Now as retro gaming is making a rapid comeback, more players start looking for hidden gems ever released on their favorite vintage consoles. From today’s post, you’ll learn about three rare titles that once came out on Nintendo’s legendary Game Boy Advance handheld.
Car Battler Joe
Car Battler Joe is an action RPG vehicular combat game, which mixes demolition derby battle mechanics with role-playing elements. Players take on the role of the title’s namesake, Joe, and accept various jobs from NPCs scattered throughout the game’s overworld. The combat itself takes place during the trek between cities and is presented with mode 7 style visuals similar to F-Zero or Super Mario Kart. Completing objectives and finding hidden materials will help you upgrade your car and take on increasingly difficult missions. When it was released in October, 2002, Car Battler Joe received generally positive reviews across the board. And critics praised the game for its unique combination of gameplay and story depth. Today, the title can be found on the retro game market or downloaded from reputable abandonware websites that distribute GBA ROMs. It’s not exactly clear why this title has become so rare, but some retrospective reviews have highlighted it as one of the best games for the GBA. So, certainly a resurgence in popularity and a renewed following have been some driving factors. (No pun intended.)
Moto Racer Advance
Lots of avid retro gamers admit that they have always been into console games pushing the limits of their hardware. And Moto Racer Advance certainly fits this description. While titles like Car Battler Joe used mode 7 to create the illusion of the 3D world, Moto Racer Advance uses a more complex technique to create more varied terrain with changes in elevation like hills and valleys. The game features several different modes of play and a wide array of tracks across multiple environments. On top of this, each motorcycle in the game has a unique way of handling with certain cycles being more suited to specific types of terrain. Critics praised the game across the board for its striking visuals and tight mechanics when it was released in 2002. And today, Moto Racer Advance has risen in value. But true aficionados of quality old-school games don’t seem to mind. Again, there is no particular explanation why this title has fallen into scarcity, but from our personal angle, it features the elements and mechanics that can give modern gaming techs a run for their money, which completely justifies its exclusive status. Plus, the interest from the retro gaming community contributed to supplies of this one drying up. But regardless if you’re a fan of racing games, you should definitely keep an eye on it.
Pocky & Rocky With Becky
If you’re no stranger to Nintendo retro gaming, you should know that Pocky & Rocky is a notoriously sought-after series of games for the Super Nintendo. But its demand is not limited to its platform of origin. The third and final entry in the series also stands as one of the rarest titles available for the Game Boy Advance. But you won’t have to shell out tons of money to get a hold of this one. While Pocky & Rocky still commands hundreds of dollars on the second-hand market, Pocky & Rocky With Becky normally goes for a more reasonable price. Anyway, you can always download a desired game in the form of a ROM file and then just put it into a dedicated GBA emulator for playing it on any modern device of your choice. For those unfamiliar with the series, Pocky and Rocky is a top-down shoot-’em-up game, in which players take on the role of Pocky, or in this case, one of the two supporting characters, Rocky or Becky to shoot a barrage of talismans to take down enemies. It’s not hard to imagine that being a little-known sequel in an already obscure series, this title most likely saw a very limited print run. Add to this a strong cult following in recent years, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for rarity.
And there are lots of other GBA games that were dramatically scarce back in the day but in no way deserve to sink into oblivion. So, consider revising these and other GBA gems if you want to refresh your memory of the good old days and experience the most fun moments again.
