The Game Boy (sometimes referred to as the original Game Boy or Gameboy) is the first 8-bit handheld in the Game Boy family.
Not only is it popular due to the great library of amazing games, the Game Boy is also famous for its battery life and durable construction.
For those of you who have played this remarkable handheld in the past, I bet you want to know the best Game Boy games of all time.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Kirby’s Dream Land
- Release Data: HAL Labs/Nintendo, 1992
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Kirby’s Dream Land is an exceptionally charming platformer, but the pink puff’s debut adventure feels a bit too elementary.
But perhaps the greatest strength of this game is in its toned-down difficulty (of normal mode).
This makes Kirby’s Dream Land a great introductory game for newbies and young kids alike.
#24. Star Wars
- Release Data: NMS Software/Capcom, 1992
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
There are a nice variety of gaming styles to keep you glued to your Game Boy.
It’s difficult, but not impossible, and with practice you should persevere.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, I suggest you keep a look out for this game on the second hand market, or you know, emulator.
#23. Dr. Mario
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1990
- Genre: Puzzle » Matching
Dr. Mario is a decent puzzle game for retro Game Boy enthusiasts, but probably isn’t top of the must-have list for other gamers.
Why? Because there are plenty of creative, attractive and modern falling block puzzle games on the market, as well as a more fully-featured and contemporary entry in this series.
#22. Golf
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1990
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Sim
While certainly basic, Golf doesn’t have many overt flaws, but you also don’t get much that will keep you coming back: with only two courses and no surprises along the way, the game starts to feel very repetitive very quickly.
If you love golf games, you probably have something better to play already.
#21. Kirby’s Pinball Land
- Release Data: HAL Labs/Nintendo, 1993
- Genre: Action » Pinball
Kirby’s Pinball Land doesn’t manage to assert itself as either a Kirby game or a pinball game, and because of that it feels more than a little aimless.
It’s an experiment that didn’t quite come together properly, and so it’s a minor departure for an otherwise reliable Nintendo mascot.
#20. Final Fantasy Legend III
- Release Data: SquareSoft, 1993
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
If you like your quests long and your combat systems very basic and traditional in design, you’re likely to find a lot to like with this release, but if you’ve grown to expect some of the more modern conveniences, you might find this release a bit too tedious in nature.
#19. Kirby’s Block Ball
- Release Data: HAL Labs/Nintendo, 1996
- Genre: Action » Arcade
A first play lasts three hours and there’s replay value to be found in score-making.
The classic gameplay of Breakout and the delights of Kirby’s presentation, music and unique power-ups come together well, even if there can be a tad too much waiting and hoping in later worlds.
#18. Kirby’s Star Stacker
- Release Data: HAL Labs/Nintendo, 1997
- Genre: Puzzle » Stacking
There’s not really that much to say about Kirby’s Star Stacker.
If you enjoy falling block puzzlers, then this should be a fun little game, as it’s not really like any other one out there.
It’s quite fun and it’s a title where you can’t really go wrong.
#17. Gargoyle’s Quest
- Release Data: Capcom, 1990
- Genre: Action Adventure » Survival
Beautiful in its simplicity, satisfying in its depth and assured in execution, Gargoyle’s Quest is almost a painful reminder of how good games used to be, and is a solid indication of how potent a gaming platform the Game Boy was.
This is a truly timeless release that should be experienced by gamers of all ages.
#16. Super Mario Land
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1989
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
If you haven’t played Super Mario Land before, you owe it to yourself to at least give the game a try.
The quest might be fairly short, but it’s still worth playing through at least once, if only to see where Mario’s portable adventures began.
#15. Metroid II: Return of Samus
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1991
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
Metroid II expands on the original title quite nicely.
There’s still no map for the game’s giant world, but because it’s fairly linear it shouldn’t be a problem most of the time.
Although nowhere near the 2D masterpiece that is Super Metroid, Metroid II has held up better than the original game and as such is still very much worth playing.
#14. Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
- Release Data: TOSE/Nintendo, 1991
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
If you’re a fan of the original Kid Icarus you owe it to yourself to pick up the sequel.
Not only does it capture the same magic found in the NES release, but it also builds on many of the great gameplay ideas featured in the original.
#13. Donkey Kong Land 2
- Release Data: Rare Ltd./Nintendo, 1996
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
With more levels to play through and extra items to collect Donkey Kong Land 2 is certainly a bigger game than its predecessor, however it’s not quite as impressive due to being a bit too similar to Diddy’s SNES outing.
Luckily the varied bunch of levels and enemies ensure that the game is still fun to play through.
#12. Final Fantasy Adventure
- Release Data: SquareSoft, 1991
- Genre: Role-Playing » Action RPG
There is always a sense that a great adventure ahead and the adventure is indeed great.
Great puzzles, solid graphics and an atmospheric score—there is little argument that this title deserves to be on any Game Boy reviewer’s list as a must-have.
#11. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1992
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
The difficulty is perhaps a bit on the easy side, but it’s still one of the best Game Boy titles ever released and a testament to just how capable a game system the Game Boy truly was.
If you’re a Mario fan, you need to own this game; if you’re not, this release is enough to make you one.
#10. Bionic Commando
- Release Data: Minakuchi Engineering/Capcom, 1992
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Because of its complete break away from genre convention by emphasizing swinging over jumping, Bionic Commando is one of those games that you either love or hate.
Nothing else plays quite like it, and this portable adaptation is a surprisingly robust and polished entry in the series.
#9. Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1994
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
With Wario Land, Nintendo completely reinvented its portable platformer and gave its greedy new character his own game, instead of merely plopping him down into the middle of another standard Super Mario Land presentation.
If you want to experience some of the best platforming the Game Boy system has to offer, you don’t look any further than this release.
#8. Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge
- Release Data: Konami, 1991
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Like so many games of the era, the gameplay is pure, unhindered by modern concerns such as plots, 3D visuals and other fripperies.
With superb level design, tight controls, engaging gameplay and a great soundtrack, Belmont’s Revenge ranks as one of the utterly essential Game Boy games and is as enjoyable today as it was many years ago.
#7. Motocross Maniacs
- Release Data: Konami, 1990
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Other
If you can find a used copy of this game (or, if you’re playing with an emulator), I would highly recommend plunking down the appropriate amount of cash for it.
This game is a perfect example to illustrate how simple games can be great in their own right.
#6. Donkey Kong
- Release Data: Pax Softonica/Nintendo, 1994
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
With 101 stages, Donkey Kong for the Game Boy is far more than just a simple sequel to the arcade game.
It may not be part of the ‘main’ Mario series, but this is easily one of the best Mario games ever made.
#5. Pokemon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
- Release Data: Game Freak/Nintendo, 1999
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
Whichever version you pick up, the original Pokémon titles remain an enjoyable gaming experience.
Simple in appearance and lacking the bells and whistles of later games, they nevertheless engross from start to finish.
In short, you can’t simply go wrong with Pokémon games.
#4. Pokemon Red Version
- Release Data: Game Freak/Nintendo, 1998
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
Once you start playing Pokemon, you can not stop.
Pokemon Red & Blue was a revolution in handheld gaming and is still making an impact.
And one more thing, if you are one of those gamers who did not play Pokemon, you are a minority.
#3. Pokemon Blue Version
- Release Data: Game Freak/Nintendo, 1998
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
Pokemon really is worthy of being one of the Game Boy system’s greatest games—it’s not just a fad, a craze, or trend.
If you don’t have this game in your library, pick one up.
You’ll just have to make sure you’ve got a friend with the other version if you want to catch ’em all.
#2. Tetris
- Release Data: Bullet Proof Software/Nintendo, 1989
- Genre: Puzzle » Stacking
There have been countless ports of this addictive puzzler made available for just about every electronic device in existence, but the Game Boy version is arguably the most well-loved.
This game is the Tetris you remember, and that’s reason enough to give it another look.
#1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1993
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
If you want to experience the very best of what the Game Boy system has to offer, do yourself a favor and pick up Link’s Awakening.
Not only it’s the best game available for the Game Boy system, but it’s also one of the best games available for any game system period.
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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best SNES Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which Game Boy game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
