Battle Mode

Battle Mode is an option in both Golden Sun games. It is where players can battle and practice different strategies against monsters and bosses from the game and against friends with use of a link cable. No coins or EXP are earned in Battle Mode. With this mode you can use all the items and Djinn that you currently have in your posession. All battles take place in a colosseum setting similar to Colosso and play the standard Battle Theme(s).

Lobby
In the Lobby you can talk to all the Adepts you currently have in your party. Other than that there are just a bunch of NPC's you can talk to, as well as one Great Healer, who provides his usual services. You are not allowed to use Psynergy or save while you are in the lobby, with the exception of battle records which get automatically saved by the woman at the counter. However, if you talk the lady in the lower left corner while holding a shoulder button in Golden Sun: The Lost Age you can listen to the game's Sound Test option.

Monster Battle
The Monster Battle mode is initiated when you have no link cable inserted into the console. You must talk to the woman at the counter and she will tell you to stand in the white circle when you are ready. With Monster Battle you can battle any monster you have already battled in the game, including boss battles, but you are not able to battle Djinn. Enemies from Golden Sun will not appear in The Lost Age and vise versa. While battling any monster you are not allowed to run. Any items used in battle will automatically be returned to the party as soon as they are done battling and choose to quit. Basically put, it's the only place where Isaac can square off against Poseidon. It can also be seen as a true test of endurance seeing as how you can easily get pitted against Dullahan 10 times in a row. The enemies in the arena are scaled to the party's level, and if the player removes their weapons and Djinni, it is not uncommon for them to deal 1 damage. For example,in the normal game at level 99, you may find you can beat Dullahan with ease, but in the arena, he will be much more powerful and you will have a much harder time.

This causes somewhat of an oddity in the Monster Battle Mode to occurs if you play on Easy Mode in The Lost Age: all of the enemies will be far stronger to begin with, as the player has no Djinni nor any weapons to overcome the scaling system, meaning that although they can be as highly levelled as 99, it is entirely possible to deal a meagre 1 damage. It is therefore very easy for a party to be downed by a simple Ruffian, much to the dismay of players thinking an easy win is in store. This levels out as the game progresses, as the party's array of weapons and Djinni grow, although by defeating progressively stronger enemies, it does become more difficult. Thus, to ensure the easiest challenge, the player should collect as many Djinni and weapons as possible, while defeating as few bosses as the game will allow. Of note, however, is that this scaling, along with Hard Mode's scaling, only applies to monsters present at the beginning of the battle, so monsters spawned mid-battle (such as Star Magician's Balls), will have their regular stats.

Link Battle
With the Link Battle option you may battle a friend with a copy of the same game to see who's better; however, you cannot link the original Golden Sun to The Lost Age. In this mode, you are restricted to the use of only three adepts each, and a time limit is set on your turns, with characters who are not assigned turns being forced to defend. All of your battle wins will be displayed on the wall. Other than for bragging rights it serves no real purpose. Despite this minor role, the Link Arena has its own music, track number 45 in the aforementioned sound test.

Quotes
When spoken to in The Lest Age, the seven Adepts will say different things depending on who is in the starting lineup (ie: one of the first four Adepts) Isaac If Isaac and Felix are both included among the first four Adepts "It's our turn. Let's go, Felix." If Isaac isn't one of the first four Adepts but Felix is "OK, we're set, Felix. But remember, you're calling the shots, all right?." If Felix isn't one of the first four Adepts "I'll fight enough for both of us..."

Garet If Garet and Felix are both included among the first four Adepts "Hey, Felix, I'm all set to show you what I've got." If Garet isn't one of the first four Adepts but Felix is "What? I have to take a break? Why do I have to do that?" If Felix isn't one of the first four Adepts "If you don't want to fight, that's fine. We'll do better without you, no problem." If spoken to in Golden Sun "I can't wait, Isaac! Let's go get 'em!"

Ivan If Ivan and Felix are both included among the first four Adepts "If you want me to fight, I'll do it, but don't expect anything amazing from me." If Ivan isn't one of the first four Adepts but Felix is "There's something really sad about being told to stay behind." If Felix isn't one of the first four Adepts "Huh? No way! Please fill in for me!" If spoken to in Golden Sun "Yes, I'll always help Isaac in battle!"

Sheba If Sheba and Felix are both included among the first four Adepts "You don't even want to try? I'll show you my power." If Sheba isn't one of the first four Adepts but Felix is "Don't you want me with you anymore, Felix?" If Felix isn't one of the first four Adepts "Good luck, Felix! If you want me, you know where to find me."

Jenna If Jenna and Felix are both included among the first four Adepts "Hey, I'll do my best if you do yours!" If Jenna isn't one of the first four Adepts but Felix is "OK, I'll be waiting right here. Do your best, and hurry back." If Felix isn't one of the first four Adepts (Visibly angry) "Wait, I say I'll fight, and then you back out of it? What's that all about?"

Mia If Mia is among the first four Adepts "I'll do the best I can!" If Mia isn't one of the first four Adepts "That's fine, I could use some rest anyway." If spoken to in Golden Sun "I'll do my best"

Piers If Piers and Felix are both included among the first four Adepts "All right, Felix, we'll do it together!" If Piers isn't one of the first four Adepts but Felix is "Are you trying to tell me something, Felix?" If Felix isn't one of the first four Adepts "So it's just me. Is that all right? I'm a little nervous"