Golden Sun review

Golden Sun is the GBA's best traditional RPG. Nintendo's page describes a world where dark forces chase the lost art of Alchemy, and your party fights back with weapons, Psynergy magic and elemental creatures called Djinn. You collect fire, water, wind and earth Djinn and combine them for different effects, which gives the battle system real depth. Psynergy also works outside battle, so dungeons are full of puzzles. It scores well on capabilities and on value, since the cartridge lists at $69.99 at DKOldies before sales. Both Golden Sun and its sequel, The Lost Age, are in Nintendo's Game Boy Advance library for Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. The downsides are pacing and structure: the opening hours are slow, and the story only finishes in the second game, so budget for both if you collect cartridges.

Who it is for

Classic RPG fans who want a long, traditional adventure with puzzle-filled dungeons.

Price

Used GBA cartridge from $69.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $69.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Psynergy magic used in battle and in the world
• Collect fire, water, wind and earth Djinn
• Combine Djinn for different magical effects
• Large world and long story
• Included in Nintendo's Game Boy Advance library for Switch Online + Expansion Pack members

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $69.99 used for a full-length RPG
• Strength: Djinn system rewards experimenting
• Strength: Sequel, The Lost Age, is also in the Switch library
• Weakness: The story continues in a second game
• Weakness: Slow start for players used to modern RPGs
• Weakness: Rated PEGI 12 on Nintendo UK

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Genre: Role-playing
• Magic system: Psynergy and elemental Djinn
• Sequel: Golden Sun: The Lost Age
• PEGI rating (Nintendo UK): PEGI 12

Where it ranks

Golden Sun is No. 3 in our Best GBA Games of All Time verdict.