You might think it odd that Nintendo has two handheld systems out at once, but that's just the way it is. The Game Boy Advance SP is considerably smaller and more pocket-friendly than the DS, while the new Game Boy Micro -- see our hardware picks for more -- is tiny in comparison to either.
The GBA family has pulled many favorites from the '80s Nintendo generation out of retirement, so it's a great choice for nostalgics. Somewhat surprisingly, the GBA has given rise to a clutch of outstanding strategy games, so it's well worth considering even if you're buying for a more serious gamer.
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Rebelstar Tactical Command
Made by the developers of classic PC strategy game X-COM, Rebelstar may look a bit basic, but the strategic combat is complex and deep. The refined interface does the job perfectly, making troop movement and firing a snap. There's even a two-player mode, which involves passing the GBA between you and your opponent. It's not exactly high-tech, but it's great fun -- which, coincidentally, describes the rest of the games line-up very well too.
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Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
The smaller sibling of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance on the GameCube, Sacred Stones is another first-rate, turn-based strategy game. Unusual for the genre, it features deep and involving characters, and you'll find yourself getting so attached to them that you'll replay a mission rather than let them die. With two storylines and plenty of optional and bonus areas, this is one gift that'll keep on giving for ages.
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The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Few of Nintendo's many long-running series are as well loved as the Legend of Zelda games. It's an old-school, 2D Zelda game that blends classic action with more recent innovations -- like the cell-shaded visuals from the GameCube's recent Zelda release, Wind Waker. The plot centers on a talking, bird-like hat that can shrink the game's hero down to a minute size. The flawless design makes it a joy to play.
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Gunstar Super Heroes
Where scrolling shoot-em-ups are concerned, two-dimensional doesn't necessarily mean boring. This particular example is one of the much-loved genre's best, with a unique gameplay style that makes close-up melee attacks just as effective as long-distance gunfire. It's not exactly hard to play, but it is on the difficult side, so you might not want to give it to someone that's easily frustrated -- GBAs don't bounce too well. For fans of the classic scrolling shooter, though, it's perfect.
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WarioWare Twisted!
Now here's something a little more unusual. WarioWare: Twisted's game cartridge has a built-in gyroscopic sensor that detects rotation and a rumble pack for tactile feedback. Like the other WarioWare games, Twisted is a collection of 200 rapid-fire minigames. If you're one of those individuals who like to move your controller around as you play, you'll probably turn out to be really good at this addictive and innovative title.
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Donkey Kong Country 3
This nine-year old Super Nintendo game is brought up to date on the GBA in Donkey Kong 3. It even gains an extra world, new mini-games, additional characters, and a two-player hot-seat mode where the players swap every time they lose a life. It'll be a great trip down memory lane for SNES fans, and the excellent blend of exploration, puzzling, and action will suit new players just as well.
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Metroid: Zero Mission
Another classic Nintendo remake, Zero Mission is a conversion of one of the NES's best games. It's had a bit of a facelift, though, with new levels and a greatly improved automapping function that makes keeping track of your location in the labyrinthine corridors of Planet Zebes much easier. It also includes the original game as an unlockable bonus, so you can see just how far we've come in almost 20 years.
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Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Although he might be new to a lot of Western gamers, Astro Boy has been a favorite superhero character of Japanese kids for over 50 years. This outstanding shooter comes from the same developer as Gunstar Super Heroes and is just as good. It's 2D and is presented with a real flair for design: massive bosses, intricate backgrounds, and huge explosions are all present and correct. It's a great game.
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Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
The Brothers Mario put in a solid performance in this unusual blend of role-playing and platform-hopping action. As you play, you can customize both Mario and his sibling's abilities with a variety of bonuses -- even increasing Mario's moustache statistic to improve his chance of critical hits. No, we don't understand how that works either, but it doesn't matter. This distinctive and original romp is as polished as anything Nintendo has come up with.
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