4. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
It wasn’t enough to have two tactical games on this list. We needed more.
Creation of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was lead by acclaimed designer/writer/producer Yasumi Matsuno. Matsuno’s resume just speaks of the quality that he’s known for, from his work at Quest on the Ogre Battle series, his work at Square on Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, and Final Fantasy XII, and his freelance work on MadWorld and Crimson Shroud. If that’s any indication, then Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians, his upcoming mobile game that was recently crowdfunded for PC, will be amazing.
Anyways, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is part of the Tactics spin-off of the main Final Fantasy series. And just like most of the rest of Final Fantasy, it has minimal relation to it’s predecessor. However, it does exist in the same Ivalice Alliance series, which includes other Matsuno works like Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, and Final Fantasy XII as well as the FF12 sequel Revenant Wings, Crystal Defenders, and the Tactics Advance sequel A2: Grimoire of the Rift.
Anyways, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance takes a number of its cues from the original Tactics in terms of turn-based tactical battles and a class system–or, in this case, a job system. There is also a Law mechanic that prohibits you from using certain weapons, items, spells, or status changes for any battle. It’s an intriguing new mechanic.
The story is fairly simple. Four children reside in St. Ivalice only to find themselves in a mirrored version of the Kingdom of Ivalice. It’s up to you to return them to their home. And throughout your playthrough, you’ll see many races that will become a part of Final Fantasy XII. A potentially worthy addition to the Virtual Console.
3. Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
And here it is: the obligatory Fire Emblem game on a Nintendo list. Also, add Fire Emblem, the first western release of the series, to this one as well.
And if you’ve never heard of this game, that’s because it was a Japan-only game, releasing back in 2002. As a matter of fact, this was the game that preceded FE7, our first taste of the series.
So why did we vote this game over FE7? Maybe we just like dreaming about games we don’t have. But I think it’s because it stars Roy. Yes, that Roy from Smash Bros. Melee. And it’s partly because of Roy that we were able to get FE7 and nearly every Fire Emblem game since.
As for gameplay, it’s all pretty much the standard fare. You have the trinity of weapons as well as grid maps and character classes that have a promotion class.
Nintendo of America, I beseech you. Be a mensch and celebrate the effect Roy had on the series here in the West. I know that it takes time and man power to translate a game, but Roy’s fans will appreciate it.
2. Metroid: Zero Mission
For those not familiar with this game, here’s a quick summary. Zero Mission is a remake of the first Metroid game on the NES. Samus Aran is sent in to the planet Zebes by the Galactic Federation to stop Space Pirates from replicating Metroids to destroy all that oppose them. However, unlike the original game, the story isn’t over after the destruction of Mother Brain. Samus is shot down trying to leave the planet and goes into the Space Pirate Mothership to find a new ride off the planet and having to confront a mechanized Ridley.
While being a remake of the original, it mostly uses the gameplay style of Super Metroid. The game also adds new items, areas, and mini-bosses that didn’t appear in the first game. Also notable, this is the first game in the series that features the player controlling Samus when she’s not in her Power Suit, a form that would later appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
While Fusion is scheduled for release next month, this is game we’d like to see come as well. If it weren’t, it wouldn’t be second on our list.
And our Number 1 Most Wanted Game Boy Advance game on the Virtual Console is…
