Dinotopia - The Timestone Pirates is one of those GBA hidden gems that never got enough love. You play as a young dinosaur rider trying to stop pirates from messing with the island's ancient timestones—basically, time-traveling McGuffins that keep everything from falling apart.

The first thing you'll notice is how surprisingly good the sprites look for a GBA game. The dinosaurs actually have personality, especially your starter raptor companion who bobs his head when idle. Combat's simple but satisfying—you've got your basic sword swings, but timing dodges and counters against pirate crews keeps it from feeling too mindless.

What really stuck with me was the exploration. You're constantly hopping between different time periods of Dinotopia, seeing how areas change between past and present. One minute you're platforming through lush jungles, the next you're sneaking through a ruined future version of the same place. It's not perfect—some of the puzzles are a bit obtuse—but there's a real charm to uncovering the island's secrets.

If you're into action-adventure games with a retro vibe, this one's worth dusting off.