The following ranked list of the NSO GBA library was compiled using the user ratings (out of 10) given to each GBA game available to play on the Switch in the West. This order is not set in stone and will automatically vary over time based on user ratings assigned (and new additions to the NSO library, of course — we’ll add those as they’re released).
Think the game below deserves to be higher on the list? Simply click the ‘star’ button and rate yourself — your personal rating could improve its overall ranking. The number of GBA games is small at the moment, but there’s no denying the quality and there are more on the way.
Note. Are you expecting to see Mother 3 on this list now that it’s technically available via Switch Online? Well, it’s currently only for Japan, and this list only covers GBA games released in the West. Still keeping our fingers crossed for an official localization at some point.
So let’s dive into the GBA games that can be played on the Nintendo Switch, according to your rank…
Returning to the flat tracks and tight sliding gameplay of the original Super Mario Kart, the GBA was able to replicate SNES-like performance — certainly not up to the technical standard of the N64 or GameCube — so Mario Kart Super Circuit ended up feeling like a sequel. The Super Mario Kart we never got on Nintendo’s 16-bit console. Sure, the visual style has arguably aged worse than the SNES version, but this pint-sized speedfest packs plenty of content. The fun foundation was there at the very beginning of the series and is definitely present in the GBA entry.
While the 3DS Ambassador and Wii U Virtual Console re-releases lack the multiplayer features of the original, the Nintendo Switch Online version thankfully rectifies that if multiplayer is your thing (which, with Mario Kart, it really should be). No need for connecting cables these days! Super Circuit still holds up well and serves as a great ‘successor’ to the SNES original, if that’s your preferred MK flavor.
If you haven’t played any of the Densetsu no Starfy titles, you really owe it to yourself to give this unique platformer a try. It starts off a little slow and maybe easy, but it’s a fun ride and there’s a lot to be said for the charm and personality these games exude. Couple that with such a solid control system and what you have is one of the most enjoyable, addictive Game Boy Advance adventures. jewel.
As great as the original Densetsu no Starfy was, this sequel managed to better it in almost every category. New moves make the game more enjoyable to control, and improved boss fights and the ability to upgrade vehicles add even more depth to an already solid platforming experience. Add all those upgrades and tweaks to a much longer adventure and tons of bonus levels to tackle and what you have is everything you could ask for in a sequel.
The first handheld entry in the series, F-Zero Maximum Velocity still holds up today as a result of its smooth, skill-based gameplay. There may only be four cups to compete in, but the varied difficulty and surprisingly steep learning curve when it comes to mastering the vehicles and tracks make this a game you’ll want to keep coming back to. It may not rank among the absolute best of the series, but this is undeniably well-made and impresses on the technical side, providing a nice dose of the franchise that also really highlights what the last Game Boy could do.
The first installment took the series to new heights, but with the introduction of Starfy’s sister, Starly, TOSE knocked it out of the park with its third and final Game Boy Advance Starfy entry. Densetsu no Starfy 3 is bigger and better, and simply one of the most playable platformers on the GBA or any system — in fact, one of the best ever created. Although the game is still a bit light during the first half, if you like platform games, you absolutely must play this game. It would be hard to say that any video game does perfectbut this one is damn close.
This GBA launch title might start off a little too easy, but that’s about all you can fault Kuru Kuru Kururin. It won’t take you long to get through each level, but doing it without making a mistake is a challenge and you’ll love every minute of it as you guide the big ol’ spinning stick (sorry, I’m ringing) around tricky, colorful courses.
With plenty of environmental variety and great music, it’s a lot of fun to simply improve your time on the various courses. Kuru Kuru Kururin is one of the GBA’s most enjoyable treats and perfect for portable play — a brilliantly fun little game that’s a little different from the norm.
While the Metroid-esque gameplay is a refreshing change of pace for the Kirby series and works well in some parts, it also falls short in others. The Metroid games also have backtracking, yes, but it’s nowhere near as frequent and annoying as in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. Multiplayer features are optional, but the game is definitely designed around the multiplayer Kirby aspect and is best with other people.
The first of the GBA’s Super Mario portings (and the one that started the most convoluted naming convention in gaming history), Super Mario Advance brought Super Mario Bros. 2 on the GBA in the 16-bit style of Super Mario All-Stars. With the option to choose between four characters taken from the original, it received a points system along with its facelift, as well as several collectibles that you can find in each stage. All in all, it’s still one of the best ways to get back into the game, and you’re also getting a remake of the original Mario Bros. in the package — that little multiplayer bonus will appear on more of the other entries in this series of GBA ports in the future .
Pokémon Istery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team may have lacked some of the useful features of the DS version, but we enjoyed how these games bridged the GBA/DS hardware divide in an interesting way. Missions tend to play out similarly to one another, but the variety of locations and Pokémon (friendly and otherwise) help dampen the sense of sameness in this Chunsoft dungeon crawler. As with many games in this genre, the repetitive nature can still drag things down from time to time, although the interesting plot developments usually grab your attention. It has its flaws, but Pokémon Istery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team is still an enjoyable game — and one that’s easier to find on Switch these days in the form of Pokémon Istery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. This, however, is probably the best version of the game.
With its deep exploration-based gameplay and beautiful art style, Yoshi’s Island is still a joy to play all these years later — it’s a platformer with great depth and challenge. Exploration is made fun by Yoshi’s egg-based abilities, and collecting everything will take a ton of effort, but it’s never less than immensely fun (provided you can put up with Baby Mario’s whining). The handheld’s smaller canvas inevitably diminishes the impact of the SNES original’s incredible pastel world, but this remains one of Nintendo’s best 2D platforming efforts. If you’ve never played it before (or have the urge to go through it all again), the GBA version is fine.
Golden Sun is a good RPG, refining the classic formula while introducing unique mechanics of its own. Intriguing environments, likeable characters, and an exciting story are the foundations of any good RPG, and Camelot will not disappoint on those fronts. The first few hours are a pain, but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with a rich, deep RPG that desperately deserves a contemporary installment.
