8 of the Best Game Boy Games in History

The Game Boy is one of the most popular handhelds in history and pioneered gaming on the go. Sure, this wasn’t a handheld that offered anything in the way of fancy graphics (even for its time), but it showed that brilliant game design is the most important thing. The Game Boy had a vast library of games, and its best titles were typically of Nintendo origin. These are some of the best Game Boy games that made the GB and its color iteration the handheld of choice.

Tetris

Tetris was the puzzler gaming phenomenon that propelled the Game Boy into the stratosphere. This was the perfect game for the Game Boy because its high-contrast graphics were a flawless match for the portable hardware. However, what really made Tetris one of the best Game Boy games was its pick-up-and-play appeal and competitive scoring system. The Game Boy Tetris also became a bigger cultural phenomenon with the head-to-head link cable multiplayer it pioneered.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Fitting a big exploration-game onto a small Game Boy cartridge was a tricky proposition for Nintendo, but the big N pulled it off to great effect with Link’s Awakening. It traded the more traditional Hyrule setting for Koholint Island, where Link must awaken a Wind Fish to find his way home. This Zelda title was among the best Game Boy games because of its memorable atmosphere and story, creative items, and rewarding progression.

This is also a Game Boy classic with a fully fledged remake on the Nintendo Switch. Link’s Awakening on the Switch is a fully rebuilt iteration of the original Game Boy game with a diorama art style. The Zelda remake on the Switch also has a seamless world design, eliminating the scroll transitions from the original.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins was one of the most highly-rated platform games on the Game Boy because of its amazingly detailed art style. However, what really set this game apart from other portable platformers was its open-world map that enabled players to complete distinct zones in variable order. It was also the first Mario title to feature Wario, which inspired a new spin-off series for the Game Boy.

Pokémon Red and Blue

Pokémon Red and Blue started a new gaming craze based on catching and trading Pokémon monsters. This was one of the best Game Boy games because of its addictive monster-collecting formula, immersive world exploration, and accessible RPG mechanics. Players also loved Pokémon Red and Blue because of its innovative link trading gameplay feature for trading version-exclusive creatures among themselves.

Donkey Kong ’94

Donkey Kong ‘94 was based on the classic 1981 DK arcade game, with the first four traditional arcade stages included. However, it was, in fact, a 97-stage platforming masterpiece that massively expanded on the original arcade classic. This was another of the best Game Boy games because of its revolutionary acrobatic Mario moveset and ingenious puzzle-platforming design. With moves like the backflip and triple-jump, Donkey Kong ‘94 was a precursor to 3D Mario games on the N64 and beyond.

Pokémon Gold and Silver

Pokémon Gold and Silver expanded upon the original Red and Blue by pushing the Game Boy to its limits. This was a great expansion because it doubled the size of the adventure by enabling players to explore a whole new Johto region, alongside the original Kanto. It also incorporated a revolutionary real-time clock for day-and-night cycles, new Dark and Steel types, and an expanded roster of Pokémon species.

Wario Land 3

Wario Land 3 was among the most highly-rated Game Boy Color games, which swapped the more traditional linear platforming of its era for a more open Metroidvania-style design. It incorporated more unique puzzle mechanics that treated Wario more like a tool, with hazards transforming him into alternative states. This was also a game more specifically designed for Game Boy Color with vibrant color palettes and detailed sprite animations.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons was another of the best Game Boy Color games because of its innovative environmental gameplay mechanic. That mechanic enabled players to change seasons, which added more variety to Oracle of Seasons’ gameplay. It showed off the GBC with shifting seasons that changed map colors, detailed pixel art, and fluid animations. Players also loved Oracle of Seasons because of its action-focused design, massive satisfying overworld, and memorable chiptune music.

The Game Boy’s legacy was never about graphics; it was about pure, unadulterated gaming fun. Its hardware restrictions forced designers to prioritize immaculate gameplay mechanics. The best Game Boy games above have remained timeless classics and set a standard for portable gameplay. Today, you can play most of those games (excluding the Pokémon titles) on the Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy app.