For retro gaming fans, GBA ROMs capture something special. The pixelated graphics, addictive gameplay, and massive game library make the Game Boy Advance a lasting classic.
Drawing from hours spent on this iconic handheld, here’s my take on the best Game Boy Advance role-playing games that every retro gamer should play in 2024.
Pokémon Ruby – A Gem for Pokémon Fans
One of the best GBA Pokémon games, Pokémon Ruby continues to captivate fans with its fantastic setting, unique Pokémon, and immersive gameplay. Whether you’re replaying it on an emulator iPhone or exploring it for the first time, Pokémon Ruby offers hours of battles, trading, and collecting.
In this edition of Pokémon, we are exploring Hoenn which was inspired by the Japanese island of Kyushu. Unlike previous entries where we were basically fighting the Pokémon stealing mafia named Team Rocket, the stakes are much higher now. Team Magma and Aqua are deadset to awaken legendary beasts that will wreak havoc on Earth and we have to stop them.
We really went from chasing local thieves to battling full-scale environmental terrorists!
This game was a standout release on the GBA and still holds up incredibly well today. I did not want to include Leaf Green or Fire Red here as technically, they are remakes of the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow created for the OG Gameboy and Gameboy color consoles.
Advance Wars – Tactical Strategy at Its Best
If you’re looking for a strategy-based challenge, Advance Wars for the GBA is a top choice. This GBA ROM provides a rewarding, turn-based tactical experience with a compelling mix of characters and intricate storylines.
In this family-friendly version of Command and Conquer, you and your teenage rival go head to head attacking each other’s troops. We’ve got Infantry, Tanks, Anti-Air guns, helicopters for close air support, and much more. Each battle gives you multiple avenues of attack and the various units essentially make it a rock, paper, scissor game, just infinitely more addictive.
Playing Advance Wars on a GBA emulator brings back my memories of managing units and conquering enemy territories. For its time, the AI isn’t half bad and even holds up well today. This ROM is a fan-favorite and remains one of the best strategy games on the GBA, making it an essential part of any retro gamer’s collection.
Pokémon Ash Gray – A Unique Twist for Pokémon Fans
For those who want a fresh twist on the same old Pokémon RPGs, Ash Gray is one of many fan-made Pokémon GBA rom hacks. The story follows the journey of Ash Ketchum from the original Pokémon animated series. With this ROM, players experience the familiar storyline and iconic battles that define the show.
You start in Pallet Town and go through all of the iconic scenes in the first season of the anime. You wake up late, only get to pick Pikachu, get attacked by the Beedrill horde, and more. The one downside here is that you really aren’t adventuring with Misty and Brock, they just periodically show up during cutscenes.
Now, I know mentioning this might give people flashbacks to Pokémon games on the 3DS, like Sun and Moon, which sometimes feel more like a series of cutscenes with a bit of gameplay mixed in. But here, the story bits are brief and to the point, and Pikachu isn’t nearly as overpowered as in the Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! Remakes.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap – An Underrated Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is often overshadowed by other Zelda titles such as A Link to the Past and Four Swords, but it’s a hidden gem on the GBA. This game brings a unique mechanic where players shrink to explore areas from a miniature perspective.
Defeat the evil sorcerer Vaati with your magical talking hat and rescue Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule by extension. With a beautiful art style and classic Zelda elements, this 2004 entry is a must-play for both Zelda fans and retro gamers alike.
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones – Strategy, Stakes, and Epic Battles
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones plunges you into a classic, turn-based world where you’re guarding twin royals, Ephraim and Eirika, as they battle to save their homeland. Every move counts here, and each wrong choice leads to gut-wrenching slow-motion farewells, as your favorite unit falls dramatically.
The game offers a mix of brave knights and accurate archers, though some feel as sturdy as paper. The battlefield offers little mercy, even with a healing staff at hand. Each battle brings a fresh tactical challenge, building up to a final boss who seems to have a centuries-old grudge. Get ready for both heartbreak and heroics with zero undo options.
It’s definitely not a game for everyone but for players who enjoy tactical planning and strategy in their Gameboy Advance RPGs, it is a must-try!
Finding and Playing GBA ROMs in 2024
Currently, there are two primary ways to enjoy your favorite classic GBA games. You can either get a Nintendo Switch Online + membership through the Nintendo eShop or use an emulator on your device of choice. Here are the pros and cons of both options.
Nintendo Switch Online + membership
To access this feature, you will need a Nintendo Switch and a Nintendo eShop account. Head over to the eShop and click on the Nintendo Switch Online tab. Here, you can purchase the membership for $3.99 a month. You can also extend your membership for up to a year for $19.99 or get a family subscription.
The benefit of opting into the service is that you not only get to play a selection of GBA roms but also NES, SNES, Gameboy, and Nintendo 64 titles. The downside is pretty evident, you are relying on Nintendo to keep the games running and you have no option to outright buy these games.
Emulation
With today’s advances in emulators, playing GBA ROMs has become more accessible than ever before. Whether on an emulator iPhone app or a PC, retro gaming fans can enjoy these classics without a GBA console. Here are a few of my recommendations:
- For iOS users: Now that Apple is finally letting emulators on the iPhone app store, you can get the Delta Game Emulator which supports all of the consoles mentioned in the Nintendo Switch Online membership as well as DS titles.
- For Android users: There are a bazillion options for emulators available on the Google Play Store but I would personally recommend getting the My Boy! GBA Emulator or its lite version to play GBA roms in a safe and secure environment.
- For Desktop users: Both Windows and Mac users can get the open-source Visual Boy Advance GBA Emulator to play their favorite titles on the big screen.
Download GBA ROMs only from reputable sources for a safe experience. Luckily, the Visual Boy Advance ROM library has most of the classics, making it easy to find favorites from childhood. Remember to stick to ROMs you own physical copies of, or Pokemon GBA ROM hacks like Ash Gray, to stay within fair use.
If you want a more detailed explanation that covers all of the most useful emulators for the GBA, you can check out Level and League’s GBA Emulator Guide for 2024.
Which Game Are You Most Eager to Play?
With so many options to choose from GBA Pokemon games to Advance Wars for GBA, which of these titles are you most excited to try out in 2024? Be sure to leave a comment below letting us know!
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