The Retro Ninja Chronicles

Nintendo's Last Great Pixel-Powered Handheld

When the Game Boy Advance launched in Europe in June 2001, it represented the biggest leap Nintendo had ever made in handheld gaming. Gone was the monochrome display of the original Game Boy, replaced with a vibrant 32-bit colour screen capable of bringing console quality experiences into your pocket.

For many gamers, the Game Boy Advance was more than just another handheld. It became the system that defined childhood road trips, school holidays and late night gaming under the duvet with a worm light attached.

A New Generation

Powered by a 32-bit ARM processor, the Game Boy Advance was significantly more powerful than its predecessor. It featured a landscape design, shoulder buttons for the first time on a Nintendo handheld and backwards compatibility with almost the entire Game Boy library.

This meant players instantly had access to hundreds of classic games while enjoying an exciting new catalogue.

Games That Defined the System

The GBA quickly became home to some of Nintendo's finest releases.

Standout titles included:

• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

• Metroid Fusion

• Metroid: Zero Mission

• Advance Wars

• Golden Sun

• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

• Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire

• Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Third-party developers also embraced the platform, producing excellent RPGs, platformers and strategy games that remain highly sought after by collectors today.

The Arrival of the SP

In 2003 Nintendo released arguably the definitive version—the Game Boy Advance SP.

Featuring a rechargeable battery and a foldable clamshell design, it solved the original console's biggest problem: the lack of a backlit screen.

The later AGS-101 model, with its brighter display, has since become one of the most desirable handhelds among collectors.

A Lasting Legacy

With over 81 million units sold worldwide, the Game Boy Advance remains one of Nintendo's greatest successes.

Today it's loved not only by collectors but also by modders, who regularly fit IPS displays, USB-C charging and custom shells to breathe new life into these legendary systems.

More than twenty years later, the GBA still delivers some of the best portable gaming experiences ever made.

The PlayStation 2 library is legendary—but these titles stand above the rest.

The PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling console of all time, with more than 4,000 games released worldwide. Narrowing the list to just ten is no easy task, but these classics deserve a place in every collection.

1. Shadow of the Colossus

A breathtaking adventure where every battle feels like a boss fight. Minimal dialogue, unforgettable atmosphere and one of gaming's greatest endings.

2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Stealth perfected. Incredible storytelling, memorable characters and gameplay that still holds up today.

3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

An enormous open world that changed gaming forever. From gang wars to casinos, it offered almost limitless freedom.

4. God of War II

Arguably the finest action game on the PS2, featuring spectacular combat and cinematic boss encounters.

5. Final Fantasy X

A beautiful RPG with an emotional story, unforgettable soundtrack and one of the best turn-based battle systems ever created.

6. Resident Evil 4

Although released on multiple platforms, the PS2 version introduced millions to one of gaming's greatest survival horror adventures.

7. Burnout 3: Takedown

Pure arcade racing chaos. Crashes had never looked so satisfying.

8. Kingdom Hearts II

A magical blend of Disney and Final Fantasy that still has a passionate fanbase today.

9. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Creative weapons, humour and polished platforming make this one of the series' best entries.

10. Gran Turismo 4

Packed with hundreds of cars and realistic driving physics, Gran Turismo 4 pushed the PS2 to its absolute limits.

Final Thoughts

The PlayStation 2 wasn't just successful... it shaped modern gaming. Whether you enjoy RPGs, racing games or action adventures, the PS2 has something for everyone.

Sony's handheld deserved far more recognition than it received.

When Sony announced the PlayStation Portable in 2004, many people questioned whether anyone could compete with Nintendo in the handheld market.

What arrived was something nobody expected.

The PSP wasn't just another portable console, it felt like a miniature PlayStation 2.

Console Gaming in Your Pocket

The PSP featured:

• A stunning widescreen display

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• Digital game downloads

• Multimedia playback

• Web browsing

• Expandable storage via Memory Stick

Many of these features wouldn't become commonplace until years later.

Incredible Games

Sony attracted major developers, resulting in an exceptional game library.

Highlights included:

• God of War: Ghost of Sparta

• Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

• Daxter

• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

• Gran Turismo PSP

• Lumines

• Patapon

These weren't watered-down versions of console games - they were full experiences designed specifically for handheld play.

Homebrew and Modding

The PSP also became famous for its home brew scene.

Custom firmware unlocked emulators, fan-made applications and countless community projects, making the PSP one of the most versatile handhelds ever produced.

Even today, many retro gamers still carry a PSP loaded with classic PlayStation, Game Boy Advance and arcade titles.

Why It Still Matters

The PSP sold over 80 million units worldwide and proved there was demand for premium handheld gaming long before devices like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck arrived.

Looking back, it's clear the PSP wasn't simply ahead of Nintendo, it was ahead of the entire industry.

Its combination of power, portability and multimedia features helped shape the future of handheld gaming.