The Best RPGs On Game Boy Advance

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 — compared to an intense action game which demands near-full attention. Many would agree, then-handheld juggernaut Game Boy Advance naturally has a great library of RPGs. Most of them are still trapped on the system, but many have withstood the test of time.

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

Updated on January 29, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia: Even following the era of DS, and at a time of modern handheld dominance (Switch, mobile, and Steamdeck), Game Boy Advance is still hailed by many as one of the greatest portable consoles ever. The vast improvements Nintendo made to the Game Boy helped GBA stand out, and with tremendous third party support, it gained a library of awesome games that fans still look back on fondly. This includes a suite of the best GBA RPGs Nintendo and RPG fans can get lost in. Some of these games don't get the love they deserve, despite Nintendo Switch's Online service doing a good job of exposing these games again to Switch owners, who can experience their rich history in all their glory.

30 Summon Night: Swordcraft Story

Critic Metascore: 77

• Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
• Developer(s): Flight-Plan
• Publisher: Atlus
• Release Date: July 25, 2006 (NA)

Overshadowed somewhat by the heavier hitters on GBA bearing the names Goldsun Sun, Pokemon, and Mario, this late arrival to the library (in North America, at least), never quite got the widespread attention it deserved. Summon Night shines amidst a massive GBA lineup for its unique system of crafting and progression, balanced by fun action-based combat and dungeon-crawling.

The experience is also distinct (especially for an old Nintendo handheld game) by utilizing an in-game clock that plays out for ten days, while players venture through the lush town of Wystern and the deep Labyrinth Dungeon. Each day concludes with a boss battle, tournament, and/or expansion of the dungeon.

With its depth in world-building, elemental-based items and weapons, as well as a blending of genres, Summon Night: Swordcraft Story not only holds up, but feels quite ahead of its time.

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29 Mario Tennis: Power Tour

Metascore: 81

While the console renditions of Mario Tennis leaned more in the direction of thrilling party romps, the handheld side actually took a more in-depth, quasi-RPG approach. This blend seems less bizarre when considering the fact that Nintendo tasked development to Camelot — makers of the rich GBA classic Golden Sun.

This blend of sports and role-playing would serve as the basis for the indie hits Golf Story and Sports Story. But while a bit more simplified and slower-paced here, Power Tour does veer in some interesting directions with its story-based campaign and progression.

Of course, tennis is still the star attraction here, and for a 2D title using a stiff D-pad, it plays surprisingly well — rounding out a rare great sports experience on GBA.

28 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue And Red Rescue Team

Metascore: 67 (Red) And 62 (Blue)

Sure, it may lack some of the allure and depth of the mainline Pokemon handheld romps, but regardless, Mystery Team makes for a fun and charming spin-off in its own right. The game strips down some of the slower, more convoluted traits of the main titles, while mixing in some rewarding, quasi-Roguelike traits.

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These titles, and the Mystery Dungeon series at large, bring a couple (relative) novelties to Pokemon games. For one, they're mission-based games that emphasize dungeon crawling and exploration. In addition, they focus on and star the lovable creatures themselves — rather than having pesky human trainers get in the way of their adventures.

27 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 of 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.

26 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.

25 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 more dynamic and colorized graphics, was the new 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. With the various refinements, the experience feels more akin to the SNES classic Secret of Mana.

24 Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy Of Goku 2

Metascore: 75

The Legacy of Goku trilogy is one of the best ways for gamers to experience the epic story of Dragon Ball Z. The first game is rough around the edges and can be a slog to get through at times, so players were glad to see the improvements made to the title's presentation in the sequel, with Legacy of Goku 2 being a memorable romp that ends at the end of the Cell Saga.

The combat is more enjoyable than before and doesn't frustrate players if they don't grind out weaker foes before progressing. While there are some difficulty spikes that can be hard to deal with, that doesn't take away anything from Legacy of Goku 2's allure as one of the best GBA RPGs they can get their hands on, especially if players happen to be massive Dragon Ball Z fans too.

23 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. Hopefully, Lufia: The Ruins of Lore will eventually be added to Nintendo Switch Online.

22 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!

21 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.