Most GBA games utilize SRAM to save game data. For those who don’t know, SRAM is simply a computer chip that saves game data. However, some Game Boy Advance games utilize a battery to store save data and for other functions.
So why does this matter? Well, not all batteries last forever, so when your GBA battery dies, all your save data will be lost! Also, you will not be able to save your game progress anymore.
Replacing a dead GBA save battery will require you to open the cartridge and solder on a fresh battery.
Here’s the list of GBA games that require a save battery:
- Baseball Advance
- Boktai
- Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django
- Bomberman Tournament
- Breath of Fire
- Breath of Fire II
- Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
- Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game
- Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak
- Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
- Krazy Racers
- Lego Bionicle
- Lego Island 2: The Brickster’s Revenge
- Mega Man Battle Network
- Mega Man Zero
- Metroid Fusion
- Metroid Zero Mission
- Monster Rancher Advance
- Monster Rancher Advance 2
- Pokemon Emerald (In-game events only, not saving)
- Pokemon Ruby (In-game events only, not saving)
- Pokemon Sapphire (In-game events only, not saving)
- Super Dodgeball Advance
- Warioland 4
Note: Only the early releases of Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission use a save battery. The re-releases utilized SRAM.
