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[Bowser]

My friend asked me to recommend him a GBA game to get. He mentioned Mario Pinball (I told him no on that) and Mario vs Donkey Kong. He's the kind of guy who loves the Mario games and he loves Wario Ware (I think he's really only into platforming type games because he has all the GBA Marios and the GBA DKC). What do you guys recommend?

 

[Brofist]

 

[borghe]

Mario & Luigi.. enough platforming to be familiar to mario fans but enough RPG for it to be fresh and new.

 

[bonesquad]

Definitely Metroid Fusion or even Zero Mission.

Mario & Luigi is a very good game, but that's an RPG. If that doesn't matter, FF Tactics and Golden Sun are also pretty good.

I'm also a big fan of the Advanced Wars, but a turn based strategy game might not be his thing.

 

[Xellos]

Wario Land 4, Metroid Fusion, Metroid Zero Mission, Astro Boy, and River City Ransom EX are all solid choices.

 

[Brannon]

Yoshi's Island; Mario Advance 3.

Amazing how well it holds up.

 

[Soul4ger]

Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire, Fire Red & Leaf Green, and Pokemon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire.

And I would presume Pokemon Emerald, too.

 

[bob_arctor]

Well, if he likes great games at all, then Astro Boy has to be on the list.

 

[Jibber Hack]

My friends are thoroughly enjoying the Megaman Battle Network series.

 

[Mike]

Yoshi's Island; Mario Advance 3.

Amazing how well it holds up.

Totally agree. You're safe getting any of the Mario games though. But since he already has those, I'd recommend the original Advance Wars and Wario Land 4.

 

[Baron Aloha]

EFWIS....

Mario Kart, Castlevania, and Pokemon.

 

[robot]

Ninja Five O if you can find it. It's got a ninja with a grappling hook!

 

[belgurdo]

Any Castlevania (even HoD; STFU haterz)
Any RPG except Breath of Fire I or II, LOTR, Lufia, or either Golden Sun
CT Special Forces and its sequels (hard though)
Shining Soul II

 

[Kobun Heat]

EFWIS

IAWTP

 

[Brannon]

Ah, didn't read the whole thing.

Then I too shall jump on the Astro Boy bandwagon.

 

[Coen]

Klonoa

 

[Tsubaki]

Of all the games I've played, Advance Wars, Megaman Zero and Sonic Advance were my favorite (have not really played their respective sequels).

 

[amrum]

I spent a scary number hours on this:

Really addictive

 

[FoneBone]

Mario & Luigi and both Metroids.

 

[Diomedeskun]

Fire Emblem is my personal favorite, but amongst platformers I recommend:

Mega Man Zero 1-3 (begin challenging, but get very easy if you use elves)
Wario Land 4
Kirby Nightmare in Dreamland (very easy, but fun)
Astroboy (like a cross between Megaman and Viewtiful Joe)
All Metroid and Castlevania games

He may also enjoy the Pac-Man collection if he likes the simplicity of Wario Ware

 

[Deg]

Super Mario Advance games

Mario Kart

 

[Jim Bowie]

Platformers? Klonoa, dude! Klonoa for LIFE!

Also, Puyo Pop is sweet (but not a platformer).

 

[Gazunta]

....must.....resist....urge to....plug....

 

[lachesis]

advance wars. If you like somewhat light-hearted strategy game, this is a must. Not too shallow, not too deep - just enough for portable sim.

lachesis