Best games
Best Game Boy Advance games of 2004
The 23 best Game Boy Advance games released in 2004, ranked from 6,397 critic and player ratings.
The best Game Boy Advance game of 2004 is Pokémon FireRed Version, with a critic score of 100/100 — updated August 2026.
01
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
02
Metroid: Zero Mission
The full story of Samus Aran's first mission finally unfolds... The first Metroid game just scratched the surface of the cataclysmic events on planet Zebes, and at long last the rest of the tale has come to light. Experience the first of Samus's legendary adventures through all-new cut-scenes and action sequences as the bounty hunter races through the deeps toward her showdown with the leader of the Space Pirates. But will the end of Mother Brain really mean the end of the story...? Completion of the game unlocks an emulated version of the original Metroid game. Zero Mission also allow players to unlock the Metroid Fusion picture gallery by linking between Zero Mission and Fusion cartridges via the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
95
/100
03
S
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a top-down action adventure game that tells the origins of the evil Vaati from Four Swords. Like most other titles in the series, The Minish Cap features the fully explorable land of Hyrule, although it can be viewed from the eyes of a human or the eyes of a Minish, a race of tiny people and an alternate form that Link can transform into. Unlike the multiplayer focus of the other games in the series, The Minish Cap retains the original form of exploration and dungeons as seen in A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages, as well as returning characters and game mechanics such as Malon and the Spin Attack. New features include fusing Kinstones and shrinking to the size of a Minish.
90
/100
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
02
Metroid: Zero Mission
The full story of Samus Aran's first mission finally unfolds... The first Metroid game just scratched the surface of the cataclysmic events on planet Zebes, and at long last the rest of the tale has come to light. Experience the first of Samus's legendary adventures through all-new cut-scenes and action sequences as the bounty hunter races through the deeps toward her showdown with the leader of the Space Pirates. But will the end of Mother Brain really mean the end of the story...? Completion of the game unlocks an emulated version of the original Metroid game. Zero Mission also allow players to unlock the Metroid Fusion picture gallery by linking between Zero Mission and Fusion cartridges via the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
95
/100
03
S
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a top-down action adventure game that tells the origins of the evil Vaati from Four Swords. Like most other titles in the series, The Minish Cap features the fully explorable land of Hyrule, although it can be viewed from the eyes of a human or the eyes of a Minish, a race of tiny people and an alternate form that Link can transform into. Unlike the multiplayer focus of the other games in the series, The Minish Cap retains the original form of exploration and dungeons as seen in A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages, as well as returning characters and game mechanics such as Malon and the Spin Attack. New features include fusing Kinstones and shrinking to the size of a Minish.
90
/100
04
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
05
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
85
/100
06
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
84
/100
07
Need for Speed: Underground 2
82
/100
08
Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen
81
/100
09
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
10
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
80
/100
11
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
76
/100
12
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
76
/100
13
Sonic Advance 3
72
/100
14
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
72
/100
15
The Sims 2
71
/100
16
The Urbz: Sims in the City
71
/100
17
Shark Tale
69
/100
18
Shrek 2: The Game
63
/100
19
Pokémon Emerald Version
60
/100
20
Asterix & Obelix XXL - Kick Buttix!
59
/100
21
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus
49
/100
22
Catwoman
46
/100
23
Spider-Man 2: The Game
42
/100
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
05
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
85
/100
06
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
84
/100
07
Need for Speed: Underground 2
82
/100
08
Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen
81
/100
09
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney − Trials and Tribulations
81
/100
10
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
80
/100
11
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
76
/100
12
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
76
/100
13
Sonic Advance 3
72
/100
14
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
72
/100
15
The Sims 2
71
/100
16
The Urbz: Sims in the City
71
/100
17
Shark Tale
69
/100
18
Shrek 2: The Game
63
/100
19
Pokémon Emerald Version
60
/100
20
Asterix & Obelix XXL - Kick Buttix!
59
/100
21
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus
49
/100
22
Catwoman
46
/100
23
Spider-Man 2: The Game
42
/100
FAQ
What is the best Game Boy Advance game of 2004?
Pokémon FireRed Version currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 547 ratings. Ranking updated August 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.