Game Boy Advance: 10 Years, 10 Games, A Lifetime of Memories

[mysticwolf]

Ten years ago, a nifty device called the Game Boy Advance was released in North America (on June 11, but by that date of this year, we will all be talking about E3, so let's give the GBA the credit it deserves). When the GBA was released in 2001, it was the bee's knees. It made the previous Game Boys look wimpy, with it's 32-bit processor, better resolution, more colors,  improved sound capabilities, and not to mention the addition of the L and R buttons. You can't doubt the GBA's success, it has sold over 81 million units worldwide over the little system's life. The GBA's reigning era ended with it's last game in 2008, but the experience never gets old; in fact I just bought a GBA game a couple days ago after reading Nintendo Power's GBA feature, and the game really is amazing!

In the latest issue of Nintendo Power, the NP crew looks back at the top 10 games for the system:

• 10. Advance Wars
• 9. Metroid Fusion (I highly recommend this game)
• 8. Gunstar Super Heroes
• 7. Drill Dozer
• 6. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
• 5. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (also very good)
• 4. Astro Boy: Omega Factor
• 3. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
• 2. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
• 1. Metroid Zero Mission

 

Nintendo Power also looks at the top 10 ports for the GBA:

• 10. Disney's Magical Quest Starring Mickey & Minnie
• 9. Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX
• 8. Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
• 7. Super Mario Advance
• 6. Final Fight One
• 5. Final Fantasy IV Advance
• 4. Suepr Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
• 3. Final Fantasy VI Advance
• 2. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
• 1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords

Here's my top 5 GBA games:

• 5. Metroid Fusion
• 4. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire
• 3. Golden Sun
• 2. Zelda: Minish Cap
• 1. Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland

Oh my gosh, that Kirby game was so much fun! I remember playing it so much during my elementary school years. I still get it out now and then. I played it over and over, I must have gone through it like 20 times, it's just so amazing!

Feel free to share your favorite games, your comments, and any last words/tributes you would like to share with your beloved Game Boy Advance for it's 10th birthday. Here's my tribute: