Handheld Nintendo consoles have certainly come a long way. Years before the handheld-to-television Switch device, and even more years before the dual-screen DS, Nintendo gamers got their fix through a small, single-screen, colorless brick known as the GameBoy.
In 1989, Nintendo released the GameBoy, the company's second handheld device in history. Despite its simple controls (four buttons and a directional pad), the GameBoy saw huge success. The original GameBoy and its successor, the GameBoy Color, sold 118.69 million units worldwide, per Computing History. Later, the GameBoy Advance was released to high demand.
Some of Nintendo's more iconic games, including Pokemon Red and Blue and Super Mario Land, started on the GameBoy, ass did a few lesser-known yet still popular games. There are quite a few that are worth a pretty penny now. Here are 10 rare Game Boy games, ranked by their worth today.
10 The Blues Brothers ($200)
Based on the characters from the 1980 comedy The Blues Brothers, the object of this GameBoy game is to help brothers Jake and Elwood outrun police and get to a blues concert. The Blues Brothers first appeared on Atari in 1991 and was released one year later on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and GameBoy.
It is rare to find an unopened copy of this today, but sellers on eBay list like-new copies, including the original instructions and box, for $200. An unopened copy would likely cost hundreds more.
9 Toxic Crusaders ($300)
Toxic Crusaders is another pop-culture-based game. It all started with the 1984 horror comedy called The Toxic Avenger, according to Collective Pop. The film stars a nerd from New Jersey who becomes a monster after landing in toxic waste. Now a superhuman, he vows to fight crime in his town.
The cult classic film inspired a staged musical and a children's cartoon, which is what Toxic Crusaders is based on. The cartoon only lasted 13 episodes due to exposure, and unsurprisingly, the 1992 video game didn't take off either. Still, an opened copy of the game is worth $300 because of its rich history.
8 Kid Dracula ($650)
This 1993 gothic platformer game is a spinoff of the hit Castlevania series, although Kid Dracula is certainly nothing like its inspiration with whimsical designs and cute humor. The game is also a sequel to the Japanese title, Demon Castle Special: I’m Kid Dracula, in which the son of Dracula must stop Galamoth.
Kid Dracula did not gain as much recognition as its Castlevania counterparts, but die-hard fans of the franchise were likely the first to snag one of the few copies out there. The game is currently worth at least $650.
7 Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge ($700)
Speaking of Castlevania, Belmont's Revenge is regarded as one of the best games in the series. The 1991 classic served as a sequel to Castlevania: The Adventure, which did not see as much success. Belmont's Revenge takes place 15 years after the original game. Dracula kidnaps Christopher Belmont's son, Soleil, forcing Belmont to confront Dracula once more to save Transylvania.
Many players felt that the sequel utilized the GameBoy's controls much better than the first. Despite its popularity, Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge is another rare title worth $700.
6 Mega Man V ($750)
Capcom released five installments in the Game Boy Mega Man series, but the fifth one was arguably the most unique. The first four games include bosses from the original NES Mega Man titles (which began in 1987), while the fifth Mega Man GameBoy game introduces all-new villains. This time, the fan-favorite blue bomber faces Star Droids, all of whom are named after planets in the solar system.
With over 130 titles across multiple platforms, Mega Man was definitely one of the generation's top game series. An unopened copy of Mega Man V is worth at least $750 today.
5 Ninja Five-O ($1,000)
This stealthy action platformer, also known as Ninja Cop, was released for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) in 2003. Ninja Five-O follows a ninja named Joe Osugi who must stop a group of terrorists before they carry out their evil plan. Along the way, Joe must rescue hostages in several different missions.
Ninja Five-O is one of the most valuable and rare GBA games on the market today because Konami never produced it in high volumes. Still, it is also known as one of the best and most sought after GBA games out there. A full, unopened copy of the game is incredibly hard to find, so it costs about $1,000.
4 Trip World ($1,300)
Trip World is a 1992 platformer that was developed by Sunsoft exclusively for the GameBoy. The game follows a shapeshifting bunny named Yakopoo as he searches for a flower that will bring peace to his world. Because Yakopoo can turn into other animals, players have access to several different abilities, such as flying and swimming.
The game was praised by critics for its graphics, music, and simple gameplay. It was only released in Japan and Europe, though, which is likely why Trip World is in such high demand in North America. In its original packaging, it is worth $1,300 today.
3 Shantae ($2,100)
Shantae is another Capcom title that made its way into the GameBoy Color in 2002 with the help of WayForward. The Metroidvania follows a half-genie named Shantae who travels across Sequin Land to defeat a pirate. The game inspired three more installments, including Shantae: Risky's Revenge (2010), Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (2014), and Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (2016).
Not many copies of Shantae were produced because of its late arrival to the already-outdated console. Collectors would likely want to get their hands on this one, though, putting the game's worth at more than $2,000.
2 Spud's Adventure ($2,699)
Spud's Adventure is an RPG starring vegetables. As odd as it may sound, this game is perfect for puzzle lovers. The game follows Spud, a potato with a baseball cap, who attempts to save Princess Mato from an evil genius named Devi. Throughout several levels, the player must navigate their way through mazes and various other puzzles.
This game is just one of several installments in the Puzzle Boy GameBoy series, per Racket Boy. It was released in 1991 but did not gain much recognition until 2012. By that point, it was worth $700 in its original package and has climbed to a whopping $2,700 since then.
1 Zelda: Oracle Of Ages & Seasons Limited Edition ($3,970)
This The Legend of Zelda classic is one of the rarest and most valuable limited edition Nintendo game duos out there. The original set included two Zelda games from Capcom, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, for the GameBoy Color. Then, Nintendo decided to make a special edition that came with both games, plus pins, skins for GameBoy consoles, a T-shirt, and a boomerang.
Only 500 of these collector's edition sets were produced, and they don't often appear on the market. Back in 2013, one was sold for $3,970.