We already published the list of best GBC games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best GBC action games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the GBC definitely has a great library of action games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the GBC and action games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Frogger 2: Swampy’s Revenge
- Release Data: Morning Star Multimedia/Hasbro Interactive, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
There’s not much to Frogger 2, but that’s its charm—it’s an easy game to pick up and play, it’s a ton of fun, and you’ll be hooked when you want to go back and get a better score.
Frogger is a true arcade classic, and Frogger 2 doesn’t mess with the classic design—it just adds to it with great success.
#24. Looney Tunes Collector: Alert!
- Release Data: Infogrames, 2000
- Genre: Action » General
Looney Tunes Collector: Alert! may not be Pokémon, but it’s a finely polished puzzle-quest action game nonetheless.
While adults may find the game a bit too easy for their liking, the sheer personality of Bugs, Daffy, and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang is enough to induce enjoyment even in the most cynical of people.
#23. The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror
- Release Data: Software Creations/THQ, 2001
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
The Simpsons: Night of the Living Tree House of Horror, is a spooky action ripped straight out of a decade’s worth of Halloween specials.
The family’s souls are trapped in Bart’s tree house, and the only way to save them is to guide Bart, Maggie, Lisa, Homer, and Marge safely through each of his or her own uniquely nightmarish scenarios.
#22. Disney’s The Little Mermaid II: Pinball Frenzy
- Release Data: Left Field Productions/Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Action » Pinball
Overall, Disney’s The Little Mermaid II Pinball Frenzy is little more than a remake of Pokémon Pinball, minus Pikachu and his friends, of course.
If, for whatever reason, you need a non-Pokémon-tainted pinball game, Disney’s The Little Mermaid II Pinball Frenzy should do.
#21. Mega Man Xtreme 2
- Release Data: Capcom, 2001
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Though it still follows the basic formula as the first Mega Man Xtreme, Mega Man Xtreme 2 makes a suitable number of improvements and additions to make it worthwhile for Mega Man fans and those just looking for a good overall game.
#20. Croc 2
- Release Data: Natsume/THQ, 2001
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
As a sequel, Croc 2 blows away the original effort produced by the development company responsible for giving the little guy life.
Natsume produced a decent adventure for the cute reptile, so don’t let his first outing on the handheld taint your purchase decision—this game is a good one.
#19. Army Men
- Release Data: Digital Eclipse/3DO, 2000
- Genre: Action » General
This portable game is a heck of a lot of fun to play.
And it’s not entirely difficult since you can get hit plenty of times by gunfire and find a health pack nearby almost like clockwork.
Overall, it’s a fine Game Boy Color product and worth picking up.
#18. Ghosts ‘n Goblins
- Release Data: Digital Eclipse/Capcom, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Portable-console players looking for a sidescroller won’t be disappointed with Ghosts ‘n Goblins.
The control is easy to master, but the game manages to throw enough difficult enemies at you to keep you entertained.
Overall, it’s a great version of a real classic.
#17. Blaster Master: Enemy Below
- Release Data: SunSoft, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
The mixture of old and new elements give Blaster Master: Enemy Below enough new twists to make it a worthy sequel to the amazing original.
If you haven’t given the Blaster Master series a chance yet, this great Game Boy Color title is as good a reason as any.
#16. Dragon’s Lair
- Release Data: Digital Eclipse/Capcom, 2001
- Genre: Action » Arcade
The Game Boy Color version features the same timed-twitch gameplay, in a pixelated interactive movie that follows the original nearly scene-for-scene.
The game is designed to please younger gamers who are getting their first taste of the original, as well as the nostalgic, slightly older set who remember dumping quarter after quarter into the original arcade game.
#15. Lara Croft – Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword
- Release Data: Core Design Ltd./Activision, 2001
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This Tomb Raider title is a quality one.
And because the first game trained us in the art of controlling the complex Lara sprite, this one can be picked up and played more easily than the first one.
And the game will last you a good long while, with huge levels and lots of things to shoot.
#14. Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams
- Release Data: Crawfish Interactive/Capcom, 2000
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
Visually it is a big step down from the arcade original, but this is a fairly good-looking game considering the hardware.
Gameplay is the most important thing and luckily it feels like a Street Fighter game despite the occasional irritation of an unintended special move.
#13. Mega Man Xtreme
- Release Data: Capcom, 2001
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Fans of the early Mega Man X games on Super Nintendo will absolutely love this throwback spinoff.
Players complete a variety of challenging platforming levels, fighting bosses and acquiring their unique weapons.
This is truly one of the best action platforming games you can own on the Game Boy Color.
#12. Shantae
- Release Data: WayForward/Capcom, 2002
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This is a vibrant and fun platforming game, which went on to receive three sequels.
Hunting down the evil Risky Boots, Shantae must find a handful of dungeons and uncover the guardian genies within that allow Shantae to turn into different animal forms, giving you new and exciting abilities.
If you’re a fan of action games like Metroid, you’ll love Shantae.
#11. Asteroids
- Release Data: Syrox Developments/Activision, 1999
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down
Overall, this is one of the better examples of old classics returning to a newer audience.
This game adds a lot of interesting features that just didn’t exist previously.
The graphics are OK, the audio is OK. Passable, but nothing special. In the end, it’s a pretty decent game.
#10. Pac-Man: Special Color Edition
- Release Data: Namco, 1999
- Genre: Action » Arcade
Pac-Man is a classic, and definitely worth a purchase—but make sure you realize that it’s not a game with a ton of variety.
The two player mode and Pac-Attack are the icing on the cake—these two items make Pac-Man: Special Color Edition a fine addition to your Game Boy collection.
#9. Rayman
- Release Data: Ubisoft, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Even though some things are missing, there’s plenty of Rayman gaming to love here.
If you love the Rayman mechanics in either the sidescrolling original or even the 3D sequel, or if you just love a great looking platformer, Rayman on Game Boy Color has enough character and fun to earn a spot in your pocket.
#8. Pokemon Pinball
- Release Data: Jupiter Corporation/Nintendo, 1999
- Genre: Action » Pinball
This game smartly blends the mechanics of pinball with the gameplay concepts of Pokemon.
Like the standard Pokemon games, your aim is to catch the Pokemon that pop up on the table.
If you love pinball and love Pokemon, there’s no better game to play on your Game Boy Color.
#7. Wendy: Every Witch Way
- Release Data: WayForward/TDK Mediactive, 2001
- Genre: Action » General
Wendy: Every Witch Way is a game that gives the GBC a proper send-off into the realm of the retired game systems.
This game features excellent graphics and animation using WayForward’s incredible 8-bit scrolling engine and original gameplay elements that all come together as a great Game Boy Color title.
#6. Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble
- Release Data: HAL Labs/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Action » General
This game stands out due to its smart and unique control scheme.
The game cartridge contains a motion sensor, so when players move or tilt their console, the character on screen reacts accordingly.
Players can also flick their console upwards, causing Kirby to hop.
Furthermore, the game contains dozens of time-attack levels, which Kirby must pass unharmed.
#5. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
- Release Data: Nintendo Software Technology/Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces has some problems; a few dull boss battles, forgettable music and other things.
Luckily it’s an entertaining, challenging title with enough swinging action to keep players busy for some time.
Once cleared it may be a while before you feel the urge to go back to it, but it’s a decent entry in the series.
#4. Wario Land II
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1999
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This remake of the classic Game Boy title brings a healthy dose of color and excitement, improving on the original game’s vision.
Unlike Super Mario Brothers, Wario Land II is about solving puzzles and backtracking.
It’s an inventive game that forces players to think in unique ways, and it’s one of the best side-scrolling games on the Game Boy Color.
#3. Wario Land 3
- Release Data: Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This is a great side-scrolling action game that features one of Nintendo’s most beloved villains, Wario.
Like the previous Wario Land games, players control Wario across a number of colorful worlds and levels.
Wario must use the environment and other items to charge up, unlocking new powers.
Overall, it’s a fun and easy-to-learn game with plenty of personality.
#2. Donkey Kong Country
- Release Data: Rare Ltd./Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
If you played Donkey Kong Country on Super Nintendo, this Game Boy Color port will live up to your expectations.
Players control Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong together as the pair travel across a number of worlds.
This game will definitely put up a challenge, but those who have the skill to prevail will find this port to be valuable.
#1. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1999
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This is a remake of the original Super Mario Bros. game, but with some interesting and beneficial changes.
Players now explore an overworld map, similar to that from Super Mario Bros. 3.
You can also play multiplayer simultaneously, whereas the original game forced players to take turns.
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See also: Best N64 Games & Best GBA Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which GBC action game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
