Highlights

• Turn-based RPGs on GBA challenge players to think strategically in battles using unique systems such as alchemy and elemental powers.
• Obscure sequels like Fullmetal Alchemist: Sonata of Memories and Mother 3 offer compelling storylines and innovative gameplay mechanics.
• Remakes like Lunar Legend and Breath of Fire 2 update classic RPGs with improved graphics and gameplay, but remain true to the original charm.

RPGs on the Game Boy Advance offer a lot for different types of players. Some play them because they like the story. Some play them for the graphics. Others play them for the challenge, and one of the most exciting genres is the turn-based RPG.

Players must use their wits to survive turn-based combat rather than hacking and slashing like in action games. The subgenre of this would be tactical RPGs and the GBA has some outstanding games like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance And Fire Emblem. While these are good games, they are not traditional turn-based RPGs. Let’s see what else the GBA has to offer.

An anime game that fans would love

• Published: July 22, 2004 (Japan)
• Developer: Tom Create
• Publisher: Bandai
• Metacritic rating: N/A

Japan has many more anime games on the GBA than North America. Fullmetal Alchemista celebrated anime, is an example and Fullmetal Alchemist: Sonata of Memories was the tie-in. It briefly followed the first few sections of the anime before drifting into filler, for better or worse. The most interesting thing about this adaptation, however, was the battle system. Players could fuse elements or materials in battle to create alchemical attacks, which matched the anime’s gimmick.

7 Mother 3

Nintendo’s not so well-kept secret

Mother 3 is another game that was only released in Japan, but for which there is an extensive English patch. In contrast Fullmetal Alchemist: Sonata of Memories, Mother 3 is a more familiar quantity, as fan demand for an official release has been high for nearly two decades. Like all games in the series, the story is standalone, but the quirky themes run throughout, from NPCs to enemy designs. The battle system could be played like a normal turn-based RPG, but there’s also a secret rhythm to the battle. When the time is right, players can unlock a simpler combat experience, but it takes a lot of practice.

6 Moon legend

One of the better remakes

• Platform: GBA
• Published: 10 December 2002 (NA)
• Developer: Japan Art Media
• Metacritic rating: 79

Moon legend is a reinterpretation of Lunar: The Silver Star this was the first game in the series. The franchise began in Japan in 1992 on the Sega CD. It’s a long-running series, but most entries are just ports or remakes of the original game.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, because as simple as the plot is, the original idea is solid Moon legend. The script was updated to make more sense with the translation, the turn-based combat was smoother, the graphics were improved, and so on. Like the first few Final Fantasy Games, Lunar: The Silver Star is simply an RPG classic.

5 Breath of Fire 2

Capcom’s dragon RPG

• Platforms: SNES, GBA
• Released: April 15, 2002 (GBA NA version)
• Developer: Capcom
• Metacritic rating: 81

Capcom has a lot of abandoned franchises under its belt and Breath of Fire is one of them. The first two games were on the SNES and both received GBA updates. Of the two Breath of Fire 2 is a better port, as it was also a better game on the SNES. It’s a traditional turn-based RPG with a small party and quick random battles. The twist is that Ryu, the main character, can transform into various super-powerful dragon forms to turn the tide of battle.

4 Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen

Back to basics

Pokémon Sapphire And Pokémon Ruby were the third generation entries on the GBA that were good. However, the remakes of the first two games were what got fans excited. Pokemon Fire Red And Pokemon Leafgreen The graphics were updated to look like the third generation games, and they also reflected modern mechanics. It was great to go back to the Kanto region and pick the classic Pokemon starters Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. Sometimes nostalgia can overwhelm new entries, and that’s what happened with the GBA Pokemon entries.

3 Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

The duo’s first role play together

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is the first game in the RPG series that focuses on the two brothers. What Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars for combat, this game for exploration. In combat, each button corresponded to either Mario or Luigi for attack and defense maneuvers. For example, pressing the A button could help Mario jump over an enemy’s attack.

This also applied when exploring the world and by using different combo patterns the brothers could perform certain actions. For example, one could hit the other to go underground and get under traps, or the two could become a helicopter to hover over pits. The game was beyond imaginative and it is certainly one of the best RPGs in the series.

2 Golden Sun

Before there were sports games, Camelot dominated the GBA market

Golden Sun had the same kind of puzzle-solving exploration as Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Instead of using two characters to transform into strange positions, players had psychic abilities to do things like move objects from a distance. Battles did not require psychic abilities and instead heroes were empowered by djinns that corresponded to certain elements. They could be swapped between characters, giving them new elemental powers, and djinns could also be used as powerful attacks in battle, like summons in Final Fantasy. The ability to exchange Djinns between characters to gain more spells was also like the Esper system in Final Fantasy 6and Espers were the summonings of this universe.

1 Final Fantasy 6 Advance

An even better SNES classic

Speaking of Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 6 Advance was an enhanced port of the SNES original. It is the highest rated game in the series on GBA, even ranking in the top ten on Metacritic for the GBA overall. It was a classic on the SNES, and became even better on the GBA thanks to the improved graphics and scripting. The basic gameplay also remained fun, as the aforementioned Esper system allowed characters to gain a variety of abilities from healing magic to fire spells. Another great thing about the gameplay was the massive party, which might be the largest in the series, with fourteen main characters and many temporary characters. From the combat to the characters to the music and story, this is a standout entry in the entire Final Fantasy Pantheon.