Top 10 Gameboy Games

Kicking off our list is the blue bomber in his best handheld adventure. The first four Megaman Game Boy games were all watered down ports of their NES equivalents, whereas five was designed with original levels and bosses, each named after the planets in the solar system. Being made specifically for the system gave this game an authentic experience that was well deserved.

This sequel to the NES game saw Samus arrive the Metroid home world of SR3-88 with one goal in mind: the total extermination of all Metroids. This game was the first to introduce Samus’s Gunship along with her popular Varia suit design that’s still used to this day. It also set the stage for the SNES Epic that was to follow.

The Donkey Kong Land series as a whole was an amazing technical achievement for the system, attempting to translate the existing SNES experience to the underpowered portable console. Managing great graphics and tight all around gameplay, we’re giving the nod to the third game in the portable spinoff franchise. That’s due to being the best polished, having the most original levels, and exclusive mini-games.

The first Mario game ever to not be directed by Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario Land was the platforming launch title for the system that took Mario to exotic lands with enemies never before seen, and never seen since. It even threw in vehicle levels for good measure! Honorable mention also goes to its sequel, which introduced Mario’s nemesis, the greedy yellow color schemed jerk Wario.

Don’t get fooled by the name. This game is actually the predecessor to Secret of Mana. Known as “Mystic Quest” in Europe, it was marketed as a spinoff of the Final Fantasy series. This action RPG pushed the system to its limits in terms of how much you can pack into one cartridge. It later received a remake on the Game Boy Advance titled “Sword of Mana”.

This remake of the classic arcade game was more that just a simple redesign, as Donkey Kong took Pauline well beyond the construction site with Mario in pursuit across more than 90 levels. Released to show off the ability of the SNES’ Super Game Boy adaptor, this platform/puzzle game was the first to display Mario’s acrobatic abilities, which would later go on to be a series standard in his 3D adventures.

The debut appearance of Nintendo’s cute walking marshmallow, its rather simple gameplay made it an ideal pick up and play choice. Selling over 5 million copies, the game became an instant classic among Nintendo fans. Although it wasn’t until his sequel that Kirby gained his now famous power absorbing abilities, the roots were laid here.

Zelda games have always been stellar hits on their respective consoles and Link’s Awakening was no exception, though the game was the first to omit the title character along with the land of Hyrule. This game instead saw Link shipwrecked and washed ashore on a mysterious island, where the inhabitants have no knowledge of the outside world. Gorgeous 2D top-down gameplay along with a beautiful yet tragic twist ending made this game truly unforgettable.

Does this game even need an introduction? Not only is it arguably the best puzzle game of all time, but the Game Boy iteration is possibly the best adaptation of the series. Released as a tie-in game with the system at launch, it showcased a deceptively simple pick-up and play design. While we didn’t always have time for adventure games while out and about, we always made time for Tetris!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Taking the top spot on our list is the game series that became a phenomenon that’s still popular to this day. Despite being released at the end of the Game Boy’s lifespan, it singlehandedly breathed new life into the system, selling over 32 million copies! It’s simply ludicrous amount of content, along with the added replay bonus of trading and battling with friends made it the game no Game Boy owner could live without.

Do you agree with our list? Which Game Boy games drained your AA batteries dry? For more exciting Top 10 lists published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com!