Advance Guardian Heroes is that rare GBA sequel that actually lives up to its Saturn predecessor. At first glance it's just another side-scrolling beat 'em up, but the combat has way more depth than you'd expect—you're juggling light/heavy attacks, magic, and even parries while crowds of enemies swarm from both sides.

What really makes it click is how chaotic the battles get. One minute you're slashing through basic grunts, the next you're dodging screen-filling spells from some armored wizard. The branching paths and multiple endings give it replay value too, though good luck unlocking everything without a guide.

It's not perfect (the tiny GBA screen can feel cramped during big fights), but it's one of the few portable games that nails that classic Guardian Heroes energy.