Most people that bought a 3DS seem to be waiting for software, what better way to wait than to play some of the best SEGA published software on the Game Boy Advance? Today I’m going to give you my top 5 favorite SEGA GBA games. Ready?
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Starting off the list with a licensed game? I know, many of you are weary of license games and especially anime based games. But this game is really fantastic and the reason its so fantastic has nothing to do with the fact that its related with the Astro Boy IP.
First of all, this game is developed by both Treasure (Gunstar Heroes, Ikaruga) and Hitmaker (Crazy Taxi, Virtua Tennis). The end result is a 2D shoot ’em up inspired from Gunstar Heroes. This is obviously mostly treasured influenced game.
SEGA had big plans with their partnership for the Astro Boy games. They launched this title and a PS2 Sonic Team developed Astro Boy game around the US premier of Astro Boy (reboot cartoon). What happen? Low viewership of the anime lead to low sales of the game. The series has not been canceled and SEGA hasn’t tried to produce new entries.
ChuChu Rocket!
Sure, the new version of ChuChu Rocket! on the iOS devices is probably the best version of the game. But guess what? Not all of us have fancy iPhones and iPads, we still need our ChuChu Rocket! fix on the go. Don’t worry, ChuChu Rocket! GBA edition has you covered.
Even though its on a smart cartridge, doesn’t mean this game has less content than its Dreamcast big brother. This game actually features the 150 puzzles found in the original game. Not only that, it had 2,500 user submitted puzzle levels from the online service. The level editor included allowed users to make 4 player puzzles and of course allowed users to play the game with up to 3 more Gameboys.
Pretty damn solid release for a GBA port!
Shining Soul II
Its true, we here whine a lot about the current state of the Shining series. We whine about how they don’t bring the new games over, then complain about the gameplay and art style in the new games. Even though Shining Soul II is a dungeon crawler and not a SRPG, I still love this game.
I think Shining Soul II has a pretty good art style that reminds me a bit of the original series. Sure its not exactly a carbon copy of the art style, but at least its not odd fairy boys like the series has now.
If you have played games like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, then you know what to expect. The game allows you to pick from 8 different classes (including one unlockable class) and venture in the world to defeat the Chaos Knights. The game also had multiplayer via a link cable. If you have this, two copies and two GBAs… its like heaven.
Also the game was co-developed by Grasshopper Manufacture (No More Heroes).
Sonic Advance series
Its funny how everyone will tell you that Sonic has sucked since it left the Dreamcast, but always ignore handheld gems like the Sonic Advance series. Most retro fans will get angry and talk about how this is nothing like the Sonic Genesis, titles and to them I’ll say that its not suppose to be. Its the Sonic Advance series. Being different isn’t bad.
My favorite of the series will probably have to be Sonic Advance 2. It has four playable characters (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy). Even though I dislike Amy, her gameplay is enough like the rest of the characters that it isn’t annoying to play with her. The levels got bigger than the original with more things to do.
Yes, I liked the Advance series better than the Rush series on DS.
Gunstar Super Heroes
This is probably my favorite game on the Game Boy Advance, period. I consider the year this was released a pretty dark time for SEGA (2005), I remember most people had no faith in this title and bashed it around forums. Well, I’m here to say, its worth every penny.
The story takes place years after the destruction of “God of Ruin” from the Genesis original. After the first game, the explosion created four earth moons, years later a fifth moon is created. We find out that people on the fifth moon are trying to bring back Golden Silver (enemy from the first game) back to life.
One of the major complaints about the title is that its ‘too much’ like the first title. What is wrong with that? We sit here whining about how Sonic and Shining Force games aren’t like the old titles, but then when a old game gets rebooted its too much the ‘same’? This game is fantastic and features some pretty damn good stages/boss fights.
Simply put, if you liked the original Gunstar Heroes and didn’t play this. Shame on you. Get it now, its worth your time. This is the best looking 2D title on the GBA, seriously.
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Shining Soul 2 it’s OK, but there is also Shining Force : Resurrection of the Dark Dragon on the system.
Gunstar heroes is the best in the list. I emulated it the other day and was reminded by how awesome the game is (better than the genesis games at some things).
I like shining soul 2, enjoyed that game alot back then with my bro on linked co op gameplay
Astro boy is amazing, nuff said.
Sonic advance 1 is the best of the 3 advance games.
I too liked all of these games (except for Shining Soul because I haven’t played it yet!). My only complain about Gunstar Super Heroes is the lack of the weapon combinations from its prequel. But since it was planned and made without that in mind, the result is a great game!
Thanks for pointing out the Advance series! I hate how my favorite GBA games are pretty much never mentioned anywhere. I’ve honestly never been able to pick a favorite Advance game; they’re all clearly filled with amazing Sonic platforming (with stellar soundtracks – a term SA1 fans will note I use deliberately), yet different enough to resist being judged on a clearly defined scale. Also, about Chu Chu Rocket, I’ve heard that the iOS left out all those 2K+ puzzles. And, the Advance bit should have read:
It’s funny how everyone will tell you that Sonic has sucked since he left the Dreamcast, and always just ignore handheld gems like the Sonic Advance series. Except for most retro fans, who will get angry and talk about how this is nothing like the Sonic Genesis titles; to them I’ll say that it’s not suppose to be. It’s the Sonic Advance series. Being different isn’t bad.
My favorite of the series will probably have to be Sonic Advance 2. It has five playable characters (Sonic, Cream, Tails, Knuckles and Amy). Even though I dislike Amy, her gameplay is enough like the rest of the characters that it isn’t annoying to play as her. The levels also got bigger than the original with more things to do.
Astro Boy (ps2) also did poorly because it was a terrible game. Don’t forget that!
It should be noted that Astro Boy is not only an amazing game for the game’s sake, but if you’re a fan of Tezuka’s work it basically covers the entire field as far as that’s concerned. There was clearly a lot of love coming from Treasure on that.
All great choices. Astroboy especially. The only Sega GBA game I see left out is the Jet Grind Radio GBA game. It was a pretty good adaption done in an isometric style. Although THQ may have published that. I’m not sure.
Apart from Chu Chu Rocket I loved ALL of those games.
Astro Boy, Gun-Star Super Heroes and Shining Soul 2 were amazing!!
I’ve never played the GBA version of Chu Chu Rocket, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Dreamcast version.