Nintendo Switch Online: Best Game Boy And GBA Games, Ranked

Nintendo Switch Online is a great membership that lets players check out the majority of games in Nintendo’s classic library across its previous console generations. The new Nintendo Direct revealed that both Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games will be available on the Switch, which is definitely a source of great elation for fans of this developer’s past hits.

RELATED: Nintendo 64 Games We’d Like To See On Nintendo Switch Online

After all, everyone can attest to the fact that both these handhelds had some of the greatest video games of all time that are still talked about fondly to this day. Of course, this service will still take some time before some of the better titles end up getting a modern update to run on the Nintendo Switch, and here’s a ranking of the best games that players can check out on this service right now from these two legendary handheld consoles.

10

Tetris (Game Boy)

Sometimes, it’s the simpler video games that can help players have a ton of fun. Such is the case with Tetris, a title that deserves a mention on this list simply because of how legendary this series is.

Tetris may have a pretty rudimentary gameplay loop, but that doesn’t make it less engaging by any stretch of the imagination. Players who want to relax and just place blocks properly should look no further than Tetris on the Game Boy.

9

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! (Game Boy Advance)

WarioWare is a minigame-fueled series featuring Mario’s rival across several great titles. This series is still going strong to this day and has a title on the Nintendo Switch too.

Players who want to witness the history of this series for themselves should look no further than WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! The minigames are still as fun as ever and can make for a great time with friends.

8

Metroid 2 – Return Of Samus (Game Boy)

Metroid 2 – Return of Samus serves as a sequel to the critically acclaimed Metroid and lets players take over another great adventure featuring this bounty hunter. While not at strong as its predecessor, Metroid 2 – Return of Samus is still a fun game to play regardless.

RELATED: Game Boy Games Turning 30 In 2023 (That You Should Replay)

Getting power-ups and shooting down aliens never ceases to be fun. The color palette will definitely take a while to get used to, but players who get over this initial hurdle will find themselves enjoying a worthy entry in the Metroid series.

7

Wario Land 3 (Game Boy Color)

Wario Land 3 is an excellent platformer that people don’t really talk about, which is a shame. This game features Wario front and center in a great title with tight and interesting platforming challenges.

With its appearance on Nintendo Switch Online, more people can finally appreciate this masterpiece. The title might be slightly dated, but that shouldn’t take away from a player’s enjoyment of this title at all.

6

Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy)

Wario was a pretty popular character during the Game Boy era, being introduced in Super Mario Land 2 – 6 Golden Coins. This game was an improvement over its predecessor in every way and is a must-play title for fans of this platforming series.

As is to be expected from a mainline Mario game, the platforming in this title is a ton of fun to pull off. The fact that this game hasn’t aged poorly apart from its slightly dated visuals is a testament to how well-designed it is.

5

The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX (Game Boy Color)

There’s no denying that Link’s Awakening has a vastly superior remake on the Nintendo Switch with updated visuals and refined gameplay. However, an argument can still be made for experiencing the classic title.

It helps that Link’s Awakening DX is colorized, meaning that the hurdle to play this game is significantly reduced. It may be a little rough around the edges, but players who want to experience the history of the Zelda series for themselves should definitely give this game a shot.

4

Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Game Boy Advance)

Mario Kart is one of the most legendary kart racing series of all time. The franchise is still going strong to this day, with its past games being quite fun in their own right.

Any fan of this kart racer should definitely check out Mario Kart: Super Circuit if they have subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online. It’s genuinely impressive to see how Nintendo managed to work around the limitations of the Game Boy Advance’s hardware to craft an extremely entertaining racing title that is still wildly playable to this day.

3

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Game Boy Advance)

The Game Boy Advance was littered with its fair share of amazing RPGs, including Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. Featuring many beloved characters from the Mario universe, this title was a celebration of everything that made the games so much fun to play.

RELATED: SNES Games Missing From Nintendo Switch Online (That Should Be There Already)

The combat was energetic and the script was hilarious, making for an experience that was both a critical and commercial success. Getting to experience this game once again on the Nintendo Switch is a boon for many players who missed out on this title.

2

The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Game Boy Advance)

The Legend of Zelda has several great handheld titles that more people should check out. One title that encapsulates the sense of adventure in these titles is The Minish Cap, which is considered by many to be the best handheld Zelda title around… barring Breath of the Wild, of course.

The title’s color palette is vibrant and engaging, having aged pretty well despite the hardware limitations of the GBA. Nintendo Switch users will love the chance to play through a classic Zelda title while waiting for Tears of the Kingdom.

1

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Game Boy Advance)

Super Mario Bros. 3 is considered by many to be one of the greatest 2D side-scrolling platformers of all time. The sheer number of improvements and innovations brought about in this title are truly mind-boggling and still pretty amazing for its time.

The remake of this title for the GBA lets players experience the game with a fresh coat of paint along with several new and updated features as well. It’s considered by many to be the definitive way to enjoy this classic title, with its inclusion in Nintendo Switch Online being welcomed by the fanbase.

MORE: The Best NES Games On Nintendo Switch Online