GBA game ranking thread (i.e. top 5 lists)

[ZForce915]

So with the recent death of the GBA I thought it might be a good idea to rank the games of that system. I thought I'd start this up and see where it leads. Lets start with some rules.

1) Only rank games that were exclusive to the GBA and not a port
2) Rank one game in each category, and a top 5 overall


Now, the categories...

Favorite RPG

Favorite Adventure/Platform:

Favorite Sports

Favorite Puzzle

Favorite 2D side scroller

If there are any categories you think I should add, just say so. I know that 2D side scrollers is pretty specific, but damn are they fun.

[CouRageouS]

Can I just put my top 5 overall? I didn't play too many games to know enough for each category :lol:

[Vinny]

I'm with Courageous... or maybe like a top game in each catagory.

[GAMERMASTERMAN]

Yeah, I think doing a top 5 overall, or top 1 of each category would be better.
And aren't Adventure/Platform & 2D side scroller kinda the same?

[banpeikun]

All the GBA "ports" of games are different enough from other released versions that they merit separate consideration. OP, what game are you thinking of excluding? Ie why is there a rule " 1) Only rank games that were exclusive to the GBA and not a port"?

[ZForce915]

All the GBA "ports" of games are different enough from other released versions that they merit separate consideration. OP, what game are you thinking of excluding? Ie why is there a rule " 1) Only rank games that were exclusive to the GBA and not a port"?

If it would be more fun to do a top 5 overall then I'm for that.

Well I was thinking of excluding all of the mario advance series, Zelda LttP...basically any game that was already a NES or SNES game shouldn't count.

[Vinny]

Let's just do a top five overall and a top game in each category. I'll ignore any and all ports (Super Mario Advance, FF IV/V/Vi Advance, etc.) but will consider remakes (like Metroid Zero Mission).

Top 5:
1. Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga
2. Metroid Zero Mission
3. Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance
4. Zelda: Minish Cap
5. Golden Sun

Favorite RPG: Mario & Luigi

Favorite Adventure/Platform: Zelda Minish Cap

Favorite Sports: Mario Kart Super Circuit

Favorite Puzzle: WarioWare Inc. (hey, they're much like puzzles :lol: )

Favorite 2D side scroller: Castlevania Circle of the Moon

Never realized it until now but damn... there were a lot of ports on the GBA.:-?

[jimbodan]

I'll ignore Nes/Snes ports, but everything else is fair game as far as I'm concerned. Also not sure I get the difference between Adventure/Platformer and 2D Side Scroller. Like the Metroid's and Castelvania's for example I'd consider them Adventure while I'd consider something like Final Fight as a 2d Side Scroller.



Favorite RPG: Harvest Moon: Friend's of Mineral Town

Favorite Adventure/Platform: Tie Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Favorite Sports: Mario Golf

Favorite Puzzle: Super Puzzle Fighter


Top 5(6) overall:

1a. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
1b. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
2. Metroid Fusion
3. Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
4. Wario Ware
5. Drill Dozer

[TheMaidenOfSorrow]

I'm too lazy - I'll just do top 5.

1. Golden Sun
2. Golden Sun: The Lost Age
3. Megaman Battle Network 2
4. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
5. Megaman Battle Network 3

[GAMERMASTERMAN]

I think you should add a fighter category. :)

Here is my top in each category, I don't own any sports games on GBA.

Golden Sun (Favorite RPG)
Scurge Hive (Favorite Adventure/Platform)
Super Bust-A-Move (Favorite Puzzle)
Castlevania Aria of Sorrow (Favorite 2D Sidescroller)
Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival (Favorite Fighter)

*EDIT* Well i guess Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival might be considered a port, even though it was a combination of all the games. If I can't pick that, I go with Tekken Advance.

[ZForce915]

I think you should add a fighter category. :)

Here is my top in each category, I don't own any sports games on GBA.

Golden Sun (Favorite RPG)
Scurge Hive (Favorite Adventure/Platform)
Super Bust-A-Move (Favorite Puzzle)
Castlevania Aria of Sorrow (Favorite 2D Sidescroller)
Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival (Favorite Fighter)

*EDIT* Well i guess Super Street Fighter II Turbo Revival might be considered a port, even though it was a combination of all the games. If I can't pick that, I go with Tekken Advance.

I never played Street Fighter for the GBA, but if it is a different game then it would count. jimbodan's pick for Puzzle Fighter in theory wouldn't because it is a PS1 port.

I created the rules to try to find the best games that were created FOR the gameboy advance. Having your favorite NES/SNES/PS1 games on the go is really awesome, but I'm looking for unique GBA games.

[CouRageouS]

My top 5 overall, in no particular order...

- Minish Cap
- Kingdom Hearts : Chain of Memories
- MegaMan Zero 3
- Harvest Moon
- Metroid Fusion

Those are the games I can say I've spent considerable time on and kept my GBA alive. Honorable mention to Pokemon, Castlevania, Shaman King, and the Battle Network series which I've all played but not to completion. I'm not home at the moment so maybe I'll drop more names later.

[Judge Groovyman]

Great games picked by all. I have a quirky list that doesn't share many similarities with y'all.

My top 5:
Ninja Five-O
Return of the King
Final Fight One
Double Dragon Advance
Rock N Roll Racing