Golden Sun

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 335 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 294 out of 335
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 335
  3. Negative: 18 out of 335
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  1. hector_bcn98
    Aug 11, 2023
    8
    Por más que la nostalgia le pese a muchos, no es la obra maestra que nos venden. Es un buen jrpg, con mucho mérito de crear entornos 3D en una Game Boy Advance, pero eso hace que el juego gráficamente sea algo feúcho. Además, las mecánicas son clásicas y simples.

    Las magias y sus combinaciones mediante djinn son tan variadas como confusas. Mazmorras con puzzles muy fáciles y pocos jefes    Por más que la nostalgia le pese a muchos, no es la obra maestra que nos venden. Es un buen jrpg, con mucho mérito de crear entornos 3D en una Game Boy Advance, pero eso hace que el juego gráficamente sea algo feúcho. Además, las mecánicas son clásicas y simples.

    Las magias y sus combinaciones mediante djinn son tan variadas como confusas. Mazmorras con puzzles muy fáciles y pocos jefes finales. La historia tampoco es demasiado interesante, no conocemos a ningún villano, por no decir que aparecen tres veces en todo el juego. Muy buen juego si quieres un jrpg para alguien que nunca ha jugado uno o es un crío, pero no creo que sea extraordinario.    … Expand
  2. Ap616
    Aug 10, 2023
    10
    Golden Sun + Golden Sun: The Lost Age are probably my favorite games of all-time, and I love a 'lot' of games...

    There is so much content packed in this journey throughout the 2-game joint story. There's a lot of dialogue with an interesting story. It's not Final Fantasy or maybe Dragon Quest length, but not short either if you do a lot of optional things. The battles are quick-paced    Golden Sun + Golden Sun: The Lost Age are probably my favorite games of all-time, and I love a 'lot' of games...

    There is so much content packed in this journey throughout the 2-game joint story. There's a lot of dialogue with an interesting story. It's not Final Fantasy or maybe Dragon Quest length, but not short either if you do a lot of optional things. The battles are quick-paced with little-to-no wasted time at the beginning or ends of them which is nice compared to some other RPGs, and also has some definite strategy involved for optional super bosses. The weapons, equipment, unleashes, psynergy, summons, Djinn, puzzles are all quite cool aspects of the game. The great puzzles & psynergy used outside of battles are fun & varied too! The sprites & visuals are phenomenal for the Game Boy Advance, a standout game for the graphical capabilities of the system. Also, the OST is a particular highlight; the person who made the music put their soul into the game, developing the different tracks. All the tracks are very nostalgic for me & quite good, like Final Fantasy IX's OST. Check out Coaltergeist's YouTube channel for remastered Golden Sun tracks if you want a taste.

    This game is definitely up there with some of the bests from the GBA system for sure(if not besting them all in my humble opinion)... great games such as: Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Advance, Mario & Luigi: Super Star Saga, Advance Wars, Metroid, Castlevania, Final Fantasy, and Fire Emblem.

    If you like JRPGs, lots of extra content, & want to play one of the absolute best to grace the GBA, definitely check out both Golden Sun & Golden Sun: The Lost Age.

    Thanks for reading, and have a great day!    … Expand
  3. TheRedFern
    Jul 8, 2023
    9
    In the top 20 games of all time for me, the story, game mechanics, and visuals seemed unbelievable. Something I had never experienced before. I hope this franchise gets a reboot.
  4. TheXxchaKing
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    + Gorgeous art style and graphics for the GBA
    + Enthralling combat system
    + Epic and evocative soundtrack
    + Memorable world, story and villains
    + Puzzle-laden dungeon design
  5. GensuiSakazuki
    Jun 24, 2023
    10
    The best JRPG I have ever played.
    I just love the world of Weyard and its characters, the fact that it is a flat world, the fact that the game is based on our real world in term of geography and you can find references to various places and cultures.
    Saturos and Menardi are such imposing and charismatic villains, the pacing is great, the animations are GORGEOUS for a GBA game and the    The best JRPG I have ever played.
    I just love the world of Weyard and its characters, the fact that it is a flat world, the fact that the game is based on our real world in term of geography and you can find references to various places and cultures.
    Saturos and Menardi are such imposing and charismatic villains, the pacing is great, the animations are GORGEOUS for a GBA game and the puzzles while pretty simple in the first game can still feel very rewarding to complete on your first playthrough

    Just perfect 10/10    … Expand
  6. wes777123
    Jun 23, 2023
    0
    People need to check their nostalgia goggles. This game is terrible. Every second i try playing it i get incredibly pissed off and thats not even if im at a difficukt part. Something about this game just rubs me the wrong way. I dont think ive ever disliked an rpg this much. Doubt ill even finish it and i cant stand not finishing games.
  7. fuor22
    May 31, 2023
    10
    I have so much fun every time I play this game. Everything about it, from the story to the gameplay, is just amazing. I enjoyed every moment while playing this game
  8. Nerevarinho
    May 26, 2023
    7
    Fun start. Towards the end, the main story had unnecessary subplots (ship, insivible man), and the last dungeon had too many puzzles, it felt unnecessarily stretched out.
  9. Yojimbo2015
    May 11, 2023
    7
    Fantasy RPG that's very much in the evin of the Final Fantasy series with nice colourful graphics and magic powers and emojis to mark it out from the crowd. Not exactly groundbreaking but an absorbing little interactive tale to while away a few hours.
  10. kwisi91
    Apr 8, 2023
    10
    Still UNDERRATED!
    Probably Golden Sun 1 (and 2) are the best RPG ever made in my opinion, and I played much.
    Lovely story, thrilling, and interesting graphics for GBA, the best Soundtrack I ever heard in a game (you should check orchestral remakes on youtube), atmospheric, great controls and. Well, the best game I ever played and I played probably a thousand games, well it's very    Still UNDERRATED!
    Probably Golden Sun 1 (and 2) are the best RPG ever made in my opinion, and I played much.
    Lovely story, thrilling, and interesting graphics for GBA, the best Soundtrack I ever heard in a game (you should check orchestral remakes on youtube), atmospheric, great controls and. Well, the best game I ever played and I played probably a thousand games, well it's very subjective and I also could find things I could cry about if I would but the story and the game altogether are just satisfying.    … Expand
  11. braebsch
    Mar 5, 2023
    10
    One of the best games I’ve played in my life.
    The story, the characters, their skills, the game mechanics, turn based battles, the mystery, finding out all the secrets and hidden functions/contents by yourself, the soundtrack, the atmosphere, etc.
    For me the combination of all these aspects was so good that it made me searching for a similar combo or similar games all the time. The game is    One of the best games I’ve played in my life.
    The story, the characters, their skills, the game mechanics, turn based battles, the mystery, finding out all the secrets and hidden functions/contents by yourself, the soundtrack, the atmosphere, etc.
    For me the combination of all these aspects was so good that it made me searching for a similar combo or similar games all the time. The game is very good and I love it so much.    … Expand
  12. ReviewsAreBS
    Feb 17, 2023
    9
    Puzzles, visuals and soundtrack are all great. The combat and plot are good, but standard RPG-fare. If this and Lost Ages had been packaged as a single game allowing you to roam the entire world map without restriction, it would’ve been 10/10 imo.
  13. HildaSimp5
    Nov 1, 2022
    10
    Golden Sun was a awesome experience! Now i bought it for like 100$, WAY too expencive. The prices for these older games needs to drop, its stupid.
    However, it was such a fun time. The story is simple, but it pulled me in right of the bat. There are few games i have played recently that has done just that. I cared about the characters and wanted them to succeed. The world is so wonderful    Golden Sun was a awesome experience! Now i bought it for like 100$, WAY too expencive. The prices for these older games needs to drop, its stupid.
    However, it was such a fun time. The story is simple, but it pulled me in right of the bat. There are few games i have played recently that has done just that. I cared about the characters and wanted them to succeed. The world is so wonderful to explore, made even better by the fantastic graphics and magical music. Combat system is engaging, with tons of options and i actually found it fun to grind! I also love how expressive the characters are, they found fun ways to express them. And this was like 20 years ago! Man, it makes me realise randomly how behind everyone the Pokèmon games are, sheesh,
    Anyway, Its only the first part of the whole story, but it does`nt feel incomplete. Ill be getting TLA soon enough.
    A few gripes i have, includes random encounters. Seriosly this needs to go away NOW.
    When the game is over, you can`t leave the final area to continue exploring. So save your game in the final dungeon and create an extra save file in case you want that.

    Golden Sun clicked with me, few games are able to do that for me nowdays. I am looking foward to playing the TLA, perhaps also Dark Dawn AND i am already eager to play this game again one day.

    For these reasons, Golden Sun gets a 10 from me!!!    … Expand
  14. Yaacgold24
    Sep 14, 2022
    10
    I think it was the first J-RPG i've played, only good memories of it. A true enjoyment.
  15. PabloEnver
    Aug 30, 2022
    10
    Probablemente el mejor RPG de la portátil. Graficos tremendos, diseño artístico buenísimo, muy buena música, una historia decente, un sistema de combate realmente genial. Forma un solo juego con la segunda parte, "La Edad Perdida", el cual es la continuacion de la historia en el punto en que se queda al final de este juego. Supongo que era demasiado para un solo cartucho. Un diez, compraProbablemente el mejor RPG de la portátil. Graficos tremendos, diseño artístico buenísimo, muy buena música, una historia decente, un sistema de combate realmente genial. Forma un solo juego con la segunda parte, "La Edad Perdida", el cual es la continuacion de la historia en el punto en que se queda al final de este juego. Supongo que era demasiado para un solo cartucho. Un diez, compra obligada.… Expand
  16. KaS36
    Aug 4, 2022
    10
    A masterpiece for its time, combining successful elements from both Zelda and prior JRPGs, complete with fantastic music and graphics. A must-play for any JRPG fan.
  17. ABTonez
    Jun 27, 2022
    10
    Perfect in all sense. This game which was release around 20 years ago can beat a lot of games from the actual era. Great history, great graphics, long game with a great environment that will make you feel it wasn't long. That makes this game magic.
  18. Wallgamer23
    Jan 2, 2022
    10
    Golden sun fue el juego que mi introdujo a los rpg. Cuando valoro golden sun no puedo evitar dejarme llevar por la melancolía, por el recuerdo de esa excelente historia y mundo, esos personajes tan bien desarrollados y sistema de combate, por esos villanos (saturos y menardi) tan imponentes, por la sublime banda sonora.

    Pero incluso siendo uno de los 3 juegos que más me han marcado como    Golden sun fue el juego que mi introdujo a los rpg. Cuando valoro golden sun no puedo evitar dejarme llevar por la melancolía, por el recuerdo de esa excelente historia y mundo, esos personajes tan bien desarrollados y sistema de combate, por esos villanos (saturos y menardi) tan imponentes, por la sublime banda sonora.

    Pero incluso siendo uno de los 3 juegos que más me han marcado como jugador, cuando lo analizo fríamente me sigue pareciendo un auténtico juegazo de los pies a la cabeza. Para mi, el mejor juego del catalogo de gba y uno de los 3 mejores de la historia de Nintendo    … Expand
  19. Mathioso
    Aug 1, 2021
    10
    Simply the best RPG, the story, the characters, the soundtrack, everything is perfect!
  20. PsychoJoona
    May 8, 2021
    10
    My top 3 game of all time! The visuals are astonishing for GBA, story is good and soundtrack is amazing! Golden Sun still remains after three years my favorites, I love it!
  21. Nikitosss95
    Feb 13, 2021
    10
    Golden sun 1 and Golden Sun TLA are hands down not only my favorite GBA games of all time, but also one of my favorite stories as well (which was unfortunately ruined by GS3 Dark Dawn)... I love the graphics, I love the RPG way of battles, solving puzzles, the tension of the story, the plot, the four elements, djinnis, summons, rare items, extremely likable main characters, antagonists,Golden sun 1 and Golden Sun TLA are hands down not only my favorite GBA games of all time, but also one of my favorite stories as well (which was unfortunately ruined by GS3 Dark Dawn)... I love the graphics, I love the RPG way of battles, solving puzzles, the tension of the story, the plot, the four elements, djinnis, summons, rare items, extremely likable main characters, antagonists, final bosses and most of all - the MUSIC!… Expand
  22. DinoBeam
    Aug 27, 2020
    4
    Alot of great ideas, but alot of frustrating things hold it back greatly. Having characters defend instead of attacking a new enemy when the one they target dies is insanely juvenile design. Every time you try to walk up to a pot to see what's inside it you automatically start turning away.The path forward often leads you to need a guide. Making me go through an entire area just to tellAlot of great ideas, but alot of frustrating things hold it back greatly. Having characters defend instead of attacking a new enemy when the one they target dies is insanely juvenile design. Every time you try to walk up to a pot to see what's inside it you automatically start turning away.The path forward often leads you to need a guide. Making me go through an entire area just to tell me to turn around isn't fun! It's juvenile and cruel.… Expand
  23. mugsy
    May 10, 2020
    10
    I remember this game for the mindblowing battle animations for the time and especially for a handheld console
  24. ChesterField
    May 8, 2020
    9
    Best rpg by turns in the game boy. Nothing else to say. Just play it. 100% Recommended.
  25. eustazyone
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    Phenomenal game! This is my childhood memories, my safe and happy place. Still worth playing even in 2020.
  26. yitus
    Feb 6, 2020
    10
    El Golden Sun, junto con los Final Fantasy's, fueron juegos emblemas en la categoría de RPG por turnos, pero en el caso del Golden Sun fue toda una revolución porque dieron un salto gráfico en los juegos de Game Boy Advance.

    Golden Sun se caracteriza por tener una historia de 10, una mecánica de juego de 10, una BSO de 10 y unos personajes súper carismáticos a la altura de Cloud o    El Golden Sun, junto con los Final Fantasy's, fueron juegos emblemas en la categoría de RPG por turnos, pero en el caso del Golden Sun fue toda una revolución porque dieron un salto gráfico en los juegos de Game Boy Advance.

    Golden Sun se caracteriza por tener una historia de 10, una mecánica de juego de 10, una BSO de 10 y unos personajes súper carismáticos a la altura de Cloud o Barret (Final Fantasy VII).

    Fue tan sumamente buen juego cuando salió que actualmente muchos fans de esta saga sigue pidiendo una nueva entrega o remake para Nintendo Switch (algo que seguramente haría que se vendieran muchisimas consolas).

    El Golden Sun tuvo 2 juegos más, el Golden Sun The Lost Age casi tan buen juego como la primera parte, y el Golden Sun Dark Dawn. Este último dejo bastante que desear ya que no fue lo esperado por los fans, por ello, y por la grandeza de sus dos primeras partes, hoy día se sigue esperando una nueva entrega de esta obra de arte.    … Expand
  27. Red_Spectre
    Feb 4, 2020
    10
    The passion was there. Nintendo's Gameboy advance always delivered amazing titles.
  28. Springhi
    Nov 14, 2019
    10
    The most outstanding turn-based RPG game, no one. The combination of the gameplay mechanism, the design of world outlook and maze, the combat and collecting system was absolutely amazing. All of the game content attracted me so so much. In that period, Golden Sun is a fantasy world that really existed, and also a game of dream for me to become a real alchemist or magician, and write my own story.
  29. Raphaell94
    May 2, 2019
    9
    Por mucho que pase el tiempo, no me canso de rejugarlo una y otra vez. Un vasto mundo lleno de magia y de cosas por descubrir que te atrapa desde el primer momento. Una historia fantástica que te pone en la piel de unos jóvenes aventureros que tienen que salir en busca de los ladrones de las Estrellas Elementales. Un JRPG que todos deberían al menos probar. Psinergías (la magia para losPor mucho que pase el tiempo, no me canso de rejugarlo una y otra vez. Un vasto mundo lleno de magia y de cosas por descubrir que te atrapa desde el primer momento. Una historia fantástica que te pone en la piel de unos jóvenes aventureros que tienen que salir en busca de los ladrones de las Estrellas Elementales. Un JRPG que todos deberían al menos probar. Psinergías (la magia para los novatos) que puedes usar en combate muy poderosas y variadas y además debes usar fuera de combate para poder resolver los puzles y continuar tu camino. Además tiene una gran variedad de combinaciones para poder cambiar la clase de tu personaje y sus Psinergías gracias a su sistema de Djinns, que deberás encontrar por el mundo, que podrás usar en combate y para realizar invocaciones. Gracias a todas estas cosas consigue unas batallas muy dinámicas y espectaculares.… Expand
  30. kzollove
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    This game is full of nostalgia for me, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is an amazing game and probably my favorite RPG. It got me to put down the poke balls and start hunting for Djinni, refining my alchemy, and climbing elemental towers. I've played through it two or three times after the first, and it is still magical.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Total Video Games
    90
    Hard-core RPG fans may feel the game is too derivative, to a certain extent it is, but for the rest of us Golden Sun is both a fantastic game and a nice trip down memory lane.
    Read full review
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    A deep combat engine and brilliant graphics make this the best RPG available on the GBA. [Feb 2003, p.97]
  3. Thunderbolt
    90
    As one of the most critical Nintendo fans around, it's nice to see a game come out for the GBA that's original, pretty, fun, and doesn't involve any one of their stupid mascots.
    Read full review
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