The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap review

The Minish Cap is our answer to the best GBA game ever made. Nintendo's page sums up the hook: a cap lets Link shrink to microscopic size, and that one idea turns ordinary rooms, puddles and grass into new places to explore. He also collects Kinstone fragments to help the Minish people, with new items to master and a set of dungeons to clear. It scores highest on capabilities because the shrinking idea runs through the whole design rather than appearing as a gimmick, and it scores well on ease of setup because it is rated PEGI 3 and is in Nintendo's Game Boy Advance library for Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, so you do not need original hardware. Value is its weak spot: a loose cartridge lists at $184.99 at DKOldies before sales. If you collect cartridges, buy it early, since prices for Nintendo's GBA first-party games have climbed.

Who it is for

Anyone who wants one GBA game that shows the handheld at its best, from first-time players to long-time collectors.

Price

Used GBA cartridge from $184.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $184.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Link shrinks to Minish size with the Minish Cap
• Kinstone fragments to find and fuse
• A full set of dungeons and new items
• Rated PEGI 3 on Nintendo UK
• Included in Nintendo's Game Boy Advance library for Switch Online + Expansion Pack members

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Shrinking mechanic makes familiar places feel new
• Strength: Gentle enough for younger players
• Strength: Playable legally on Switch through the Expansion Pack
• Weakness: $184.99 used is steep for a loose cartridge
• Weakness: Shorter than the console Zelda games
• Weakness: Collectors of boxed copies pay more again

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Genre: Action adventure
• Systems listed (Nintendo UK): Game Boy Advance, Wii U
• Signature mechanic: Shrinking to Minish size
• PEGI rating (Nintendo UK): PEGI 3

Where it ranks

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is No. 1 in our Best GBA Games of All Time verdict.