There has been much debate as to which of Nintendo’s legacy consoles should make their way to the Switch next. While many fans are hoping to see an N64 online app, others are hoping for the Game Boy, GameCube, or even the Wii.
While it’s hard to say which console, if any, will see re-releases on the Switch in the near future, we wanted to take a little deep dive into one we think deserves to make the move to Nintendo’s hybrid console: the Game Boy Advance.
The Game Boy Advance just hit its 20th anniversary last month, making now the perfect time to take a look at the console’s library and see which games we would like to see make their way to the Nintendo Switch the most.
Here are 7 Game Boy Advance games we need on the Nintendo Switch.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga was the first entry in the Mario & Luigi series and is still considered not only one be of the best games in the series, but one of the best RPGs in the Mario franchise overall.
The game threw a fresh new spin on the concept of a Mario RPG and even gave his brother Luigi an equal opportunity to shine –a rarity we’ve never seen in any other game. While Luigi stars in his own games like Luigi’s Mansion and Mario is Missing, there isn’t any other game where both Mario and Luigi share the limelight. It’s really fun getting to see the two brothers work together as equals as opposed to Luigi kicking it as Mario’s sidekick or occasional rescuer.
While we did get a remake of the game for 3DS in the form of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions, the game came at an unfortunately late point in the handheld’s life cycle. Even more unfortunately, the series’ developer AlphaDream went bankrupt as the series sales dwindled.
As one of the best entries in a rather unique Mario series, it would be so nice to see the game back again in its original form on the Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
As part of Zelda’s 35th anniversary, we want to see as many Zelda titles become available on the Nintendo Switch as possible. The only one we know of so far is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD; however, there are so many Zelda titles that can be easily released on the Nintendo Switch.
While most fans are holding out hopes for the HD versions of Twilight Princess, Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time, and Majora’s Mask, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap should not be overlooked.
The game introduced Ezlo, a talking hat companion for Link. Yes, Link had one before Mario made it cool in Super Mario Odyssey. It was a fun new take on the classic Zelda formula.
It might not be the most popular entry in the legendary franchise, but it is a great game that any fan of the Legend of Zelda series should check out at some point, and releasing it on the Switch would give that option to players who might not otherwise have access to the game.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land/Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
Both Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land and Kirby & the Amazing Mirror would be great to have on the Switch and seeing as both games are pretty equal in quality and popularity, we really can’t choose one over the other.
Nightmare in Dream Land is a remake of the NES classic, Kirby’s Adventure with updated visuals and added min-games. Personally, I was a huge fan of the quickdraw minigame! Meanwhile, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror was a completely original title that released for the system two years later.
So far, the Nintendo Switch only has three traditional 2D platformers Kirby games: Kirby’s Dreamland 3, Kirby Superstar, and Kirby Star Allies. All of which have been available for quite some time, and while games like Kirby Fighters 2 can be really fun, they just aren’t the same as a good ol’ fashioned platformer.
Considering how large the series’ library is, there really needs to be more Kirby titles released for the Switch and the Game Boy Advance games were some of the pink ball’s best.
Mother 3
Today is the perfect day to talk about Mother 3 making its way to Nintendo Switch as the game is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary.
That’s 15 years since the original Mother 3 released in Japan… only in Japan.
Unlike the second entry in the Mother series, EarthBound, which had an official English release in 1995, Mother 3 never did make its way across the sea. Of course, a group of dedicated fans has released an unofficial fan translation of the game, and while that may be good enough for Reggie, it isn’t quite the same as finally getting an official release from Nintendo themselves.
You might be thinking that Nintendo would never release an official translation of Mother 3 15 years after its original release, but they’ve done it before.
In 2015, they suddenly released the first Mother title, EarthBound Beginnings, on the Wii U Virtual Console, and more recently, released Star Fox 2 for the first time outside of Japan as one of the titles included on the SNES Classic. So, while it isn’t the most likely outcome, it wouldn’t be that far of a stretch to see them do the same with Mother 3 –or at least we hope it’s not.
Golden Sun
Golden Sun is one of the best RPG series released in the GBA era but unfortunately met a rather early demise. The series which started with its original release “Golden Sun” on the Game Boy Advance, sadly only ever had three releases –Golden Sun, Golden Sun: The Lost Age which also released for GBA, and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn for the Nintendo DS.
The series had such great potential with a fun world and a relatable cast of characters. Golden Sun incorporated the gameplay and story trope’s JRPGs were known for but still felt like a more modern take on the genre.
Unfortunately, while Golden Sun: Dark Dawn was well-received, sales for the game weren’t spectacular and likely lead to the series’ untimely demise. However, a re-release on the Nintendo Switch may just be the thing needed to reinvigorate fans’ love of the series!
Re-release Golden Sun: The Lost Age while you’re at it, Nintendo!
Metroid Fusion/Metroid Zero Mission
The Metroid franchise hasn’t seen much love in recent years. Sure, we got Metroid: Samus Returns on the 3DS in 2017 and Metroid Prime 4 will release for Nintendo Switch… eventually. But, other than these two titles we haven’t seen a good Metroid game release in quite some time.
Despite dwindling interest in the 3DS at the time, Metroid: Samus Returns was met with a ton of praise when it released with many fans stating how much they wished the game released on the Switch instead, proving that there is still a market for 2D Metroid games.
While we’re not holding our breath for a full-on remake of either of these titles, it would be great to see Metroid Zero Mission and/or Metroid Fusion make their way to the Switch in some capacity.
All of the Pokemon Games
It’s impossible to choose only one of the Game Boy Advance Pokemon games to be re-released on the Nintendo Switch. No, seriously, you cannot choose just one.
If you choose Fire Red, then you also have to choose Leaf Green. If you choose Ruby, you also have to choose Sapphire and might as well choose Emerald while you’re at it.
Instead, we’ll make it easy on you, Nintendo. Just release every Pokémon GBA game on Switch!
The Game Boy Advance was a golden era for Pokémon games. To this day Pokémon Fire Red/Leaf Green is still considered one of the best remakes in the series, and Pokémon Emerald is still considered one of the best games in the series. It’s also a go-to era for Pokémon ROM hacks, nuzlockes, randomizers, and challenge runs.
These titles are just so iconic and integral to the Pokémon series as a whole that it would be a huge miss not to release them on the Switch.
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