Summary

• While the Game Boy may seem primitive by today's standards, many of its titles hold up remarkably well.
• From puzzle games to RPGs to platformers, there's something for everyone in the Game Boy's library.

For many 90s kids, the original Game Boy was a faithful companion for long car rides, a way to pass the time at recess, or a means of playing video games with friends. As Nintendo's first handheld system, it wowed gaming enthusiasts by allowing them to take characters like Mario, Link, and Donkey Kong on the go. But how well does the Game Boy hold up today?

Surprisingly, the Game Boy's library has aged remarkably well. With the right games and a few double-A batteries, you've got hours of content to keep you entertained. But which Game Boy games are the best of the best?

Updated on June 21, 2024, by PJ Molloy: Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online, Game Boy games are more accessible than ever. We've added a few new recommendations you can play on NSO, as well as some hidden gems for those who still have their original Game Boy.

10 Me𝄹ꩲga Man 5

The Blue Bomber Reimagined For Game Boy

While the first four Game Boy Mega Man titles are ports of their NES counterparts, the fifth entry is a brand-new adventure with unique stages, bosses, and abilities. This time, the Blue Bomber must travꦅel to Outer Space to battle eight planet-themed Robot Masters led by a mysterious villain named Terra.

Despite being on a handheld, Mega Man 5 looks and plays almost identical to the NES installments. The run-and-gun gameplay is fully intact, and the level design is as tight as ever. If you're looking for 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:a challenging Game Boy title, this game is worth a try.

9 Final Fantasy Adventure 🐷

A Zelda-Like RPG Set In The Mana Universe

As the first entry in the Mana series, Final Fantasy Adventure swaps the usual turn-based combat for Zelda-like gameplay with RPG elements sprinkled in. You control a young warrior forced to fight monsters for the Dark Lord's enjoyment. After overhearing his plan for world domination, you escape the castle, and the world becomes open to exploration.

As you traverse the overworld, you'll visit towns, conquer dungeons, solve puzzles, and gain experience points to level up. With a fascinating story and a decent amount of content, Final Fantasy Adventure is perfect for fans of Zelda or Square Enix RPGs.

8 Catrap

A Unique Hidden Gem Of A Puzzler

Here's a hidden gem for you. Catrap is a unique puzzler in which two anthropomorphic cats must defeat all the enemies on-screen. The catch? You can't jump. You'll need to push blocks, climb ladders, and create bridges to navigate around obstacles and reach each foe.

Catrap is one of the first games to implement a rewind feature. If you're stuck, you can hold the "A" button to undo your last few actions and try again. There's even a level editor if you want to create your own puzzles. Way ahead of its time and brimming with clever brain teasers, Catrap is an excellent way to get the gears turning in your head.

7 Kirby's Dream Land 2

The Best Kirby Title On Game Boy

The pink puffball has many adventures on the Game Boy, but Kirby's Dream Land 2 stands out as the best. This title was the first handheld installment to feature copy abilities and collectibles, doing wonders for solidifying the series' identity.

In addition, Kirby's Dream Land 2 is known for introducing the animal friends. Rick the hamster, Coo the owl, and Kine the fish provide several new traversal methods and many variations of the copy abilities. Overall, the game is easy to pick up and play while offering enough challenge for completionists, making it a must-play for platformer fans.

6 Gargoyle's Quest

A Spooky Action-Adventure

Set in the Ghosts N Goblins universe, Gargoyle's Quest follows a demon named Firebrand tasked with saving the Ghoul Realm from the invading Destroyers' army. Like Zelda 2, the gameplay switches between top-down overworld exploration and side-scrolling action segments, where you'll go toe-to-toe with a number of spooky enemies.

Firebrand feels like a demon through and through, equipped with the power to fly, cling to walls, and breathe fire. As you progress, you can upgrade your moveset and unlock even more devastating attacks. The best part is that it's available on 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Nintendo Switch Online's Game Boy service.

5 Mole Mania ꩵ

A Charming Puzzle Game By Mario's Creator

Produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, Mole Mania is a top-down puzzle game all about digging. The goal is to guide an iron ball to the end of each stage. You can dig tunnels to navigate around obstacles, but you'll need to do so wisely. If the ball falls into one of the holes, it'll spawn back at the beginning.

To solve each puzzle, you must carefully plan where to dig tunnels and where to roll the ball. Plenty of enemies, collectibles, and bosses are sprinkled throughout to keep you on your toes. Charming and cleverly designed, Mole Mania is a delightful hidden gem in the handheld's library.

4 🐼 Donkey Kong

Mario Returns To His Arcade Roots

As the precursor to the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, Donkey Kong for Game Boy reimagines the duo's first arcade outing as a puzzle platformer. Each level contains an intricate puzzle in which you must find a key and bring it to a locked door. To do so, the plumber must return to his roots of climbing ladders, dodging barrels, and bashing enemies with hammers.

The moveset feels shockingly simil💮ar to Super Mario 64, featuring backflips and the ability to pick up certain foes. With over 100🌄 stages, Donkey Kong can easily keep you entertained during those pesky long car rides.

This is my all-time favorite Game Boy game. However, I'd also recommend Super Mario Land 2 and Donkey Kong Land 3 if you're looking for a more traditional platformer.

3 Tetris

A Timeless Puzzle Game

Tetris isn't just an iconic Game Boy title; it's the most famous puzzle game ever made. The gameplay of stacking blocks to clear rows is so easy to learn that anyone can pick it up and start playing. Yet, mastering Tetris provides enough challenge to keep fans coming back for more, even decades later.

The magic of Tetris comes from its endlessly replayable gameplay loop. Clearing rows and watching your points crawl ever so close to the almighty high score is so satisfying that it'll keep you saying, "Just one more try." In short, Tetris is timeless.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening

An Excellent Zelda Adventure To Take On The Go

Almost in defiance of the Game Boy's limited hardware, Link's Awakening miraculously fit an entire, full-length Zelda adventure onto the handheld. After getting shipwrecked on the mysterious Koholint Island, Link must explore the bizarre, uncharted land in search of eight magical instruments - his only hope of returning home.

Koholint Island and its many dungeons create one of the most unique experiences in the Zelda series. Everything from the alligator who collects dog food to the villager who owns a pet Chain Chomp is delightfully silly. Plus, the puzzles and bosses are top-notch. And thanks to the DX version, it's also 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:an incredible Game Boy Color game.

1 Pokemon Red And Blue 🀅

Two Legendary RPGs

Pokemon needs no introduction. Despite the 8-bit graphics and limited hardware, Red and Blue managed to create a vast, immersive world filled with 151 unique creatures you can catch, t𓆉rain, and even trade with your friends. The sheer amount of content is astounding for the Game Boy.

While later entries innovated upon the series, Red and Blue created a strong foundation that's still fun to play. The turn-based combat is accessible enough for newcomers while providing enough room for competitive play. Not to mention, the multiplayer features are the best on the handheld. They may be rough around the edges by today's standards, but regardless, Red and Blue are a blast to revisit.