GBA games, recommendations, new stuff

[pixeljunkie]

I recently started playing Shining Soul. Never gave it a fair shake, the mechanics seemed weird and the graphics didn't impress.

I was wrong. I'm about 3-4 hrs in and am completely hooked. I am hoping the difficulty doesn't ramp up in the last stretch, like these games typically do. But once you sort of lock in on the gameplay, it's super addictive. Reminds me a bit of the Ys games.

Any other recommendations? Anything you recently played and were surprised by? I think I need to give Cima a proper playthrough next.

 

[Average Joe]

 

[ggallegos1]

I didn't like Knights of Lodis when I first played it because it felt like a boring FFT and the gameplay difficulty ramped up quickly for me. Turns out I was trash at improving my party's equipment and skills and, once I broke through that, it was a great time.

 

[basic]

 

[pixeljunkie]

View attachment 80493

Link to download or GTFO

 

[pixeljunkie]

View attachment 80492

Yessss! Amazing games. Played through both when they came out. Might need to go again.

 

[pixeljunkie]

I didn't like Knights of Lodis when I first played it because it felt like a boring FFT and the gameplay difficulty ramped up quickly for me. Turns out I was trash at improving my party's equipment and skills and, once I broke through that, it was a great time.

I have started this many times. It's on my list to actually give it proper attention.

 

[Average Joe]

I'm a big fan of the Mega Man Battle Network games.

I know a lot of folks shit on them a bit for playing so differently and kind of having a "kiddie" look to them, but the gameplay is so damn fun.

 

[lithy]

I doubt I will really be able to give you anything off your radar, but GBA was the first game system I bought with my own McDonald's money, bought the GameCube later that year too. Although I didn't get an expansive library of titles for it, I played what I had a lot. Advance Wars and F-Zero: Maximum Velocity in particular I definitely put over 100 hours into each.

Don't have my SNES mini to play any GBA at the moment, handed it off to my nephew a few months ago, but I had some fun with loading up some stuff I had played way back when and trying a few new things I missed on the first go around.

I doubt Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga is overlooked, but I had never played it. Played through it start to finish, great Action RPG with some co-op puzzle style stuff to differentiate it from Super Mario RPG or Paper Mario.


bit Generations - Dotstream, I turned this one up on some list of games to try (hidden gems!) and I'm glad I did. It is simple looking race game and pretty darn tough, plus great music.


Kuru Kuru Kururin - possibly the first game I ever imported, either this or Doshin the Giant. Possibly from NCSX? I don't remember, but I bought the Australian version. A fun maze game, challenging but not overly so. Cutesy graphics, worth playing.


And not specifically GBA, but I still contend that with the right group Pac-Man Vs. is one of the greatest multiplayer party game experiences ever created.

 

[yoshi41]

Mario Pinball Land & Bookworm, simple but addictive. Lufia: The Ruins of Lore as a solid JRPG.

​

 

[Vectorman0]

• The Chu Chu Rocket port is unique because it has a ton of puzzles, I think many taken from Dreamcast user uploads
• Tang Tang is a lot like Solomon's Key

Some imports I never hear anyone talk about:

• Bit Generations Orbital was the only one besides Dotstream I enjoyed. That said, I still think Dotstream is the best. Soundvoyager I have been meaning to play again since it is meant to be played via audio only.
• Guru Logic Champ is good if you like puzzle games
• Aleck Bordon Tower & Shaft is an arcade port worth trying

 

[greedostick]

Castlevania Aria of Sorrow
Astro Boy Omega Factor
Double Dragon Advance
Golden Sun + GS Lost Age
F-Zero
Metroid Fusion & Zero Mission
Klonoa Empire of Dreams and Dream Champ Tournament

 

[LoneSage]

Fun fact, Drill Dozer came about because Game Freak asked Nintendo, "uhhhh, we've been doing a lot of Pokemon for the past ten years...how about let us try something else?"

And they knocked it out of the fucking park.

Playing it emulated just wouldn't be the same without the rumble pak.

 

[pixeljunkie]

Fun fact, Drill Dozer came about because Game Freak asked Nintendo, "uhhhh, we've been doing a lot of Pokemon for the past ten years...how about let us try something else?"

And they knocked it out of the fucking park.

Playing it emulated just wouldn't be the same without the rumble pak.

Totally agree. I think one of the GBA emulators supports rumble but I don't know which.

 

[herb]

Minish Cap. Best 2d zelda imho

 

[Neodogg]

View attachment 80492

Isn’t that the title to sage’s porn video?

 

[Dr. Jigglin]

Isn’t that the title to sage’s porn video?

There's more than one though, like Wonton Nights and Mystery Meat

 

[pixeljunkie]

Is it possible to play the Boktai games without the weird sun mechanic? Like, I know emulators let you emulate it, but is it more trouble than it's worth? Has anyone actually done that?

 

[Average Joe]

I was looking for some handheld Puzzle game to play and looked up an underrated list and this popped up.

Stupidly simple, but tons of fun.

 

[max 330 megafartz]

I was looking for some handheld Puzzle game to play and looked up an underrated list and this popped up.

Stupidly simple, but tons of fun.View attachment 85478

That one had a gamecube release as well i am pretty sure (but too lazy to google)

 

[Average Joe]

 

[JoeAwesome]

I was looking for some handheld Puzzle game to play and looked up an underrated list and this popped up.

Stupidly simple, but tons of fun.View attachment 85478

Yes. That list was lithy’s post.

 

[Average Joe]

Yes. That list was lithy’s post.

Oh, not here.

I did a random youtube/reddit search and it popped up there.

So good though.

Been playing a little bit each day only because it is as stressful as it is fun.

 

[neo.kobe.city]

Is it possible to play the Boktai games without the weird sun mechanic? Like, I know emulators let you emulate it, but is it more trouble than it's worth? Has anyone actually done that?

It's no trouble at all. Use the following patches. You can adjust the solar sensor gauge with some button inputs. Super easy, let's you play on original hardware if you'd like as well.

I've played the games the legit way as a teenager upon release back then, but these patches on a flashcart are the better way to play. Don't miss having to scramble for sunlight as the sun would set to beat a boss.

GitHub - Prof9/Boktai-Solar-Sensor-Patches: Solar sensor patches for the Boktai / Bokura no Taiyou games.

Solar sensor patches for the Boktai / Bokura no Taiyou games. - Prof9/Boktai-Solar-Sensor-Patches

github.com

 

[pixeljunkie]