Before we dive into the games, I wanted to provide some quick background. You may already know about Nintendo‘s long-running Game Boy portable line…but what made the Game Boy Advance (GBA) standout so much when it launched in 2001?
Well for starters, it featured full 32-bit graphics and triple the processing power of the previous Game Boy Color. For the first time in a Nintendo handheld, GBA games displayed bright, colorful 3D-rendered visuals comparable to the Super Nintendo. Just take a peek at these comparison screenshots:
[insert graphic showcasing visual leap from Game Boy Color to Advance]This massive tech boost let developers create faster, more vibrant genres like action-platformers and shoot ‘em ups without compromises. No longer held back by primitive graphics, GBA games could finally move as fast and look as sharp on-the-go as their home console counterparts!
Adding a horizontal form factor with properly placed buttons also made GBA far more comfortable playing twitch-focused games for extended periods. Ultimately, GBA represented a revolutionary milestone in handheld hardware that resonated heavily with fans, critics and creators of action titles.
In the 7 years GBA was sold, it amassed one of gaming‘s strongest libraries EVER across the board. But when it came to action genres specifically – from soaring platformers to breakneck shooters – GBA saw some of most acclaimed entries in history that moved the medium forward.
Let‘s discover why by counting down the absolute best soul-stirring adventures you can embark on Game Boy Advance!
#7: Metroid: Zero Mission (2004)
Kicking off our list is one of Samus Aran‘s most electrifying extraterrestrial escapades – Metroid: Zero Mission – a deeply enhanced remake of the original landmark Metroid game from 1986!
Bringing Samus into 32-bit glory, Zero Mission adds ramped up combat and parkour-like athletics for blistering gameplay. Tight controls make blasting/evading alien creatures super satisfying. Gaining new weapons like the Power Grab ( latching onto ledges) and Screw Attack (corkscrew skyward obliterating foes) keeps exploring interesting.
Enhancements reduce aimless wandering with an automap, objective markers and restored health/ammo to ensure you constantly make progress without frustration. It honors Metroid‘s cryptic roots while making the action faster, flashier and more fun for a handheld experience!
Even better – finishing Zero Mission unlocks the original NES game in full! Overall an masterfully improved reintroduction to Samus just before her series peaked in popularity.
- Developer: Nintendo R&D1
- Release Year: 2004
- Units Sold: ~1.84 million
- Reviews: 91 Metacritic average
#6: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (2001)
Diving into gothic horror action, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon kicked off this esteemed vampire-hunting series on GBA in fine bloody fashion! Guide hero Nathan Graves through Dracula’s vast castle bashing zombies, armor and demons with his mystical whip.
Circle absolutely oozes atmosphere from haunting music to lavish gothic vistas with vivid color. Enemy designs impress wearing inspirations from classic horror movies. Addictive combat perfectly balances measured whipping with balletic dodging against screen-filling bosses. Finding over 100 magical DSS cards lets you absorb enemy souls for various spells adding tons replayability.
Approachable early on yet packing serious long-term depth, Circle of the Moon helped cement GBA as a juggernaut portable for slick cinematic action early in its lifespan. Many consider it a standout Castlevania chapter!
- Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
- Release Year: 2001
- Units Sold: ~1.35 million
- Reviews: 91 Metacritic average
#5: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2003)
Claiming Castlevania‘s highest critical praise, Aria of Sorrow brought an ingenious Tactical Soul system that made killing vampires FEEL unforgettable! The premise whisks the series into the future year 2035 with a shocking twist…
…You play as Soma Cruz – a teenager possessing the reincarnated soul of Dracula himself! As the prophesied heir, Soma can absorb ability-granting souls from vanquished foes transforming into monsters. Every creature has distinct traits; equip a Mothman Soul for sustained flight or Indigo Soul to surf cursed flames like Nightcrawler from X-Men!
Tactical Soul fusion adds immense replay value through specialized "builds" and inventive combat combos outdoing past entries. Backed by tight platforming and catchy OST, Aria stands tall as a genre-redefining achievement in cinematic action. If you play one Castlevania on GBA, make it this blood-draining gem!
- Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
- Release Year: 2003
- Units Sold: ~950,000
- Reviews: 91 Metacritic average
#4: Yoshi‘s Island: Super Mario Advance 3
In terms of reinventing core mascot platforming with outlandish ideas, it doesn‘t get wackier than Yoshi‘s Island! This port of the SNES icon retains its premise guiding a squad of Yoshi sidekicks protecting Baby Mario across arts and crafts diorama worlds.
Basic running/jumping handles uniquely from Mario with floaty physics. But Yoshi‘s arsenal shines even brighter – swallow enemies like Shy Guys to slot into egg ammo firing all directions! Bosses stay inventive by exploiting specific skills/locations, like charging huge eggs to KO undead Piranha Plants.
With only Baby Mario crying as your soundtrack early on, Nintendo plays hilariously devious. But creative spectacles soon emerge exploring bouncy jungles, ghost houses and erupting volcanoes sealed inside a wonderfully compact GBA window. An artistic masterclass in video game visual worldbuilding!
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Year: 2001
- Units Sold: ~2.8 million
- Reviews: 92 Metacritic average
#2: Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World
Often hailed as Mario‘s brightest 2D platforming pinnacle, Super Mario World saw comprehensive GBA conversion retaining its genius. Whimsical musical plains host Fire Flowers and wackier new powers like raccoon ears for temporary TAIL-Propelled FLIGHT! Turn rock-solid smashing blocks as Statue Mario or balance atop lakes in inflatable Dino-Rhino form (trust me it‘s awesome)!
Playground-like environments brim with longevity-extending hidden block puzzles, bonus coin rooms and entire secret levels exist OFF-SCREEN(!). That craftiness ingeniously converted to handheld thanks colorful ride-able Yoshi dinosaurs with movesets ensuring it missed no content. We‘re talking near endless replay value with negligible load times – mandatory for all GBA owners!
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Year: 2001
- Units Sold: ~5.6 million
- Reviews: 93 Metacritic average
#1: Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
And claiming our crown for most definitive side-scrolling Mario ever, we have sheer platforming perfection – Super Mario Bros. 3! Hours of fun condensed into five iconic worlds with legions of standout moments!
From suiting up as a high-flying Raccoon or sliding Hammer Brother to braving airship armadas, EVERY level brims with "Aha!" block puzzles hidden offscreen or amidst secrets. Its sunny cartoon aesthetic pops with more lively enemies than ever like Paratroopas or Chain Chomps (seriously check the bestiary)!
Backed by the most catchy chiptunes in gaming, SMB3 epitomizes vibrant tight control with ever-surprising gameplay ideas inside imaginative set-pieces! This GBA port even adds bonus remixed Mario Bros. stages. An eternal masterclass in joyous action that all gamers MUST play!
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release Year: 2003
- Units Sold: ~5.9 million
- Reviews: 92 Metacritic average
And there you have the definitive countdown spotlighting Game Boy Advance‘s finest hours delivering console-rivalling action portable! Future Nintendo handhelds gained more brute power. But for focused game design, zero fluff and infectious fun – whether in short bursts or under blanket marathons – the GBA saw key mascots hitting creative peaks.
Hopefully the expanded details helped capture exactly why these 7 games shined so brightly and influenced industry trends after. Each one moved the craft forward with innovative genre-blending you need to experience firsthand. If possible, I highly suggest tracking down these cartridges or official ports! Kick back with that beautiful horizontal form factor to properly enjoy the definitive editions of all-time greats that raised portable gaming to new heights!
Let me know in the comments which GBA action game stands as your personal favorite or if you have fun memories attached to any that still endure years later!
