The dream of playingGame Boy Advancedgames onSwitchhas finally been made a reality via theNintendo Switch Online + Expansion Passsubscription service. At release, the service only offered 6 games but like the other console apps on the system, the library of available games will steadily increase over time.
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The Game Boy Advanceis known for having some legendary RPGs and the promised inclusion of the fan-favorite RPGGolden Sungives many fans hope that the app will add more classic RPGs in the near future.The Switch’sportable nature makes it a perfect fit for playing these RPGs on the go, and docked mode will allow players to experience these games on a TV screen for the first time ever.
10Phantasy Star Collection
Phantasy Staris an RPG series created bySegathat debutedon theSega Master System. The series has a science fantasy setting that combines elements of science fiction and fantasy together. This gives thePhantasy Starseries a unique identity and is one of the contributing factors behind the series' continued success.
Phantasy Star Collectionfor the Game Boy Advance is a collection of the first 3Phantasy Stargames. Each game in this collection maintains the look and feel of its original release, with minor adjustments made to the graphics to better accommodate the Game Boy Advance’s smaller screen. This collection is a great choice for players looking to experience the origins of this popular RPG series.
9Final Fantasy 1 & 2: Dawn of Souls
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Soulsis a remake of the first twoFinal Fantasygames that feature updated visuals to match the Game Boy Advance’s 32-bit hardware. For many gamers, theFinal Fantasyseries likely needs no introduction, but the first two games in the series have elements in them that will likelycatch new players by surprise, so they are definitely still worth checking out today.
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It is safe to assume that there are still plenty of RPG fans who have yet to see where this popular RPG series from Square started.Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls' inclusion on the Nintendo Switch Online service would make these two legendary games easily accessible to fans of the series who previously had no way of experiencing them.
8Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Dawn of Soulsisn’t the onlyFinal Fantasygame available on the GBA. While mostFinal Fantasygames on the GBA are advanced ports of the earlier games,Final Fantasy Tactics Advancestands out from the rest by being a kind of sequel toFinal Fantasy Tacticson the PlayStation.
TheTacticsseries has a slightlydifferent art stylefrom the main series, especially when compared to entries pastFinal Fantasy 6. The series uses a new combat system that is heavily focused on unit positioning. This game is an excellent choice for fans of theFinal Fantasyseries who are looking for something a bit different.
7Dragon Ball Z Buu’s Fury
Dragon Ball Z Buu’s Furythe third game in theDragon Ball Z:Legacy of Gokuseries. Despite being the third game in the series, it’s perfectly playable for people who haven’t played the previous games. It is probably best to be somewhat familiar withDragon Ball Zprior to playing this one, but the game does a pretty good job of introducing new players to the world and story.
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This game featuresmultiple playable charactersand plenty of action RPG goodness. This game is a great choice for ARPG fans andDragon Ballfans alike.
6Sword Of Mana
Sword of Manais a remake of the first game in theManaseries by Square Enix. Unlike some of the otherremakes/ports of RPGsfound on the GBA,Sword of Manafeatures new gameplay mechanics and an expanded plot. The game doesn’t completely disregard the original game’s mechanics.
Some elements have been incorporated into the game’s new battle mechanics. This game also incorporates elements from future games in theManaseries, so it’s a great choice for players looking to get into theManaseries.
5Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memoriesis another action RPG developed bySquare Enix, only this one has a bit of a twist.Chain of Memoriesis the sequel to the PlayStation 2 classicKingdom Hearts. The game’s plot is more or less a retread of the first game’s story with some addedelements of drama and mystery.
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The game’s main gameplay centers around a card-based action combat system. It really is an interesting and unique system, and the top-down point of view is a nice change of pace from thePlayStationgame. This game is an excellent choice for fans of simple card games and ARPGs.
4Pokemon Fire Red And Leaf Green
Pokemon FireRed and Leaf Greenare remakes of the first generation ofPokemongames. They feature new sprites, an expanded story, multiple bug fixes, and even the inclusion ofPokemonup to the third generation ofPokemon. The region of Kanto is currently available to be explored in theSwitchexclusive gamesPokemon Lets Go: Pikachu and Eevee.
Unfortunately, those remakes lack a lot of the story elements and gameplay mechanics thatFire RedandLeaf Greenbrought to the table. These games would make for an excellent seating point for any players who are looking to get into the series but aren’t willing to spend full price on the latest games.
3Tactics Ogre: The Knight Of Lodis
Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodisis a tactical RPG developed byQuest Corporationand published by the legendaryPersonapublisherAtlus. The game is both a spin-off oftheTactics Ogreseriesand a prequel to theOgre Battleseries.
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The game’s combat mechanics are fairly similar to theFire Emblemgames, due to its use of grid-based combat fields and a focus on character classes and stats. The game was praised on release for its graphics, story, music, and gameplay. Adding this game to the list would give players another fantastic tactical RPG.
2Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emeraldis the third version of the third generation ofPokemongames. Emerald combines the best elements fromPokemon RubyandSapphireto make for the definitive generation two experience on GBA.Emeraldalso includes added story and gameplay content like legendaryPokemonand the Battle Frontier.
Out of all thePokemongames that are available onGame Boy Advance,Emeraldis the one that deserves to be included in thisSwitchonline service the most.Generation 3technically got a remake on the 3DS withOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphire, but those games lacked a lot of the content introduced inPokemon Emerald. AddingEmeraldto GBA online would allowmany new fans of the series to play the definitiveGeneration 3experience on modern hardware.
1Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrowis an action RPG developed and published byKonami. This is the thirdCastlevaniagame released for the GBA, but it’s by far the most popular. The game isn’t your typical side-scrolling platformer, like most of the other entries in the series at the time. It takes heavy influence from the success of the previous gameCastlevania: Symphony of the Night.
The game is categorized as a metroidvania and helped popularize the term alongside its predecessorSymphony of the Night. This gameplay style sees the player platforming through a maze-like location, collecting items, killing monsters, gaining experience, and obtaining new powers/abilities.
The game is currently available as a part of theCastlevania Advanced CollectiononNintendo Switch, but adding it to the paid expansion pass service would give many more people a chance to try it out, which would hopefully lead to more players picking up other games like it.
