Sonic Advance Classic
Game Boy Advance · Platformer
The Land Before Time
| System | Game Boy Advance |
|---|---|
| Released | 2002 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Full Fat |
| Publisher | Swing! Entertainment |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | The Land Before Time |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
The Land Before Time is a platformer released in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance, developed by Full Fat and published by Swing! Entertainment.
It came out in the GBA's second year on the market. Other notable GBA releases from 2002 include Sonic Advance 2, Metroid Fusion and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords.
It is part of the The Land Before Time series. The series also appears on other systems with The Land Before Time (GBC). Full Fat also made SimCity 2000, Justice League: Chronicles and Pac-Man World 2 for the GBA.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the GBA hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing The Land Before Time is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
If you like The Land Before Time, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic Advance 2 Classic
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Classic
Sonic Advance 3 Classic
Wario Land 4 Classic
Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced Classic
Yoshi Topsy-Turvy Classic
Playing GBA games today
The GBA is one of the best-value retro libraries around, with deep RPGs and tactics games that suit portable play. A growing selection is on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and Rec0m88 supports GBA if you own the games.
The Land Before Time FAQ
When did The Land Before Time come out on the GBA?
The Land Before Time was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002.
Who made The Land Before Time?
It was developed by Full Fat and published by Swing! Entertainment.
Is The Land Before Time multiplayer?
No. The Land Before Time is a single-player game.
How long does The Land Before Time take to play?
As a platformer, The Land Before Time typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.