Top 16 Game Boy Games Ever

The Nintendo Game Boy, launched in 1989, marked a revolutionary moment in gaming history as the company's first handheld console. This iconic device captivated gamers for nine years, until the advent of its colorful successor, the Game Boy Color, in 1998. With its modest 2.6-inch black-and-white display, the Game Boy became a beloved gateway to portable gaming, setting the stage for future innovations like the Nintendo Switch. Its impressive sales of 118.69 million units cement its place as the fourth best-selling console of all time.

A significant factor in the Game Boy's enduring appeal was its extensive library of exceptional games, which introduced the world to iconic franchises such as Pokémon, Kirby, and Wario. IGN’s editors have meticulously selected the 16 best Game Boy games, focusing solely on titles released for the original Game Boy, excluding Game Boy Color exclusives. These games have not only stood the test of time but have also played a crucial role in shaping the gaming industry.

16 Best Game Boy Games

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16. Final Fantasy Legend 2

Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square | Publisher: Square | Release Date: December 14, 1990 (JP) | Review: IGN's Final Fantasy Legend 2 review

Final Fantasy Legend 2, part of Square's SaGa series, is an engaging turn-based RPG that brought enhanced gameplay and a more compelling narrative to the Game Boy. Though it carried the Final Fantasy moniker for its North American release, it is fundamentally a SaGa game, offering a deep and rewarding experience.

15. Donkey Kong Game Boy

Donkey Kong for Game Boy expanded significantly on the original arcade game, introducing 97 new stages that took players from construction sites to jungles and arctic landscapes. With Mario's new ability to pick up and throw items, it added layers of platforming and puzzle-solving challenges.

14. Final Fantasy Legend 3

Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square | Publisher: Square | Release Date: December 13, 1991 (JP) | Review: IGN's Final Fantasy Legend 3 review

Final Fantasy Legend 3, known as SaGa 3 in Japan, enriched the series with a deeper storyline involving time travel, where past actions influence the present and future, reminiscent of the acclaimed RPG, Chrono Trigger.

13. Kirby's Dream Land

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: HAL Laboratory | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: April 27, 1992 (JP) | Review: IGN's Kirby's Dream Land review

The debut of Kirby's Dream Land introduced players to Nintendo's beloved pink hero and the whimsical Dream Land. This simple yet charming game laid the groundwork for Kirby's enduring legacy in gaming.

12. Donkey Kong Land 2

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Rare | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: September 23, 1996 (NA)

Donkey Kong Land 2 adapted the beloved SNES game, Donkey Kong Country 2, for the Game Boy, maintaining the adventure of Diddy and Dixie Kong as they seek to rescue Donkey Kong from Kaptain K.Rool, with unique level designs tailored to the handheld's capabilities.

11. Kirby's Dream Land 2

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: HAL Laboratory | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 21, 1995

Kirby's Dream Land 2 expanded on the original with the introduction of ability-altering animal friends and a tripled game length, offering a fuller Kirby experience that fans recognize today.

10. Wario Land 2

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 9, 1998 (NA) | Review: IGN's Wario Land 2 review

Wario Land 2, released just before the Game Boy Color, showcased Wario's robust gameplay mechanics and immortality, offering a unique twist on the platforming genre with hidden exits and diverse boss battles.

9. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 marked a daring departure from the Mario formula, introducing Wario as a playable character with his own set of unique power-ups and exploration mechanics.

8. Super Mario Land

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: April 21, 1989 (JP) | Review: IGN's Super Mario Land review

As one of the Game Boy's launch titles, Super Mario Land brought the Mario experience to handheld gaming, featuring innovative elements like exploding Koopa shells and the introduction of Princess Daisy.

7. Dr. Mario

Dr. Mario brought a Tetris-like puzzle experience to the Game Boy, where players matched colored pills to eliminate viruses, offering addictive gameplay with a memorable twist.

6. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: October 21, 1992 | Review: IGN's Super Mario Land 2 review

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins improved upon its predecessor with smoother gameplay, larger sprites, and the introduction of Bunny Mario, marking a significant evolution in handheld Mario adventures.

5. Tetris

Tetris, bundled with the Game Boy at launch, became synonymous with the console, selling 35 million copies and establishing itself as a cornerstone of portable gaming.

4. Metroid 2: Return of Samus

Metroid 2: Return of Samus brought the series' signature atmosphere and exploration to the handheld format, introducing key elements like the Spider Ball and setting the stage for future entries.

3. Pokémon Red and Blue

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Game Freak | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: February 27, 1996 (JP) | Review: IGN's Pokémon Red review

Pokémon Red and Blue sparked a global phenomenon, offering a rich world of creature collection and battling that has since grown into the highest-grossing media franchise ever.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Link's Awakening brought the Zelda series to handheld consoles with a unique and surreal story set on Koholint Island, later remade for the Nintendo Switch to introduce new generations to its charm.

1. Pokémon Yellow

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Game Freak | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: September 12, 1998 (JP) | Review: IGN's Pokémon Yellow review

Pokémon Yellow refined the original Pokémon experience, aligning it with the anime series by featuring a companion Pikachu and other narrative enhancements, becoming the definitive Game Boy Pokémon game.

Best Game Boy games

I was asked to curate what I think is the absolute finest the Game Boy has to offer. This, to me, includes both Game Boy AND Game Boy Color, because c'mon, the GBC was just a Game Boy with a little extra oomph.Looking for Game Boy Advance? That's a completely different beast with its own remarkable titles.

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