Collecting for GBA

[Paul Humbug]

Okay,

 

my relationship with the GBA in general and the Micro especially is 3 days old.

 

I started another thread in the dedicated consoles forum before I bought it but it seems right to go here to talk about the games.

 

I guess we can regard this system as to be discontinued within the next year, so I post under this section.

 

More or less 700 titles are out there and I researched already a bunch of games.

 

My intention in the beginning to buy a handheld was to have fun on the go and everywhere in the house and it also should make up for not having a regular console at the moment. PSP was high up on my list but since I am cheap and the PSP is not I forgot about it.

 

The Micro delivers finally a handheld perfectly designed for my taste, speaking of size and look.

 

When I researched the system it became obvious to be also great for retro gaming.

 

So, I am pleased with my purchase and it is time to start a collection.

 

I stated in the other thread to love the sports, racing, strategy genre but actually every game with great gameplay is of interest when the setting is right.

 

So, what I am doing is surfing the web and seeing used games section at the stores to dig out great games.

 

Please, if everyone who is into the GBA could guide me through the library it helps a lot the next time I am standing in front of a cart I probably only have heard of before here.

 

I started with an Atari 2600, lived with an Amiga 500, joined the PS1 hype for a little and I am without console gaming for more than 8 years. And yes, I also did not play the NES,SNES nor Segas systems, so any classics ported to the GBA is of huge interest, too.

 

For example, I saw a cart of Iceclimber for the GBA, I researched the game and it seemed to be a top title on the NES. Anyone played the GBA version?

 

Than I saw multicarts for GBA full of NES titles. I am not sure if we are speaking of emulation or reprogrammed software. Anyone knowing about it?

 

And I love to hear which GBA games you never ever would give away anymore.

 

 

Thanx

Edited August 2, 2007 by Paul Humbug

[MFoolsRun]

You say you never played the SNES, so I strongly recommend The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, my favorite game in the Zelda series, and if you like that, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is fantastic as well. Zelda games aren't strictly in series, so you don't have to worry about playing them in order, or playing the previous games first.

 

I can also recommend without hesitation both Metroid games for the system; Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission, the latter is a remake of the original Metroid with some great updates and improvements to gameplay.

 

These four games (two Zelda, two Metroid) are permanent fixtures in my collection and will never be sold or traded.

 

I can recommend, with some reservation given your gaming past, the Final Fantasy remakes on the GBA, specifically IV, V, and VI, but RPGs aren't for everyone, so those might be worth researching first.

Edited August 2, 2007 by MFoolsRun

[warmachine]

Most of the racing games suck, unless you happen to have a hard-on for mode 7 graphics.

[Paul Humbug]

You say you never played the SNES, so I strongly recommend The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, my favorite game in the Zelda series, and if you like that, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is fantastic as well. Zelda games aren't strictly in series, so you don't have to worry about playing them in order, or playing the previous games first.

 

I can also recommend without hesitation both Metroid games for the system; Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission, the latter is a remake of the original Metroid with some great updates and improvements to gameplay.

 

These four games (two Zelda, two Metroid) are permanent fixtures in my collection and will never be sold or traded.

 

I can recommend, with some reservation given your gaming past, the Final Fantasy remakes on the GBA, specifically IV, V, and VI, but RPGs aren't for everyone, so those might be worth researching first.

 

 

Thanks for the recommendations. I got Zelda recommended in the other thread as well right away. So, something seems to be addicting about it. Although I am not a dedicated RPG fan, I am willing to try to see if I get immersed. I saw a cart for cheap in the used section, without box and manual. Do I need the manual for maps and stuff?

 

Why is the Final Fantasy with reservations?

 

Do you know about Monster House? I saw the box at Toys r us and there was something interesting about the story and graphics.

[Paul Humbug]

Most of the racing games suck, unless you happen to have a hard-on for mode 7 graphics.

 

 

I saw a good review about a japanese version of GTA [not Grand Theft Auto that is] and even Need for Speed Carbon?

 

So, which games do suck and which dont?

 

What kind of hardware addon are we talking?

 

 

Thank you

[MFoolsRun]

Thanks for the recommendations. I got Zelda recommended in the other thread as well right away. So, something seems to be addicting about it. Although I am not a dedicated RPG fan, I am willing to try to see if I get immersed. I saw a cart for cheap in the used section, without box and manual. Do I need the manual for maps and stuff?

 

Why is the Final Fantasy with reservations?

 

Do you know about Monster House? I saw the box at Toys r us and there was something interesting about the story and graphics.

 

Zelda isn't really an RPG, it's an adventure game, so no worries there.

 

Final Fantasy pretty much defined the console RPG genre, so if that's not your thing (and it's not everyone's), you won't like it. The games are spectacular, and the stories are really good, but not everyone can slog through the gameplay.

 

Monster House is probably a movie license, and as a rule, with the sole exception of Riddick for the X-Box, all movie licensed games suck.

 

So, which games do suck and which dont?

 

What kind of hardware addon are we talking?

 

There are no hardware addons necessary to play any GBA games.

[Paul Humbug]

Okay, I guess Final Fantasy is not the very next buy. Though, I do like the box artwork a lot

 

 

I guess I misread the statment about the hardon for Mode 7 graphics earlier today

 

 

Is Zelda only playable with the manual?

[MFoolsRun]

Is Zelda only playable with the manual?

 

You've been out of gaming for a while. Games don't ship with maps anymore. I can't think of any game for the GBA which requires its packaging or manuals.

[Paul Humbug]

Is Zelda only playable with the manual?

 

You've been out of gaming for a while. Games don't ship with maps anymore. I can't think of any game for the GBA which requires its packaging or manuals.

 

 

Well, I read in wikipedia, for the NES you needed the manual somehow. Good, if I just can pick it up without.

[bust3dstr8]

Don't forget the GBC Zelda games:

Link DX

Oracle of Ages

Oracle of Seasons

 

I got a Gameboy Player just for the Zeldas ....pretty much.

[MFoolsRun]

Don't forget the GBC Zelda games:

Link DX

Oracle of Ages

Oracle of Seasons

 

I got a Gameboy Player just for the Zeldas ....pretty much.

 

The Gameboy Advance Micro doesn't play original Gameboy games. You'd have to get an SP for that.

 

It's the reason I never got a Micro.

Edited August 2, 2007 by MFoolsRun

[Paul Humbug]

Don't forget the GBC Zelda games:

Link DX

Oracle of Ages

Oracle of Seasons

 

I got a Gameboy Player just for the Zeldas ....pretty much.

 

The Gameboy Advance Micro doesn't play original Gameboy games. You'd have to get an SP for that.

 

It's the reason I never got a Micro.

 

 

Yes, I am aware of this, but for me is not too much of a problem. I never could use a SP. It is already hard to survive the moments to browse for software in the GBA section of any store together with kids who almost could be one of mine or with mothers who must think: ah, that Daddy is getting some games for the kiddies as well.

 

Hence, people seeing me with a Micro most likely think I am playing around with my cellular or mp3 player...

 

Nintendo, u got it all right with the Micro!

[SINGLE TOOTH]

Metriod Zero Mission is reason enough to own a GBA. You don't need any other game in your collection.

[n8littlefield]

For strategy games I would definately pick up the two Advance Wars games and Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced.

 

For racing, as was mentioned it's not the greatest system, however Mario Kart and FZero are both really good, and for top down racing you don't do much better than Karnaaj Rally and the port of Rock n Roll Racing is pretty solid too. Karnaaj is my pick for best racing game on the system.

 

Sports are pretty limited on the console, although Mario Golf is absolutely amazing and a must buy for any GBA owner.

[Paul Humbug]

For strategy games I would definately pick up the two Advance Wars games and Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced.

 

For racing, as was mentioned it's not the greatest system, however Mario Kart and FZero are both really good, and for top down racing you don't do much better than Karnaaj Rally and the port of Rock n Roll Racing is pretty solid too. Karnaaj is my pick for best racing game on the system.

 

Sports are pretty limited on the console, although Mario Golf is absolutely amazing and a must buy for any GBA owner.

 

 

I love top down racing. Micro machines was always a game I wanted to play back then. Now I do in emulator. Thanks for the hints. I will research those titles

[autumn_drag0n]

Thanks for the recommendations. I got Zelda recommended in the other thread as well right away. So, something seems to be addicting about it. Although I am not a dedicated RPG fan, I am willing to try to see if I get immersed. I saw a cart for cheap in the used section, without box and manual. Do I need the manual for maps and stuff?

 

Why is the Final Fantasy with reservations?

 

The Zelda series aren't 100% pure RPGs, IMHO, but more like action/adventure games with RPG elements.

 

I recommend Final Fantasy I & II Dawn of Souls (on one Game Pak by the way) without any reservations for great NES to GBA ports/remakes.

 

As far as racing games be sure to check out Racing Gears Advance (top down style racer) and F-Zero GP Legend (behind the car view futuristic racer) and my favorite two kart-style racing games for GBA are Cartoon Network Speedway and Konami Krazy Racers.

 

If you haven't played NES/SNES games be sure to check out all of the Mario game series on GBA. If you haven't played Sega Genesis be sure to check out the Sonic game series on GBA.

 

Happy GBA collecting (it's my favorite!)

 

autumn_drag0n

Edited August 3, 2007 by autumn_drag0n

[Paul Humbug]

Thanks for the recommendations. I got Zelda recommended in the other thread as well right away. So, something seems to be addicting about it. Although I am not a dedicated RPG fan, I am willing to try to see if I get immersed. I saw a cart for cheap in the used section, without box and manual. Do I need the manual for maps and stuff?

 

Why is the Final Fantasy with reservations?

 

The Zelda series aren't 100% pure RPGs, IMHO, but more like action/adventure games with RPG elements.

 

I recommend Final Fantasy I & II Dawn of Souls (on one Game Pak by the way) without any reservations for great NES to GBA ports/remakes.

 

As far as racing games be sure to check out Racing Gears Advance (top down style racer) and F-Zero GP Legend (behind the car view futuristic racer) and my favorite two kart-style racing games for GBA are Cartoon Network Speedway and Konami Krazy Racers.

 

If you haven't played NES/SNES games be sure to check out all of the Mario game series on GBA. If you haven't played Sega Genesis be sure to check out the Sonic game series on GBA.

 

Happy GBA collecting (it's my favorite!)

 

autumn_drag0n

 

 

Thanks for the racing hints, I will research them.

 

 

Are there any exclusive GBA titles out in the wild one should know about?

Edited August 3, 2007 by Paul Humbug

[A Sprite]

If you haven't played Sega Genesis be sure to check out the Sonic game series on GBA.

 

The above advice doesn't apply to Sonic The Hedgehog: Genesis. If you're curious why, I think it's covered in 'the worst conversions of all time' thread.

[A Sprite]

Are there any exclusive GBA titles out in the wild one should know about?

 

Far too many to cover in one post. I'll be running though my library, and adding new titles to this thread as I find them.

 

 

Astroboy is one of the few licensed titles that was made with a love for the source material, an awareness of system limitations, and the programming skills to break them. This is the game to buy if you want to see what your new toy can do...

[Paul Humbug]

Are there any exclusive GBA titles out in the wild one should know about?

 

Far too many to cover in one post. I'll be running though my library, and adding new titles to this thread as I find them.

 

 

Astroboy is one of the few licensed titles that was made with a love for the source material, an awareness of system limitations, and the programming skills to break them. This is the game to buy if you want to see what your new toy can do...

 

 

Looks great. Looking forward for your results

[A Sprite]

 

Don't be fooled by the above screenshot. It lies. The low resolution of the GBA screen makes every 3D game look worse than the next.

 

In motion, they transform.

 

Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer is superior to the console version.

 

Even Lynx fans seem to enjoy it.

Edited August 3, 2007 by A Sprite

[A Sprite]

 

Double Dragon Advance: Arcade conversion minus the heart system of the NES version, the flicker of the Master system version, the bad graphics of the 7800 version, the skinning and gutting of the C64 and Spectrum versions...

 

But it is not a perfect conversion.

 

It adds new enemies, new stages, new weapons...

 

And the slowdown that made the arcade version famous is nowhere to be seen.

[A Sprite]

Most of the racing games suck, unless you happen to have a hard-on for mode 7 graphics.

 

Exceptions include all of the racers mentioned above, plus the following:

 

 

Need For Speed: Carbon: Own the City proves that just because a marketing team tries to ruin a title by making it seem desperate to win your approval, doesn't mean the game itself sucks. Ignore the way EA tarts up it's children, and take this little puppy home with you. It's the best true 3D racing game for the system, and so instantly addicting that I spent way too much time playing it to get just the right screen shot.

 

 

Not true 3D, the player car is a polygon model, the tracks are Mode 7, and enemy cars are simple sprites. The reason for the collage is the advanced physics behind the game play. Colin McRae Rally 2.0 may be the only gameboy title that could teach someone how to drive.

 

 

Outrun is a flawed game. It forces you to make tight turns through small spaces in traffic, so that you're often avoiding an accident by a single windswept hair. This wasn't a feature in the arcade original.

 

I don't play the arcade original.

 

Bonus: You get three free games when you purchase it as part of Sega Arcade Gallery. Hang On and Space Harrier are classics in their own light, Afterburner made the "Worst Ports Ever" thread.

Edited August 3, 2007 by A Sprite

[A Sprite]

 

Grand Theft Auto, above, is an official Grand Theft Auto game. That means all the artwork in the pause screen looks like Grand Theft Auto, and you can, in fact, commit grand theft auto. On the other hand, look closer at the above screen. I have just brutally murdered an attractive woman in broad daylight, by punching her mouth to death. The bloody footprints lead to me, 4 feet away. There are witnesses everywhere.

 

Now look at my wanted rating.

 

Only you know for sure whether that's a deal breaker, or a point in it's favor...

 

*backs away slow, just in case*

Edited August 3, 2007 by A Sprite

[A Sprite]

 

There was a time when Ninjas were heroes who fought terrorists. Ninja Five-0 remembers that period in American history, and brings it back to your GBA.