Pokémon has been a beloved franchise for decades, capturing the hearts of fans young and old. One of the most iconic ways to experience the world of Pokémon is through Gameboy Advance games. With a wide array of titles to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which ones are the best.
In this article, we will explore the top Gameboy Advance Pokémon games, Get ready to embark on a Pokémon journey like no other.
Check out more GBA Games in our other collections:
- Best Pokemon GBA Games
- Best GBA Platformers
- Best GBA RPGs
- Best GBA Puzzle Games
- Best GBA Action Games
- Best GBA Sports Games
Pokémon FireRed
Pokémon FireRed takes players back to the Kanto region, where it all began. With updated graphics and gameplay features, this remake of the original Pokémon Red is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Experience the thrill of catching Pokémon, battling Gym Leaders, and ultimately becoming the Champion. The game offers a rich storyline that keeps players engaged and invested in their Pokémon journey.
With the ability to trade Pokémon with other FireRed and LeafGreen players, the game encourages social interaction and adds an extra layer of excitement.
One of the highlights of Pokémon FireRed is the inclusion of the Sevii Islands, a new area for players to explore. This addition expands the game’s content and offers new challenges for trainers to overcome. Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon fan or a newcomer to the series, Pokémon FireRed is a must-play for any Gameboy Advance owner.
Embark on a thrilling adventure as you step into the shoes of a Pokémon trainer in Pokémon FireRed. The Kanto region, known for its diverse landscapes and iconic Pokémon species, awaits your exploration. From the bustling streets of Pewter City to the serene beauty of Cerulean Cape, every corner of Kanto is filled with hidden treasures and exciting encounters.
As you journey through the region, you’ll encounter Gym Leaders, formidable trainers who guard the eight Gym Badges needed to challenge the Pokémon League. Each Gym Leader specializes in a different type of Pokémon, presenting unique challenges that test your strategic skills and the bond you share with your Pokémon team. Defeating these Gym Leaders not only earns you a badge but also unlocks new abilities and boosts your Pokémon’s potential.
Pokémon LeafGreen
Just like its counterpart Pokémon FireRed, Pokémon LeafGreen offers players the chance to relive the adventures of the original Pokémon games. Set in the scenic Kanto region, LeafGreen provides a fresh take on the classic Pokémon experience. With enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements, the game immerses players in a world teeming with Pokémon to catch and trainers to challenge.
Embarking on a journey in Pokémon LeafGreen is an exciting and fulfilling experience. As players traverse through the Kanto region, they will encounter a wide variety of Pokémon habitats, ranging from lush forests to rocky mountains. Each location is meticulously designed, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the world of Pokémon to life.
One of the standout features of Pokémon LeafGreen is the ability to connect with Pokémon FireRed and other LeafGreen players. By trading and battling with friends, players can expand their Pokémon collection and test their skills against formidable opponents. The multiplayer aspect adds a whole new dimension to the game, fostering a sense of camaraderie and competition among players.
To further enhance the gameplay experience, LeafGreen introduces the Sevii Islands. These islands, located in the southwestern part of the Kanto region, offer a refreshing change of scenery and present new challenges for players to overcome. From dense jungles to pristine beaches, the Sevii Islands are home to unique Pokémon species and mysterious characters waiting to be discovered.
Exploring the Sevii Islands is a thrilling adventure in itself. As players navigate through the different islands, they will unravel hidden secrets, solve puzzles, and engage in epic battles with powerful trainers. The islands also provide opportunities to catch rare and elusive Pokémon that cannot be found anywhere else in the game.
In addition to the captivating gameplay, Pokémon LeafGreen boasts enhanced graphics that breathe new life into the world of Pokémon. The vibrant colors and detailed sprites make each Pokémon and location visually appealing, immersing players in a visually stunning world. The improved graphics also enhance the battles, making them more dynamic and engaging.
Pokémon LeafGreen offers a truly immersive and captivating gaming experience. Whether you are a long-time Pokémon fan or a newcomer to the series, LeafGreen is sure to provide hours of entertainment and excitement as you embark on your journey to become a Pokémon Master.
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Pokémon Ruby
Enter the Hoenn region in Pokémon Ruby, a game that introduced players to a new cast of Pokémon and captivating adventures. With a vibrant world to explore and a deep storyline to unravel, Pokémon Ruby offers a fresh experience for Gameboy Advance players.
One of the key elements of Pokémon Ruby is the introduction of Double Battles. This innovative battle format requires trainers to strategize and coordinate their Pokémon’s moves effectively. The addition of Double Battles adds depth and excitement to the Pokémon battles, making them more challenging and rewarding.
As trainers journey through the Hoenn region, they will encounter a variety of unique and fascinating Pokémon. From the fiery Blaziken to the majestic Kyogre, there is a wide range of Pokémon waiting to be discovered and captured. Each Pokémon has its own set of abilities and characteristics, making every encounter a thrilling experience.
In addition to the captivating Pokémon battles, Pokémon Ruby also offers players the opportunity to partake in various side quests and mini-games. Trainers can compete in Pokémon Contests, where they can showcase their Pokémon’s beauty, cuteness, coolness, toughness, and cleverness. These contests provide a fun and interactive way for trainers to bond with their Pokémon and earn recognition for their skills.
As trainers progress through the game, they will also have the opportunity to engage in Pokémon battles with Gym Leaders. These powerful trainers serve as the ultimate test of a trainer’s skills and strategy. Defeating Gym Leaders will earn trainers Badges, which are essential for gaining access to new areas and progressing further in the game.
Exploration is a key aspect of Pokémon Ruby, with a vast and diverse Hoenn region waiting to be discovered. Trainers can traverse lush forests, scale towering mountains, and dive into the depths of the ocean to uncover hidden treasures and encounter rare Pokémon. The world of Pokémon Ruby is filled with secrets and surprises, rewarding diligent explorers with unique experiences and valuable items.
Pokémon Ruby offers hours of immersive gameplay for both new and experienced trainers. Whether you are embarking on your first Pokémon journey or revisiting the beloved Hoenn region, Pokémon Ruby promises an unforgettable adventure filled with excitement, challenges, and unforgettable Pokémon encounters.
Pokémon Sapphire
Just like Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire takes players on a thrilling journey through the Hoenn region. With a unique set of Pokémon to encounter and a captivating plot to follow, Sapphire offers a refreshing Pokémon experience.
Sapphire introduces the counterpart to Pokémon Ruby’s Team Magma: Team Aqua. Led by the enigmatic Archie, Team Aqua seeks to change the world to suit their desires. As a trainer, it’s your task to stop them and ensure the balance of power remains intact. With memorable characters and an engaging narrative, Pokémon Sapphire keeps players hooked from start to finish.
As you embark on your adventure in Pokémon Sapphire, you will find yourself immersed in the vibrant and diverse Hoenn region. From the bustling city of Rustboro to the serene shores of Slateport, each town and location has its own unique charm and secrets to discover.
With over 200 Pokémon species to encounter and catch, trainers will have a wide variety of options to build their dream team. From the fiery Blaziken to the majestic Kyogre, each Pokémon has its own strengths and weaknesses, adding depth and strategy to battles.
But it’s not just about collecting and battling Pokémon in Sapphire. The game also introduces exciting new features and activities to keep players engaged. Dive into the depths of the ocean to explore hidden underwater caves and encounter rare Pokémon. Soar through the skies on the back of Latios or Latias, experiencing the thrill of aerial battles and discovering hidden areas inaccessible by foot.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique personality and motivations. From the kind-hearted Gym Leaders who test your skills to the mischievous members of Team Aqua, every interaction adds depth to the captivating narrative.
With its stunning visuals and immersive sound design, Pokémon Sapphire brings the Hoenn region to life like never before. From the lush forests to the towering mountains, every environment is beautifully rendered, creating a sense of wonder and adventure.
Pokémon Emerald
Combining elements from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald offers an enhanced version of the Hoenn region experience. With additional features and improvements, Emerald is the definitive choice for Pokémon fans looking for a comprehensive adventure.
Embark on a thrilling journey through the Hoenn region in Pokémon Emerald, where you’ll encounter a vast array of Pokémon species, both familiar and new. Explore lush forests, treacherous mountains, and mysterious caves as you strive to become the ultimate Pokémon Trainer.
One of the standout features of Pokémon Emerald is the inclusion of the Battle Frontier. This challenging facility provides trainers with a series of different battle formats and tests their skills to the limit. Step into the Battle Frontier and face off against formidable opponents in intense battles that will push you to your limits.
As you conquer the Battle Frontier’s various challenges, you’ll earn Battle Points, a special currency that can be exchanged for valuable items and rare Pokémon. Use your hard-earned Battle Points to unlock exclusive Pokémon, each with their own unique abilities and strengths, adding depth and excitement to your Pokémon collection.
But the Battle Frontier is just the beginning of the adventure in Pokémon Emerald. Traverse the expansive Hoenn region and discover hidden secrets, encounter legendary Pokémon, and unravel the mysteries that lie within. With its engaging storyline and immersive gameplay, Pokémon Emerald will keep you captivated for hours on end.
Train your team of Pokémon, strategically plan your moves, and engage in epic battles against Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and other skilled Trainers. Develop your Pokémon’s abilities, evolve them into powerful forms, and create a well-balanced team capable of taking on any challenge that comes your way.
Pokémon Emerald offers an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on fans of the franchise. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Pokémon and embark on an adventure like no other in Pokémon Emerald.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, instead of playing as a human trainer, you become the Pokémon, presenting a refreshing twist to the classic Pokémon gameplay. The concept is fun, imaginative, and unlike anything else in the franchise. This shift in perspective does more than just offer a novelty — it leads to a deeply engaging, character-driven narrative that tugs at your heartstrings and keeps you emotionally invested throughout.
The game begins with a personality quiz, which in itself is an unexpected and enjoyable feature. It determines which Pokémon you become and which partner Pokémon accompanies you throughout the game. This adds a personal touch and enhances the connection between you and your Pokémon avatar.
As you dive into the world of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, you’re drawn into the intricate, randomized dungeons that make each adventure unique. There’s an element of surprise in every turn. While the difficulty curve may seem steep at times, the challenge ultimately serves to make victories even more rewarding.
Visually, the game is a gem in the Gameboy Advance collection. It boasts bright, colorful pixel art that remains faithful to the aesthetics of the Pokémon universe. The music, a key component of any game, does not disappoint either. It effectively sets the mood, from the tension of dungeon crawling to the joy of successfully completing a mission.
The game also introduces the Rescue System, where players can ask others to save them if they faint in a dungeon. This feature adds an element of cooperative play, which is uncommon in Pokémon games. It encourages a sense of community among players, adding another layer to the overall gaming experience.
One of the game’s only drawbacks is its repetitive nature. The constant dungeon crawling may become tedious for some, especially towards the end game. However, the strong storyline and attachment to your Pokémon team can often offset this monotony.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team is an ambitious and satisfying addition to the Pokémon franchise. The game’s unique twist on the Pokémon formula, heartfelt story, and engaging gameplay make it more than worth your time. It’s an absolute delight for any Pokémon fan and a testament to the potential creativity within the world of Pokémon gaming.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, a sequel to the original Pokémon Pinball, successfully combines two seemingly distinct worlds – the frenetic action of pinball and the charming universe of Pokémon. This delightful fusion transforms the familiar and simplistic nature of pinball into an immersive adventure where every flip and roll of the ball carries significant importance.
Upon starting the game, you’re given the choice of two distinct pinball tables, Ruby and Sapphire. Each table boasts a unique design, inspired by the landscapes and Pokémon of the third generation games. This divergence not only adds to the game’s replayability, but it also incorporates a level of strategy and planning unusual for pinball games. Deciding when and where to launch your Poké Ball is crucial to capturing different Pokémon and progressing through the game.
The objective goes beyond just racking up a high score. Each time you play, you’re tasked with capturing and evolving Pokémon, achieving mini-missions, and battling legendary Pokémon. These elements blend seamlessly with the pinball mechanics, making the act of playing pinball much more strategic and rewarding. Catching the entire roster of Pokémon is a significant undertaking, adding a considerable amount of depth to the game.
In terms of aesthetics, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire carries the vibrant, pixel-art style of its source material. The Pokémon are all faithfully rendered and animated, providing a burst of joy each time you manage to capture one. The game’s sound design deserves praise too, successfully remixing familiar tunes from the mainline games to suit the high-octane environment of a pinball table.
One feature that stands out is the game’s use of the Gameboy Advance’s rumble function. Every bump and collision elicits a satisfying shake, heightening the sense of immersion and making each game of pinball feel tangible and impactful.
That said, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire is not without its flaws. The game can feel a bit RNG-dependent at times, as certain conditions for capturing Pokémon are based on luck. Additionally, the ball physics may feel a bit floaty compared to traditional pinball games.
However, these minor criticisms do not detract from the overall experience. Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire provides a fresh and entertaining twist on traditional pinball. Its incorporation of Pokémon elements makes it more than just a pinball game, transforming it into a delightful adventure that will hook both Pokémon fans and pinball enthusiasts. Whether you’re aiming for the high score or trying to complete your Pokédex, this game is sure to keep you entertained for countless hours.
Pokémon Omega Red
Pokémon Omega Red is a ROM hack that was based off Pokémon Fire Red, but made to increase the game’s overall difficulty level. This is hailed as one of the hardest Pokémon ROM hacks out there – and only the best can get through the whole thing.
Omega Red was first created in 2018 by fan Jolt Steven, and it really expands the game a lot beyond what you would have expected. The graphics have been improved far beyond the simple stock version, and more than 800 different Pokémon have been added.
This ROM hack adds more than 40 different features to the game – including vast improvements to the basic gameplay mechanics.
While it was first made to just improve the difficulty, the updates to the ROM quickly changed it into something of Pokémon legend for fans.
Play this if you’ve found standard releases too easy.
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Pokémon Trading Card Game for the Gameboy Color (playable on GBA) is an excellent adaptation of the physical trading card game, bringing the thrill of Pokémon battles to a whole new medium. While it might seem a far cry from the RPG adventures typical to Pokémon video games, this title manages to blend the strategic elements of a card game with the captivating world of Pokémon, making it a memorable addition to the franchise.
At its core, Pokémon Trading Card Game is about building the best possible deck and employing smart tactics to outwit your opponents. The game starts with a basic deck, but as you progress and win battles, you earn more cards, allowing you to customize and improve your deck. The satisfaction derived from constantly refining your strategy and witnessing your deck evolve is one of the game’s most appealing aspects.
The game brilliantly captures the depth and complexity of the original card game. Whether it’s deciding when to evolve a Pokémon, choosing which energy cards to use, or picking the best trainer cards for a situation, there’s a remarkable amount of strategy involved. It’s easy to grasp the basics, but the game rewards those willing to delve deeper into its mechanics.
The game’s single-player campaign includes a variety of computer-controlled opponents, each with different decks and strategies. This offers a good challenge and keeps the gameplay varied. An additional perk is the ability to challenge friends via a link cable, offering a fantastic competitive experience and adding considerably to the game’s replayability.
Visually, the game emulates the look and feel of the physical cards remarkably well. The card artwork is authentic and vibrant, and the user interface is clear and easy to navigate. The soundtrack is engaging, with different music tracks for different clubs and opponents, helping set the mood for each battle.
However, Pokémon Trading Card Game is not without its flaws. Some may find the game a bit slow-paced compared to other Pokémon titles. Additionally, the RNG (random number generator) element can sometimes feel overpowering, as is often the case with card games.
Pokémon Trading Card Game for the Gameboy Advance offers a highly engaging and strategic gameplay experience. It faithfully recreates the nuances and complexities of the physical card game, and its focus on strategy and deck building sets it apart from other Pokémon games. It’s a must-play for fans of the Pokémon trading card game and a fascinating diversion for those used to the series’ traditional RPG format. It’s proof that the Pokémon universe can extend successfully into different game genres while maintaining its core charm and appeal.
Pokémon Crystal
As a refinement of Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal holds a special place in the hearts of Pokémon fans. Available on the Gameboy Advance via backward compatibility with the Gameboy Color, it takes the excellent foundation laid by its predecessors and polishes it to a shine, resulting in one of the most memorable entries in the Pokémon franchise.
Pokémon Crystal’s storyline follows the same central plot as Gold and Silver but offers additional content and features that elevate the experience. Most notably, Crystal places a greater emphasis on the Legendary Pokémon Suicune, turning it into a central figure in the narrative rather than just a Pokémon to be caught. The expanded story lends greater depth to the lore of the Johto region and its Legendary beasts.
The introduction of the Battle Tower as a post-game challenge is a welcome addition, serving as a proving ground for trainers looking to test their mettle. With a series of powerful opponents lined up, the Battle Tower is a source of both challenge and replayability, keeping players engaged even after the main story concludes.
Gameplay-wise, Pokémon Crystal doesn’t deviate significantly from the traditional formula, but it introduces a couple of significant series-firsts. It’s the first game to allow players to choose their character’s gender, a feature that has since become standard in the franchise. It also introduced animations for Pokémon in battle, a small but impactful addition that made battles more immersive.
The game’s visuals retain the charming pixel-art style of its predecessors, but with slight improvements. The colors are brighter, and the sprite work is more detailed. These improvements, although subtle, enhance the game’s aesthetics, making the journey through Johto more appealing. The soundtrack, a mix of familiar tunes from Gold and Silver and new compositions, further enriches the atmosphere of the game.
However, it’s worth noting that Pokémon Crystal, like any other game, is not perfect. Its pace, especially in the early stages, can be slow, and the level grinding necessary can sometimes feel tedious. Furthermore, the inventory management system, a common complaint in older Pokémon titles, can be cumbersome.
Pokémon Crystal stands as an impressive upgrade over Gold and Silver. With its enhanced narrative focus on Suicune, the inclusion of the Battle Tower, and its overall polish, it’s a shining example of how a third version can offer a significantly enriched experience. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or new to the series, Pokémon Crystal offers a deeply rewarding journey that’s worth embarking on, making it a treasured classic in the Pokémon saga.
Conclusion
The Gameboy Advance Pokémon games offer a diverse range of experiences for fans of the franchise. Whether reliving the nostalgia of the original Pokémon adventures in FireRed and LeafGreen, exploring new regions in Ruby and Sapphire, or trying unique spin-offs like Mystery Dungeon and Pinball, these games provide countless hours of entertainment for Pokémon enthusiasts. So grab your Gameboy Advance and get ready to embark on an unforgettable Pokémon journey!
