I need a GBA recommendation for a flight I'm taking

[bob]

I am going to be doing quite a bit of travelling over the next month for work.
Cincinnati to Jacksonville to Boston to Salt Lake City to Dallas to Providence.

I would like to get a hold of a GBA RPG that will keep me busy for a while.  I don't want anything too involved, and I currently have Zelda LttP and Lunar Legends.
So obviously not those.  I would prefer something with turn based battles and not a head bashing grind.  Nothing in the Final Fantasy line, preferably.
(Damn, I wish there was a Cosmic Fantasy for GBA)
Anybody have a good suggestion?  I will probably need to turn to Ebay if I want to get it in time.

thanks

[Tatsujin]

i have read "I need a GBA recommendation for a fight I'm taking".  lol

[Duo_R]

Dude use a Turbo Express much better for a fight! J/k

So Golden Sun perhaps?

[bob]

Dude use a Turbo Express much better for a fight! J/k

So Golden Sun perhaps?

hmmm...not familiar with it.

[jlued686]

Yeah, Golden Sun's a great suggestion. And I know you said no Final Fantasy, but Tactics Advance is awesome.

This is a great resource for recommendations as well:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316510

[soop]

Had I been eating cereal when I read you weren't familiar with Golden Sun, I would have spat it out.

Both of the GBA versions have to be in my top 10 games.

I was gonna suggest Advance Wars, which is great, but yeah, you should get Golden Sun immediately.  Start with the first game, then buy the second to continue the story.

[Duo_R]

I never finished it....part of my long list of backlogs.

[SignOfZeta]

If you haven't played Advanced Wars 1, do that. Its not an RPG exactly, but IMO its probably one of the top 5 games Nintendo has ever released. Its nearly perfect.

[bob]

Yeah, Golden Sun's a great suggestion. And I know you said no Final Fantasy, but Tactics Advance is awesome.

This is a great resource for recommendations as well:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316510

Are FF Tactics and Advance Wars more of an RTS type game?

[Duo_R]

You havent played tactics? HOLY MOTHER......

[bob]

HAHA.  I don't have many GBA games, and most of them have been pretty much "arcadey" type games.

[jeffhlewis]

Play:
-Any of the Castlevania games (they're all amazing - Aria of Sorrow is damn near as good as Symphony)
-Advance Wars
-Golden Sun

Do not play:
-Sword of Mana: will make you want to kill yourself
-Tactics Ogre: see above...sorry, this game bored me to death from the get-go
-Lunar Legend: takes the original lunar storyline, takes a shit on it and generally is a horrible game

[bob]

looks like I'm going to have to look up some YouTube game play of Advance Wars.  
I just don't want any RTS games.  I seem to bore of them quickly (except Military Madness of course!).  I am generally looking for a game with good pace.
Not to say either of these traits describe Advance Wars since I don't know anything about it.  So I could be way off.

Jeff:  I noticed the same thing about Lunar Legend, I had high hopes for it, but....  

[jlued686]

Both FF Tactics and Advance Wars are turn-based strategy games. Both are awesome.

Jeff's right: stay away from Lunar Legends. Awful.

Golden Sun, man. Golden Sun.

EDIT: You may want to consider Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga as well. You mentioned a quick pace, and this one has it. I loved this game.

[jperryss]

-Any of the Castlevania games (they're all amazing - Aria of Sorrow is damn near as good as Symphony)

Another vote for the three Castlevania games, but Aria far outshines the first two IMO.

[bob]

-Any of the Castlevania games (they're all amazing - Aria of Sorrow is damn near as good as Symphony)

Another vote for the three Castlevania games, but Aria far outshines the first two IMO.

I have one of them (circle of moon maybe?).  Not really what I'm looking for in regards to this trip.  Prefer more classic RPG this time around, no platforming or real time fighting. 

I WANT COSMIC FANTASY!!!  GRRRR.  If anybody can translate a CF game to a GBA cart in the next week, I'll send you $10.  

[Ji-L87]

It may just be the old fanboy in me flaming up again, but may I suggest the Mega Man Battle Network games?
The first three are pretty good, especially the second and third one. Some may consider them a bit too childish but I like them Awesome music, too!

[hoobs88]

looks like I'm going to have to look up some YouTube game play of Advance Wars. 
I just don't want any RTS games.  I seem to bore of them quickly (except Military Madness of course!).  I am generally looking for a game with good pace.
Not to say either of these traits describe Advance Wars since I don't know anything about it.  So I could be way off.

Jeff:  I noticed the same thing about Lunar Legend, I had high hopes for it, but.... 

Advance Wars is similar to Military Madness except the battlefield is based on squares rather than hexes. You can't go wrong with any of the Castlevania titles.

[jlued686]

looks like I'm going to have to look up some YouTube game play of Advance Wars. 
I just don't want any RTS games.  I seem to bore of them quickly (except Military Madness of course!).

/27365319.jpg

Real-time strategy (RTS) is a sub-genre of strategy video game which do not progress incrementally in turns.

Anyway, it really sounds like Golden Sun is your answer. Just go with it.

[bob]

looks like I'm going to have to look up some YouTube game play of Advance Wars. 
I just don't want any RTS games.  I seem to bore of them quickly (except Military Madness of course!).

/27365319.jpg

Real-time strategy (RTS) is a sub-genre of strategy video game which do not progress incrementally in turns.

HA!  Fair enough.  I use the term loosely since it's not really my cup of tea (obviously).
Oh well, shit happens.

[jlued686]

I'm just bustin' balls. ;)

[bob]

I'm just bustin' balls. ;)

I know, but you're also right.

[Bardoly]

Golden Sun and its sequel are exactly what you need.  They are awesome!


I second Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Advance Wars as well.

[bob]

I guess I may have to take a trip to my local "gouger" and see if he has golden sun in stock.

One thing that's making me laugh, I specifically said in the first post "Nothing Final Fantasy".  And I get a bunch of suggestions for FF Tactics.  
You guys are awesome.

[Digi.k]

Final fantasy VI advance if you never played it yet..

Castlevania aria of sorrow

[PukeSter]

Don't forget about all the old GB and GBC RPGs! They are all playable on GBA with color. ;)

[bob]

Don't forget about all the old GB and GBC RPGs! They are all playable on GBA with color. ;)

oh crap.  didn't even think of that.  you may be opening whole new worlds.  An old GB game may be fun too!
Who knew finding a game to play for fun could be so stressful!  

Final fantasy VI advance if you never played it yet..

You better be joking.   

[SignOfZeta]

FF Tactics made me want to throw my GBA. I loved the graphics but its boring and that judge system thing is the biggest load if bullshit ever.

[Bardoly]

I guess I may have to take a trip to my local "gouger" and see if he has golden sun in stock.

One thing that's making me laugh, I specifically said in the first post "Nothing Final Fantasy".  And I get a bunch of suggestions for FF Tactics.   
You guys are awesome. 

I don't feel that Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is really a 'Final Fantasy' game per se, but if you're afraid to try it, there are plenty of other great GBA games.   

In my earlier post I forgot to recommend the Castlevania games as well, and when I get home I'll try to dig through my games and see what else I've played that you might like.

Note:  Taking Tetris is never a mistake.   

[bob]

I guess I may have to take a trip to my local "gouger" and see if he has golden sun in stock.

One thing that's making me laugh, I specifically said in the first post "Nothing Final Fantasy".  And I get a bunch of suggestions for FF Tactics.   
You guys are awesome. 

I don't feel that Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is really a 'Final Fantasy' game per se, but if you're afraid to try it, there are plenty of other great GBA games.   

In my earlier post I forgot to recommend the Castlevania games as well, and when I get home I'll try to dig through my games and see what else I've played that you might like.

Note:  Taking Tetris is never a mistake.   

anything final fantasy does frighten me. I have avoided the series and all games with the namesake like the plague. It's just me.

[jlued686]

Bardoly's right: Tactics is Final Fantasy in name only.

[TheClash603]

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is the best game in the series hands down, I suggest you give the game a try even if you are apprehensive.  It is a top 3 GBA game and the one with the most replay value.

[Digi.k]

oh regarding turn base strategy that reminds me..  Tactics Ogre - the knight of lodis

[Arkhan Asylum]

Fiuck this shit, Tales of Phantasia.

[soop]

FF Tactics made me want to throw my GBA. I loved the graphics but its boring and that judge system thing is the biggest load if bullshit ever.

Jesus, it's insane how much I agree with you.  I bought it on release, It had great reviews, and then I was like WTF is this boring board game shit where I have to do chores?

[GohanX]

I'll second Mario and Luigi! Also, if you have a flash cart, the English translation of Mother 3 is excellent.

[SignOfZeta]

FF Tactics made me want to throw my GBA. I loved the graphics but its boring and that judge system thing is the biggest load if bullshit ever.

Jesus, it's insane how much I agree with you.  I bought it on release, It had great reviews, and then I was like WTF is this boring board game shit where I have to do chores?

Don't get me wrong, I like strategy games, I've cleared at least a dozen Super Robot Wars and Sakura Wars games, as many as 6 times each, but FF Tactics Advance is just...work. I already have a job.

I'll second Mario and Luigi! Also, if you have a flash cart, the English translation of Mother 3 is excellent.

There is no better GBA game than Mother 3. Its so rad. I cleared it in Japanese, then bought a flash cart when the English patch came out and cleared it again. Since then my Flash cart stopped saving games and the other one I have...I'm too stupid to figure out how to use. If I can get either one of them working I'm totally going to beat it again, probably on the Gameboy Player.

[TheClash603]

The judge system in FF Tactics Advance is the reason I like it more than another other version.  It adds a degree of difficulty and can really make you change up your style if you were used to spamming certain abilities for example.  I always hear people complain about the judging, but I don't understand why.

Mother 3 is one of the games I have never played that I really want to, probably top 3 on that list.  I don't know how to do flash carts and the sort, sof if anyone can PM me an easy way to get the game on physical hardware I would love it.  I was late to the game and I missed the physical carts someone made up, but they all went for like $300 anyway, which is stupid.

[SignOfZeta]

You LIKE the judge system? Wow. That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say that.

The reason people hate it is because its completely nonsense. You spend all your money on a cool sword and then when you get to the next fight some trickster god shows up and tells you you can't use it for that mission. No reason AT ALL, you just can't use it. It's the most arbitrary bullshit I've seen from Square, and that's saying something considering how hard they work to introduce a ton of "systems" into every one of their million products.

[BlueBMW]

Advance Wars is fantastic!  Also, what about Warioland for GB?  That's a great one too!

[TheClash603]

You LIKE the judge system? Wow. That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say that.

The reason people hate it is because its completely nonsense. You spend all your money on a cool sword and then when you get to the next fight some trickster god shows up and tells you you can't use it for that mission. No reason AT ALL, you just can't use it. It's the most arbitrary bullshit I've seen from Square, and that's saying something considering how hard they work to introduce a ton of "systems" into every one of their million products.

That is why I love the system.  Spend all your time building a magic team and then you are told not to use a specific magic?  Then you are fucked...  what the game makes you do is ensure you have a balanced squad that is able to overcome the rules of the match.

How ofter do you have a game where you build up a team to do a certain thing and then each battle going forth is the same, spamming the same moves?  FF Tactics Advance devised a genius system to overcome this inherent issue with all games of this nature.

[esteban]

You LIKE the judge system? Wow. That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say that.

The reason people hate it is because its completely nonsense. You spend all your money on a cool sword and then when you get to the next fight some trickster god shows up and tells you you can't use it for that mission. No reason AT ALL, you just can't use it. It's the most arbitrary bullshit I've seen from Square, and that's saying something considering how hard they work to introduce a ton of "systems" into every one of their million products.

That is why I love the system.  Spend all your time building a magic team and then you are told not to use a specific magic?  Then you are fucked...  what the game makes you do is ensure you have a balanced squad that is able to overcome the rules of the match.

How ofter do you have a game where you build up a team to do a certain thing and then each battle going forth is the same, spamming the same moves?  FF Tactics Advance devised a genius system to overcome this inherent issue with all games of this nature.

Zeta, I have to say that Clash is making a good point: the reason folks don't like the JUDGE system is because it forces them to actually THINK and devise strategies when UNEXEPECTED (to some extent) events DISRUPT YOUR AUTO-PILOT. Too many folks (shall I call them "zombies"?) clamor for predictability and find comfort in brainless "strategies" that are anything but.  Heck, I am guilty of this as well. 

So, arbitrary conditions imposed on the player is one way to keep a person on his/her toes.

IN CONCLUSION: FF Tactics Advance is better than Pokemon Tactics.

[wildfruit]

zelda minish cap if its not already been said
slightly easy, slightly short but beautiful and fun

[jlued686]

Yeah, Minish Cap is a good call. It's short, but might be perfect for a flight.

What did you end up getting?

[tpivette]

Fiuck this shit, Tales of Phantasia.

+1 for the mother fucking Tales game!

Playing through Tales of Graces f right now, and I'm stuck on the goddamn parasite boss in the Rockgagong

Although I haven't played the GBA release (and the first Tales game that got released in the States), I'm sure its awesome, just like the rest of em

[wildfruit]

monster max is a great little puzzler. another RARE gem pre microsoft

[bob]

Yeah, Minish Cap is a good call. It's short, but might be perfect for a flight.

What did you end up getting?

Nothing yet. Got a week or so to decide.

[CGQuarterly]

Get the Dragon Warrior I & II cart for Game Boy Color.  2 sweet old RPGs on one cartridge.  The amount of grinding needed has been scaled back significantly from the original NES version.

[roflmao]

I second Golden Sun as a non-Final Fantasy RPG.

Having said that, Final Fantasy Tactics is a ton of fun (in 30-45 minute bursts, imo) and Final Fantasy IV (II on the SNES) is an insane amount of fun.

I really wanted to like Car Battler Joe because it's the only other game I know that mixes RPGs with racing, but it's nowhere near as fun as Final Lap Twin.

You can find a Phantasy Star Collection for the GBA which includes I, II, and III.  I think it's worth it for the first one.

Sigma Star Saga is an RPG where you have mini shmup levels instead of traditional turn-based battles.  It's a cool concept but you may be tired of it before a long flight is over.  I still like playing it in spurts, but I don't anticipate finishing it.

I enjoyed Lunar Legend, but I've never played any of the other Lunar games.

[bob]

Phantasy star collection sounds pretty good.