When Nintendo released the Game Boy in the late 80s, they wanted to bring quality console gaming experiences to handheld devices. Striking it rich with the NES, Nintendo knew that they could replicate that success on an 8-bit monochrome portable device. Featuring dozens of quality titles, the Game Boy became synonymous with delivering many great experiences.
Succeeded by the Game Boy Color in 1998, Nintendo's 8-bit handhelds would enjoy over a decade of success before being succeeded by the 16-bit Game Boy Advance in 2001. In that timeframe, they released a number of memorable platformers, RPGs, adventure, and puzzle titles from Tetris to Wario Blast. To this day, Nintendo's Game Boy titles continue to be celebrated with re-releases of past triumphs such as Square-Enix's upcoming Collection of SaGa for Nintendo Switch.
10 Final Fantasy Adventure
The beginning of the Mana series, titled Seiken Densetsu in Japan, this Action/RPG began the series' many traditions. The hack-and-slash title played similarly to The Legend of Zelda while players traversed the overworld, entered dungeons, and experienced a surprisingly strong narrative for its time. The title was re-released recently on Nintendo Switch under the Collection of Mana, and it holds up surprisingly well today.
The retro gamer will surely take pride in playing Final Fantasy Adventure. However, for those seeking an updated release, it's worth trying the title's reimagining, Sword of Mana, for Game Boy Advance. Players may also consider picking up the original game's remake, Adventure of Mana, for mobile devices and the PS Vita, as well.
9 Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
Super Mario Land introduced the Mario series to the Game Boy. Featuring sprites similar to Super Mario Bros., the title took place in Sarasaland. With 12 levels, this humble title took liberties with enemy designs, Mario's powerups, and the familiar musical jingles.
The sequel, Super Mario Land 2, vastly improved the game design. Featuring more levels and smoother controls, Mario also gained the Rabbit powerup which allowed him to hover in the air. The world design offered some memorable scenery and unique thematics such as Macro Zone and Space Zone. Plus, it introduced Nintendo fan-favorite character, Wario, debuting as Mario's rival.
8 Kirby's Dream Land 2
The original Kirby's Dream Land did not feature the Copy Ability. However, it included the difficult Extra mode and established the series' world and platforming action. Plus, it introduced Kirby's longtime rival, King Dedede.
Dream Land 2 took many cues from Kirby's Adventure including the Copy Ability. Plus, it introduced Kirby's Animal Buddies—Rick, Kine, and Coo—as well as Gooey. This incredibly fun platformer would go on to introduce Dark Matter, which spawned its own arc through Dream Land 3 and The Crystal Shards.
7 Donkey Kong
The original Arcade Donkey Kong featured four stages of platforming action with only three stages in the NES version. The original platforming adventure offered a hefty challenge as Mario would save Pauline from DK's clutches. Yet, a simple fall from a few feet up, and Mario was a goner.
The remake of Donkey Kong offers eight worlds with challenging platform-puzzle mechanics. Mario could triple jump, backflip, use Super Hammers, and fight against DK in boss stages at the end of each world. This title introduced DK's tie, which became a staple in his redesign beginning in his own classic platforming series, Donkey Kong Country, for SNES.
6 Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land
After falling from grace in Super Mario Land 2, Wario wanted his own castle. This title debuted Mario's rival as an anti-hero seeking treasure from the pirate, Captain Syrup. Playing similarly to a 2D Mario title, Wario came armed with new abilities, such as the Ground Pound and his shoulder tackle.
Wario Land offered the player multiple transformations including the Bull, Dragon, and Jet hat. It featured more challenging action than the previous title and gave players an incentive to explore and hunt for treasure which would affect the game's ending based on how much they collected. This title would spawn several sequels and Wario would become a staple in Nintendo's legacy across the Mario and Smash Bros. titles.
5 Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow
This classic RPG began a revolution. The phenomenally successful Pokemon titles came to America in 1998 and took the world by storm with its 151 Pokemon. The exceptional number of designs, the incentive to collect, and the game's marketing to "catch 'em all" inspired many youths to become Pokemon Trainers.
Pokemon inspired the hearts of many by allowing players to choose their favorite monsters and assemble their team. The memorable designs, music, and Gym Leader battles struck inspiration in the hearts of many players. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow inspired the anime, cards, merchandise, and eight generations worth of successors and spin-offs alike.
4 The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Link's first entry on the Game Boy came hot off the heels of the incredibly successful A Link to the Past. Serving as a revolutionary point in the series, A Link to the Past offered detailed dungeon puzzle design, a boatload of items, new sword techniques, over a dozen dungeons, and two large worlds to explore. Link's Awakening succeeded this with its detailed art style while returning Link's Spin Attack and various weapons from the game.
Link's Awakening managed to capitalize on A Link to the Past with even more captivating puzzle elements such as diving underwater, collapsing pillars with an iron ball, and hopping atop crystal switches. The journey to escape Koholint Island offered surprising twists and turns to the reality Link had found himself in. While the title holds up well for retro gamers, it's imperative that Nintendo Switch owners play the remake, which offers numerous quality-of-life improvements while enhancing this game's magnificent charm!
3 Shantae
WayForward's first Shantae title became their breakout entry as a known developer. This Metroidvania/platforming hybrid title introduced the titular half-genie hero who could transform into animals. Shantae's hair-whipping action won over the hearts of many players.
Shantae quickly became a favorite among side-scrolling enthusiasts. The title's charming character design, transformations, upgrades, level design, and music made Shantae a famous series. Shantae's latest entry, The Seven Sirens, marks the series' fifth installment. For a series that came from humble roots, it quickly became a classic. For fans who seek to try the original experience, the title is available on 3DS, as well as in an upcoming release for Nintendo Switch.
2 Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Capitalizing on the first generation of Pokemon titles, Game Freak sought to enhance the experience of the original titles with 100 new Pokemon. Featuring a beautifully colored palette on Game Boy Color, this title offered two new types, Steel and Dark, as well as balancing out the competitive experience with new stats and reworked weaknesses, such as Ghost beating Psychic types. Crystal offered further enhancements such as animated sprites, a new storyline featuring Suicune, and more.
The second generation of Pokemon games offered an internal clock, as well as a day-night system that changed which Pokemon the player could encounter. Players could also explore Kanto, the original Gen I region, and fight the Gym Leaders.
1 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Seasons
When Nintendo released the Oracle titles, they took the Pokemon route and released two games simultaneously. However, these titles offered different stories in different regions while offering much of the same gameplay. Featuring eight dungeons in each title, Oracle of Ages and Seasons brought forth the best of puzzle and dungeon creativity from 2D Zelda titles at the time.
Players could use passwords between the two games to crossover their items, as well as unlock certain events such as the true final boss and ending. Oracle of Ages and Seasons offered players an incredibly enjoyable challenge while traveling through time or changing the seasons, respectively, to solve their puzzles.
Being modeled after A Link to the Past, this fantastic experience offered some of the best boss fights, dungeons, and gameplay anyone could ask for in the Zelda series. Perhaps following Link's Awakening, Oracles may receive a Switch remake.