I’ve just rediscovered my childhood Gameboys, I grew up in the 90s and had an original, a color, an advance and an sp. My game collection has whittled down over the year to the usual suspects, Pokemons, Zelda’s, Mario’s and some other standards. But I want to dive into some games that 7 year old me would have brushed over. So what’s your favorite game?
Buncha youngins with your GBAs.
My favourite OG gameboy game was Kirby’s Dream Land. Played and replayed it many times. Even had one of those attachments to magnify it and light up the screen when it got dark :)
I highly recommend Pleasant Dreams: The Welcoming Play of Kirby’s Dream Land. I got it in one of the mega Itch.io charity bundles and was intrigued. It was the highlight of the bundle for me, unexpectedly.
I’d never played Kirby’s Dream Land, but I loaded it up the next chance I got, and Couture nailed it. It’s an absolutely perfect introduction to gaming for non-gamers.
Ooh thanks for pointing it out. Looks like I have it from a bundle too, haha. I will give it a read.
I remember the day I got my worm light for the gbc. Everyone was peasants.
I still have mine! Found it the other day
The Megaman Battle Network series on GBA is awesome. Replayed a few of them last year and they are still great.
Do you know if the Steam remake was any good?
I have not played the steam remakes, but they appear to be the exact same games. So that would be a good way to play them if you don’t have the original games or ROMs for them.
Tetris change my mind
First video game I ever played
I was also going to say MMBN, but since that’s been said, I’ll say Golden Sun. Loved both of those games to death.
Breath of Fire 1 and 2 are also great (although technically SNES ports).
Golden Sun is my all-time favorite! I wish I could relive the thill I felt for the first and second games
Same here! They made a DS one as a third installment, but the story leaves off in the middle, and the sense of awe just isn’t there. Not the same anyway as 1&2. Especially 2, when you [SPOILER] play the “bad” guys
The ones I played the most were:
DMG: Kirby’s Dreamland 2
GBC: Shante
GBA: Drilldozer
Platformers to me always felt like the best suited games to handheld games, and I love the bright colorful art styles. Drilldozer is definitely my all time favorite. If you can find a copy, I’d highly recommend it! The rumble pack cartridge is so cool.
If you’re playing Gameboy specifically, and not including Advanced, then I played a ton of Marble Madness. I never beat it, but it is pretty fun physics-y platformer.
If you are including Advanced, then Metroid Fusion is a classic. Atmospheric, and beautiful sprite work. Genuinely scary in parts, and leads right into Dread if you like the gameplay.
I will never not shill advance wars 1 and 2 Great gameplay, great artstyle, great everyting
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Dragon Warrior Monsters for the Gameboy Color was fantastic. It was somewhat similar to pokemon, but had some features that pokemon didn’t get for several iterations, like having your monsters follow you around, monster breeding, and multi-monster fighting.
Magi Nation was also good, similar vein to both of them, but felt darker in tone. Although maybe that’s just how it seemed to a much younger me.
I’m so happy you mentioned Magi Nation. I just replayed that game not too long ago and still had a blast with it, though I def had nostalgia goggles on. lol
I had completely forgotten about this game until you just mentioned it. But wow I played this so much it was fantastic.
I remember getting another dragon warrior game and being confused why it wasn’t at all like Pokémon (was more of a jrpg party building game)
I would recommend that you check out Golden Sun.
Gosh! This takes me back! What a great game!
I saw this thread and immediately felt the need to recommend this game as well! was one of the only games I had the guidebook for as a kid. one of my favorite games for the gameboy.
I know you mentioned Zelda, but there were actually a ton of pretty good Zelda games like Oracle of Ages/Seasons. Advance Wars was pretty fun. Golden Sun too. I also have to agree with MMBN from the other commenters.
Oracle of ages/seasons was waaaay too hard. I tried to play it as a kid, got stuck, and gave up very early on. As an adult, I decided to come back to it just to see what I missed out on. Still had to check guides a few times and abused save states.
I can’t remember the details, but there was some kinds puzzle or something that depended on sound and my adult, hearing impaired self could not complete it without save states galore.
I really enjoyed Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
Never sleep on Wario land
Not exactly my favorite (because we already know Pokémon is) but I do remember playing Tetris a lot. My mom had bought one of the giant grey Gameboys with black & white display in the early 90’s and that thing lasted as long as any of the other handhelds we got throughout the years.
Tetris Attack was my jam!
Tail 'Gator is my hidden gem OG GB game, fun platformer with a great soundtrack.