As the ultimate summer movie, Meatballs, says "Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the good times?" Summer is here and with it comes sun, fun and lots of free time. That's why the GBA so great! It plays terrific games and you can take it anywhere, plus it's the perfect tool on long family trips to keep the kiddies occupied. As for me, I'll be camping with my Game Boy Micro. It only weighs 5 oz., and in camping every ounce counts. Now all I gotta do if find space for 30 lbs of games.
1. Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand
The ultimate summer game! An exciting adventure that you must expose to sunlight in order to defeat your enemies. The game cartridge has a solar sensor that powers up your weapon, and won't let you finish off the baddies unless exposed to sunlight. The perfect way of getting youngsters off the couch and outdoors. As Django, you battle an army of vampires using the legendary weapon, the Gun Del Sol, a mysterious spellgun powered by the rays of the sun. Who says gamers have to have pasty skin!
2. Mario Tennis: Power Tour
Mario Tennis: Power Tour is the most unique tennis game ever released on a handheld. It's not just a sports game, but also a hybrid RPG. The Exhibition Matches follow a traditional tennis format starring the Mario gang, but with wacky twists. The RPG portion is the Power Tour and the real meat of the game. Traditional RPG battles are replaced by tennis matches as you explore a famed academy working your way up the ranks. Your experience points are determined by how many matches you win.3. Ultimate Beach Soccer
Think the beach is only good for grabbing a tan, building sandcastles and catching some waves? Then you've obviously never checked out this terrific GBA game. Kick up some sand as you control one of 32 international teams, competing your way through shores across the globe. Utilize your skills and special moves to keep control of the ball and get a shot at your competitions goal. Features include customizable matches, training mode and multi-player functions via a multi-link cable.4. Backyard Baseball 2007
Just because a game is geared towards kids, don't think adults can't enjoy it as well. Backyard Baseball 2007 features humorous kid versions of actual Major League players along with original Backyard characters. You can do a quick pick-up game or Season Play which is a simplified version of creating and managing a team that doesn't require studying corporate business management to understand. Other features include mini-games and "Link Play" where you can compete against your friends.5. Mario Kart Super Circuit
Ah, go-kart racing, there ain't nothing like it. The wind flies through your hair as you speed along a race track or in Bowser's Castle. Thankfully Nintendo brought their hit Mario Kart series to the GBA. You can pick from the entire Mario gang and race through outrageous and colorful environments, using bonuses and power-ups to slow down the competition. But be careful, some of these can backfire. I hate it when I drive over the banana peel I dropped earlier in the race!6. Mario Golf: Advance Tour
The most unique game of golf you'll ever play. Just like Mario Tennis: Power Tour you have a choice between a quick round of outrageous golf or a full RPG, where battles are replaced with golf tournaments. The graphics and environment interaction have been greatly improved, but the storyline isn't as rich in mystery. Everything we've come to expect form a game where the ultimate golfer is a short, chubby, plumber!7. Paperboy / Rampage Double Pack
What builds character better than a summer job? Now you can give youngster a taste of corporate life with this double pack, featuring two of the most popular summer time careers, paper delivery and demolition! Paperboy is a GBA port of the arcade classic. You ride your bike while delivering papers and avoiding snarling dogs, potholes, reckless drivers, pedestrians and out-of-control lawnmowers. Rampage is another classic port where you play one of three giant monsters trying to destroy a city.8. Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
Kowabunga Dude! No, I'm not talking about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There was a day where that was a surfin' term! Let's face it, nothing's better on a hot summer day than catching a gnarly wave, and now you can hang-ten anytime. The gameplay is similar to the Tony Hawk series, but instead your performing over-the-top stunts on a skateboard, you do it on a surfboard. This also has the most realistic water effects I've ever seen on the GBA. Totally tubular!9. Rocket Power: Beach Bandits
Summer vacation is ideal for some extreme sports at the beach, but when an evil jerk steals all the sand, it's up to the Rocket Power team to solve the mystery and save the season. Based on the Nickelodeon animated series by Klasky Csupo, the kids of Rocket Power live for extreme sports and won't let anyone get away with stealing their summer. This creative game is a fun mix of mini-game missions throughout an elaborate side-scrolling platformer.10. Strawberry Shortcake: Summertime Adventure
I know what you're thinking, how can I put a licensed 80s cartoon game for little girls on the list? I can't help it, this game may be a simple but its also pretty darn fun? Besides, little girls need quality games like this. They are the fastest growing segment of the gaming community. As Strawberry Shortcake, to win the Strawberryland Bakeoffyou need to gather ingredients for you and your friends. This is a great game for the young kiddies and for adults who never really wanted to grow up.