The 16 Best Game Boy Games of All Time
- By Blake
- Apr 24,2025
The iconic Nintendo Game Boy, first released in 1989, revolutionized handheld gaming and maintained its dominance for nearly a decade until the Game Boy Color hit the market in 1998. With its compact 2.6-inch black-and-white screen, the Game Boy became the gateway to portable gaming for a whole generation, ultimately setting the stage for future innovations like the Nintendo Switch. By the end of its lifecycle, the Game Boy sold an impressive 118.69 million units, securing its place as the fourth best-selling console of all time.
A significant factor in the Game Boy's success was its extensive library of exceptional games, which introduced the world to beloved Nintendo franchises such as Pokémon, Kirby, and Wario. But which of these classics truly stand out? IGN’s editors have compiled a definitive list of the 16 best Game Boy games, focusing solely on titles released for the original Game Boy, excluding any Game Boy Color exclusives.
So, without further ado, here are the 16 best Game Boy games of all time.
16 Best Game Boy Games
16 Images
16. Final Fantasy Legend 2
Although it carries the Final Fantasy moniker, Legend 2 is the second installment in Square’s SaGa series, known for its intricate turn-based RPG mechanics. The Final Fantasy name was used in North America to establish a "Square = Final Fantasy" connection, as per SaGa director Akitoshi Kawazu. As one of the earliest RPGs on the Game Boy, Final Fantasy Legend 2 expanded on gameplay systems, enhanced graphics, and delivered a more engaging narrative than its predecessor.
Donkey Kong Game Boy
The Game Boy version of Donkey Kong significantly expands on the original arcade game, featuring all four levels from the 1981 classic and an additional 97 stages. These new levels introduce diverse environments like jungles and arctic regions, blending platforming and puzzle-solving elements. Mario's ability to pick up and throw items, reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 2, adds a fresh twist to the gameplay.
Final Fantasy Legend 3
Final Fantasy Legend 3, known as SaGa 3 in Japan, maintains the series' robust turn-based RPG mechanics while introducing a deeper narrative involving time travel. The game's story explores how past actions influence the present and future, echoing themes found in Square's acclaimed RPG, Chrono Trigger.
Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land marks the debut of Nintendo's iconic pink puffball, created by Masahiro Sakurai, the future director of the Super Smash Bros. series. This side-scrolling platformer introduces key elements like King Dedede and Dream Land, along with Kirby's signature abilities to inflate and fly and to swallow enemies, spitting them out as star-shaped projectiles. The game, compact with five levels, can be completed in under an hour.
Donkey Kong Land 2
Donkey Kong Land 2 is a handheld adaptation of the popular SNES game Donkey Kong Country 2, featuring Diddy and Dixie Kong on a mission to rescue Donkey Kong from Kaptain K.Rool. While the level design and puzzles are tailored to the Game Boy's hardware, the game retains the essence of its console counterpart and was released on a distinctive banana-yellow cartridge.
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2 expands on the original by introducing animal friends that alter Kirby's abilities, a hallmark feature of the series. This sequel is three times larger than its predecessor, offering more content and gameplay variety, as noted by IGN's sister site How Long to Beat.
Wario Land 2
Just before the launch of the Game Boy Color, Nintendo released Wario Land 2, featuring the robust and immortal Wario. The game offers aggressive gameplay with Wario's powerful charge attack and over 50 levels filled with diverse boss battles, hidden exits, and alternate endings.
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 marks Nintendo's experimental shift by focusing on the villainous Wario, introducing new elements like garlic power-ups and unique hats that grant special abilities such as ground pounding, fire breathing, and gliding.
Super Mario Land
Super Mario Land, one of the Game Boy's launch titles, was Nintendo's first Mario platformer designed for handheld play. Adapted to the Game Boy's smaller screen, the game features unique elements like exploding Koopa shells and Superballs, and introduces Princess Daisy.
Dr. Mario
Dr. Mario, a Tetris-inspired puzzle game, challenges players to match colored pills with viruses on the screen. Despite the Game Boy's black-and-white display, the game's engaging mechanics and Mario's new role as a doctor make it a memorable title.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins significantly improves upon its predecessor with smoother gameplay, larger sprites, and the introduction of backtracking, an overworld, and varied zones. The game replaces the Superball Flower with the iconic Fire Flower and introduces Bunny Mario, with Wario making his first appearance as the main antagonist.
Tetris
Tetris, included as a pack-in game for the Game Boy's launch in North America and Europe, is not only the fifth-best Game Boy game but also one of the most influential. Its timeless puzzle gameplay perfectly suits portable play and helped drive Game Boy sales. With three modes and multiplayer via the Game Link Cable, Tetris sold 35 million units, making it the best-selling single Game Boy release.
Metroid 2: Return of Samus
Metroid 2: Return of Samus captures the essence of the series with its solitary adventure and intricate level design. It introduces key elements like the Plasma Beam, Space Jump, and Spider Ball, and sets the stage for the narrative of Baby Metroid, which is pivotal for its sequel, Super Metroid. The game was later remade for the 3DS as Metroid: Samus Returns.
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue launched the global phenomenon that is the Pokémon franchise. Players journey to become Kanto's Champion, collecting and battling Pokémon. Inspired by Satoshi Tajiri's childhood insect collecting, the games have spawned a massive media franchise with over 100 sequels, a trading card game, numerous movies and TV shows, and extensive merchandise.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening brought the series to handheld consoles for the first time. Stranded on Koholint Island, players guide Link through dungeons to collect instruments and awaken the Wind Fish. The game blends traditional Zelda elements with a surreal, Twin Peaks-inspired narrative, which was revitalized with a charming remake for the Switch in 2019.
Pokémon Yellow
Pokémon Yellow, the definitive Pokémon experience on the Game Boy, replaces the starter Pokémon with a companion Pikachu that follows the player in the overworld. Inspired by the anime, the game features Team Rocket's Jessie and James and altered gym leader teams. The first generation of Pokémon games remains the best-selling, with nearly 500 million copies sold across all titles, including the latest hits, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
For more Game Boy nostalgia, explore former IGNpocket Editor Craig Harris' top 25 Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on IGN Playlist. You can even remix and rerank his list to create your own personalized ranking.
Best Game Boy games
Here is a curated list of what I consider the finest offerings from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, because the GBC was essentially an enhanced version of the original. If you're looking for Game Boy Advance titles, that's a different discussion altogether.
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