Play E.t. : The Extra-terrestrial Online

I picked up E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for the Game Boy Advance back in 2001, a time when licensed games were flooding the handheld market. It was published by NewKidCo, and like many games of that era, it tried to translate a familiar movie into a playable adventure. You don't hear much about this one compared to other GBA titles, which probably says something about its reception at the time.

You control Elliott, the boy from the film, and your main goal is to help E.T. phone home. This involves navigating through different environments screen by screen, searching for the parts needed to build his communication device. You spend a lot of time walking through forests and suburban areas, avoiding government agents who will capture you if they get too close. A key mechanic is using candy to lure E.T. or distract characters, and you also have to solve simple environmental puzzles to progress. The game can feel slow because of the methodical exploration, and it's easy to get lost or caught, which adds a layer of frustration. Playing it feels like a slow, deliberate scavenger hunt where patience is your most important tool.