10 Classic GBA Games That Deserve a Switch 2 Remake

Remakes have been an essential part of most Nintendo consoles since the SNES. In a recent Direct, Nintendo announced that the Switch, currently their second-best-selling console, is approaching its retirement. Its successor, tentatively labeled as the Switch 2, would be a perfect platform to bring some iconic handheld games into the modern era.




Because they would be easy to produce and go over well with fans, it would be great if Nintendo would develop and release remakes of games from the Game Boy Advance, which would take full advantage of modern hardware to improve the original experience. Some classic games, like the original Four Swords or Sonic Advance, are iconic enough that an exclusive port would be able to drive sales for the Switch 2 on its own.


10 Klonoa: Empire of Dreams Is an Underrated Entry in a Dormant Series

Title

Year

Game Released

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

2002

Last Series Release

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

2022


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A spinoff of the lesser-known Klonoa series, Empire of Dreams is an entry that has been notably absent from the series’ various compilations, ports, and remasters, most likely due to its status as a side adventure. Despite this, this game is unique in its focus on non-linear puzzles, as opposed to the straightforward platforming of the rest of the series. This led to levels feeling more exploratory than other Klonoa titles, with objectives that could be pursued in any order and that would be more in alignment with modern game design sensibilities.


The power of modern consoles would improve Empire of Dreams by allowing for a 3D style in line with the rest of the mainline Klonoa series. Additionally, motion controls could be implemented to make the manipulation of puzzle elements feel more natural, as though the player is interacting with the world, not just the game.

Klonoa_ Empire of Dreams

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams

Franchise
Klonoa

Platform(s)
Game Boy Advance

Released
July 19, 2001

Developer(s)
Namco , NOW Production

Metascore
85

Link from both generations of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in front of TLOZ opening screen

Title

Year

Game Released

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords

2002

Last Series Release

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

2023


While A Link to the Past is, of course, an iconic SNES game, this port took the story of this landmark series entry on the go, allowing a new generation of players to experience it anywhere. Taking advantage of the GBA’s Link Cable system, developers were able to add a fully-fledged cooperative multiplayer mode (later expanded upon in Four Swords Adventures for the GameCube), focusing on collaborative puzzle-solving in randomized dungeons — almost a predecessor to the modern roguelike.

Visually, this remake would be able to take cues from the vibrant re-imagining of Link’s Awakening as well as the upcoming Echoes of Wisdom, using clay-like models to bring more detail to the original game’s graphics. Four Swords‘ multiplayer aspect would be easy to implement using the Nintendo Switch Online service and could even be brought into the main story of A Link to the Past for cooperative exploration and dungeon crawling.


8 Kirby & the Amazing Mirror Would be a Unique Multiplayer Platformer

Splash art depicting the various Kirbys of Kirby and the Amazing Mirror.

Title

Year

Game Released

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

2004

Last Series Release

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe

2023

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In a departure from the rest of the Kirby series, Amazing Mirror substitutes linear progression with an open, Metroidvania-like maze of levels, where progression is only locked behind unlocked Copy Abilities. In an even more unique twist, this game relies on simultaneous cooperation across multiple levels; players don’t have to be in the same level to complete it, and multiple players are only necessary if someone calls for help. This leads to a feeling of teamwork while completing several goals at once, making the Amazing Mirror experience feel more like an adventure than the series’ other games.

The main advantage of a remake would be taking advantage of Nintendo Switch Online functionality, which could allow Kirby & the Amazing Mirror players to share a save file with their friends — no need for wires to connect multiple GBA systems. Additionally, the visuals and sound could be brought more in line with the current state of the series, with the 3D graphics and high-quality music that have come to be standard with more recent Kirby games.


Kirby & the Amazing Mirror

Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

Fighting

Metroidvania

Shooter

Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch , Game Boy Advance , Wii U , Nintendo 3DS

Released
April 15, 2004

Developer(s)
HAL Laboratory , Flagship , Dimps

Publisher(s)
HAL Laboratory , Nintendo

7 An HD-2D Breath of Fire Could Introduce JRPGs on the Switch 2

Screenshots of the battle screen and overworld screen from Breath of Fire, with the game's logo in the center.

Title

Year

Game Released

Breath of Fire

2001

Last Series Release

Breath of Fire 6

2016

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While originally released on the SNES, this classic JRPG found just as much success on the GBA, featuring improvements such as an improved, more functional save system. While Breath of Fire is currently playable on the Nintendo Switch Online service, a remake would help bring new fans to this underrated title. The story, while simple, is supplemented by the sheer cool factor of the main character turning into various dragons in combat, as well as the rest of its well-balanced combat system.

With the recent news about Dragon Quest III‘s remake, there’s no better time to update the visuals of a lesser-known Capcom classic, especially one that would have had such spectacle if it hadn’t been on the GBA. A remake should be able to complete the original vision of a game and Breath of Fire should have the chance to show off its flashy central mechanic.


breath-of-fire-cover

Breath of Fire

Platform(s)
SNES , Game Boy Advance

Released
April 3, 1993

Developer(s)
Capcom

Publisher(s)
Capcom

6 Sonic Advance Would Offer Extreme, Skill-Based Action

Title

Year

Game Released

Sonic Advance

2002

Last Series Release

Sonic X Shadow Generations

2024

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As a series, Sonic the Hedgehog has certainly had its ups and downs, with many players preferring one style (usually the older style) over the other. To combat this, the Sonic Advance trilogy took steps to blend Sonic’s 2D origins with mechanics from his 3D titles, creating blazing-fast side-scrolling platformers. These games play smoothly while still providing ample challenge; with simplistic puzzles as obstacles, the goal is entirely based on mastering Sonic’s mechanics.

Sonic Advance‘s only weaknesses are its visuals and sound. The GBA simply wasn’t capable of handling much while also running the game, especially in terms of audio. In a remake, Sonic Team would be able to put their modern, 3D twist onto the original sprite-based graphics and update the music to be closer to the modern series.


Sonic Advance

Sonic Advance

Franchise
Sonic

Platform(s)
Game Boy , Wii U

Released
December 20, 2001

Developer(s)
Sonic Team , Dimps

Publisher(s)
Sonic Team

5 Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Would Provide a Dynamic Action-RPG

Title

Year

Game Released

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

2003

Last Series Release

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

2014


As a series, Castlevania is known for medieval, Gothic-themed fantasy. However, Aria of Sorrow takes a different approach, taking place in a futuristic 2035. This game focuses on action platforming with RPG elements, with the twist of taking abilities from defeated monsters to use during gameplay. Aria was made to be distinct in several ways from previous Castlevania titles, causing it to develop fresh ideas throughout the game; this leads to a different experience from other games in the series while still using the formula codified by Symphony of the Night.

An Aria of Sorrow remake would work well to breathe life into an older, partially-forgotten Castlevania game, mainly by updating its visual style and gameplay. For example, the Switch 2 would likely be able to permit better aim using an analog stick, which would bring combat from frustrating and specific to smooth and lively, improving the experience for modern audiences.

Aria Of Sorrow

Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow

Franchise
Castlevania

Platform(s)
Game Boy Advance , PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One

Released
May 6, 2003

Developer(s)
Konami

Publisher(s)
Konami


4 Mega Man Zero Could Show a Different Side of the Mega Man Formula

Key art depicting Zero from Mega Man: Zero holding his Z-Saber.

Title

Year

Game Released

Mega Man Zero

2002

Last Series Release

Mega Man Legacy Collection 2

2018

A spinoff of Mega Man X, Zero and its sequels focus on Zero, a side character, with a story completely disconnected from the main series, focusing on Zero’s adventures in the far future. What makes the game unique is that he plays much differently from other series protagonists, focusing on melee combat with his Z-Saber. This leads to a different approach for this game’s encounters, making Zero’s gameplay loop more challenging and intense.


What Mega Man Zero desperately needs is an update to its quality-of-life. It uses an archaic and inaccessible lives-and-continues system, which causes frustration in an already difficult game. Additionally, there are certain missions in each that can’t be retried if players fail. In a modern remake, these problems would need to be fixed for a more user-friendly experience.

mega man zero

Mega Man Zero

Platform(s)
Game Boy Advance , Nintendo DS , Nintendo 3DS , PC , Switch , PS4 , Xbox One

Released
November 9, 2002

Developer(s)
Inti Creates

Publisher(s)
Capcom

3 F-Zero: GP Legend Could Bring Life to a Dying Franchise

Key art of F-Zero: GP Legend, depicting Captain Falcon and other playable characters.


Title

Year

Game Released

F-Zero: GP Legend

2004

Last Series Release

F-Zero 99

2023

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This game is a special case; besides being a tie-in to the F-Zero anime series of the same name, its remake would be the first F-Zero game (besides its limited foray into the battle royale genre with F-Zero 99) to come out since 2003, when GP Legend itself came out. What better game to foster new interest in a dead series than its last entry? As a very simple 3D racing game, this would help Nintendo gauge interest in an entirely new title while not taking much time to produce. Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online services could be used to simplify multiplayer, allowing for competitive, high-octane F-Zero gameplay without requiring that every racer be in the same room at once.


A modern spin on the series would both create new fans and be appreciated by older players, who have been waiting for more F-Zero for decades. Additionally, unlike the GBA’s other F-Zero title, Maximum Velocity, this game features Captain Falcon, who is most iconic from his continued appearances in the Super Smash Bros. franchise; a recognizable character would go a long way in advertising this remake, helping the game sell to fans who may not otherwise be interested.

F-Zero_ GP Legend

F-Zero: GP Legend

Platform(s)
Game Boy Advance , Wii U

Released
November 28, 2003

Developer(s)
Suzak , Nintendo

Publisher(s)
Nintendo

2 Bomberman Tournament Would Bring a Competitive Battle Royale Adventure

Gameplay of Bomberman Tournament, showing the titular Bomberman in the face of an explosion.


Title

Year

Game Released

Bomberman Tournament

2001

Last Series Release

Super Bomberman R 2

2023

In Bomberman Tournament, players have the option to choose between a complex single-player storyline and a frantic, competitive multiplayer mode. The main plot focused on pushing the mechanics to create puzzle-based dungeons, while the multiplayer used classic Bomberman gameplay in an elimination-style battle.

The main reason Tournament should be remade is to provide a better implementation of online multiplayer, in the vein of 2017’s Super Bomberman R; the most prominent failure of multiplayer on the GBA is that it exclusively used physical connections. Link Cables between systems were the only option, but today, it would be possible to play Bomberman against gamers all over the world. In addition to this, a much-needed visual upgrade would help get new eyes on this game and its plot.


1 The Switch 2 Could be Mother 3’s Last Chance for an English Localization

Title

Year

Game Released

Mother 3

2006

Last Series Release

Mother 3

2006

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As one of the most iconic games to never leave Japan, Mother 3 is in a unique position. Despite its lack of release in the U.S. and Europe, new and old fans are still asking for the chance to experience it. There are several reasons the game may not have come to other markets, such as its more mature story than the other games in the Mother series; it focuses on themes of change, growing up, and dealing with grief, which may have made it difficult to advertise for worldwide audiences.

The main reason for a remake is to finally have this iconic JRPG officially translated and playable in other regions. Additionally, while the game’s sprites are charming, its prototypes and official artwork showed a whimsical clay-like style, which would suit the game even more. Either way, this game is possibly the most deserving of a remake because, despite its enduring popularity, the Mother series hasn’t gotten much official recognition past its first release.


Mother 3

Mother 3

Platform(s)
Game Boy Advance

Released
April 20, 2006

Developer
Brownie Brown, HAL Laboratory

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