The Top Game Boy Advance Games of E3 2002

Though seemingly the least impressive gaming platform shown at E3 2002, the Game Boy Advance more than makes up for its lack of polygon-pushing power with its portable design and solid technology, reminiscent of classic 16-bit game systems. Do not underestimate the Game Boy Advance--its long-term prospects seem more assured than those of any other video game platform currently available. That's thanks to the ever-increasing number of truly excellent games being released for the system--the GBA is host to the same sorts of games we enjoy on other platforms. From fast-paced action games to thought-provoking role-playing games, the GBA already has something for everyone. And judging by what was shown at E3, there's much more in store. There were many games to choose from, but these are our five picks for the top Game Boy Advance games of E3 2002:

What's Ahead: Porting three games into one little cartridge is no small feat, especially when those games are all role-playing games, so we expect there's still much work to be done between now and the game's Q1 2003 release.

While the Phantasy Star series' strength has always been its character development and storyline, it also had a fair share of innovations to offer during its time. In a precursor to today's deluge of first-person shooters and RPGs like Quake, Shining the Holy Ark, and King's Field, Phantasy Star featured perhaps some of the earliest gameplay of this kind. No small feat during the early 8-bit days of Sega's Master System. Originally released in 1988, with more than three worlds to explore, Phantasy Star at that time was nothing less than stunning. The next year followed with Phantasy Star II for the Genesis, and while the 3D caves were replaced with a traditional overhead view, Part II is considered by many to be the most challenging of the series. Two years later Sega released Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom. What was interesting about this game was that once you finished your first quest you would choose a spouse for your character. Depending on your selection, you would then embark on a separate adventure. Up to seven different quests were available as well as four different endings. (Unfortunately the graphics weren't quite up to snuff, and the combat scenes were disappointing as well.)

Even though Phantasy Star III had its share of drawbacks, the fact that the first three Phantasy Star games will be available for the price of one--and be portable--is fantastic. We have our fingers crossed that the translations will all turn out better than the disappointing port of Phantasy Star II on the Sega Smash Pack for the Dreamcast.