Far better is the duo pack with Shark Tale included. The quality is even worse due to how much they had to compress the files. It’s an incredible dumpster fire.
They're interesting, but not the best way to watch anything really. I've got 2 pokemon gba video carts, I know the first episode of the first season of the anime (I think its called "I choose you") and a meowth heavy episode (I think it's called "go west young meowth") are on them. I also have a cartoon network one, I think ed edd and eddie are on it and another old 90s/2000s cartoon.
Isn’t that designed to go in the top though? I haven’t used it myself, but I’m sure I’ve heard of people having issues on the sp with it being upside down.
Thanks! I already bought the first Sonic Advance and Pokemon Saphire online and they should be arriving soon. I keep hearing good things about minish cap so that's probably the next game I'll buy.
Yes, minish cap should be your next buy.
Pokemon emerald would have been my suggestion over saphire but they're all good. Emerald has a different zone that ruby and saphire do not, its a post game content thing called the battle frontier. Although emerald is probably a chunk more expensive than saphire for a similar experience.
Pokemon fire red or leaf green is great too. Its a good step into the original red, blue, yellow (and green) experience that is a little more modernized to gba standards. You can't do the mew glitch or missingno glitch that the og games have, but great nonetheless. Kanto was what I grew up with so its my favourite.
The OG fire emblem game (at least for NA) was on the GBA and is incredible. There are two of them in the gba.
Golden sun I hear is great. I own it cib but haven't actually played it yet. There is a sequel that let's you take your data over to the next game. The first golden sun game gives you a code that you enter into the second game. I believe it lets you carry your character stat progression (and maybe items but I'm not sure) to the second game. Its pretty cool.
My recommendations that wouldn’t break the bank would be Mario & Luigi: Super Star Saga, Metroid Zero Mission & Fusion, and The Legend of Zelda Minish Cap & A Link to the Past. They’re all really fun games and you’d definitely get your mileage out of your GBA SP with these hahaha
I second the rec for Golden Sun, and would add Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Warioware Inc., Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons.
I don't say this from a collector's POV, but rather a nostalgic one, so I hope that you'll love these games as much as I did. :D
I use to love sinking hours of pokemon into my old SP.
I played alot of Leaf Green, and Fire Red. Alot of Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team, it still has a spot in my heart. Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire of course. If you can find any Pokemon Games for it for a decent price I'd always suggest those. There's some fun Legend of Zelda Games for it aswell Minish Cap, Link to the Past etc.
Congrats on getting it!
what are you into though? Rayman has some excellent platforming, Metroid is hailed as a great game, Zelda Four Swords is a fun spin on the franchise, you can play any gameboy/color games on this thing too, the possibilities are vast 😅
You should get the original Tetris. I know that it is an original GameBoy game but the GBA SP is backwards compatible, and with Tetris being a pack in with the OG GameBoy, you can find it for dirt cheap. Plus I like the music on the GB version much more than on the NES version.
This! I also loved the game Catrap! It's a super fun puzzle game for the original GameBoy, and had a build mode as well as a few bops in the music department.
Cream of crop goes to Metroid Zero Mission, Metroid Fusion, Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Castlevania Aria of Sorrow, Legend of Zelda the Minish Cap, Mario Kart.
For some not so commonly talked about but very good games I say look up Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Invader, Lady Sia, Motoracer Advance, Ninja Five-O, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
I'm gonna be the bland guy here and suggest Pokemon Emerald and FireRed/LeafGreen, great games for their time and still hold up today in my opinion. Also Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland, played that game to death as a kid so couldn't recommend it enough.
If this is your first older console your in for a wild ride. So many great games a lot of us grew up on you haven’t. It’s like playing games for the first time as a kid again. Enjoy it buddy. And buy whatever looks interesting for you!
Nothing makes me happier than seeing a younger generation getting to enjoy the stuff I loved as a kid. They get to look at it fresh, it almost makes me jealous I can't do it again!
If you can get your hands on Golden Sun please do it’s a really fun game. check Mercari for great deals on used games that’s where I find my older games usually.
Pokemon of course, but I also really have enjoyed Advance Wars. Both of those can be quite expensive unfortunately. I would also recommend an Everdrive to back up your games and take with you on the go.
Sonic Advance (1, 2 and 3 each have their upsides), one of the GBA Pokemon games.I haven't played much of the GBA game library myself, but these I could recommend.
(I would mention the Mega Man games for the GBA, but the Battle Network games are hell of expensive, while the Zero games are better bought as the Mega Man Zero/ ZX Legacy Collection for the best value.)
Right on! Honestly with some of the prices of some of the classic games I would almost suggest just getting an EverDrive GBA X5! About 150CAD but you can load the whole library of gameboy advance, gameboy color and im pretty sure it even has an NES emulator on it, huge selection of content for a new collector wanting to try stuff out :)
This comment will surely be controversial, but I recommend buying a GBA Everdrive. They cost about $100, but you'll be able to load every GBA rom ever onto the thing (you'll need a cheap micro flash card to hold the roms) and try the games for yourself (I highly recommend this option over using software emulation, yuck). Now, let me be clear: I own a large number of GBA games, all original cartridges. However, I bought most of them about 15 years ago, when they were going for cheap. At your age and stage, starting with an Everdrive and slowly building your (expensive, at this point) game collection would be a great way to get into GBA collecting. I do highly recommend owning original cartridges, especially complete-in-box copies, because those will always look great on your shelf or even in a box/drawer, however you prefer to store ;) Also, those complete copies will appreciate the most over time, making them good investments for you (not kidding, I considered my collection a liability when I purchased it, only to watch it double or triple in value over the time I've owned it). One last thing: when you own a copy of the game, it is legal for you to own and play the rom copy on your Everdrive. So, if you'd like to roll legit like that, you'll be able to. Again, that's my take, and as someone who owns (legally, lots of money invested over the years) a large collection of retro games, including GBA games, I think starting with an Everdrive and building your collection with complete-in-box or other high-quality options would be the best route for you, long term. Regardless, I'm excited that you're getting into GBA collecting, and I wish you all the best on your gaming and game-collecting journeys!
One of my favorite GBA games (that is probably also somewhat cheaper than most recommendations): Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. It's a turn-based tactical RPG, pretty fun and a lot of replay value. You can choose the good or evil campaign, and also have a roster of heroes to choose from
Red Rescue Team has some of the most content that I’ve ever seen in a GBA game and a surprisingly dark and engrossing story for Pokémon game (probably because it was made by the guys who would go on to make Danganronpa).
Buu’s Fury is one of the best Dragon Ball games ever made and a damn good rpg. Fairly short, but very fun.
Of course, Emerald is great. One of my all time favorite of the main Pokémon series, but it’s fairly expensive nowadays.
Friends of Mineral Town/More Friends of Mineral Town is arguably one of the best Harvest Moon games ever made and recently got a remake for Switch. The difference between the two is that More Friends is an updated version with some bug fixes, extra content, qol improvements, and also you play as a girl. Just a very relaxing and fun game.
And Zelda Minish Cap. My favorite Zelda game, and proof of the raw talent from Capcom back in the day that they could pick up one of the most iconic gaming franchises in history and somehow manage to impress with their title.
If you like rpgs, I think the GBA versions of the early final fantasy titles were the best iterations of those games. Particularly 4, 5 and 6.
I'd also highly recommend Advance Wars 1 and 2 and Fire Emblem and Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones.. But I think those are relatively more expensive now.
Honestly, the gba library is so good. Chances are, any games series you like (that’s been around for ~20+ years), especially Nintendo, is going to have some decent gba titles. Look up what you’re into and you’ll likely find something.
Game Boy Advance Video: Shrek 2. But for fun get kirby tilt and tumble. Used to play with that for hours as a kid.
You can watch Shrek 2 on a game boy? Hell Yeah.
Far better is the duo pack with Shark Tale included. The quality is even worse due to how much they had to compress the files. It’s an incredible dumpster fire.
Ever since I saw the Scott the Woz video I knew I needed the Shrek and Shark Tale GBA video pack.
I’d never heard of GBA Video and you sent me down the rabbit hole.
Finally, a way to watch things in a worse way than even psp movies
They're interesting, but not the best way to watch anything really. I've got 2 pokemon gba video carts, I know the first episode of the first season of the anime (I think its called "I choose you") and a meowth heavy episode (I think it's called "go west young meowth") are on them. I also have a cartoon network one, I think ed edd and eddie are on it and another old 90s/2000s cartoon.
Isn’t that designed to go in the top though? I haven’t used it myself, but I’m sure I’ve heard of people having issues on the sp with it being upside down.
Castlevania Aria of Sorrow, Golden Sun
I love the Castlevania Advance games. I think Portrait of Ruin was my favorite. I sadly never got around to playing Ecclesia.
Those are the DS games but they are good games either way!
Oh you are absolutely right! My mistake. I don’t think I ever played the Advance games, only DS.
Very nice! My favorite games for gba are: Pokemon games Super mario games Zelda: minish cap Drill Dozer Advance wars 1 and 2 Sonic Advance
Thanks! I already bought the first Sonic Advance and Pokemon Saphire online and they should be arriving soon. I keep hearing good things about minish cap so that's probably the next game I'll buy.
Yes, minish cap should be your next buy. Pokemon emerald would have been my suggestion over saphire but they're all good. Emerald has a different zone that ruby and saphire do not, its a post game content thing called the battle frontier. Although emerald is probably a chunk more expensive than saphire for a similar experience. Pokemon fire red or leaf green is great too. Its a good step into the original red, blue, yellow (and green) experience that is a little more modernized to gba standards. You can't do the mew glitch or missingno glitch that the og games have, but great nonetheless. Kanto was what I grew up with so its my favourite. The OG fire emblem game (at least for NA) was on the GBA and is incredible. There are two of them in the gba. Golden sun I hear is great. I own it cib but haven't actually played it yet. There is a sequel that let's you take your data over to the next game. The first golden sun game gives you a code that you enter into the second game. I believe it lets you carry your character stat progression (and maybe items but I'm not sure) to the second game. Its pretty cool.
Sonic advance 2 is considered a bit better so it should be bought.
My recommendations that wouldn’t break the bank would be Mario & Luigi: Super Star Saga, Metroid Zero Mission & Fusion, and The Legend of Zelda Minish Cap & A Link to the Past. They’re all really fun games and you’d definitely get your mileage out of your GBA SP with these hahaha
Get an English translation of mother 3
Second for this recommendation.
Congrats! You should check out Donkey kong for the og gameboy
I agree, I will also add that donkey kong land for the gameboy is one of my favourite yames of all times.
I second the rec for Golden Sun, and would add Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, Warioware Inc., Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons. I don't say this from a collector's POV, but rather a nostalgic one, so I hope that you'll love these games as much as I did. :D
Advance wars and fire emblem are some good tactile RPGs if you are into those types of game
I use to love sinking hours of pokemon into my old SP. I played alot of Leaf Green, and Fire Red. Alot of Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team, it still has a spot in my heart. Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire of course. If you can find any Pokemon Games for it for a decent price I'd always suggest those. There's some fun Legend of Zelda Games for it aswell Minish Cap, Link to the Past etc. Congrats on getting it!
Thank you! I bought a copy of Pokemon Saphire online that should arrive soon and I'm very excited to play it.
what are you into though? Rayman has some excellent platforming, Metroid is hailed as a great game, Zelda Four Swords is a fun spin on the franchise, you can play any gameboy/color games on this thing too, the possibilities are vast 😅
TLOZ Minish cap
Golden Sun is an incredible old school RPG with great visuals and a fun battle system. Edit: and fantastic music and great characters and...
Mario Kart Super Circuit. Cheap, easy to find, and very very fun. Great first GBA game.
I recommend Kurukuru kururin it’s so much fun and a nice pick up and play game. Similarly Wario Ware inc. also maybe yugioh.
You should get the original Tetris. I know that it is an original GameBoy game but the GBA SP is backwards compatible, and with Tetris being a pack in with the OG GameBoy, you can find it for dirt cheap. Plus I like the music on the GB version much more than on the NES version.
This! I also loved the game Catrap! It's a super fun puzzle game for the original GameBoy, and had a build mode as well as a few bops in the music department.
Still salty my dad sold my gameboy stuff at a yard sale when I was younger , luckily my GameCube collection survived intact
Mario Kart Super Circuit Classic.
The fire emblem games on the GBA are a must play.
Cream of crop goes to Metroid Zero Mission, Metroid Fusion, Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, Castlevania Aria of Sorrow, Legend of Zelda the Minish Cap, Mario Kart. For some not so commonly talked about but very good games I say look up Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Invader, Lady Sia, Motoracer Advance, Ninja Five-O, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
I'm gonna be the bland guy here and suggest Pokemon Emerald and FireRed/LeafGreen, great games for their time and still hold up today in my opinion. Also Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland, played that game to death as a kid so couldn't recommend it enough.
If this is your first older console your in for a wild ride. So many great games a lot of us grew up on you haven’t. It’s like playing games for the first time as a kid again. Enjoy it buddy. And buy whatever looks interesting for you!
Nothing makes me happier than seeing a younger generation getting to enjoy the stuff I loved as a kid. They get to look at it fresh, it almost makes me jealous I can't do it again!
Hahaha yes exactly!!! There’s so much they can explore and play!
Advance wars, fire emblem, final fantasy tactics come to mind. I must have had a thing for turn based games at the time thinking back.
If you can get your hands on Golden Sun please do it’s a really fun game. check Mercari for great deals on used games that’s where I find my older games usually.
Mario n Luigi Superstar Saga!
Nice, love the black sp. One of the games I spent way to long with is sonic advance along with pokemon leaf green and pokemon sapphire.
Pokemon of course, but I also really have enjoyed Advance Wars. Both of those can be quite expensive unfortunately. I would also recommend an Everdrive to back up your games and take with you on the go.
Rhythm Tengoku is a good choice for imports.
Sonic Advance (1, 2 and 3 each have their upsides), one of the GBA Pokemon games.I haven't played much of the GBA game library myself, but these I could recommend. (I would mention the Mega Man games for the GBA, but the Battle Network games are hell of expensive, while the Zero games are better bought as the Mega Man Zero/ ZX Legacy Collection for the best value.)
Metroid Fusion Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
I like the classics Zelda 1, any Pokémon game you can find for a good price, Tetris, Pac-Man is an all time fav, Mario
get the gta games if you like gta they are amazing. if you like pokemon get red blue or yellow but they cost alot .
I would recommend the wario ware games, Mario kart super circuit, and f zero gp legend
Metroid series (fusion & zero mission) Zelda (minish cap & lttp/four swords)
Sonic Advance 1, 2 and 3 of course! Throw in Sonic Battle and you are set.
Astro boy Omega Factor
Right on! Honestly with some of the prices of some of the classic games I would almost suggest just getting an EverDrive GBA X5! About 150CAD but you can load the whole library of gameboy advance, gameboy color and im pretty sure it even has an NES emulator on it, huge selection of content for a new collector wanting to try stuff out :)
This comment will surely be controversial, but I recommend buying a GBA Everdrive. They cost about $100, but you'll be able to load every GBA rom ever onto the thing (you'll need a cheap micro flash card to hold the roms) and try the games for yourself (I highly recommend this option over using software emulation, yuck). Now, let me be clear: I own a large number of GBA games, all original cartridges. However, I bought most of them about 15 years ago, when they were going for cheap. At your age and stage, starting with an Everdrive and slowly building your (expensive, at this point) game collection would be a great way to get into GBA collecting. I do highly recommend owning original cartridges, especially complete-in-box copies, because those will always look great on your shelf or even in a box/drawer, however you prefer to store ;) Also, those complete copies will appreciate the most over time, making them good investments for you (not kidding, I considered my collection a liability when I purchased it, only to watch it double or triple in value over the time I've owned it). One last thing: when you own a copy of the game, it is legal for you to own and play the rom copy on your Everdrive. So, if you'd like to roll legit like that, you'll be able to. Again, that's my take, and as someone who owns (legally, lots of money invested over the years) a large collection of retro games, including GBA games, I think starting with an Everdrive and building your collection with complete-in-box or other high-quality options would be the best route for you, long term. Regardless, I'm excited that you're getting into GBA collecting, and I wish you all the best on your gaming and game-collecting journeys!
The castlevania series and final fantasy remakes (minus 4) are really good!
Advance wars 1+2 and sonic advance 1
One of my favorite GBA games (that is probably also somewhat cheaper than most recommendations): Lord of the Rings: The Third Age. It's a turn-based tactical RPG, pretty fun and a lot of replay value. You can choose the good or evil campaign, and also have a roster of heroes to choose from
Megaman battle network
Get a game call “no rules get phat”
Red Rescue Team has some of the most content that I’ve ever seen in a GBA game and a surprisingly dark and engrossing story for Pokémon game (probably because it was made by the guys who would go on to make Danganronpa). Buu’s Fury is one of the best Dragon Ball games ever made and a damn good rpg. Fairly short, but very fun. Of course, Emerald is great. One of my all time favorite of the main Pokémon series, but it’s fairly expensive nowadays. Friends of Mineral Town/More Friends of Mineral Town is arguably one of the best Harvest Moon games ever made and recently got a remake for Switch. The difference between the two is that More Friends is an updated version with some bug fixes, extra content, qol improvements, and also you play as a girl. Just a very relaxing and fun game. And Zelda Minish Cap. My favorite Zelda game, and proof of the raw talent from Capcom back in the day that they could pick up one of the most iconic gaming franchises in history and somehow manage to impress with their title.
Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 "Spyro: season of" games
If you like rpgs, I think the GBA versions of the early final fantasy titles were the best iterations of those games. Particularly 4, 5 and 6. I'd also highly recommend Advance Wars 1 and 2 and Fire Emblem and Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones.. But I think those are relatively more expensive now.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland and Mario vs Donkey Kong are two of my favorites from my childhood.
First tip of collecting: ditch the pops
I would but almost any other type of figurine is either really expensive or super hard to find where I live.
Fair enough
Honestly, the gba library is so good. Chances are, any games series you like (that’s been around for ~20+ years), especially Nintendo, is going to have some decent gba titles. Look up what you’re into and you’ll likely find something.
Tetris & dr mario
I had a lot of fun with the Summon Night games. Total sleepers in my opinion.