Celebrating over 30 years since its launch in 1989, Nintendo's groundbreaking Game Boy redefined portable gaming and held its ground for nine years until the advent of the Game Boy Color in 1998. This pioneering handheld, with its iconic 2.6-inch black-and-white screen, introduced countless gamers to the joys of on-the-go gaming and laid the groundwork for future successes like the Nintendo Switch. With an impressive 118.69 million units sold, the Game Boy ranks fourth among the all-time best-selling consoles.
The Game Boy's enduring legacy is largely due to its stellar lineup of games, which birthed iconic Nintendo franchises such as Pokémon, Kirby, and Wario. But which titles truly stood out as the best? IGN's editors have meticulously compiled a list of the 16 greatest Game Boy games, focusing exclusively on those released for the original console. Here's a journey through the classics that continue to captivate gamers to this day.
16 Best Game Boy Games
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Final Fantasy Legend 2
Final Fantasy Legend 2, part of Square’s SaGa series, brought a more complex, turn-based RPG experience to the Game Boy. Initially released in North America with the Final Fantasy moniker to capitalize on the brand's popularity, this game elevated the handheld RPG genre with enhanced gameplay systems, graphical upgrades, and a compelling narrative.
Donkey Kong Game Boy
Donkey Kong on Game Boy expanded vastly on the arcade classic, featuring the original four levels and an astounding 97 additional stages that ventured into diverse environments like jungles and the arctic. This version enriched the gameplay with platforming and puzzle elements, enhanced by Mario's ability to throw items, reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 2.
Final Fantasy Legend 3
Final Fantasy Legend 3, known as SaGa 3 in Japan, maintained the series' robust RPG mechanics while introducing a deeper narrative centered around time travel. The game's structure, where past actions impact the future, draws parallels with the acclaimed RPG Chrono Trigger, adding a layer of complexity and engagement.
Kirby's Dream Land
The first game to showcase Nintendo's beloved pink puffball, Kirby's Dream Land was a pioneering title designed by the renowned Masahiro Sakurai. This action-platformer introduced fans to the whimsical Dream Land, King Dedede, and Kirby's foundational abilities, including flying by inflating and spitting out enemies as star-shaped projectiles. Its concise five-level format can be completed in under an hour, making it perfect for quick gaming sessions.
Donkey Kong Land 2
Donkey Kong Land 2 adapted the acclaimed SNES title Donkey Kong Country 2 for the Game Boy, retaining characters like Diddy and Dixie Kong, and the mission to rescue Donkey Kong from Kaptain K.Rool. The game cleverly modified levels and puzzles to suit the Game Boy's capabilities, delivering a robust platforming experience on a charming banana-yellow cartridge.
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 evolved the series with new mechanics like Kirby's ability to mix and match powers with animal friends. This sequel tripled the content of its predecessor, offering a richer and more engaging gameplay experience that solidified Kirby's place in gaming history.
Wario Land 2
Wario Land 2, released just before the Game Boy Color, showcased Wario's unique gameplay mechanics, including his powerful charge attack and inability to die, promoting aggressive gameplay. With over 50 levels, diverse boss battles, and intricate secret paths, this game was a standout in the platforming genre.
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 marked a bold shift by featuring Wario as the protagonist, diverging from Mario's traditional role. This game retained the platforming essence of the Super Mario Land series but introduced new elements like garlic power-ups and unique hats that granted abilities such as ground pounding and fire breathing.
Super Mario Land
As one of the Game Boy's launch titles, Super Mario Land was Nintendo's first handheld-exclusive Mario platformer. This game adapted the core elements of Super Mario Bros. to fit the Game Boy's smaller screen, introducing unique features like exploding Koopa shells and 'Superballs.' It also debuted Princess Daisy, temporarily taking Peach's place as Mario's damsel in distress.
Dr. Mario
Dr. Mario, a Tetris-inspired puzzle game, tasked players with eliminating viruses by matching colored pills. Its engaging gameplay and the novelty of Mario as a doctor made it a beloved classic. The Game Boy's black-and-white display translated the colors into shades, yet retained the game's addictive appeal.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins improved upon its predecessor with enhanced graphics, fluid gameplay, and the ability to backtrack. It introduced a Super Mario World-like overworld and six zones for players to explore at their leisure. The game replaced the Superball Flower with the Fire Flower and introduced Bunny Mario, adding new dimensions to Mario's abilities. Wario made his debut as the game's antagonist, paving the way for future titles.
Tetris
Tetris, though ranked fifth, was arguably the most significant Game Boy game, bundled with the console at its North American and European launch. Its timeless puzzle gameplay perfectly complemented the Game Boy's portable nature, significantly boosting sales. With three modes and 35 million units sold, it remains the best-selling single Game Boy title.
Metroid 2: Return of Samus
Metroid 2: Return of Samus brought the franchise's signature atmosphere to handhelds, emphasizing isolation and exploration. The game introduced enduring elements like the Plasma Beam and Space Jump, while its narrative set the stage for Super Metroid. Its legacy continued with the 2017 3DS remake, Metroid: Samus Returns.
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue ignited a global phenomenon, introducing players to the captivating world of Pokémon. These games set the stage for an expansive franchise, spawning numerous sequels, a trading card game, movies, TV shows, and extensive merchandise. Inspired by creator Satoshi Tajiri's love for insect collecting, these titles remain foundational to the series' enduring success.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Link's Awakening was the first Zelda game on a handheld, offering a unique adventure on Koholint Island. Its surreal narrative, inspired by Twin Peaks, combined with classic Zelda gameplay elements like combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, made it a standout title. The game's enduring popularity was reaffirmed with a charming 2019 Switch remake.
Pokémon Yellow
Pokémon Yellow redefined the Game Boy experience for many, featuring a Pikachu companion that followed the player in the overworld. This version aligned closely with the Pokémon anime, adding characters like Team Rocket's Jessie and James. As part of the first generation, it contributed to the franchise's monumental success, with Pokémon games continuing to thrive into the modern era, evidenced by the rapid sales of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
For those eager to dive deeper into Game Boy classics, check out former IGNpocket Editor Craig Harris' curated list of his 25 favorite Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on IGN Playlist. Feel free to remix and personalize his list to suit your gaming preferences.
Best Game Boy games
My curated selection of the finest Game Boy games encompasses both the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, as the latter simply enhanced the beloved original. For Game Boy Advance games, consider them a different category altogether. Here are some standout titles:
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