It’s hard to deny that portables are the perfect system for RPGs. To be more specific, turn-based RPGs like Final Fantasy and tactical RPGs like Fire Emblem flourish at a slower pace. This makes it easy to multitask while watching a show. An action game would make it tricky to pay attention to something else while grinding, for example. Whether one agrees with that sentiment or not, the Game Boy Advance has a great library of RPGs. Most of them are still trapped on the system, unfortunately.

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10 Games Still Trapped Exclusively On Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance had a shorter life than the GB or GBC, but that doesn't mean it was in need of exclusives. In fact, the GBA may have too many.

Whether they get ported off anytime soon is hard to say, but fans are hopeful that the advent of Nintendo Switch Online on the system will ensure that players will have access to these old, classic games from Nintendo's library. All of these games are pretty engaging in their own right and do a great job of keeping players invested with a mix of great stories, memorable characters, and classic RPG systems that let players enjoy a palpable sense of progression.

Updated on April 15, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The Game Boy Advance has made a name for itself as one of the greatest portable gaming consoles of all time. The fact that this console's art style still looks amazing to this day is a testament to the great games on this console that used the enhanced color palette and processing power of this console to develop some iconic video games that fans still praise to this day. There are many great RPGs on this console that are the best of the best in this genre, with some highlights being must-plays for any fans of unique GBA games that have experimented around with this genre.

24 Mother 3

Metascore: N/A (Japan-Only Release)

Earthbound is one of the most charming and underrated video games of all time. The fact that this series is still influencing modern video games shows just how ahead of its time this game was.

The same applies to Mother 3 as well, so it's downright criminal that this game never received the English localization it deserved all those years ago.

23 Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury

Metascore: 62

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Webfoot Technologies
• Release Date: September 14, 2004

The Dragon Ball Z action RPG trilogy that came out on the Game Boy Advance was pretty spectacular. The first game in this Legacy of Goku series was pretty rough, with the second game making a valiant effort to address the faults of the original and make the game way more accessible.

Buu's Fury is the final chapter of this trilogy, and it's a mighty fine game that perfects the formula established by its predecessors. It might be a bit easy and has its fair share of flaws, but most fans with nostalgic memories about this game won't care. There aren't many great games that cover the official story of Dragon Ball Z, making Buu's Fury a must-play for hardcore DBZ fans!

22 DemiKids

Metascore: 62 (Light Version)

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Multimedia Intelligence Transfer
• Release Date: October 6, 2003

Most people who picked up DemiKids assumed that it was nothing more than a game for kids. This assumption couldn't have been more erroneous, especially once they found out which series this title belonged to.

DemiKids is also known as Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children, which is a surprising fact for many people. The Game Boy Advance saw the release of both DemiKids Light And DemiKids Dark, with the latter being slightly more challenging.

21 Sword Of Mana

Metascore: 72

This was a remake of the first game in the Mana series, Final Fantasy Adventure. The biggest change, other than the graphics, was adding the ability to choose a gender.

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That’s not the only change, as the scenario was reforged as well, adding in more story content, for example. It’s not the best of the Mana games, but it is indeed a fine action RPG on the GBA.

20 Lufia: The Ruins Of Lore

Metascore: 76

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Atelier Double
• Release Date: June 5, 2003

Lufia has always been an RPG series most forget about since it debuted on the Super Nintendo. Lufia 2 is considered the best of them all, but this GBA entry is right up there with it.

The game is a classic turn-based RPG with a world map and everything. The easy-to-understand mechanics, catchy music, and colorful graphics make it well worth looking into — even now.

19 Riviera: The Promised Land

Metascore: 76

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Portable
• Developer(s): Sting
• Release Date: June 28, 2005

Riviera: The Promised Land is a unique RPG that combines traditional role-playing elements with dating sim mechanics, allowing players to develop relationships with their party members and shape the game's narrative in meaningful ways. The game's story follows a group of heroes on a quest to seal the Accursed, the antagonist of this game.

The game's combat system is fast-paced and challenging, requiring players to think strategically and use the OverDrive Gauge in creative ways. Overall, Riviera: The Promised Land is a refreshing and memorable take on the RPG genre that even has an updated version on the PSP!

18 Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories

Metascore: 76

While some lauded it for rehashing the areas of the first game, Chain of Memories is a top-notch card RPG. Why did Square Enix need to put them in there in the first place when a normal action RPG like its predecessor could have worked just as easily?

No one knows the answer to that question, but one thing is for sure — this was a fun way to wait things out until the proper sequel. It is better than the PS2 remake, thanks to the gorgeous pixel art.

17 Shining Force: Resurrection Of The Dark Dragon

Metascore: 77

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Amusement Vision
• Release Date: June 8, 2004

A remake of Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, Resurrection of the Dark Dragon is a turn-based tactical RPG that is perfect for fans of games like Fire Emblem. The series itself is pretty underrated, and players who want to check out more GBA RPGs with epic stories should give this title a shot.

It's a shame that Shining Force isn't all that mainstream in the gaming landscape since players would love to check out more games in this genre that build on the series' tried-and-tested tactical RPG gameplay. The endearing cast of characters and engaging world-building of Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon makes it a shining example of what a good GBA RPG should consist of.

16 Lunar Legend

Metascore: 79

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Media Rings Corporation
• Release Date: December 10, 2002

Lunar Legend is a fun and classic JRPG that follows the adventures of a young boy named Alex as he sets out to become a legendary Dragonmaster. The game features a charming story filled with memorable characters and engaging turn-based gameplay that many players will be familiar with.

The game's colorful graphics and catchy soundtrack add to the sense of adventure and wonder that permeates the entire experience. It may be a simple game, but Lunar Legend is pretty entertaining.

15 Final Fantasy 1 & 2: Dawn Of Souls

Metascore: 79

• 	Final Fantasy 2	Final Fantasy (1987)
  Platform(s)	WonderSwan, Nintendo Entertainment System, PSP, PS4, PC, iOS, Android, Game Boy Advance, PS1	WonderSwan, Nintendo Entertainment System, PSP, PS4, PC, iOS, Android, Game Boy Advance, PS1
  Released	1988-12-17	1987-12-18
  Developer(s)	Square	Square

The Final Fantasy 1 & 2: Dawn of Souls compilation offers players the chance to experience two classic Final Fantasy games in one package. The first game features a simple story and engaging gameplay, while the second game offers a more complex narrative and a... unique leveling system, to say the least.

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Both games feature new content in this version, making them a great choice for RPG fans who want to experience the inception of one of the greatest JRPG series of all time. These titles may have their fair share of flaws (especially the second one), but it's still a blast to play through them regardless.

14 Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen

Metascore: 81

Both these games and the actual generational entries of Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire were good. All five, including Pokemon Emerald, were not huge leaps forward for the series, though, which is why the GBA games are usually ranked lower for fans.

Still, the nostalgic pull of these remakes did have some significance. Besides, how could one make an RPG list without putting Pokemon on it? The game was a great way for fans of the series to check out what made the original releases on the Game Boy such masterpieces in the first place.

13 Breath Of Fire 2

Metascore: 81

Breath of Fire 2 is one of the best games in this illustrious JRPG series. It's also one of the most underrated titles around, with most players only familiar with the Breath of Fire games on the PlayStation.

Breath of Fire 2 is a brilliant game with a classic story and engaging combat. Fans of old-school JRPGs will have a blast with this title. Players will be more than pleased after checking out this amazing chapter in Capcom's forgotten JRPG series.

12 Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald

Metascore: 82 (Ruby), 76 (Emerald)

• Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire

  Platform(s)

  Nintendo Game Boy Advance

  Released

  March 19, 2003

  Developer(s)

  Game Freak

• Pokemon Emerald

  Platform(s)

  Nintendo Game Boy Advance

  Released

  May 1, 2005

  Developer(s)

  Game Freak

It would be impossible to talk about the best role-playing games on the GBA without mentioning the Pokemon games that graced this console. Aside from a remake of the first batch of games in the series, the mainline series was also graced with Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, with an enhanced release later on dubbed Pokemon Emerald.

All three versions of this landmark Pokemon game are beloved in their own right. Players love the new batch of Pokemon added in this generation coupled with the engaging take on a classic formula that the series has relied on time and time again.

11 Final Fantasy 5 Advance

Metascore: 83

Final Fantasy 5 is a game that is beloved for its in-depth job system, allowing for a deep and satisfying gameplay experience that rewards experimentation. This allows players to customize their characters' abilities and create unique party compositions

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The Game Boy Advance was only a 16-bit handheld system yet a few titles managed to deliver some really impressive graphics.

The game's story may be one of its weakest traits, but it still has several highlights courtesy of its memorable characters and epic set-pieces. The Advance version also includes additional content not found in the original release, and it's a shame that the excellent Pixel Remaster lacks any of this additional content.

10 Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

Metascore: 85

For the longest time, the Fire Emblem series hadn't made it out of Japan. This changed when The Blazing Blade was localized under the simple name of Fire Emblem, and the immense success of this title helped Fire Emblem establish itself as one of the greatest strategy RPGs on the market.

This encouraged the developer to release Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones on Western shores as well, which proved to be a rather profitable decision. Just like its predecessor, The Sacred Stones was a massive hit that fans loved, with the combination of epic storytelling and tough-as-nails strategic gameplay merging to let players enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience that has contributed to the legacy of this series being a constant on Nintendo's lineup of consoles.

9 Final Fantasy 4 Advance

Metascore: 85

Final Fantasy 4 is a game that many players love for its amazing plot, which integrates the classic tropes of the series in a captivating narrative with high stakes. It tells a sweeping story of love, betrayal, and redemption that is still wildly enjoyable to this day.

The game features a memorable cast of characters, each with their motivations and backstories, and a rich world filled with wonder and danger. The Advance version adds two new dungeons, the Cave of Trials and Lunar Ruins, and it's quite puzzling that fans who play the Pixel Remaster won't be able to access this additional content.

8 Golden Sun: The Lost Age

Metascore: 86

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Camelot Software Planning
• Release Date: April 14, 2003

It's a shame that Nintendo didn't cash in on the Golden Sun IP as they did with other franchises that were major hits on their consoles. Golden Sun's unique art style makes characters look like toy figures as they embarke on a journey to save the world, garnering several powerful Djinn along the way.

The game encouraged players to mix and match Djinns to solve puzzles in the game's environment, making for ingenious use of tried-and-tested mechanics players had seen in several JRPGs at the time. The sequel to the original Golden Sun was a smash hit as well, with players loving the continuation of the events in The Lost Age and how it added to the title's rich worldbuilding.

7 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Metascore: 87

This may not have been the sequel most fans of the original were expecting. It wasn’t as dark and was instead more lighthearted. Plus, the Judge system could be frustrating.

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If one were to look past all that stuff, though, they would discover this GBA sequel was worthy of the name of Final Fantasy Tactics after all.

6 Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

Metascore: 88

This is another case where two games are almost tied with each other. The 2003 release, just titled Fire Emblem, should be applauded the most for being significant to the West.

It was the first game introduced over here since the series debuted on the Famicom, or NES, in 1990 in Japan. This and its sequel though, The Sacred Stones, are some fine strategy RPGs for the handheld.

5 Tactics Ogre: The Knight Of Lodis

Metascore: 88

This entry in the Tactics Ogre series is perhaps the first one that caught any sort of widespread attraction. That’s because it fell more in line with tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics.

Most of the other Nintendo entries released in the West before this felt more experimental. To hammer it home, this is Final Fantasy Tactics, but without the name and not as bloody as that first game.