Summary
TheNintendo Game Boyis Nintendo’s first true handheld console. Sure, the Game and Watch series acted as Nintendo’s first venture into the world of portable gaming, but the Game Boy had actual cartridges that you could change at will. You could also change a heap of batteries depending on which version of the system you had.
The Game Boy has plenty of options, from movie-licensed games to first-party entries that were the big names for their time. Of course, there are some games that you probably owned if you were a Game Boy owner. So which ones were the essentials for this black and white system?
Tetris is one of the most popularpuzzle gamesof all time. Blocks go down to create lines, then the lines disappear, making room for more blocks. Just don’t let the whole screen fill up, or it’s game over for you.
Tetris is known for its recognizable soundtrack and iconic pieces that fall from the sky. The game has been adapted countless times, but what makes this version one that you probably played on the Game Boy, is that it was often bundled with the system itself.
For the time, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a surprisingly deep game for such a small handheld. It managed to pack an entire Legend of Zelda experience into the palm of your hand as Link explored a realm very familiar to his own.
Link’s Awakening also shook up the gameplay a bit by adding in side-scrolling elements into certain dungeons. You could even have Link jump in a few scenarios, which was a first for the overhead Zelda titles. This is one of those Game Boy games that didn’t feel like a watered-down version of an NES or SNES game.
Super Mario Land always felt like a strange title in the series. Yet, it is one where the box art made you really want to play it. It showed Mario flying in a plane and using a submarine, things that you didn’t normally do in a Mario title.
These images just made you want to keep playing till you can reach these levels. Getting there could prove challenging though, as there was no save system or overworld to select stages. Even Mario’s sprite was smaller than average.
Super Mario Land 2 may be one ofthe easiest games in the series, but it left an impression on every single person that played it. Princess Peach? The Mushroom Kingdom? Nah, this time Mario is taking back his own castle from the clutches of the greedy Wario.
This title gave Mario fans a bit more freedom as to which world to tackle first. You could come and go from one world to the next with the ultimate goal being to collect all six golden coins. Anyone who played this game has memories flying over every difficult obstacle with the carrot power up.
While Pokemon Red and Blue were mega hits when they came out, some would say Yellow has just as much of an impact. This is because of its connection to the Pokemon anime which aired before its release making it easier for fans to relate.
Pokemon Yellow gave you a Pikachu that followed you just like in the anime. It had multiple ways of reacting to the world around you with unique animations. You also had some unique encounters that mirrored episodes from the anime while giving you all three starters.
Getting a game like Donkey Kong Country to translate well into a handheld format is no easy feat. Yet Donkey Kong Land managed to do this. It kept the core gameplay mechanics intact and even gave the original soundtrack a Game Boy makeover.
This is one of those games that could often be mistaken for Pokemon Yellow, as it too has a yellow cartridge. Riding the bus home could be exciting as you stomped Kremlings and listened to some killer tunes on the way back.
Kirby’s Dreamland isthe perfect game for beginners. Kirby can suck up enemies, some of their attacks, and float around. However, Kirby lacked his iconic ability of copying powers. Regardless, it’s one of those games where anyone could just pop in and enjoy.
Kirby’s soundtrack and victory dance are some of the more iconic features of the game. This is due to their catchy jingles that make playing through each stage a treat. The game also had some neat boss fights, a staple of the Kirby series from this point onwards.
3Operation C
Taking The Contra Experience On The Go
One of the biggest draws for any Game Boy game is the idea of bringing your favorite series on the go. So seeing a game as exciting as Contra in the Game Boy aisle is an instant pick-up. This is where Operation C came in.
The only thing lacking in this game is the co-op the series is known for. However, everything else is here. Enemies just keep coming, and you have to dodge projectiles in time to retaliate with a blast from your weapons.
Castlevania 2: Belmont’s Revenge is often considered one of the best Game Boy games of all time. This is due to how closely it can emulate the Castevania experience while also adding some unique features.
You can select the order in which you tackle each stage, allowing you to experience any level right from the get-go. Swing your whip and take down Dracula’s minions as you carefully traverse the platforming obstacles. This is made easier with fluid controls that weren’t present in Castevania’s first Game Boy title.
Dr. Mario feels like the kind of game that wouldn’t translate well. After all, each pill has a unique color that allows you to visually match them as they descend. Luckily, Dr. Mario for Game Boy swaps out color for texture, making the whole process easier.
With those catchy jingles, you can’t help but turn this game on and play for hours. Those viruses aren’t going away unless you match the right pills. It has that extra level of gameplay that sets it apart from other Game Boy entries like Tetris, but still being simple enough to slide right in.
