Golden Sun- GBA, 2001

That game is pure win: the main character's element is earth, not fire, plus the graphics and animation are pretty decent for the time and system it was released on. Even when buying stuff, mostly weapons and armor, you still have a lot of money by the end of the game; you find most everything you need. This actually applies to both games, since the mechanics and everything are basically the same, but all things considering, I don't know the complete game would've fit on one cartridge.

It was the first game that I ever owned on Game Boy Advance, and I still have the box and stuff that came with it (cool map and Djinn chart... which I haven't looked at in awhile because I can't get to the box). After not playing it for oh so long, I played it again recently, still remembering things about it as I played and forgetting other things. I just started the sequel Golden Sun: The Lost Age, and I probably remember a lot less, even though I have a save file at the end... I'm sure it's the end; either way, I don't really recall the ending to the second but remembered the ending of the first (at least the fight). I definitely don't remember who the real bad guy is, especially after the story shifts.

I must say that in some aspects The Lost Age is a better sequel than a lot of things these days. It continues right where the first game leaves off and gives a short review, as it were. It actually backs up to just before the events of the end of the first game but with good reason, though I won't say what for those who have never ventured to pick up this RPG from GBA's launch year.

I'd say this is a classic game, but I was rather surprised when I kept hearing of people wanting the main character (Isaac) in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The game seemed to pretty much vanish into obscurity, and I'd only seen mention of it again about the time Brawl was being talked about. I guess I'm glad he's at least an Assist Trophy; I haven't unlocked him yet and see him in action... not that I don't know how to do so: I just haven't gotten around to spending the time to do that.

In short, go pick up this awesome game if you haven't ever played it before, and if you have, go play it again. If for nothing else, do it so you can find where in the game that screenshot was taken.

©1984-2008 Toaraga EAM