Summary
- Remakes of GBA classics in 3D could revamp visuals, storytelling, and mechanics while attracting new players.
- Mother 3, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Golden Sun, Fire Emblem, Metroid Fusion, and Minish Cap would benefit from updated remakes.
- Enhanced graphics, immersive worlds, and cinematic storytelling in 3D remakes could elevate these iconic GBA games for modern audiences.
There’s something undeniably charming about GameBoy Advance games — their pixel art, the tight gameplay, the way they packed epic stories into tiny cartridges. But as time moves on, some of these classics could use a little modern glow-up.
Their graphics and mechanics may feel outdated, but remakes would both bring them to new audiences and let old-school fans relive the experience. Fans of the GameBoy Advance would be ecstatic if these iconic adventures were reimagined in full 3D, bringing their worlds to life with updated visuals, richer storytelling, and fresh gameplay mechanics.
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6 Mother 3
The Cult Classic That Still Needs a Global Stage
Mother 3
- Released
- April 20, 2006
- Developer(s)
- HAL Laboratory, Brownie Brown
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
It’s almost a ritual for long-time Nintendo fans to ask for a Mother 3 localization at every Direct. Released in 2006, this RPG has a reputation as both a heartbreaking journey and one of the best stories ever told on a handheld console. Set in the strange yet endearing Nowhere Islands, Mother 3 tells the story of Lucas and his family as they deal with loss, change, and the mysterious Pigmasks.
The game’s pixel art is as quirky as its writing, but picture this: a 3D remake where the whimsical towns and eerie swamps feel tangible. Think about the emotional scenes that could have even more weight with expressive character models and dynamic camera angles. And how great would it be to see Lucas, Claus, and the gang rendered in a stylized 3D akin to The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake? With modern graphics and a re-orchestrated soundtrack, the game’s most impactful moments could hit even harder. Plus, a 3D remake might finally convince Nintendo to release it worldwide, answering years of fan petitions.
5 Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Strategy Meets Storytelling
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
- Released
- September 8, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Square Product Development Division 4
- Genre(s)
- Tactical RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Square Enix knows how to make great strategy RPGs, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is one of their most beloved handheld entries. It combined grid-based combat with a deep, surprisingly emotional story about a group of kids escaping into a fantasy world. Ivalice, the game’s setting, was both sprawling and compact, packed with quests and characters who were more complex than they appeared.
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Now imagine all that tactical depth, but with a 3D diorama-like aesthetic. It could be akin to games like Triangle Strategy or Octopath Traveler, where units have distinct animations and battlefields feel truly alive. A modernized version could keep the charm of its sprites while making the world more immersive and vibrant. A 3D remake could also give more life to the nuanced storyline, emphasizing the contrast between fantasy and harsh reality as Marche tries to break free from the illusion.
4 Golden Sun
Light, Shadow, and Serious Nostalgia
Golden Sun
- Released
- November 12, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Camelot Software Planning
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
If there’s one GBA RPG that truly captures the essence of a grand adventure, it’s Golden Sun. Camelot’s tale of adepts mastering elemental powers to save Weyard had a surprisingly rich story, given its limited hardware. The game’s puzzle-filled dungeons, epic battles, and Djinn-collecting mechanics set it apart from other RPGs of its time.
A 3D remake would be a golden opportunity (pun intended) to modernize the series. The synergy between exploration and combat could be pushed even further, with dungeons that feel more labyrinthine and combat animations that look as powerful as they feel. Weyard’s diverse landscapes — lava-filled caverns, dense forests, and sandy deserts — could be sprawling and visually stunning with modern graphics. Considering the original’s reputation as a technical marvel on GBA, a remake could showcase how far the series could go on today’s hardware.
3 Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
Where Heroes Are Born
Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
- Released
- November 3, 2003
- ESRB
- Everyone // Violence
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch
While not the first Fire Emblem game ever, The Blazing Blade was the first in the franchise to make its way outside Japan, introducing the world to tactical RPG brilliance. The Blazing Blade gave players three interwoven stories revolving around Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector, creating a deep narrative layered with political intrigue and personal stakes.
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Picture that story playing out in a vibrant, 3D style similar to Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The battlefields would have more depth, the attacks more visual flair, and the character interactions more nuance with full voice acting. The series has always been about choices, both in combat and relationships. A remake could elevate the emotional weight of those choices, with cutscenes highlighting critical moments. Seeing Lyn dash through the battlefield in fluid animations or Hector’s mighty axe cleave through armor would be worth the remake alone.
2 Metroid Fusion
Isolation Has Never Felt This Close
Metroid Fusion
- Released
- November 17, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo R&D1
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo R&D1
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Platformer, Shooter
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS
This wasn’t just another Metroid game. Metroid Fusion leaned into the horror elements of the franchise, making Samus feel more vulnerable than ever. The SA-X, a perfect replica of Samus herself, hunted players through the eerie, infected corridors of the Biologic Space Laboratories station. The claustrophobic design and haunting soundtrack set it apart from other entries, giving players a genuine sense of dread.
In a 3D remake, the tension would be amplified. The dark corridors, with flickering lights casting shadows, would become even more nerve-wracking. A modern remake could use the dynamic lighting from Metroid Dread, making every encounter with the SA-X a heart-pounding escape. The potential for cinematic storytelling is huge, especially when Samus uncovers the station’s darker secrets. Modernizing the sprite-based combat with fluid 3D animations while retaining that tight control would be the cherry on top.
1 The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
A Tiny Adventure with Big Heart
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
- Released
- January 10, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
While many Zelda games focus on epic journeys, The Minish Cap brought things down to size — literally. With the power to shrink, Link navigated Hyrule from both a human and Minish perspective, uncovering secrets that only a tiny hero could find. The game’s vibrant, cartoonish art style lent itself to creative puzzles and unforgettable boss fights.
In 3D, The Minish Cap could truly highlight the contrast between big and small. Think about the oversized enemies looming over Link as he shrinks down, with the camera dynamically adjusting to show just how tiny he is. The Minish villages, hidden in nooks and crannies, could feel even more enchanting. An updated version could expand on the fusion of kinstones, adding side quests and character interactions that feel more fleshed out. Imagine how beautiful Hyrule would look, seamlessly blending between its full-scale and miniature forms.