Topic: Gameboy advance - the best handheld ever?

Well, if you look at it in sales, then the DS wins because it's the best selling handheld ever. I, however, think the GBA has a way better library. There are just too many puzzle games on the DS.

I'm going to have to say I like the DSi more, but the GBA SP is my second favorite handheld.

I'm a DS kind of guy, but I agree that the GBA was golden (like the sun in two of its games). I believe that we all think that the 3DS will be the best of all, though.

The DS lite should win, seeing as it plays both DS and GBA titles! Ha! Win! ;3

_{of course, you can't dismiss the GB/C library...}

Speaking of GBA....does anyone know where I can buy gameboy advance and gameboy color games besides off of Amazon and Ebay? Most Game Stops seem to not carry very many anymore, and the good ones they do carry are pretty expensive for such an old format.
Also, I'm looking to play some great games for GBA, besides the Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and Castlevania series. They're amazing games, but I've come to realize I always pick those series, instead of venturing out and trying something new. Thanks everyone!

But they can't play GB/GBC games which puts the GBA on top for me. If the DS could do even that, it would be the greatest thing ever.

I dont personally think that the DS has a better library of games IMO.

Take away the JRPGS and you will realise that there are still lots of other genres that are missing on the handheld good as it is.

3rd party developers were making good games on GBA and not the shovelware that is churned out these days.

Also as the poster above has stated, original GB cartridges work on the GBA.

PS I never judge a system on sales alone.

I'm glad I've got a local game store that carries them at reasonable prices.

GAME in Portugal they sell Game Boy Advance games.

Just picked up official carts of Super Mario World and Yoshis Island advance for less than a tenner each to complete my mario set of nes / snes classics. Im going GBA crazy got 3 of them at the moment. Blue Sp, Black Sp, Blue original.

Watch out people you dont get those cheap pirate carts with batteries in them from ebay. There is a Nintendo seal of excellence that can be seen in the cartridge input to confirm genuine or not.

Also picked up Duck Tales on GB to run on my GBA as this will never come out on 3DS as its tied to disney who have so far released nothing on VC.

@vonseux - is it one specifically for GBA or is it a port/remake

Nice. Metal slug advance I'm interested in. I would recommend Gunstar heroes advance as it's a different beast to the genesis original version. Ive aleady mentioned kof Neo blood if you can get hold of it. The finest kof handheld you will find officially.

DS spanks the GBA, with ease.

GB/C's best games are also better than GBAs, can it trump Pokemon Gold/Silver, Dragon Warrior III, or Dragon Warrior Monsters? Nope no it can't!

Personally, I dig the DS more. It just has a more diverse (dare I say innovative?) library that's more attuned to my weird, niche-gaming tastes.
The GBA is an incredibly solid system though. No question there.

having access to both the GB and GBA library is better for me.

As a pose to GBA and DS library

GB > DS

I loved the GBA, but I think the DS has outdone it for me personally.

That's why I prefer the GBA. I originally avoided the DS generation because I didn't like the ideas of dual screens or touch screen controls, and that extremely quirky library kept me away from there.

Once I get my 3DS, I can go back and look for some DS gems, but other than Pokémon White (and Shantae on DSiWare) I'm having trouble coming up with other DS games I want that don't have Wii versions and won't just get tossed aside by similar 3DS sequels. Maybe the two Sonic Rush games and Starfox Command...

M&L:SSS, Wario Land 4, Metroid Fusion, Super Mario Advance 1-4, Sonic Advanced 1-3, Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Leafgreen, Firered, Zelda Minish Cap, Four Swords, etc.

Loved the opinion of playing Gameboy games on it too.

I still have my red Gameboy SP, with an unmatchable amount of wear on it.

The GB and GBA were the golden age of handhelds.

The DS simply did much more than a GBA did, and using such it in its games, it impressed me much more. I think the DS is the most innoviative system out of Nintendo personally with its two screens (of equal size), microphone support, touch screen and potential for more handheld 3D games. I was absolutely wowed when I saw my first console game, Super Mario 64, reworked for the new system and with additional content. Absolutely loved that Christmas. The DS is full of my personal favorite games: Super Mario 64 DS is one of my favorite 3D Mario games, New Super Mario Brothers is one of my favorite Mario sidesscrolling platformers, Meteos is my favorite puzzle game, Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass is my favorite Zelda game, Animal Crossing Wild World is my favorite Animal Crossing game, Chibi-Robo Park Patrol is my favorite of the two Chibi-Robo games, Metroid Prime Hunters is my favorite Metroid game, Pokemon Black is my favorite Pokemon game, Kirby Mass Attack is my favorite Kirby game, WarioWare Touched! is my favorite WarioWare game, Mario Kart DS is my favorite Mario Kart game, Sonic Rush is my favorite Sonic game, etc. Having my largest library with the DS, it just further complements the fact that I have so many favorites from the handheld.

The DS through the years has served as an introduction for me to series I had before not played into. My first Zelda was Phantom Hourglass, and that has lead me to play more of the series and actually invest in it in the case of Ocarina of Time 3D and potentially Skyward Sword. My first full Metroid game was Metroid Prime Hunters, and that has lead to Metroid becoming my all time favorite videogame series having played all but Metroid II. My first Star Fox game ended up being Star Fox Command, and it lead me to try both Assault and Star Fox 64 and personally invest in 64's 3DS remake. That said, Star Fox Command is even with Star Fox 64 3D for me and if I pick up Command again soon it could again be the top. Aliens, Contra, Animal Crossing, Custom Robo, Guitar Hero and Viewtiful Joe are among the other notable series I first got into off of their DS installments.

It's the combination of the DS being innoviative, having most of my favorites, having my largest library and expanding my gaming experiences that puts it above the GBA for me.

I think it certainly has a strong case for it.

Also, from a design/aesthetic point of view, I love how it had three versions in its life (GBA, GBA SP and GB Micro) and each re-design looked completely different from one another and yet all looked equally amazing. All three are among the best looking consoles ever imo.

I'm hoping the inevitable 3DS re-design looks new and different because as awesome as the 2006 DS Lite design is, the 3DS looks almost the same and hence doesn't really look or feel like a fresh, new console (which is hurting it).