Summary
The handheld gaming scene was fairly standard until 2001 when theGame Boy Advancelaunched and changed the entire scene. Handheld platforms were compelling, but theGBAwasn’t just a portable gaming machine. It was a handheld Super Nintendo, a massively exciting prospect that led to the creation of some of the most incredible games ever made. As the GBA was able to run games that felt like classic SNES games, a console noted for games with outstanding stories to tell, it was only natural that the Game Boy Advance would follow suit.
Whetherit was an epic RPGwith a huge, sprawling story about adventure and destiny or a quirky adventure brought to life by the console’s impressive sprite and scaling abilities, the Game Boy Advance was the gold standard for handhelds during the 2000s. Many of the games still hold up today and have been ported to the Nintendo Switch Online service, proving the longevity of these incredible titles. These games have been ranked based on their writing, dialogue, and story structure.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Capwas developed by Capcom, who had already proven themselves capable with the franchise withOracle of AgesandSeasons, and proved to be just as incredible as any of the Nintendo-developed games in the series.The Minish Capsees Link shrink down to the world of the Picori, where a wizard named Vaati has destroyed a fabled blade destined to slay evil and turned Zelda to stone, sending the Hero of Time on a grand adventure to stop him.
The most fascinating part ofThe Minish Capis that instead of Ganon, Link’s longtime rival, it features Vaati as its main protagonist and is far better off for it. Link’s pursuit of Vaati through the charming world of the Picori is a treat, as the cunning wizard proves himself to be one of the most resourceful antagonists in the series, elevating the story ofThe Minish Capinto a standout entry in the franchise.The Minish Capis currently available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Although Mario is most noted for his incredible platforming adventures, his spin-off adventures have sometimes been just as good, if not better. One of the most fascinating pairings over the years has been the crossover between Nintendo’s flagship character and the RPG genre, a fascinating union that led to the GBA release ofMario & Luigi: Superstar Sagain 2003. Following Mario and Luigi as they go on an adventure to save Princess Peach’s stolen voice,Superstar Sagais a delightful story about friendship that is still one of the best GBA games ever made.
Superstar Sagacontinues the tradition started in previousMarioRPGs, with a charming script that focuses on the brothers and their self-aware silliness. The dialogue is witty and expertly written, as each encounter that Mario and Luigi have with a goofy NPC or boss is filled with heart and humor. This delightful GBA RPG was remade for the 3DS in 2017, but the original version of the game is currently available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Camelot Software Planning has been a long-term partner of Nintendo ever since they developedMario Golffor the N64, which spawned a massive line of spin-off sports titles for the iconic plumber. But while Camelot is well-known for these sports games, their most cherished effort to date has beenGolden Sun, the epic role-playing game that chronicles the adventures of Isaac and his friends as they attempt tostop an ancient, evil magicfrom destroying the land.
Golden Sunfollows traditional RPG beats from the classics, featuring a cast of young warriors on a quest to stop an ancient evil, but it’s the way that the game handles its character interactions and dialogue that really helps it stand out. The chemistry between the party members is excellent, and the escalation of the threat from being localized to Isaac’s village into a world-ending disaster feels honest and earned.Golden Sunis currently available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Conceived as a way to make sure that the classic form of the franchise wasn’t forgotten, especially in the wake of Prime’s massive critical and financial success,Metroid: Zero Missionis a full remake of the original NES game that perfectly recaptured the spirit and wonder of Samus Aran’s legendary debut. WithZero Mission, Nintendo largely kept the plot the same as the NES game but expanded on Samus' origins and utilized lore elements that had been introduced inMetroid Prime.
It was an altogether brilliant move, as it filled in a lot of gaps between the firstMetroidgame and Samus' appearance inPrime, which takes place roughly three years later. Nintendo also made heavy alterations to the game’s conclusion, which sees Samus stripped of her gear and upgrades, having to escape from a Space Pirate ambush only in her Zero Suit. This incredible finale included even more of Samus' backstory and connection to the Chozo, cementing it as one of the most important stories inMetroidhistory.Zero Missionis currently available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Launching the very same day asMetroid Primein the year 2003, this absolutely fabulous GBA adventure game sees Samus Aran return to the planet SR388, one of the most crucial planets in the franchise’s mythology. Tying deep into the lore surrounding a baby Metroid and Samus' trauma over its loss,Metroid Fusiontells a harrowing tale of survival and grief, as she is infected by the mysterious X parasite, which uses the husk of a discarded Varia Suit to become one of the most terrifying villains in franchise history.
Playing on the themes of paranoia and isolation,Metroid Fusionis Samus' most chilling adventure yet, as her desperate quest to hide from the immensely powerful SA-X leads to some of the game’s most intense showdowns. Samus spends a large portion ofFusionlooking inside herself, lamenting on her failing to protect the baby Metroid, and is one of the franchise’s most compelling stories.Metroid Fusionwas made available on Nintendo Switch Online in 2023.
Drawing from a series of novels by Hungarian author Agota Kristof,Mothercreator Shigesato Itoi conceived the third entry of his quirky RPG series as an expansive, multi-chapter story with several playable characters and a world that changed significantly over the course of the experience. And while it went through a series of delays, consolechanges, and even cancelations, the basic skeleton ofMother 3’ssurreal fairy tale story remained intact and has become one of the most significant video games of all time.
Following twins Klaus and Lucas,Mother 3expertly balances its humor and witty dialogue with an overwhelming sense of emotion and nostalgia, as their adventure to save Nowhere Islands from the Pigmask Army features an absolutely incredible amount of heart and charm.Mother 3took everything thatEarthBounddid right and improved on it, as it continued the franchise’s examination of the brevity of childhood, growing older, and the fragile nature of human life.Mother 3is still without a Western release, but it is available on the Japanese version of Nintendo Switch Online and is also available via a spectacular fan translation.
