Summary
Golden Sunis something of a cult hit. Renowned mostly among enthusiasts or those nostalgic for handheld consoles, Golden Sun was originally released by Camelot Software Planning for theGame Boy Advancein 2001. It was quickly followed by a sequel, as well as a third game in 2012 for the Nintendo DS.
The first game, in particular, has been lauded as one of the bestRPGs to grace the system, establishing the series as a fixture onNintendohandhelds. Aside from those three releases, however, there aren’t any other games in the series and no new releases since 2010. Here are some other games that just might scratch the itch for more.
8Beyond The Beyond
Camelot Software Planning, 1995, PlayStation
Beyond the Beyond is an RPG originally released for thePlayStationin 1995. Most notably, it was developed by Camelot Software Planning, the same development team that would create Golden Sun in the future.
While turn-based, Beyond the Beyond features a combat system reminiscent of the one in Square’s Final Fantasy VIII (1999). The soundtrack was composed by Motoi Sakuraba, the same composer who would also create the soundtrack for Golden Sun.
7Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
AlphaDream, 2003, GBA
Alongside Golden Sun, the Game Boy Advance is also home to a surprising number of highly regarded RPGs.Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, developed by AlphaDream, is one such game. In the spirit of Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga takes the format on the go.
The game has long been regarded as not just one of the best RPGs for the system but as one of the best games on the system, period. It was later remade for release on the 3DS.
6Mega Man Battle Network
Capcom, 2001, GBA
Another release for the Game Boy Advance,Mega Man Battle Networkis an RPG spin-off of the greater Mega Man series developed byCapcomas a launch title for the console in Japan.
The game launched a long line of sequels and spin-offs after its original release and has earned a following in its own right. It is centered around real-time combat against computer viruses and takes place largely in a virtual world, with inspiration coming from collectible card games.
5Shining Force
Climax Entertainment, Sonic! Software Planning, 1992, Sega Genesis
In a sense,Shining Forceis a predecessor to the RPGs that would later be developed by Camelot Software Planning. It was originally released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis. The gameplay is comparable to the Fire Emblem series, with units moving across a set field and taking actions based on their location.
Managing your troops is the main conceit of the game, and outside of battle, the game plays much like a traditional RPG in terms of exploration.
4Shining The Holy Ark
Camelot Software Planning, 1997, Sega Saturn
Shining the Holy Ark is another game developed by Camelot Software Planning and a later entry in the Shining series. It was released in 1997 for the Sega Saturn. Unlike Shining Force, Shining the Holy Ark is a first-person dungeon crawler, which was initially popularized in Japan by games such as the Wizardry series.
Shining the Holy Ark is a unique blend of 2D and 3D assets. The bulk of the game takes place in extensive grid-based dungeons. Motoi Sakuraba also composed the soundtrack for Shining the Holy Ark.
3Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Square, 2003, GBA
Final Fantasy Tactics Advanceis a tactical RPG developed by Square for release on the Game Boy Advance. A spin-off of Final Fantasy Tactics, which was itself a spin-off of the greater Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is an indirect sequel to the original.
Much like the original Final Fantasy Tactics on which it is based, the gameplay during combat takes place on an isometric, grid-based battlefield with an emphasis on verticality. The game saw a sequel in 2008 for the Nintendo DS.
2Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
Konami, 2003, GBA
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrowis an action RPG developed byKonamifor release on the Game Boy Advance. Unlike other games in the Castlevania series, Aria of Sorrow set itself apart with a futuristic setting.
A standout feature of the game is the Tactical Soul system, by which the souls of defeated enemies can be absorbed to gain unique abilities. These souls can be traded between players and confer a variety of different effects depending on their specific type, ranging from transformations to straight buffs.
1Breath Of Fire
Capcom, 1993, SNES
Breath of Fire is an RPG developed byCapcomfor theSNES, though it would later be re-released on the Game Boy Advance as well as on the 3DS Virtual Console. Breath of Fire is a straightforward, traditional RPG.
The game was redesigned from the ground up for its re-release on the Game Boy Advance, with redrawn visuals and an updated user interface based on that of the game’s sequel, as well as the ability to trade items with other players using a link cable.
