The excitement of the NES had not yet passed when the original Game Boy launched. The first portable console hit the market in 1989 and the results were more than satisfactory. With the exceptional gameboy games, the console managed to sell 118.69 units to date.
With a design that fitted in the palm of our hand, black and white graphics and a reflective LCD screen with a resolution of 160 x 144 pixels, the Gameboy quickly became popular, in addition to having the best titles available for Nintendo at the time.
It was a privileged console because many companies put their best developers to create high-quality games adapted to its technical characteristics. As a result, we got a vast library of games that are still used as reference of best practices in game design.
The Gameboy opened up a universe of possibilities for gamers, and a lot of present-day franchises had their first successes on this great console. In this list, we will show you some of these great titles
This award-winning game is one of the highest-rated on the console and is loved by fans.
In this adventure, we find Link on Koholint Island; he was trapped there after a shipwreck, and to get out, he must fight with monsters and solve puzzles to find 8 musical instruments and wake up the guardian of the Island.
This spectacular Gameboy game is proof of what talented developers can achieve challenging the console’s capabilities. In its 8-bit screen we see a lot of action, dungeons and cool puzzles, and an enigmatic story that is revealed little by little.
These are the ingredients that make The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening one of the best games released for the Game Boy and according to some fans, one of the best in the entire series.
2. Kirby’s Dream Land 2
This sequel after Kirby’s debut on Game Boy is one of the best Gameboy games released for the console.
Developed by Hal Laboratory in 1995 exclusively for the Game Boy, Kirby’s Dream Land 2 is a platform game where we see again the adorable Kirby with some graphic improvements and many new skills that make him simply great.
In this adventure, Kirby has a new enemy, Dark Matter, who has stolen the rainbows that unite Dream Land. Our hero must fight to stop it through a long game, with many secrets to discover and lots of new characters.
3. Pokémon Red and Blue
This game is a fan favorite for its quality and innovation. It was released in Japan in 1996 but arrived in the United States in 1998 with an upgraded version.
Very few video games took advantage of the interconnection capacity through the Link cable that changed with the arrival of Pokémon.
Connecting two consoles, the players were able to exchange Pokémon or to make tournaments.
A novel and amusing dynamics that extended the life of the Game Boy 10 years after its arrival to the market. A unique event in the history of video games.
4. Tetris
Basic, addictive, and easy to play, it is about stacking the “tetrominoes” so that they form a horizontal line that will disappear as the pieces go down faster and faster. If your screen fills up, you lose!
The music accompanying the game was created by Hirokazu Tanaka, the famous Nintendo composer. We have three music options or play with sound effects only.
Released in 1989, it is the most sold game for the console.
This is another that does not need too much of an introduction. The arcades classic got its version for the Nintendo portable in 1994 and was one of the most important games of that year, selling more than a million copies.
It follows the same mechanics as the arcade; the player controls Mario, who must overcome many obstacles to rescue the princess from Donkey Kong.
After passing the first 4 levels, a whole new world opens up.
In this wonderful game, you must take Mario through 101 levels in total, each one with different platforms, stairs, or vines to advance until reaching the evil Donkey Kong to defeat him.
Castlevania is one of the best-known video game series. This episode, launched in 1991 exclusively for Gameboy, surpasses by far the previous one.
The story begins 15 years after Cristopher Belmont defeated Dracula, who had spent all that time turned into fog. Still, now that he has regained his power, Christopher must face him again, always with the Vampire Killer in his hand.
This incredible game had an excellent graphic presentation for its time and new gameplay options compared with the previous games. You can choose the order of the levels and power up your vampire-killing whip.
It is the last game of this classic saga for the GameBoy and arguably the best.
Capcom made its magic again and demonstrated how seriously they took the Game Boy as a console.
Mega Man V is different from the previous titles of the saga. It is not a copy of the NES version.
The story continues after the events of Mega Man IV. A space robot called TERRA arrives on earth to conquer it. Mega Man with his new partner Tango must defeat him.
A work of graphic platform optimization that takes full advantage of the console’s abilities is the great achievement of this essential game.
Considered as one of the best Gameboy games, this game has levels with different themes, very improved graphics, and many new elements that make this platform one of the coolest seen on the hand-held, very well made, with a wonderful soundtrack, and adapted perfectly for the Game Boy.
The famous rabbit ears and the astronaut suit with which Mario can explore scenarios on the Moon are some of the novelties of Super Mario Land 2 that enchanted the fans.
This is also where we first see Wario, the villain of this story, who later starred in his own video game with great success.
This game is fundamental in the Gameboy’s history and has everything to be one of the favorites. It was launched exclusively for this console in 1991.
The bounty hunter Samus Aran must destroy the Metroids and prevent the Space Pirates from using them as biological weapons.
However, at the end of the journey, something unexpected happens. Make sure you give this one a go and figure it out by yourself!
This is an extraordinary game with action and platform elements, RPG elements, and a gothic atmosphere.
It was one of the first games of Capcom for the Gameboy. And its success guaranteed two sequels; Gargoyle’s Quest II for the NES and Demon’s Crest for the SNES.
Gargoyle’s Quest takes you to an epic world where you control a gargoyle named Firebrand, who must defeat terrible enemies to restore peace in the Ghoul Realm.
Give the Original Handheld Legend Some Love!
Games made for this console are so attractive, despite their simple graphics, as they manage to provide innovative gameplay and so many different stories and worlds.
Jump the nostalgia train and make sure this historic console becomes a part of your collection!
Up next: 10 best Gameboy Advance Games of all time.
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