The Game Boy Color (also known as GBC) is the successor of the legendary Game Boy.
With so many popular titles, the GBC offers you colored graphics and a new kind of experience back in its heyday.
For those of you who have played this remarkable handheld in the past, I bet you want to know the best GBC games of all time.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. R-Type DX
- Release Data: Bits Studios/Epoch, 1999
- Genre: Casual » Compilation
This fantastic Game Boy collection contains the first two R-Type games bundled together.
The two futuristic shooters let you unleash your lasers on a number of enemy types.
There are multiple action-packed levels to complete, with tough bosses blocking your progress.
You’ll surely have a blast while you defend humanity across these two awesome and colorful games.
#24. 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.
#23. 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.
#22. Tomb Raider Starring Lara Croft
- Release Data: Core Design Ltd./Eidos Interactive, 2000
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
This excellent adventure takes you to five different environments across fourteen unique levels.
Using Lara’s abilities, you’ll navigate tough obstacles, fight enemies, and make daring leaps.
And thanks to Lara’s extended moveset, you’ll be able to fight with style.
Also, Lara can perform over twenty unique moves, such as rolls, backflips, and more.
#21. Dragon Warrior Monsters
- Release Data: TOSE/Enix Corporation, 2000
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
This game blends the RPG focus of the Dragon Quest franchise with the catching and breeding mechanics of Pokemon.
Like Pokemon, players travel around the world capturing hostile monsters and adding them to their party.
This game has dozens of hours of RPG and monster-catching fun, so definitely check it out!
#20. Pokemon Crystal Version
- Release Data: Game Freak/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
Like Pokemon Silver and Gold, Crystal follows the story of a young Pokemon trainer attempting to become the world’s best.
Pokemon Crystal contains a few unique features as well, such as the ability to pick between either a boy or girl Pokemon trainer.
There are also some additional stories that have been added, revolving around the powerful “legendary” Pokemon.
#19. Mickey’s Speedway USA
- Release Data: Rare Ltd./Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Racing » Arcade » Automobile
Besides being absolutely adorable and tons of fun, this Disney-themed racing game has plenty of content as well.
There are three main modes; Grand Prix, Multiplayer, and Battle.
As you work your way through these three modes, you can race as six different Disney characters.
If you play well enough, you’ll be able to unlock four other characters!
#18. Pokemon Trading Card Game
- Release Data: Hudson Soft/Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
If you’ve played any of the first three generation of Pokemon games, this spin-off game will feel very familiar.
The game contains cards from the first three generations, and players must strategically create a deck to battle with.
And there are even exclusive cards and characters never seen in the game series before!
#17. Dragon Warrior I & II
- Release Data: TOSE/Enix Corporation, 2000
- Genre: Casual » Compilation
If you’re a fan of games like Final Fantasy, you’ll love Dragon Warrior I & II.
These classic NES RPGs have players controlling a mysterious stranger who attempts to save a royal princess from a dangerous dragon.
Overall, these two games will keep you playing for hundreds of hours.
#16. 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.
#15. 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.
#14. Dragon Warrior III
- Release Data: TOSE/Enix Corporation, 2001
- Genre: Role-Playing » Japanese-Style
Like other RPGs, Dragon Warrior III has players forming a party of heroes and exploring an open world.
Defeating enemies and finishing quests gives you experience points, making your teammates more powerful than before.
This is truly a classic RPG, and one that every turn-based gaming fan should play.
#13. Mario Golf
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 1999
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Arcade
This handheld golfing game has a lot in common with its console equivalent, Mario Golf on the Nintendo 64.
Like that game, players can play a full round of golf, facing off against a wide variety of popular Mario characters.
This is one sports game that is fun regardless of your involvement with the original sport.
#12. 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.
#11. Pokemon Gold Version
- Release Data: Game Freak/Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
This sequel to the incredibly popular Pokemon Blue and Red amps up things in almost every department.
There are now more than 250 Pokemon to find and collect, expanding the Pokedex from the original 151.
Overall, this is one of the best turn-based RPGs on the Game Boy Color, and it’s welcoming enough for even the newest of gamers.
#10. 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.
#9. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
- Release Data: Intelligent Systems/Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Puzzle » Matching
In this colorful and addictive puzzle game, players choose their Pokemon and go head-to-head with powerful Gym Leaders.
As you defeat enemies, you’re able to capture new Pokemon to play as.
This is an excellent crossover between Tetris Attack and the Pokemon franchise, and ends up being one of the best puzzle games on the system.
#8. 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.
#7. Mario Tennis
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Tennis
Like Mario Tennis on Nintendo 64, this tennis title is meant to be easy-to-learn and fun to play.
Players select from a list of athletes, ranging from Nintendo characters to standard human athletes.
Players can also transfer their characters to the Nintendo 64 version of the game, earning experience that they can then transfer back to the Game Boy Color version.
#6. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
- Release Data: Nintendo, 1998
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
As Link explores the world, he must solve puzzles and discover eight magical instruments.
He must then take these instruments to the sleeping Wind Fish in an effort to awaken the god-like creature and escape the island.
It’s a distinct Zelda adventure that is unlike any other, and is a must-play for all fans of the series.
#5. Pokemon Silver Version
- Release Data: Game Freak/Nintendo, 2000
- Genre: Role-Playing » Trainer
Although gameplay is similar to Pokemon Red and Blue, this second-generation Pokemon title brings in a few new features.
There’s also a slew of new Pokemon to collect, fleshing out your party with new skills and abilities.
If you think you have what it takes to become the Pokemon Master, I highly recommend you give it a try.
#4. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
- Release Data: Flagship/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
This is a fantastic 2D Legend of Zelda game, with tons of cool items and interesting mechanics.
The main feature in Oracle of Seasons is the ability to change the seasons, using an item called the Rod of Seasons.
If you’ve played A Link to the Past on SNES or Link’s Awakening on the Game Boy Color, you’ll love this game.
#3. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
- Release Data: Flagship/Nintendo, 2001
- Genre: Action Adventure » Open-World
Like Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages plays from a top-down perspective.
Players control Link as he sets out to explore the surrounding map, discovering dungeons and unlocking new abilities.
The main ability is time travel, which Link is able to do thanks to the Harp of Ages.
In the end, this is considered as the best Zelda game on the GBC.
#2. 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.
#1. Metal Gear Solid
- Release Data: TOSE/Konami, 2000
- Genre: Action Adventure » General
Players must sneak through a variety of environments, using their stealth skills to slip past enemies and obstacles.
There’s also over 180 training missions in the VR Training mode, which is sure to help you master the art of stealth.
This is a game that’s best for the more strategic and cautious player, but your tactics will be greatly rewarded.
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See also: Best N64 Games & Best GBA Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which GBC game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!