and enemy sprites with smooth animations for various combat actions. The different mission environments range from jungle compounds to urban facilities, all with enough detail to support the tactical gameplay. The weapon effects are visually distinctive, from silenced pistols to explosive grenades. The soundtrack creates a tense atmosphere appropriate for covert operations. Controls are responsive and adapt well between the different gameplay perspectives.
This underappreciated gem deserves recognition for its variety of well-executed gameplay styles. The mission structure provides clear objectives without excessive handholding. The balance between stealth and action creates strategic choices rather than forcing a single approach. The gadget system adds problem-solving elements beyond simple combat. It's a perfect example of a game that creates depth through carefully designed missions rather than complex systems or stat management.
| Developer | Light and Shadow Production |
| Coupled platform(s) | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
79 Banjo Kazooie Grunty's Revenge
Missing the bear and bird duo from the N64 days?
Grunty's Revenge brings their 3D platforming to the 2D realm. You control Banjo with Kazooie in his backpack as they try to stop Gruntilda the witch once again. The gameplay preserves the collectathon nature of the console games, with musical notes, puzzle pieces, and various transformations. It's set between the first two N64 games, providing additional story context.
The graphics do an impressive job translating the 3D world of Banjo-Kazooie to a 2D perspective. The sprite work captures the cartoon charm of the characters, with expressive animations for Banjo and Kazooie's various moves. The environments maintain the whimsical, colorful aesthetic of the console games. The soundtrack adapts the iconic compositions from the N64 titles, maintaining their catchy, playful nature. Controls map the various moves and abilities well to the GBA's button layout.
This portable adventure successfully adapts a 3D collect-a-thon to a 2D format. The level design cleverly recreates the exploration-focused gameplay without the benefit of a third dimension. The transformations provide meaningful variety to the gameplay beyond basic platforming. The humor and character interactions maintain the series' charming personality and fourth-wall breaking jokes. It's a faithful translation of the Banjo-Kazooie experience that understands what made the original games special.
| Developer | Rare |
| Coupled platform(s) | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
78 Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django
Ready for some more vampire-hunting powered by actual sunlight?
Boktai 2 builds on the unique solar-sensor gameplay delivered in Boktai 1. You control Django, the Solar Boy, using weapons powered by real-world sunlight detected by a sensor in the cartridge. The sequel adds action-RPG elements, including weapon crafting and town rebuilding. The gameplay involves stealth, combat, and environmental puzzles that often require playing in actual sunlight.
The graphics improve upon the original with more detailed environments and character sprites. The lighting effects are particularly impressive, with shadows and sun-drenched areas having gameplay implications. The various weapons Django can forge have unique visual designs and attack animations. The soundtrack creates a perfect atmosphere that blends Western themes with supernatural elements. Controls are responsive and intuitive, with the various weapons and solar abilities mapped logically to different buttons.
This innovative sequel deserves recognition for expanding the solar-sensor concept beyond a simple gimmick. The town restoration elements add meaningful progression beyond the linear mission structure. The weapon crafting system provides customization that supports different playstyles. The day/night cycle using the GBA's internal clock creates strategic planning around when to play. It represents Kojima Productions' willingness to experiment with unique gameplay concepts that blend real-world elements with virtual adventure.
| Developer | Kojima Productions |
| Coupled platform(s) | Nintendo Game Boy Advance |
77 Alien Hominid
Some run-and-gun action with quirky hand-drawn style
Alien Hominid delivers chaotic shooting with unique visuals. You control a small yellow alien stranded on Earth and hunted by FBI agents. The gameplay focuses on side-scrolling shooting with melee attacks, vehicle sections, and mini-games. It began life as a Flash game before becoming a full console and GBA release. Which was an early indie success story.
The graphics feature a distinctive hand-drawn style that looks like animated cartoons come to life. The alien protagonist is expressively animated, from his shooting stance to his death flops. Enemy designs are creative and humorous, with exaggerated reactions to being shot or sliced. The backgrounds feature detailed environments with a charming, slightly twisted aesthetic. The soundtrack delivers energetic punk and electronic tracks that match the frantic gameplay. Controls are responsive and straightforward, mapping the shooting and melee actions intuitively.
This indie darling deserves a place in this list for successfully translating its unique style to the GBA. The irreverent humor and distinctive art style set it apart from other action games on the system. The boss battles are creative, requiring pattern recognition and quick reflexes. The mini-games provide meaningful diversions from the main campaign. It represents the beginning of indie games finding success on mainstream platforms, years before digital distribution made such transitions common.
| Developer | Tuna Technologies |
| Coupled platform(s) |
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76 F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Futuristic speed right at the GBA's launch
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity delivers blistering hover-racing action. You pilot anti-gravity vehicles at extreme speeds through twisting, obstacle-filled courses. The gameplay focuses on maintaining top speed while mastering the precise controls needed to navigate courses without crashing into walls or falling off the track. One mistake at these velocities often means race-ending explosion.
The graphics showcase the GBA's capabilities, with smooth scaling and rotation creating a convincing sense of speed. The vehicle designs are colorful and distinctive, making each machine instantly recognizable. The tracks feature futuristic elements like boost pads, magnetic zones, and death-defying jumps. The soundtrack delivers high-energy electronic and rock tracks that perfectly complement the breakneck pace. Controls are precise and responsive, essential for the split-second reactions needed at such high speeds.
This launch title demonstrates what the GBA could do right out of the gate. The sense of speed is genuinely exhilarating, creating white-knuckle tension throughout each race. The track design offers a perfect balance of challenge and fairness, rewarding practice and mastery. The various cup challenges and difficulty levels provide substantial content for solo players. It successfully brought the F-Zero experience to a handheld without compromising what made the series special.
| Developer | NDcube |
| Coupled platform(s) |
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