My Top 25 Game Boy / GameBoy Color Games That Are Still Fun PLAYING NOW + 25 MORE GEMS + “HIGH 54” YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
As I mentioned in my other top/fave retro video games lists, 2020 was the year I got back into playing retro video games from my youth. This was heavily influenced by me ordering a Sega Mini to hook up to the 50-inch flatscreen tv I won at a local pub’s Super Bowl party right before the world went on a long-running lockdown quarantine… remember those days?
However, the thing that really kicked the new hobby up a notch was realizing that my Sega Mini could be ‘hacked’ to add ANY old retro video game from any old retro video game console — BECAUSE — once one goes down that online retro video game rabbit hole, one eventually realizes that one could have been playing any old retro video game right on one’s old iMac the whole dang time (not to mention you can just buy emulators pre-loaded with every dang game that came out from back in the day from apparently totally legitimate online retailers).
I guess that’s why they say hindsight is 20/20.
I have since passed on an Unclefied version of my “hacked” Sega Mini to my little nieces during Xmas ‘21 — the yellow sticky notes are the games I added to customize the 42 games that show up on their system (their age range was 6-12 at the time + I only wanted to add games that worked with the Sega Mini emulator).
And after blahg’n about some of my own Sega Mini adventures, I started noticing that my most visited website pages, month after month, were my blog posts about retro video gaming (even though I was always more of a ‘not a music blog, not not a music blog’ kind of website). And most of those visits were coming from Google’rs.
So, since I also did a lot of searching for “best Game Boy / Game Boy Color games” or “most underrated Game Boy / Game Boy Color games” or “best Game Boy / Game Boy Color games that are still worth playing today” or etc back when I was also googling the same “how to hack a sega mini” queries that had started directing people to my blahg on the regular… I figured I should put together some console specific lists myself — because SEO, innit?
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Please keep in mind that this list is not in a strict ranking order and it is definitely not an attempt at creating a “best Game Boy / Game Boy Color games ever” list (so prepare to adjust your “how could you not include ___?!” outrage appropriately). This is just a list of games that I have personally found the most enjoyable to play as an elder millennial in the 2020s + it should also be noted that I don’t really care much for fighting games or turn-based strategy RPGs (no matter how ‘critically acclaimed’ on the Youtubes & Reddits).
And since this list does well with ongoing Google search traffic (which is a mostly new experience for this blog), I will also note that I recently added some ‘eBay search affiliate links’ to my personally recommended games, which means I may earn a small commission if someone snags a game after clicking away to eBay from this post (which, if it happens, that money will go towards keeping this blog online) ✌️
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AND NOW THAT WE’VE GOT ALL THE EXPLAINERS & DISCLAIMERS OUT OF THE WAY… HERE’S MY subjective LIST OF 54 GAME BOY / GAME BOY COLOR GAMES THAT ARE STILL FUN PLAYing:
#1 - Super Mario Land 2
Since I never had a Game Boy growing up, I never knew too much about the catalogue (I had a Game Gear as a kid, so I didn’t pay much mind to Game Boy stuff). So I was pleased to see that there was a healthy helping of new/unique Super Mario games. Are these new Super Mario games as good as Super Mario World on the SNES or even Super Mario 2 or 3 on the NES? Probably not, however those games are CLASSICS. And all 3 Super Mario Land games on the Game Boy are quite solid (and each one quite different from the others) — but I think Super Mario Land 2 is the one that really stands out.
*****
#2 - Wendy Every Witch Way
Sometimes you just want to pick up an old skool platformer that you can jump in and out of without needing to spend a bunch of time re-remembering how to play or where you need to go / what to do, and Wendy Every Witch Way is one of those games. Throw in the added gameplay twist that you can change the rules of gravity to either have you walking on the floor or on the roof, and this is nice little game with pleasant enough 8-bit era graphics (and maybe not quite as pleasant 8-bit era music). But, all-in-all, it’s a surprisingly enjoyable game that I like every which way.
*****
#3 -
Batman
When you first turn this game on, you really notice “ok, we’re playing a Game Boy game here” with the presentation — but once you start playing, this is a really great platformer here. It’s probably my favourite Batman game from the retro era — but I’m also not really big on beat em’ ups, which is probably why I have no problem with this being a Batman game where you go around shooting people with different guns. Is that what the real Batman does? Who cares, Batman isn’t real (but this game is & it handles nice). Also, the music is pretty sweet for a Game Boy game. I’m some times surprised by how much I enjoy this one.
*****
#4 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages + #5 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
In general, you can’t really go wrong with any Zelda game from back in the day (although the NES ones don’t quite grab me, personally), SO, if you like one Game Boy Zelda, you’ll probably also like the others. The hardest part with Zelda games is not finding which one is the good one to invest time in to, it’s finding the time to try taking on such an involved game in the first place, especially when you’re not a kid anymore (not that you need to be a kid to enjoy games like these, it’s more a ‘no time + other responsibilities’ thing).
*****
#6 - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Whether you want to go with the original GameBoy version of Links Awakening or whether you’d prefer the Color’d and enhanced GBC version, as with most Zelda games… this one is also worth finding some time for.
*****
#7 - Tetris DX
Speaking of a classic video game series that released a classic version on the original Game Boy and than released an enhanced & even slightly better version on the Game Boy Color… it’s only Tetris DX. Tetris never fails to be an enjoyable game to just pick up and play whenever you’re looking to get your mind off whatever, no matter which version you can get your hands on. I guess Tetris is like elder millennial sudoku (ie. it’s an engaging and mentally rewarding time filler) and this GBC version is a great way to play it.
*****
#8 - Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
When it comes to Gameboy Pokemon games that one might expect to find on somebody’s “fave GB/GBC games”, especially if one was only going to include one Pokemon game on their list (which I am going to do), most people probably wouldn’t expect that game to be this Pokemon’d version of Tetris Attack — HOWEVER — I was never someone that was into Pokemon and I don’t really have a brain that digs RPGs, so when one factors in that Tetris Attack is one of my favourite puzzlers from the 16-bit era, I guess it totally makes sense that this Pokemon Puzzle Challenge would be the one Pokemon game to land in my High 54 GB/GBC list.
*****
#9 - Super Mario Land
My first ignorant impression of this game was an incorrect “oh this must just be a scaled down Game Boy version of the first Super Mario World on the NES” and I was a little under-intrigued. However, once I realized “oh wait, this is actually its own little thing and it does things its own little way with its own weird physics”… that’s when I started having a real appreciation for getting a whole new Land (instead of ported old World) to explore & experience. It’s not the longest or hardest, but if you’re looking for a satisfying playthru that gives you a different flavour of Super Mario action, this is a great lil’ game!
*****
#10 - Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is another game where your first impressions can lead you into wrongly thinking that you’re just getting another ‘gameboy version’ of an old classic. But if you stick around and battle the big ape for a little bit, you’ll start noticing some new game mechanics & level layouts, turning this one into a fun new puzzler (laying out the framework for the excellent Game Boy Advance version of the old Donkey Kong arcade classic — which I included in my GBA list, so it was nice finding out that this ‘94 version was already heading that direction).
*****
#11 - Balloon Kid
In Balloon Kid You play as a kid that holds onto balloons (hence the name) as you try to collect other balloons while trying to avoid things that will pop your balloons. Handles a bit like those old Joust games on the Atari and it’s another one of those simple, but kind of addictive, games that you can just jump in and out of whenever your looking for something to play for a short while. And sometimes that’s all I’m really looking for.
*****
#12 - Go! Go! Tank
Don’t let the cutesy plane fool ya —which kinda looks like a character that existed in the olden days of the Pixar Planes universe — this game doesn’t baby you with its difficulty & learning curve (ie. the plane handles in a way you quickly get a feel for without it ever losing its challenge + there is a precision required for this game and it is required right from the jump). One of those games that makes you want to keep trying again — which is a sign of one of those good games.
*****
#13 - Metal Gear Solid
I’ve been underwhelmed by almost all the pre-PS1 Metal Gear Solid games (ie. like the one on the NES), so I went into trying out the Game Boy Color attempt with low expectations (especially since I’m emulating on a much bigger screen than an old GBC) — but — this game actually does a pretty good job capturing what made the PS1 Metal Gear Solid so good, while also working within the limitations of what a GBC could handle.
*****
#14 - Catrap
This is a nice little puzzle game that quickly teaches you the basics of how to play as you play (and you can even rewind the action if you realize you went a move too far, which feels a bit like cheating, but is also a nice feature for games like this). Basically, you play as an… anamorphic cat child (?) who has to get next to the baddies so you can punch them off screen (and since you can’t jump you have to figure out how to get to all the baddies without getting yourself stuck somewhere). Pleasantly addictive.
*****
#15 - Bubble Ghost
As the name of the game implies, you are ghost and there is a bubble involved. More specifically, it is your ghostly job to blow the bubble through an assortment of different puzzle rooms (with the goal, of course, to do so without bursting your bubble on one of the many obstacles in your way of the exit). Nice relaxing pick up & play
*****
#16 - Avenging Spirit
This game is a great example of North American cover art that totally gets the vibe of the game wrong — because what looks like it will be some generic mobster game is actually a pretty unique platformer where your spirit (which kinda looks like it could be related to our old friend Bubble Ghost) can possess different characters (and then take on their abilities). Yes, that includes guys with guns, but it also includes a whole bunch of other characters with different abilities (and when you get hit in the game, your ghost has a limited time to find another character to possess in order to keep avenging). It’s a great concept that really should have got a 16-bit version on the SNES.
*****
#17 - Pocket Bomberman
It’s Bomberman… but different. You’re still dropping bombs (and you’ll still be accidentally blowing yourself up), but, instead of being in puzzle like levels like tin he usual Bomberman style, now you’re moving around more like you’re in a platformer. And it’s a nice change-up from the usual ‘same old Bomberman style’ gameplay that you often find across the different retro consoles. I mean, the Game Boy also has Bomberman games that play like Bomberman, and those are fine enough because they’re Bomberman, but this one really adds a new experience to a proven good game concept & I quite enjoy it.
*****
#18 - Mario Tennis
I find the key to a good tennis game is: just let me feel like I can get a good rally going and — and this is the most important part — don’t make it so that when I swing the racket in a position that looks like it should be good for hitting the ball, I totally whiff and just end up swinging my racket randomly as the ball slowly stops bouncing. AND… Mario Tennis is great for getting a rally going. And when you can get a rally going during video game tennis, that's when video game tennis becomes fun (which, not a lot of retro tennis games got right, so, the ones that do, really stand out). Throw in some RPG elements and now you’re really getting into a way to kill some boredom.
*****
#19 - Cool Ball
This game is so retro that even the cover art style was done in a style that would have been considered retro at the time! As for the game, you play as what can only assume is a cool ball, bouncing your way through a whole bunch of puzzle rooms (where the items you pick up a long the way can be used to help you bounce your way around to the exits) — and it’s all done quite well.
*****
#20 - Pyramids of Ra
In a similar but different way, Pyramids of Ra also has you maneuvering around the screen like a bouncing ball — although here one is not a ball, but instead the above view of an archaeologist wearing a round hat, where one must jump on each tile once, but only once, as one makes their way around the screen and to the exit tile (with more energy used up the longer one takes to figure out the correct path to take).
*****
#21 - Alice in Wonderland
It didn’t always happen (especially on the GB/GBC), but every now & again you come across a licensed game that actually does a pretty good job of capturing the vibe of the film it is attempting to capture the vibe of — and this GBC Alice in Wonderland game also handles really, making it an overall surprisingly pleasant licensed game to play (for a film that I’ve got a lot of nostalgia for).
*****
#22 - Mole Mania
Mole Mania is an addictive little puzzler that sees you playing as an a mole that can dig underground to find other ways to get around to where you need to get around to on the above-ground world. And you do all that so you can save your little mole family. It’s a nice, original twist on the kind of gameplay elements that make puzzlers so fun to continue digging back in to.
*****
#23 Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers + #24 Rayman
Donald Duck Going Quackers is one of those games where the character just handles well in a way that makes it enjoyable to progress along. It’s got all your typical platformer stuff… and it does a good job with it. And you can take everything I said that I enjoy about Goin’ Quakers and apply it to Rayman (and Rayman 2 while we’re at it) — as it’s clear that same people made the game, as they’ve kind of just re-skinned and made some changes to character sprites and level layouts and… I’m not even mad because I quite enjoy playing them both.
*****
#25 - Adventures of Star Saver
You play as a mech — except when you get hit and lose your mech suit and have to play as a little guy with a gun until you get a mech suit back. And the tiny scaled down graphics add a nice little charm to this nice little action platformer.
*****
#26 - BurgerTime Deluxe
BurgerTime Deluxe is a game that could have benefited from a ‘DX’ Game Boy Color upgrade, but, even with the black and white lofi graphics, I enjoy playing this version of BurgerTime more than the more colourful version that’s on the NES, as I find this one handles better (which makes it funner to play). As for the gameplay itself, you run across burger layers as you try to avoid the murderous vegetables (which you can also kill by dropping burger layers on them). All in all, it’s an addictive one to jump into whenever you’re looking to occupy your eyes while you listen to a podcast/audiobook.
*****
#27 - Tiny Toon Adventures: Babs' Big Break
Much like how the NES Tiny Toon’s game was a nice little platformer, so too is the Game Boy Tiny Toon’s game. Unlike the NES version, the Game Boy version is not quite as colourful, and the gameplay is a little more ‘game boy floaty’ — but once your brain adjusts to the changes, it’s the same characters and good gameplay and that catchy little tune that you’d think would become more annoying than it actually ever does.
*****
#28 - Toki Tori
Toki Tori is a familiar feeling (in the good ways) puzzle game that sees you taking control of cute little chicken while you use an assortment of limited abilities and special skills to save your fellow egg brethren whilst finding you way to the end of a whole bunch of different puzzle rooms.
*****
#29 Wario Land (Super Mario Land 3) + #30 Wario Land II + #31 Wario Land 3
I feel like the Wario series really nailed the vibe/gameplay on part 4 on the Game Boy Advance, but there’s no denying that the Game Boy Color versions of Wario Land are well-made platformers, even when taken out of the context of being built for 90s handhelds (and the same is true for the first Wario game, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3). I prefer the mechanics of a Super Mario game (ie. jumping on heads) more than the Wario mechanics (ie. shoulder charging), but once you stop trying to play Wario like a Mario game, the less bizarro it feels.
*****
#32 - LOCK N’ CHASE
This game is basically Pac-Man, except instead of ghosts chasing you around, it’s cops. Because you’re the thief. Some say Lock N’ Chase walked so that Grand Theft Auto could run (key word being “some”). Anyways, in much the same ways that you can find turning on a game of Pac-Man becoming slightly addicting, the same is true for Lock N’ Chase (but there’s enough differences to make this a game you’ll some times reach for instead of your trusty Ms. Pacman on the Sega Genesis game).
*****
#33 - Operation C
Not being much of a fan “run n’ gun” games (much like with most vertical/horizontal shooter, I just find I’m not good / all that interested in hectic way-too-much-action-on-screen games), I find Operation C brings a pace to the genre that is a lot closer to what I find enjoyable to stick with long enough to beat a level or 2 (which is good for me). Definitely not the prettiest Contra game to look at, but, at least according to my subjective Top 25 lists, this is the only Contra version to make a list — which I guess makes Operation C my favourite Contra game (oh go “boo!” yourself).
*****
#34 Kirby’s Dream Land + #35 Kirby’s Dream Land 2
Like with Super Mario and Wario, both Kirby ‘Land games’ are of the same high & consistent quality, but if I had to pick just one, I’d go with Dream Land 2 (but,if you like the Kirby style of play, you’ll like both games). It’s a Kirby game after all, so you kinda know what you’re getting into here (ie. cute game play that can sometimes feel a bit too easy… yet, also, that’s what can make it feel so enjoyable to progress through & explore).
*****
#36 - Shantae
Shantae is a side-scrolling platform that sees you playing as a hair-whipping genie. It’s a well-made game (one of the better looking ones on the Game Boy / Game Boy Color) that’ll have you feeling like you’re playing a long-lost NES game (this is especially true if you also play your GBC games on a bigger screen than how things were first intended).
*****
Ok, that’s it for my personal “HIGH 54” Top Gameboy / Gameboy Color Games That Are Still Fun To Play Now list — I know that there may be some classic titles that seem crazy not to have included, BUT, again, this is not meant to be a ‘Top 54 All-Time Best Ever’ list and it’s also not meant to be your list (also, the list actually contained more than 54 games).
Besides, reading another list that just confirms what’s on every other ‘best of sega’ list is a bit boring and pointless, especially if you’re looking for games that might not be top of mind (and especially when you consider how all this stuff is individually subjective & doesn’t really matter beyond the enjoyment that comes from thinking/talking about your own experience & finding temporary moments of connection/agreement/discovery with others, if you even find time to actually play).
So on that note, while we’re listing things, here’s my other lists of retro video games that are still fun playing today… if you happen to be looking for more than just GB/GBC games to check out (and if you think you might have some crossover tastes in retro games with me):
Finally, please feel warmly encouraged to hit up the comment section below if there’s any games that I left off that would definitely be on your ‘Fave Gameboy / Gameboy Color Games’ list (whatever number you’d cap your list off at), as I’ve been known to make tweaks to my lists when a new ‘old game’ starts making a stronger case for more of my limited attention span.
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JEREMY / @HI54LOFI
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