Summary
Each model in Nintendo’s Game Boy lineup was putting up some stiff competition throughout the late ’80s and ’90s, offering great graphics with some stylish and comfortable designs, all at an attractive price point.
The Game Boy’s last big model revision and release were their Advance models,offering some big upgrades, as well as backwards compatibility. Despite lacking the capabilities of the big consoles, the Game Boy Advance still got some crazy-good handheld spin-offs of its own over the years.
While brothersMario & Luigiusually take the spotlight for theever-popular series, Wario finally got his time to shine with theWarioWaresubseries. Of course, the beloved collection of spin-offs eventually made its way to Nintendo’s newest Game Boy model as well.
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!stepped away from the franchise’s usual platformer gameplay in 2003. Instead, the game has the player working through a variety of “microgames” hosted by the titular character himself. Titles that are filled with minigames aren’t usually the most sought-after, but this is one of the few exceptions. Having over 200 of these microgames across nine different stages, coupled with the wacky comedy ofWario,makes this spin-off collection of microgames a really fun experience, and a great way for the character to make his mark on the GBA.
The widely knownMega Mangames are usually regarded for their solid 2D platforming gameplay, but their collection ofMega Man Battle Networkspin-offs brought a unique twist to the games with their strategy-focused gameplay.
Like the previous spin-offs,Mega Man Battle Network 3takes place in an alternate reality to that ofthe mainline games. Seeing players working to stop an evil group from taking over “the Net” and the world itself. With its focus on real-time, tactical RPG combat, it brought a fresh feeling to the series, and while it wasn’t the first or the last in the subseries, it has been touted as one of the best spin-off games for the GBA with all of its content.
With games likePokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the GBA had some of the series' greatest mainline titles. As for its spin-offs,Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Teamwas yet another great addition.
Instead of being the trainer this time around, players are mysteriously transformed into a Pokemon themselves, as they traverse randomized dungeons with their team of other Pokemon friends they rescue along the way. The formula remains mostly true to the otherMystery Dungeontitles, with more roguelike-focused gameplay, making it a fresh addition to the GBA’s roster ofPokemontitles.
TheMariofranchisemight be one of the most recognized names in the world of platforming games, but the series has branched out to many other genres to offer even more unique ways to experience the iconic cast of characters.
This time around,Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sagatakes the series into the realm of RPGs on the Game Boy Advance. Much like the previousPaper MarioandSuper Mario RPG, it centers around turn-based combat with various foes throughout the Beanbean Kingdom. As usual, Mario and Luigi are venturing to save Princess Peach from the Beanish witch Cackletta. While it’s the usual formulaic plot, bringing back Mario’s turn-based RPG mechanics to the GBA was a welcome addition and a fantastic spin-off for the franchise.
Being a prequel to the original game from 1995,Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodisserves as the GBA’s first and only spin-off for the largerOgre Battleseries of games.
The aim of the tie-in game was to have a gameplay experience and visuals similar to the original, but provide a smaller, more approachable storyline, and they certainly delivered in those aspects. Featuring the series’ same well-crafted and strategic combat, the story follows a Lodis soldier named Alphonse, as he unravels the truth behind his own country’s oppression of the neighboring land of Ovis. The plot is deep, while still being easy to follow, with nice pacing across its many levels, making it one of the best TRPG spin-offs the GBA has to offer.
Despite sharing the same name as the PS1 original,Final Fantasy Tactics Advanceis actually a spin-off, featuring its own entirely unique experience and a variety of other changes. As their titles suggest, they share the sameturn-based, tactical mechanics, but the plot is quite different for this GBA spin-off.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advancesurrounds three different characters, Marche, Ritz, and Mewt, as they battle their way through a dream-like version of Ivalice. Meeting many new faces along the way who can also be brought into the player’s party, with their own stats and assigned jobs as usual. Just like the mainline title it was based on, the spin-off received high praise, going on to winHandheld Game of the Yearat DICE in 2004.
