Nintendo's venture into handheld gaming is one of the best decisions in the company's history. The original Game Boy was a huge success, and the Game Boy Color only amplified that success when paired with the emerging Pokémon franchise. Nintendo continued that momentum into the 21st century with the Game Boy Advance. The GBA was released in 2001 and boasted significant visual upgrades bringing it roughly on par with the Super Nintendo.
The GBA includes many great nostalgic games, so it would be a shame if Nintendo doesn't include the GBA in their Nintendo Online service, especially given the handheld nature of the Switch. While Nintendo has yet to indicate there are plans for GBA emulation on the Switch, it's fun to explore the rich history of the GBA to find games that Nintendo Online should one day include.
10 Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy Of Goku Series Was Dragon Ball's First Full-Scale Action Role-Playing Games
The Dragon Ball series is no stranger to video games. Despite this, Dragon Ball rarely extends beyond the fighting game genre. Makes sense as Dragon Ball is heavily centered around fighting. However, in the early 2000s, the Dragon Ball series saw three action role-playing games in the Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku series for GBA.
The Legacy of Goku series gave players the opportunity to explore the Dragon Ball world in ways they couldn't again until Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot nearly 20 years later. While the first Legacy of Goku game isn't good by any metric, its two sequels are leaps and bounds better and well worth playing for any Dragon Ball fan.
9 The Third Generation Of Pokémon Games Could Begin To Solve A Looming Problem
When considering which GBA games to include in Nintendo Online, it's tough to ignore Pokémon. The Pokémon series is synonymous with Nintendo handhelds, past and present. Including the third generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen, is a must.
Their inclusion would also begin to solve a new issue within the Pokémon series. With the Nintendo eShop's impending closure, Pokémon fans are running out of time to be able to transfer their Pokémon from pre-Switch games to present-Switch games. Giving players access to older Pokémon games on the Switch could go a long way to alleviate that problem if each has Pokémon Home functionality.
8 Mario Kart: Super Circuit Is The Most Underappreciated Mario Kart Game
The success of Super Mario Kart on the Super Nintendo kicked off a trend of Nintendo releasing a new Mario Kart game on every system that followed. Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the third game in the Mario Kart series, is notable for being the first handheld Mario Kart game.
Super Circuit refines the visual style and gameplay of Super Mario Kart. Super Circuit features 20 original tracks. If that's not enough, all 20 tracks from Super Mario Kart can also be unlocked. This makes Super Circuit the first Mario Kart to feature retro tracks. Super Circuit may have been overshadowed by its console counterparts, but it's still a perfect game to play in short bursts.
7 Players Should Have The Chance To Delve Into The History of Fire Emblem
One of gaming's best success stories is the Fire Emblem series. Fire Emblem originated in 1990 as a Japan-only franchise. With the inclusion of Fire Emblem characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee, players from all over the world were introduced to the Fire Emblem series.
This compelled Nintendo to bring the Fire Emblem series out west, starting with Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade for GBA in 2003. Since then, all future Fire Emblem games were released internationally. Newer Fire Emblem fans should definitely have the opportunity to explore older Fire Emblem games, and Nintendo Online is the perfect means to do that.
6 The Golden Sun Games Are Two Of The GBA's Best JRPGs
The GBA was a fantastic platform for JRPG games. On top of Pokémon, the GBA also included five of the first six Final Fantasy games, as well as the Golden Sun series. The Golden Sun series centers around Isaac and his magically adept companions as they use their magic powers to resist the powers of Alchemy from releasing and unleashing destruction upon the world.
There are only three games in the Golden Sun series, with the most recent being a Nintendo DS sequel in 2010. That's a shame, given just how amazing the Golden Sun games are. If the GBA's two Golden Sun games were included in Nintendo Online, perhaps enough momentum could build toward Camelot finally making a fourth entry.
5 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Would Be A Dream Come True
Final Fantasy didn't just bring classic JRPGs to the GBA. The GBA also saw the first sequel to the Fantasy Fantasy Tactics sub-series. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance tells the emotional journey of Marche, his brother Doned, and their two friends, Mewt and Ritz. The four children are sucked into the world of Final Fantasy, where all of their wishes have come true.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance tackles unexpectedly heavy themes such as bullying, grieving the loss of a parent, perceived physical imperfections, and disability. Each child must learn to reject this fantastical world to be able to find happiness in reality.
4 Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Is Every Bit As Hilarious As It Is Charming
Even Mario got in on the RPG fun on GBA. Mario is joined by his brother Luigi in the hilarious Mario & Luigi series. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is the first game of the series that continued into the Nintendo 3DS era, which includes a crossover with Paper Mario along the way.
It's not just Mario and Luigi teaming up; Bowser also finds himself working with the plumber brothers as the trio seeks to reclaim Princess Peach's stolen voice. Superstar Saga was well-praised upon release for its battle system and its clever and humorous writing.
3 Metroid Fusion Is The Missing 2D Metroid On Switch
The Metroid renaissance is in full swing with the release of Metroid Dread and the upcoming Metroid Prime 4. Many players are aware of the first three Metroid games: Metroid, Metroid II: Return of Samus, and Super Metroid. They're also aware of the fifth main Metroid game in Dread. Unfortunately, the fourth entry is missing.
Metroid Fusion was released in 2002 alongside Metroid Prime. In Fusion, Samus investigates the mysterious X aboard a derelict spaceship. These X organisms are parasites with shapeshifting abilities. If Fusion were to be included in Nintendo Online, that would give Switch players access to the five main Metroid games on one console.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap Should Be Played At The Drop Of A Hat
The Legend of Zelda series has always found a home on Nintendo handhelds, and the GBA was no different. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, which was actually developed by Capcom, was released on the GBA in 2004.
In The Minish Cap, Hyrule is taken over by Vaati, leading to Princess Zelda being turned into stone. In his efforts to save her, Link stumbles upon a talking hat named Ezlo, who gives him the power to shrink in size. This gives The Minish Cap one of the most unique Zelda settings to date. While small, Link encounters a race called the Minish, who aids him throughout his journey to save Hyrule.
1 Wario Land 4 Is A Refreshing Change Of Pace From WarioWare Games
There was once a time when Wario had his own video game series that wasn't quick and addicting minigames. The platforming Wario Land series was primarily a Game Boy series. However, its most recent release was Wario Land: Shake It! For the Nintendo Wii in 2008.
Prior to Shake It!, the most recent Wario Land was 2001's Wario Land 4 for the GBA. Wario Land 4 continues Wario's pursuit of excessive wealth as he attempts to obtain cursed treasure from an ancient pyramid. Wario must overcome treacherous environments and expressive bosses if he hopes to leave this pyramid not empty-handed.