2000s Critics Review Golden Sun & Golden Sun: The Lost Age (Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack)

[@MCastleberry1980]

Its wild that Golden Sun was such an early release and looked that good. They really had a handle on what the GBA was capable of from the get go.

[@MrPsyJak]

Frankly they managed to somehow exceed the console's limits in terms of the soundcard.

[@MCastleberry1980]

@@MrPsyJak Konami managed to pull that off with Circle of the Moon as well

[@xxJing]

Camelot developed another RPG before Golden Sun that's stylistic very similar to Golden Sun but kind of also looks like an RPG maker game. Beyond the Beyond for PS1. It was a pretty bad game honestly. The story to the game was fine but the gameplay was painful to say the least.

[@ilbroducciore]

This is completely unsubstantiated with proof, but from the looks of the character models and the battle backgrounds, it always seemed to me that they went down with an approach similar to Donkey Kong Country, rendering high-res CGI models, effects and environments first, then porting them over as static assets, making frame-by-frame animations with these as well as some dynamic ones (like the background panning/scaling). Again, just my hunch. Regardless, the end result has always been gorgeous for the hardware.

[@xxJing]

@@ilbroducciore You are probably right. Check out Shining Force 3 footage to see what I mean. They definitely used pre rendered CG for that.

[@pdaigle531]

It’s cool to think we can finally play Golden Sun on the Switch after all these years! 😄

[@ShadowEl]

Shining Force 1&2, Mario Golf & Tennis GBC, and now Golden Sun 1&2. Camelot RPG fans are eating good on Nintendo Switch Online. Now we just need Mario Golf and Tennis Advance!

[@prime7213]

I don’t think Mario Golf and Tennis GBC are on NSO. The N64 versions are though.

[@ShadowEl]

@@prime7213 why did I think they were??? 😭

[@prime7213]

@@ShadowEl wishful thinking I guess 😂 I’d love to see them added though.

[@retrohero2762]

They need to re-release Shining Force 3 one day. Hopefully even the final part that didn't release outside Japan

[@riskyworks]

Dude, I'd killed for Tennis (Or golf, I guees) Advanced. I have a gameboy advance sp, even thouh the only game I have on it is Mario Tennis, so it would be really nostalgic if they were to add it!

[@gligarguy4010]

They saw him complaining recently about the lack of Golden Sun, so not only did they quickly release it but they also gave the second one too as an apology. Quick, complain about lack of Dreamcast next!

[@prime7213]

Had my eye on this game for awhile! Really glad I can play it now (and having the sequel drop at the same time was a pleasant surprise)

[@riskyworks]

And according to the jo side, they even bothered to include the link cable functionality! Aka, this hopefully means I won't have to type in a 200+ character password for the sequel, though I suppose that depends on how it works.

[@RynoDBones]

I played this for the first time just a few months ago and really love it. I was surprised something this good was on the GBA. (I never owned a GBA)

[@IndohNintendo]

There's plenty more on the GBA! Minish Cap, FF Tactics Advance, Superstar Saga. Bet money you'd love those if you're into rpg's and adventures. Both Metroids are some of the very best GBA has to offer. Heck, I personally like all these titles more than the Golden Sun series.

[@matteodotdpsatgmaildotcom2451]

​@IndohNintendo ninja five o, dragon ball the legacy of goku 2, drill dozer, tactics ogre, metroid fusion and zero mission, kirby nightmare in dreamland, wario ware, advance wars, the castlevania trilogy, the megaman battle network saga, sonic advance 2, lady sia, spyro 2 season of ice/flame, ghostbusters, spiderman mysterio's menace, wolverine's revenge, yooooooo there were so many good games on gba it's dumb

[@ivanzoneBR24]

GBA glory shines upon us all over again. I hope 2024 will be a great year for the GBA library on Nintendo Switch Online

[@jwrfb26]

Not sure what my favorite portable RPG is, but the Golden Sun games are way up there.

[@blackdragoncyrus]

Why? They're written like shit.

[@Makoto03]

Thank you for the classic reviews of Golden Sun. My favorite portable rpg is probably Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for GBA. I have so many fond memories of playing it at school during lunch breaks. loved that spin off game.

[@frawgeatfrawgworld]

You were allowed video games in school? Lucky

[@catriamflockentanz]

At long last an convenient legal way to play Golden Sun WITH Gamelink Passwords. And before someone says: But Virtual Console. Yes. Virtual Console had the EU Version of the First Golden Sun and the US Version of The Lost Age. Which means the passwords are not compatible... Nintendo. What. Were. You. Thinking? Probably not all that much, otherwise you wouldn't do such a thing. Granted, I liked the time when I was actually able to get old games in my native language (german btw) on Online Services. It's not like there isn't a translation already available. But relicensing more than two versions (JP & US) is apparently "too expensive" - for a company that is constantly in the Top 10 most valuable companies of Japan since the 1980ties... But now that I vented my frustration with the concurrent state of the rereleases let's look what the critics thought back in the GBdAys.

[@timothylewis2527]

Had all of these issues except Edge back then. Always love the nostalgia dose seeing these covers.

[@video-luver769]

The Golden Sun games are two of the very best JRPGs I've ever played. Well, the 3rd one is good, too, actually.

[@naraku971]

Agreed, the series has admittedly played some influence on my world building for my creative projects.

[@phantomninja6079]

It took me 15 years to beat Golden Sun. I got lost and after restarting so many times, I looked up a guide (something I didn't have access to until the last few of those.) You need to get almost all of the djinn or you can't beat the final boss. I tried grinding for a while, but I had to go back and get them. I eventually found out that you could go back from the final dungeon. I beat it, it holds some kind of place in my heart. It felt like a bit of a cop out when I found out that it leaves off on a cliff hanger, but whatever. I don't know that I'll ever be ready to replay the first game, but someday, I might get over my frustration to play the second game. Edit: seeing the gameplay has got me remembering the parts I liked about it. I just need some time.

[@Zelduh64]

You definitely don't "need" Djinn to beat the final boss

[@viperexcess6214]

My fav portable rpg series is Etrian Odyssey. The party-building, the difficulty, and the music are just amazing, with the mapmaking being the cherry on top. But I would never have played it, or any other rpg for that matter if not for Golden Sun. While everybody else was getting into rpg's through Chrono Trigger, FF7, Dragon Quest, etc., Golden Sun was my actual gateway rpg. Went in because of the box art and pictures, stayed for the gameplay and music. And puzzles too, which helped make the games stay memorable to this very day.

[@kenkooldad8900]

Love your channel. Great work!! Fun to watch!!

[@Adamatronamus]

Started playing this on Wii U. Stopped when this was announced what feels like a year ago. Booted it up today and it looks so much better on OLED screen.

[@JenMistress]

Did you say "I'm ready to kick 2023 into overdrive"? That's great and all, but it's 2024 I believe. 😉 With Christian being the only one to review it at EGM, that theme song from WWE seems to fit, "Christian, Christian, at last you're on your ooooowwwwwn". Still, was still fitting that Edge reviewed it too. 😉😂🤣 As for this, haven't played it yet, as a matter of fact, for the question, can't think of a single RPG that I've played a portable port for.

[@abadyr_]

I only had the lost age on gba, and it was amazing all the same

[@neetpride5919]

Best magic system since materia ngl

[@HybridAngelZero]

So glad they're finally here! And thank goodness they're both coming out on the same day and not holding the second one hostage for a future update xD And my favorite portable RPG? I feel like saying Xenoblade 2 (or any other Switch game) is cheating, so I'm gonna go with The World Ends With You. It has a wonderful story full of mystery and lovable characters, some amazing twists and an atmosphere and soundtrack like nothing else, and it manages to use every feature of the DS in ways that never feel forced. The game was designed very deliberately from the ground up to be exactly what it is and it pulls it off beautifully

[@KungfuKumquat]

Crisis core, crimson gem saga, final fantasy type 0, persona 4 golden, p3 portable, I could keep going. So many great handheld rpgs.

[@Trenell83]

Favorite portable game is my number one rpg series and it's Etrian Odyssey.

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

I remember my brother swore by these two games back in the day on the Game Boy Advance. I also remember going with him to go purchase the players guide to this game at Chapters book because he was stuck on a certain part.

[@marcovarius]

I've only ever played the second GS game back in the day. Now that they're on Switch I'm finally playing the first game

[@DeathCrustPunk]

Kick 2023 into overdrive...oopsy. Don't make rhat mistake if you have to date date any important documents

[@oswaldoguadarrama3532]

I loved the golden sun games, some of the best times I had on the GBA. Only thing I didnt like, which i hope they will fix this time around, is that when you finish the first game, it gives you a LONG code to transfer the stats from the party into the second game. 11 year old me didnt get it to work 😢

[@ivanzoneBR24]

My favorite handheld rpg is Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga.

[@Ultriac301]

My casting choices for live action Golden Sun & Golden Sun: The Lost Age movies directed by either James Cameron or Peter Jackson: 1) Jack Quaid as Isaac 2) Cameron Monaghan as Garet 3) Evan Peters as Ivan 4) Sophie Turner as Mia 5) Dylan O'Brien as Felix 6) Emma Watson as Jenna 7) Maisie Williams as Sheba 8) Sam Worthington as Piers 9) Mark Hamill as Kraden 10) Dane Dehaan as Saturos 11) Margot Robbie as Menardi 12) Dave Bautista as Agatio 13) Deborah Ann Woll as Karst 14) Domhall Gleeson as Alex

[@kyleward3914]

Ooh, I could play this on a screen I can actually see! I played the original on an original GBA, and the screen was often very difficult to see on that model.

[@Mugiwara2k]

Edge magazine always had to be the ‘different’ one and give lower scores to games that practically everyone else rightfully accepts as being fantastic. In game journalism, they were like that annoying contrarian everyone knows that disagrees just for the sake of it. These were great games that still hold up mostly even now.

[@bepis_real]

Wow, it’s really fascinating hearing the criticisms of The Lost Age, they almost mirror a lot of people’s thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom

[@goranisacson2502]

I played Golden Sun waaayyy back when, and knowing I'll have the ability to finally wrap up the story feels... SO good. So very, very good. Also as far as rpg's made for the portable format, I think my favorite one I've played would be Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga. The start of a wild and wonderful ride that ended oh so bittersweetly... but at the time it was some of the most fun I've had with the Super Mario franchise. Runner-up would be Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, but I acknowledge that one is certainly an acquired taste.

[@dimitripatronas2409]

Favorite portable: Golden Sun (series) with the second being my absolute favorite game!

[@tveye363]

I had that exact Gamepro issue and it convinced me to go out and buy Golden Sun The Lost Age. I had never heard of the series but those reviews were so damn high and I was desperate for a new game on my GBA. Well, I popped that sucker in and had no idea that there was a first game. I just thought the story was confusing because it was a JRPG. Eventually I figured out that I was missing out on something when I met up with Isaac's party near the end of the game and was severely underleveled for the final boss. I've since gone back and beat the first game, but I've still never 100% beat the second.

[@Taios87entertainment]

golden sun 1 and 2 should have a HD 2D remake. Like how live a live did

[@Cyberpunknut]

We all knew they were coming; glad they finally showed up on NSO. Favorite portal RPG is pokemon pearl.

[@redips]

We need a Golden Sun release for the Nintendo Switch. We got fire emblem, kirby, zelda, donkey kong. LFG!!!

[@DefunctGames]

I love this idea! I would love to see this style of role-playing game brought to the Switch with beautiful hand-drawn HD graphics and a similar combat system. So many modern JRPGs are trying to be action games (I'm looking at you Final Fantasy XVI), so it would be cool to get a new Golden Sun release.

[@greensmurf221]

Golden Sun and FFT:A are top tier and must haves for the GBA/Emulation.

[@ron.hertzberg]

Imagine if we'd gotten this on snes or n64

[@FuegodeInfierno]

Golden sun still has the best commercial Nintendo has ever done, even if it has nothing to do with the game itself😂

[@589iliketurtles]

Amazing game, but finding where to go without a guide is almost impossible

[@Greezie3655]

Love these games just beat them 100% on the switch.

[@catantcha99]

My favorite portable rpg is megaman starforce

[@haydenbennett3547]

Man, I can't wait to see new players fight Dullahan and Star Magician for the first time 😂

[@real_Furryratchet]

Best GBA games! Iam so happy these games get more attention!

[@veghesther3204]

Love the games BUT will NEVER get a NSO account so the games really NEED to be on the NORMAL E shop where they belong else stick with the GBA only copies IF you can.

[@Gnievv]

best game for it's time

[@chrisk7305]

Nintendo online should be free of charge like the sega dreamcast was 22 years ago

[@BenSmith-cm8oc]

Love them, but I want pokemon blue!

[@AdeptCharon]

It didn't "start out as a N64 game". The N64 game never went into proper production and was its own project. Golden Sun was meticulously developed specifically for the GBA. "when we decided to make that, that was right at the time when the Game Boy was really gaining speed and really taking over the handheld area completely. So it was kind of always a Game Boy game."

[@AdeptCharon]

It also wasn't "split" into two "because of that". It was always planned as a 2 parter with the second one played from the perspective of a second party.

[@AdeptCharon]

I wish I was able to support an official rerelease of these games directly. They're the only reason I am signed up for the stupid expansion pass, and Nintendo doesn't even get to feel that that's why...

[@golden-sun]

Good

[@elpato54]

I'm the only person on this earth that thought Golden Sun sucked.

[@roseforyoubabe]

still old game boy games no matter how they were when released does not interest me

[@prime7213]

If you’re not interested in old games why are you watching a channel that almost exclusively talks about NSO retro games?

[@dannyd4339]

Trash sad ripoff. Those games deserve a remaster. Nintendo are cheap dks