Three Game Boy Advance video games beforehand solely out there in Japan have been released on Nintendo Switch, but there’s still a wealth of titles locked to the region.
While the Nintendo Switch Online library of Game Boy Advance games is still way too small, Nintendo has made an unexpected addition this week.
On Friday, Nintendo announced that all three Starfy games are now available through the service for subscribers. Starfy 1, 2, and 3 were all released on the Game Boy Advance between 2002 and 2004 but only in Japan, so this is the first time they’ve been available globally.
This isn’t the first time Starfy has appeared in the West though. After the Japanese-only sequel, Starfy 4, came out on the Nintendo DS, its follow-up The Legendary Starfy was the first and only title in the series to be released worldwide in 2008.
Super Smash Bros. players might also recognise Starfy, as he pops up as an assist trophy who spins into enemies.
The Starfy games are 2D platformers set in underwater worlds, where you spin and swim your way through levels. They’re pretty simple games but enjoyable and with game 2D pixel art graphics.
As some have pointed out although, these video games haven’t been localised, so that you may hit some roadblocks in relation to navigating the menus, except you already know some Japanese.
It’s a neat piece of gaming historical past regardless, and an indication that extra Japanese-only video games may make their strategy to Nintendo Switch, if we rely our fortunate star(fy)s. But what what could be the highest picks for a world debut? Here’s the gems we wish to see.
Mother 3
The third and remaining entry within the Mother (aka EarthBound) sequence has been some of the requested video games for years, however it nonetheless hasn’t occurred. The role-playing sport even made its strategy to Nintendo Switch Online in Japan earlier this 12 months, however the truth it’s so textual content heavy is stopping it from making its means over right here.
Rhythm Tengoku
The first sport within the Rhythm Paradise (aka Rhythm Heaven) sequence has by no means been launched exterior of Japan, with solely the following sequels making their strategy to the West. It shares some DNA with WarioWare, as you play simplistic mini-games to the beat.
Ninja Five-O
While this one has technically been launched in Europe as Ninja Cop, it’s develop into one of many rarest Game Boy Advance video games available on the market – with one eBay itemizing for the cartridge alone going for over £300. That worth may come down quickly although, as Limited Run Games just lately introduced a Switch, PlayStation 5, and PS4 port is about to be launched later this 12 months.
Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
Although Fire Emblem is a comparatively new Nintendo franchise within the West, it’s been an ongoing sequence in Japan since 1990. The first sport to be launched worldwide was Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade (identified merely as Fire Emblem right here), however its predecessor, 2002’s Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade, was Japanese-only.
Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart
Serving as a prequel to Dragon Quest 7, Caravan Heart options the identical protagonist, in Prince Keifer. It’s the third sport within the Dragon Quest Monsters sequence and the second to not come out in Europe, following the Japan and US-only Dragon Quest Monsters 2 in 2001.
F-Zero Climax
While Europe acquired F-Zero: Maximum Velocity and F-Zero: GP Legend on the Game Boy Advance, the latter’s sequel, F-Zero Climax, was restricted to Japan. The similarities to its predecessors is perhaps the explanation why, however it’s nonetheless a disgrace to depart it out.
Magical Vacation
This role-playing journey, created by builders who labored on the Mana sequence, has lengthy been confined to Japan. Weirdly sufficient, the sport’s sequel, Magical Starsign, did come out in America and Europe on the Nintendo DS in 2006.
Tomato Adventure
If you’re a fan of the Mario & Luigi sequence, developer AlphaDream’s first sport for Nintendo is a captivating curiosity. This is an analogous type of role-playing journey, the place you journey by way of the Ketchup Kingdom in a bid to save lots of lead character DeMille’s girlfriend. A re-release is perhaps unlikely now AlphaDream isn’t any extra, however it’s however a lacking piece of gaming historical past.
Kururin Paradise
Game Boy Advance launch title Kuru Kuru Kururin acquired a number of sequels however, inexplicably, they have been locked to Japan. The first was Kururin Paradise, which expanded on the formulation of shifting a rotating stick by way of mazes with out touching something. A follow-up additionally got here out on the Nintendo GameDice titled Kururin Squash!
Drill Dozer
An oddity for Europe particularly, this motion platformer is among the few Game Boy Advance video games which got here out solely in Japan and America. It was launched in Europe for the primary time by way of the Wii U digital console, however now that’s useless, it’s time to deliver Drill Dozer again to the plenty.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our publication.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features extra simply, with out the necessity to ship an electronic mail, simply use our Submit Stuff web page right here.
For extra tales like this, verify our Gaming web page.
MORE : Nintendo Switch is the longest-running Nintendo dwelling console ever
MORE : Nintendo teases new mature-rated horror sport for Switch however no person is aware of what it’s
MORE : Secret Nintendo horror sport Emio options ‘home abuse’ and suicide
Sign as much as all of the unique gaming content material, newest releases earlier than they’re seen on the location.
Privacy Policy »
This web site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
