Top Ten Must Have GBA RPGs

So many great RPGs released for the Game Boy Advance, so narrowing it down to 10 must have RPGs was a bit tough. Here are the top ten greatest GBA Role Playing games that should be in your collection! Let me know your top 10 best Gamecube role playing games down below!
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[@jubiladoatope]

Golden Sun is still amongst my favorite games of all time

[@j255173]

Golden Sun and GS the Lost Age are simply amazing. Likable characters, great story with high stakes and of course the battle system with an impressive array of magic and summons ughhh just...chefs kiss*

[@hanzohattori1196]

AND a wonderful original soundtrack.

[@tiagonobrega8046]

Definitely one of my favorite RPGs of all time! Every now and then I do a complete replay of GS + The Lost Age, it is THAT GOOD!

[@hanzohattori1196]

@@tiagonobrega8046 I own Dark Dawn and a 3DS, it improves on the graphics, soundtrack and gameplay; the only downside, IMO, is that the dungeons felt short in comparison with TLA (I'm talking about the bloody Air Rock specifically).

[@shad3slay]

Man I love Golden Sun, I hope they remake them or continue the franchise.

[@FriteVerte]

I loved Golden Sun so much it kinda ruined my enjoyment of other RPGs. It was my first experience with JRPGs and I've never found anything to match

[@nanoglitch6693]

I emailed Working Designs back when Lunar Legend was announced to ask if they were going to be localizing it. They responded that they had no interest in localizing an inferior version of a game they'd already done lmao. But they hinted that someone else was probably going to do it.

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Haha now that’s a story! Thanks for sharing Nano 🙂

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@waynecyr8213]

GBA had a lot of great RPGs...it's still my favorite handheld to this day.

[@cowgba]

I agree (if my username didn’t give that away already haha), such an incredible system and the first console that I saved up and bought for myself as a kid. It will always have a special place in my heart and the fan/modding community that has sprung up around it means there’s still plenty of life in the little handheld that could.

[@dedmin6119]

The gba sp is my all time favorite portable

[@MindGameArcade]

Great video man, thanks for all these recommendations! Can't wait to give them a try

[@ViolentNoctis]

ahh that tekken 2 intro music

[@thatvideogamesshow]

One of the best tunes!

[@yaboyayeayeron9944]

Golden sun would've been #1 on my list too played it as a kid thinking how much of a sleeper it was then still is now amazing story amazing game!!!

[@thatvideogamesshow]

One of the greats!

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@williamburbidge2407]

I love the Tekken 2 theme there... don't know what that has to do with GBA RPGs, but my brain noticed it XD

[@plentyofpaper]

The Game Boy Advance was packed full of astounding RPGs. I'm deeply saddened to see no Megaman Battle Network here. Saturday morning cartoon plot aside, the combat system really blows the competition out of the water.

[@shadowedge1]

Golden Sun, my first gba game! its amazing how much they put in that small cartridge and how far they pushed the gba limits. The music and summons are what kept me hooked! I still have my original cartridge for it and the Lost Age!

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Such a great RPG!

[@310percentage]

Yes indeed. Only complaint I ever had was how you couldn't teleport to cities you've visited but it helped me get stronger walking everywhere encountering enemies so it's a double sword.

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@xxshadowzxx0091]

This is a really good playlist I played most of everything you named before watching the video of course I love RPGs.

[@FernaMedel]

Nice to see Summon Night in here, definitely a game I got hooked on for a long time, don't forget Summon Night 2 as well a nice gem better than the first one I believe.

[@thatvideogamesshow]

The sequel was great as well!

[@rashyre1519]

Summon night 3 GBA ????

[@FernaMedel]

@@rashyre1519 English patched perhaps, but the translation is not complete.

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@SlyHikari03]

I love the DS title (Twin Age). Also heavily underrated

[@stashmerkin9576]

No shortage of good RPGs on the GBA! Easily enough for a part 2.

[@thatvideogamesshow]

For sure! Will get it in the works.

[@stashmerkin9576]

@@thatvideogamesshow thank you! I enjoy your work. Your videos are always well produced, edited and performed. Btw I saw on one of your older videos that there was a Samurai Warriors game that I was completely unaware of on the 3ds. Thanks for the tip! It's currently ebaying it's way to me now.

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Thanks stash that means a lot! Ahhh nice, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

[@stashmerkin9576]

@@thatvideogamesshow I'll let you know when I get it! I'm a big fan of the Dynasty Warriors games so was excited for a 3ds option! And you're very welcome.

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

Golden Sun is a great game. While many of us are in "the know" already, it probably would have been good to mention the "complete game" is actually 2-cartridges and sold as separate games "Golden Sun" and "Golden Sun: the Lost Age". If you have a GBA link cable and a second GBA (a GBA and a GameBoy player), you can import your completed game save from the first game to continue the story with all your items into the 2nd game. This is the only way to finish the 2nd game with a complete collection of djinn and unlock all the top djinn summons.

[@skydmcsky]

You can use the Import Code instead, still transfer everything, no cables or anything, just both games

[@Patrick_The_Pure]

@@skydmcsky The only downside.... good lord that code was long XD

[@Grognakk380]

​@@Patrick_The_PureI got a friend to read it out for me as i entered it onto lost age and after entering the whole thing it didnt work, then he tells me with a grin, "oops, I'm dyslexic and read it all backwards" i almost threw him out the window. 20 years later I can see how it was a brilliant joke.

[@komi-samabeliever7319]

Sakimi-Chan good stuff 👌 Btw FE7&8, Legend of Zelda Minish Cap, Sword of Mana, Sword Craftstory 2 is few GBA games that I've played and actually loved. Summon Night 5 on PSP is quite marvelous as well, give it a try if you haven't.

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

Zelda isn't RPG🤦

[@JohnSmith-laws]

@@PsychomachineryEBM technically it isn't, but it has many of the same elements as an rpg. The biggest difference is no leveling up in zelda.

[@burhan.k.r.n1164]

@@PsychomachineryEBM then what is it ?

[@burhan.k.r.n1164]

@@JohnSmith-laws what is it then if not rpg ?

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

@@burhan.k.r.n1164 action/adventure 🤷

[@jymfiskburk2256]

Remember sword of mana, having unique events that happens once in the story at certain time of the ingame day, if miss it, you can miss a lot of cool items, and summom knights is a very recommendef trilogy

[@edtrone123]

So awesome to see one of my top favs as No.1.. I love that game even 15+ yrs later hehe

[@HaitemPatchou]

FF6 advance is the best game i ever played i spent months playing it again and again

[@waaaaaaah5135]

Golden Sun and its sequel are simply amazing! Absolutely must plays!

[@brenokv]

summon nigth is great, even when in a simple minded setting, kept worldbuilding and humor ,with a simple yet intuitive and satisfacting gameplay, i still love the characters, and world of the game

[@chaseelwind1578]

Been playing this recently, the replay value is great with so many weapon choices, my only issue is with no world map, its weird that you enter a door in the northside of the map and enter a 2nd floor above the 1st map

[@ishakhaniferrah3630]

thx for the quality content keep up the good work can u do console or pc games that got ported to mobile?

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Sure man, I’ll add it to the video list! Glad you enjoy the content 🙂

[@darthboxOriginal]

I love your videos, and this was no exception. I've found some great titles to try, and can agree with you on others I've played, such as Golden Sun and Final Fantasy 6. I can also recommend 1-5 very strongly. 1 and 5 were my favourite, with 4 coming in close after. I actually played 3 on the DS, so can't say about that's but expect it's great. 1 in particular is still the incredibly fun original game but with SNES/GBA quality visuals like the rest.

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Glad you enjoyed it mate!

[@Herf18]

Great list

[@En_Eye_Sea_Kai_Eye]

I love your T2 music intro use lol

[@gamer-san8923]

Awesome list as always 👏❤

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Thanks Humble, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@oof3664]

Ah, that 8-bit BGM. Such a nostalgic

[@domithenugget2232]

i was searching for games like this to play :D

[@MSGSlayer1]

I bought Golden Sun: The Lost Age a while back; complete in box. Had an overworld poster and everything.

[@worldsboss]

Nice!

[@akifrivaldo]

Wow this is really a good list! ❤️

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Thanks Aki!

[@roxaskinghearts]

Kingdom hearts chain of memories is dead content as 1.5 rechain of memories is needed to play kingdom hearts 3

[@gkingk9800]

RPGs are the best!! Another sweet list man 👍

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Cheers Gaz! Glad you enjoyed it mate 🙂

[@gkingk9800]

@@thatvideogamesshow always a good time watching your videos man 😁

[@guilhermesena1283]

The Image quality and framerate on this video are very nice. Do you have a guide on the best video settings for emulators?

[@noirczar5280]

Golden Sun is in my top 5 RPGs of all time. I just replayed it this year and it still holds up

[@sid-86]

Great list, but I would of probably included breath of fire 1 & 2

[@brorjace08]

I like this channels style

[@DrNuyenVanFaulk]

I'd definitely include Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

[@richierich_broski]

Tactics ogre is amazing. You should out that on part 2 if you ever make one

[@TerrainStop]

Shit, I just commented that I don't see many people mention this game. Fricking loved it!

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

Ok this is weird, I have 7/10 of these games and most of them boxed... and I only have 10 gba games xD Sadly only have the box for Fire Emblem, but its nice for the shelf. Great list as always

[@thatvideogamesshow]

That sounds like a solid collection! Glad you enjoyed the video 🙂

[@burnindahell]

I have 9/10 of these games. The only missing game is Summon Knight and I'm also missing a box for Emerald (all other 8 games are complete in box). Nice list, but Breath of Fire II, Lufia Ruins of Lore and Tales of Phantasia are also great games that shoul be mentioned. ~ Kind regards ~

[@Angel13691]

Games are meant to be played

[@OtakuDeju]

There's a few odd titles on this list but for the most part not a bad list. At least Golden Sun was your #1 pick and for that I tip my hat to you. Golden Sun one of the best RPGs/JRPGS of the entire GBA Library.

[@retromodgamer6201]

I still remember the superstar saga. I never could finish it. Sight i'mma go play it now

[@MazDanRX795]

Currently playing through Golden Sun on my SP for the first time ever. The tiny screen sure is a challenge but I'm enjoying myself nonetheless.

[@gollum6ix9ine83]

Funny how Lucina was introduced a decade after the gba. You totally didn’t use her for clickbait, especially considering the picture you used

[@vitradesk]

lol calm down nerd

[@sotosmatthew3046]

​@@vitradesklmao

[@eleonorepb4565]

But she travels in the past so it fit

[@johnmervincegloria1175]

What was the name of the artist of this art

[@sk3tchinatortv733]

So?

[@Angela-gs9ly]

Wow i remember playing the first game mentioned on the PSP, didn't even know there was a GBA version

[@zachcasino4542]

Summon night was really good i remember completing the game 6 times

[@monocyte2210]

man I love Riviera. One of the best i've played

[@mangckyatmamon]

I would like to mention Super Robot Wars and a related game to it, Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars.

[@00DeadZ]

Dunno if they count ! But Dragonball Z legacy of goku 1&2 & Buu's fury are must have games on the GBA

[@PabloEnver]

The first legacy of goky is probably top ten worst games on gba. Its just horrible

[@00DeadZ]

@@PabloEnver sure the first game is bad .. 2 & buu are great

[@mrb1801]

Everything about golden sun is amazing...

[@HsienKoMeiLingFormerYANG]

Good list. Now where I put my old sliver gameboy?

[@thatvideogamesshow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

Great game selection, and Pokemon

[@crazyfish1010]

Im gonna check Lunar Legends the graphics looks dope

[@zPamboli]

Golden Sun's combat system still boggles my mind, not only because of the Djinns but also because of the visuals, that is some SNES Super FX level shit that I had never seen before as a kid, the camera changes, and the sprites acting acordingly, the cinematics of the summons, man that was a blast.

[@Ven24503]

Finally, The game that I have been looking for lunar legend ❤

[@Watchlaughrepeat101]

Dude believe me when I say the first game he has on the list is the exact game I came here searching to find because I forgot the name of it its like 2 am man ur God sent

[@FeelFreeToThink]

It should be noted that the Sword of Mana video is not representing the "upgraded graphics" - That is a shader that has been applied to an emulation.

[@ronindebeatrice]

A lot of the gameplay in this video is recorded with an emulator with poor settings applied.

[@ninetendopesaitama2107]

They gba core on MiSTer is excellent.

[@mumblesslam]

I saw your link for twitch on the video. Why did you stop streaming on there?

[@zombiebats52]

Mother 3 is my favorite game all time led alone rpg.

[@wboeren1]

I am so lucky i can enjoy these games, even with old graphics.

[@andytheawesome7592]

I can’t believe Mother 3 didn’t make it on here, although being fan translated I guess might have something to do with it. Same goes for Mother 1+2.

[@vanilla5820]

Ahhhhh yes summon night:swordcraft story is here one of my favs

[@thatvideogamesshow]

I’ll second that!

[@roguerifter9724]

Interesting list though I prefe.r Sword Craft 2 to the original personally

[@mangaexperts]

Played most of these gems 😍

[@Phakhinai]

Thank God, I find game Golden Sun so many along time.

[@johnbillings5260]

Had to make sure Golden Sun was #1!

[@Bmanritchie]

Kinda bummed there wasn’t an honorable mentions for ‘Megaman Battle Network 3 Blue/White’ Sure two diff BN’s came before, but the 3x3 grid style, collectible battlechip system in real time is pretty damn good.

[@nightwing8664]

I agree, I think any of the 6 games coulda been mentioned in this list, there’s a reason why we got 6 different games with multiple versions lol it was popular

[@garyman420]

Haha, you got bummed

[@ern1813]

If only Nintendo Localized Mother 3

[@jamescook9401]

Thought I saw one on EBay

[@pauljordantalbot4100]

you can get a fan translation "repro" easily enough. I got one, good times, worth the $20. I don't see any issue with repros or mods for games they never released locally, like Mother 3

[@travissmith8017]

There translated roms online, definitely worth playing.

[@eltiobry3859]

I would like to add the srw original generation games to the list too

[@a_roxtech723]

Mother series in gba are awesome

[@hanzohattori1196]

Golden Sun in first place. I see you are a man if culture.

[@jf4132]

When it comes to Riviera I prefer the PSP version due to it being fully voice acted

[@PeruvianPotato]

Wish I knew about this sooner before starting my GBA copy. Now I'm deciding whether or not to just start from scratch with the PSP version or finish the GBA playthrough as I'm pretty far into it already

[@TheHereticPilgrim]

I'm potentially unreasonably upset that you said that Peach was kidnapped in Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga. The joke for the game was that instead of her getting kidnapped her voice was and replaced with an explosive language. Bowser teams up with Mario since if he kidnapped Peach her voice would blow up his castle.

[@DNAHCKR-eo9nd]

Ofc the GS series is best! You can use weapon and different magics like there are so many spells with different elements and talking about elements the suspense they created for a journey to discover power of alchemy and the elementals the djinns with special powers and there is summons! So cool, concept of psynergy, guardians of summon tablets the lighthouses for each element, main quest, sub quest and the puzzles just amazing and then there is storyline, the start with Isaac as a kid in a storm in his lil quest and town folks levitating a mighty boulder with their psychic energy or psynergy just epic!! Just that prologue made my heart go 77 lightyears per nanosecond, the joy build up is super amazing... did I get all the things, NO! we can craft with super cool forgeable items and there are many crazy hard epic boss battles, THE ANIMATION! the 2d-3d style touch in battles with many POVs and the arena battle with clever maneuver to finish it plus the secret crossbone island and special cursed gear and the music! how can I forget about that its mind blowing! I can listen it for actual ten hours a day, This game was really ahead of its time! If someone haven't played this gba rpg masterpiece then they are missing alot! The journey might be ended so soon but the Sun will rise again I just know it T_T

[@BiohazardScott]

I'd put Pokémon FRLG over RSE, but anyway nice list.

[@cheeeeezewizzz]

The first few Megaman battle network games were really good and are technically rpg's.

[@luvmenow33]

I played so many Fire Emblem games at this point I've lost count and they never ever get old or boring

[@chowsu944]

Onimusha tactics is also great

[@wolves_blade4788]

Golden Sun 1 and 2 were so amazing. And Lunar Legend was how I got into the Lunar Series

[@mystiemyth]

Lunar Legend is the first one of the series I played too, didn't know there was other versions at first, managed to get the PS1 complete versions of Lunar 1 and 2 because of it

[@Egei]

I'm not sure if I would have gone with Sacred Stones or the first Fire Emblem on GBA. 🤔that's a very tough choice

[@worldsboss]

I liked FE7 a lot, so I’d pick that one.

[@PeruvianPotato]

Honestly yeah, FE7 is the better pick given it's not piss easy and serves as a great introduction to the series

[@crazyfish1010]

I played summon night man but they don't have translations for 3 so I am currently learning japanese

[@Gsoda35]

I too like golden sun but sometimes breath of fire II will do just as well.

[@thomario8638]

Did you say the first one uses scripted and predetermined Battles instead of random encounters?! BOY I've always dreamed on an rpg with only scripted battles!

[@PeruvianPotato]

Fr, random encounters are a make or break for me and if there's none, well that's a win for me!

[@oktayx189]

Minish Cap is nice too especially since it's an exclusive.

[@tentoesgaming9161]

I downloaded all of these games onto my phone 😊

[@Gamerhenky]

Lucina on thumbnail seems unfitting because she's not in any GBA Fire Emblem games unless you count romhacks

[@sergiojosegomes9635]

All games very goods!

[@stevengondosiswanto4732]

What the name of song in the end of video ?

[@weshannum4961]

I love how every fucking video has bozongos

[@lawliet617]

golden sun will always be my favorite jrpg game but after the DS release hearing that title just makes me feel sad

[@uvoros1512]

anyone know that outro song?? Really nice

[@mickey2ky]

I love sword craft story!

[@black91240sx]

What game us playing on the GBA in the intro?

[@Trujones]

Watching this after getting a miyoo for Christmas

[@vladimirpamoceno970]

I read Some of the comments and GOLDEN SUN is the best duology rpg game ever with the djinns combination, likable characters and different magics, combos and summons♥️♥️❗

[@joegahan7055]

No FF Tactics and Shining Force resurrection of dark dragon?

[@vincenzomottola7778]

I wonder, why wasn't Sigma Star Saga included in this list? It's a really interesting game for the GBA due to being a shmup/RPG hybrid. It's a great game with that distinct classic WayForward charm

[@NeoConker626]

I'll second this, with the caveat that the shmup sections are brutal! I consider myself to be not entirely horrible at the genre. I grew up on classic Gradius and R-Type, and I obsessively devour Cave bullet hells. And this game still presses me lol

[@jrpg4484]

Yeah, picked up Sigma Star Saga and was genuinely surprised at how good it was.

[@luvmenow33]

With the easy to use emulators out nowadays we are in rpg heaven

[@drowningin]

I think Tactics Ogre Knights of Lodis is hands down the best on the system, but there were so many you cannot go wrong. Golden Sun 1 and 2 were good but they should of finished 3 on the GBA. I forgot M&L Super Star Saga, that’s actually my favorite Mario RPG fond memories of that game

[@kalabanyt]

what about shining soul/2 on gba?

[@TerrainStop]

My favourites were Tactics Ogre: Knight of Lodis and Final Fantasy: Tactics. I don't really see anyone mention those.

[@exPDXbear85]

Probably because they are more strategy type games

[@wrob08]

@@exPDXbear85 And Fire Emblem isn't?

[@wrob08]

Well, you'd have to have Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, since FFT is for PlayStation.

[@coolgamerjaw8803]

Bruh where the heck is Mother 3

[@CarlosRamirez-to9is]

I really missed Talos of phantasia in the list