The Game Boy Advance is often fondly remembered for its incredible 2D library, but the system also breached that barrier with 3D GBA games. Despite its lack of dedicated 3D hardware, developers found clever ways to deliver some of the most iconic and memorable titles that brought 3D graphics to Gameboy Advance games.
These 3D GBA games pushed the console to its limits with clever use of sprite scaling and pre-rendered models. To celebrate these achievements, let’s check out the most iconic 3D GBA games, the challenges of creating them, and how you can still play them today.
Top 3D GBA Games
After spending over eighty hours inside the most popular 3D GBA ROMs, here are the titles that were the most memorable for me:
Driver 3
Driver 3 brought the high-speed car chases of the console versions to the GBA. While the graphics were scaled down, the game retained its open-world feel through a mix of top-down exploration and low-poly vehicle models.
The game does cut some corners on track length and it is not a one-to-one copy of its console counterpart. That said, the game still packs some serious heat with wide open tracks, most of the classic muscle cars and coupes, and even a few sections where lengthy shootouts take place.
007 Nightfire
This portable James Bond adventure blended first-person and third-person perspectives. Despite simplified visuals, it captured the essence of the console version with stealth mechanics, futuristic spy gadgets, and even the classic Aston Martin V12 Vanquish makes an appearance here.
Considered one of the best Gameboy games of all time, this simple yet elegant title still has an active speedrunning community. The legendary Pierce Brosnan also makes an appearance as James Bond as his likeness is used in the game but unfortunately, his voice was not used and the game’s developer JV Games went with Maxwell Caulfield instead.
Stuntman
If you want complex courses, challenging driving mechanics, and an incentive not to drive headfirst into bending roads like a homing beacon, Stuntman for the GBA is your best bet. The game has tracks set in a variety of places where you drive everything from Corvettes to Tuk Tuks.
A unique stunt-driving simulator, Stuntman featured challenging courses that tested timing and precision. Its 3D engine recreated complex environments, making it one of the most ambitious 3D GBA games out there. Run through the gauntlet flawlessly and you can unlock harder tracks and levels such as the Jump Trials.
Wing Commander: Prophecy
This was the first entry of the franchise into the Gameboy Advance and saying it nailed it out of the park would be an understatement. This space-combat sim amazed players with its fluid 3D spaceship models and fast-paced dogfights.
Wing Commander: Prophecy is the fifth entry in the iconic series, and in it, you take on the role of a rookie pilot thrust into the heart of a galactic war. Your mission? To battle the Nephilim, a vicious insectoid alien race that’s wreaking havoc across the galaxy after a devastating defeat at our hands.
While the Game Boy Advance version does cut back on most of the cinematic cutscenes, it still delivers an engaging, fast-paced first-person space combat experience. If you’re looking for a quick and thrilling alien-slaying adventure against all odds, this one is definitely worth revisiting.
Ozzy and Drix
Based on the animated series, this game featured colorful 3D platforming segments alongside 2D action, showcasing a mix of technical ingenuity and vibrant design. I was shocked to see the animations and graphics here as they looked straight out of the DS if you squint your eyes a bit and don’t mind the lower resolution.
To be honest, I’m not really a fan of platformers in general. The only one I’ve ever fully completed was Cuphead, and that was mostly because the art style kept me hooked. But this game? It’s a whole different beast, it’s so goofy that it’s like watching a car crash, you know you probably shouldn’t, but you can’t look away.
You play as Ozzy who is a red blood cell and Drix who is a flu tablet, and together, you journey through the entire body battling off all sorts of bizarre enemies. With a premise this ridiculous, do I even need to give you a reason to give it a shot?
Asterix & Obelix XXL
Velez and Dubail created some of the most technically impressive titles for the GBA in the early 2000s. Just beside Driver 3 for the GBA, Asterix & Obelix XXL is considered one of their most impressive games.
Plenty of assets are reused for this GBA version but the game has also been noticeably stripped down in some instances. That said, the voxel-based 3D rendering creates expansive environments which let this platformer still hold on to large-scale scenes making it one of the best 3D titles on the GBA even today.
The Technical Challenges of 3D on the GBA
Despite Nintendo’s best attempt at making the console a power-packed handheld device, they had to cut corners in some noticeable areas. The GBA lacked a dedicated 3D graphics processor, so developers had to rely on software rendering. Techniques like sprite scaling, pre-rendered backgrounds, and low-poly models simulated 3D visuals.
Some games even used Mode 7, a technique borrowed from the SNES, to create pseudo-3D effects like rotating landscapes. These workarounds often required sacrifices in frame rate, texture detail, and draw distance, but they allowed developers to create truly groundbreaking visuals in 3D GBA games.
Overlooked 3D GBA Titles
While games like Driver 3 and Stuntman are well-known, here are a few 3D GBA ROMs that flew under the radar:
- Payback: This GTA-style game featured an impressive open-world design with missions, vehicles, and plenty of chaos.
- V-Rally 3: A polished rally racing game with smooth 3D graphics and tight controls.
- Asterix & Obelix XXL: Its voxel-based graphics made it one of the most visually striking GBA games.
These lesser-known titles are worth revisiting for their cult following and in some cases, a vast community that is still hell-bent on creating ROM Hacks for their favorite games.
The History of 3D Gaming on the GBA
Early GBA 3D games laid the groundwork for ambitious titles later in the system’s life. The experimentation started with simple racing games like F-Zero: Maximum Velocity and evolved into complex shooters like Doom II and Duke Nukem Advance.
By the end of its lifespan, the Gameboy Advance boasted a surprising number of 3D games, each showcasing the ingenuity of its developers. Let’s go through a few highlights of the top 3D GBA games and how they came into being. Let’s have a look at the developers and teams that made it happen.
Top Developers of 3D GBA Games
Several studios made significant contributions to GBA’s 3D library, here are some of my favorites:
- Velez & Dubail: Known for their pioneering work on Asterix & Obelix XXL and other voxel-based titles. The studio started production all the way back in 1990 but came into prominence in the early 2000s. I would have liked their Gameboy games on the Switch but it was not meant to be.
- Torus Games: Developed FPS classics like Doom II and Duke Nukem Advance, pushing the limits of handheld shooters. They are known for their vast arsenal of titles on the GBA, DS, and even 3DS. They have also partnered with giant companies like Activision, Namco, and Ubisoft to bring their best games on the GBA.
- Alten8 Ltd: Created their very own 3D engine for the GBA named G3DTM which helped them create titles like GT Racers. The British developer ceased operation in 2010 with their last entry surprisingly being a 4D film.
These developers helped redefine what handheld gaming could achieve at a time when it was still in its infancy. Although their games were never as popular as the top Pokemon GBA Games, they still managed to appeal to a niche community of gamers who adore these titles to this day.
The Legacy of 3D GBA Games
The GBA’s 3D games inspired future handheld systems like the Nintendo DS and PSP. Developers took lessons from the GBA’s limitations, leading to more sophisticated portable 3D engines. These early attempts paved the way for immersive handheld experiences, shaping the future of gaming on t
3D GBA Games in the Speedrunning Community
Some of the best 3D Gameboy Advance games like Driver 3 and Doom have found a home in the speedrunning community. Their design quirks, such as exploitable glitches and fast-paced mechanics, make them perfect for competitive play.
Communities continue to discover new tricks, keeping these games alive and thriving. You can still join Reddit communities based around speedrunning retro titles or head over to the Speedrun website to find like-minded individuals focused on playing these games.
Fan Mods and ROM Hacks of 3D GBA Games
Fans have enhanced many 3D GBA games through mods and ROM hacks, the most common being Pokemon ROM hacks. These projects focus on bringing better stories, linking worlds, adjusting controls, and even adding new levels.
Emulators and community tools on Itch and other platforms make it easier than ever to experience these upgraded versions. It’s so simple, you can try it yourself! Simply get a good version of RPG Maker and get a few sprite packs that are similar to your favorite game. In the case of Pokemon GBA games, you can easily find an all-in-one solution such as the Pokemon Graphics Library by Poketester 9000.
Today, you can revisit these 3D GBA games through emulators, ROMs, or official re-releases on platforms like the Nintendo Switch. Whether you’re a fan of classic racing, action, or adventure, these games offer a glimpse into a time when handheld gaming defied expectations.
How to Play 3D GBA Games in 2025
Playing 3D GBA games and ROMs is pretty easy nowadays thanks to dedicated third-party consoles and emulators. Here are a few key steps to follow to play your favorite 3D Gameboy Advance games right now:
- Get a Handheld System – There are plenty of alternatives available to retro gaming fans such as the Anker RG35xx or the MIU Mini Plus. That said, nothing beats the original and you can still find plenty of modded GBAs and GBA SPs on Etsy or eBay for a decent price.
- Find your Games – Be it a modded Nintendo console or 3rd party handhelds, you will need to find 3D GBA Roms online. Head over to reputed sites such as Visual Boy Advance or Emulator Games and only download ROMs that you have a physical cartridge of. I have to say that or else Nintendo might drone-strike my apartment.
- Find a good emulator – As with most things, we are looking for a perfectly balanced experience. If you have decided to go the 3rd Party handheld route to play your 3D GBA ROMs, you can look for good emulators such as My Boy! for Android or Delta for iOS.
- Load your ROMs on the emulator – Once you have downloaded your favorite 3D GBA Games, it is time to place them in an easily accessible folder on your device and ensure your emulator has access to the folder. The games should pop up automatically when you open the emulator or you might have to search them using the file browser feature inside your emulator.
With that, you are ready to experience the best 3D Gameboy games on your console or emulator!
Are 3D GBA Games Worth Playing in 2025?
If you want the latest and greatest in terms of graphics and mechanics, 3D GBA Games might not be the best solution for you. However, if you are a big fan of retro titles or want to see the workarounds used by talented devs to create 3D games on an essentially 2D handheld console from the 2000s, I would highly recommend giving them a try.
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