After the arrival of the Nintendo Switch, console gamers could finally play “real” console games on both their televisions and portably. Just like that, the days of Big N producing separate handheld systems like the Game Boy became a thing of the past.
But it turns out that there are many forgotten classics for this venerable handheld, most of which haven’t been released as part of the Nintendo Classics collection on the Switch (yet). Here are a few of my favorite overlooked Game Boy masterpieces that are worth digging out your old system for!
8Donkey Kong
To this day, no game has surprised me so completely and so pleasantly than 1994’sDonkey Kong. At first, this Game Boy title looks like a straight port of the arcade hit that we’ve all played countless times before. Once you complete the first few levels, though, the game suddenly expands into an epic puzzle platformer. As Mario, you’ll need to master a bevy of new moves in order to save the girl and defeat Donkey Kong once and for all.
Oh, and “defeat” is literal, as this game is filled with ambitious boss fights against the oversized ape. The only thing harder than those clashes are some of the trickier puzzles spread across this game’s many different levels. Fortunately, Mario’s new moves (some of which preview what he’d be doing inSuper Mario 64) come in clutch. My final thoughts on his overlooked Game Boy classic? Come for the platforming and stay for the adorable cut scenes; they were the closest thing some of us ’80s kids had togood video game TV shows.
7Ninja Gaiden Shadow
Long beforeDark SoulsandElden Ringbecame the games to beat, there was a different franchise that tested the might of gamers who thought they really knew their way around a controller. That franchise wasNinja Gaiden, which went from being a basic (if pretty) arcade hit to a trilogy of difficult NES games in which survival meant perfectly timing every jump and slash. If you’d like to revisit those classic days as you’ve never seen them before, then you definitely need to check outNinja Gaiden Shadowon the Game Boy.
It’s designed as a prequel to the hit NES games, making this handheld title a “must-play” for those who actually care about the lore of this crazy series. Mostly, though, the appeal ofShadowis that it offers a combination of beautiful graphics and intense battles. Also, because this was originally designed as aShadow of the Ninjagame, it has some features you don’t normally see inNinja Gaiden. That may annoy purists who want a complete replication of the NES action, but for me, it was a welcome change of pace that gave me new skills to master during the game’s short (but very memorable) runtime.
6Final Fantasy Adventure
WhenFinal Fantasyfans talk about their favorite titles in the franchise, they rarely mentionFinal Fantasy Adventure. That’s a shame because this Game Boy game is one of the most memorable titles in the franchise, delivering an ambitious adventure in the form of an action RPG (with an emphasis on action). Instead of fighting enemies from the world map in turn-based titles, you fight them directly, like you do inThe Legend of Zelda. Honestly, this mechanic alone was enough to separateFinal Fantasy Adventurefrom other RPGs back when the franchise was relatively new.
Fortunately, there’s more to the handheld title than this combat-related gimmick (although speaking as a retroZeldafan, it’s a really cool gimmick). It also features a killer story, one which resonated with enough fans that the game received a sequel: the (relatively) far more famous SNES RPGSecret of Mana. Now, if you like updated versions of older games, you should know that the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Vita both got enhanced remakes. But the Game Boy is still the best way to experience an early RPG that combines incredibly engaging combat with a surprisingly resonant story.
5Batman: Return of the Joker
Okay, be honest: did you involuntarily cringe reading the name of this game? As most retro gamers can tell you,Batmangames are very hit or miss. Long before theArkhamseries redefined superhero gameplay, this franchise wasn’t held in high regard. The originalBatmanNES game, for example, is a quiet masterpiece, but the SNESBatman Foreveris a boring slog. Therefore, you’d be forgiven for asking whetherBatman: Return of the Jokeris actually worth your time or not.
Fortunately, the answer to that question is “heck yes!” This game focuses on the basics of being Batman: namely, landing perfectly-timed jumps and using a bevy of bat gadgets to defeat a string of implacable enemies. You might need to train as hard as Bruce Wayne to succeed, though, as you are limited to only four continues. That makes beating this game quite the challenge, but when you do, it feels very rewarding. Just be sure not to freak anyone in the house out when you let loose your best “I am the knight!” yell as the credits roll.
4Kid Dracula
The nameKid Draculasounds like something from aRick and Mortybit, like the name for one of Tiny Rick’s bloodsucking nemeses. But it’s no joke: decades beforeRick and Mortybegan traveling the multiverse for misadventures,Kid Draculagave Game Boy players an experience like none other. You see, this game is secretly part of theCastlevaniaseries. Instead of playing as a whip-cracking hero, though, you play as a cutesy version of Count Dracula himself.
As the design of Dracula implies, this is a game aimed more at kids than adults. For this adult, though, there is plenty to enjoy, from the adorable chibi designs of the famous vampire to some great platforming challenges that always feel more fun than frustrating. Plus, veteranCastlevaniafans will likely enjoy using the count’s cool powers rather than being on the receiving end of his mystical wrath.
3Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
Once upon a time,Kid Icaruswas one of Nintendo’s greatest characters. Heck, the sheer popularity of the titular hero earned him a spot on the classicCaptain N: The Game Mastershow alongside fellow greats like Simon Belmont and Mega Man. Unfortunately,Kid Icarushasn’t had a solo title in a long time now, and the character is mostly forgotten except by those of us who love to play as him inSuper Smash Bros.
If you want a reminder of just why the character was so popular, though, you need to check out the Game Boy gameKid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters. It’s basically aMetroidvaniaback before we had a term for such games. You play as a driven little cherub with an infinite supply of arrows, but the real challenge isn’t the enemies; it’s navigating the various platforming challenges. Fortunately, the ability to slow down your descent (falling with style, baby!) can help you do what this forgotten title always manages to do: stick the landing.
2Mega Man V
Outside of heavy hitters like Mario, there are few classic video game icons quite as revered as Mega Man. And for good reason: his early adventures on the NES always managed to blend cool characters and hot level design into games that never pulled their punches when it came to difficulty. Of course, if you only played these games on traditional consoles, that means you missed out on one of the best entries of them all. Fortunately, it’s never too late to dust off your old Game Boy and playMega Man V, a standout title fromwhen platforms dominated gaming.
Make no mistake: this title is not a handheld adaptation of one of the Blue Bomber’s earlier adventures. Instead, it’s an all-new adventure complete with original levels and robot masters. There’s even a new sidekick in the form of a cat, which is great news for anyone who thought Mega Man was more of a dog person than a cat person. If you’re like me–aMega Manfranchise fan who hadn’t played this game before–booting it up is a lot like discovering a lost episode from your favorite television show: pure magic.
1Operation C
While they are very different franchises,Mega ManandContrahave a few things in common. They’re both side-scrolling action games where characters find specialized weaponry and use it to defeat colorful bosses. Both franchises also have Game Boy games that have been criminally overlooked! Just asMega Man Vwas a completely original adventure featuring the titular Blue Bomber,Operation Cis a completely uniqueContragame rather than an adaptation of a console title.
As originalContragames go, it’s pretty darned good! This is the kind of title you show friends who think that Game Boy franchise entries are nothing but watered-down ports. A quick word of warning: the gameplay here is much more akin toSuper Cthan to the very firstContra, which may mildly annoy someone who just wants a portable version of the original. For everyone else (including those of us who loveSuper C), this is an outstanding entry in the franchise, featuring beautiful sprites and brilliant boss fights.
When the Game Boy came out, it revolutionized how we play. And the revolution never stopped. If you don’t believe me, dust off your system and check out these killer cartridges to relive the golden years of gaming!
