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With the recent release of Nintendo's newest handheld, the 2DS, we thought it only fitting to revisit the classic Game Boy Color.
With its backward-compatibility, it already had a major roster of playable titles right off the bat. But we're not listing those games here. Sure, there are some classic, classic Game Boy titles, but this list is all about the excellent games that came out exclusively for the Game Boy Color. All of these titles fully utilize the color feature and are also all-around great titles.
How many of these do you remember playing? These are the Best Video Games for Nintendo's Gameboy Color.
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25. Bubble Bobble
Publisher: Taito
While it wasn't exactly like its arcade or even its NES brethren, it was close enough for us to enjoy the adventures of Bub and Bob on the go.
24. R-Type DX
Publisher: Irem
It might have felt a tad bit slower on the Game Boy Color than it did on the Super NES, but this side-scrolling shoot-em-up classic looked gorgeous at the time on the small screen. And hey, you can't go wrong with R-Type. You just can't.
23. Dragon Warrior Monsters
Publisher: Enix
Some people call it a Pokemon rip-off, while others claim it's even better than Pokemon because it has that Dragon Warrior feel. Well, we're in-between on the matter, but it is a fun title, all the same.
22. Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword
Publisher: Core Design
This Game Boy Color exclusive was the closest many young men ever got to having Lara Croft in their hands. It was a side-scroller, so it was different than the console games, but it still felt like Tomb Raider. Fancy that.
21. Donkey Kong Land 3
Publisher: Rare
It was about as close to its Super Nintendo big sister, Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble, as possible back then on a handheld. The thing is, DKC3 was a pretty big game, and it didn't translate as well to the GBC as some of the earlier titles in the series. Still, it was great game nonetheless.
20. Rainbow Islands
Publisher: Taito
Whatchu know about Rainbow Islands? Well, if you haven't played this classic sequel (that's right, sequel) to Bubble Bobble, then you haven't lived, man. You haven't lived. Basically, all you do is make rainbow bridges and try to get to the top of the screen. Again, if you've never played it before, then we feel sorry for you. It's really addictive. Screw Candy Crush.
19. Donkey Kong Country
Publisher: Rare
Surprisingly, the original Donkey Kong Country is the best game in the series on the Game Boy Color since it's also the smallest. We were amazed at how good this game played back in the day. Amazed!
18. Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
Publisher: HAL Laboratory
This was a weird one. It came with a sensor and you basically controlled Kirby by tilting your Game Boy in different directions. It was unique, it was fun, but it wasn't your typical suck things in, transform into something else Kirby game. All the same, we liked it.
17. Dragon Warrior I & II
Publisher: Enix
Two stellar, classic RPGs for the price of one? You know we were on that one back in the day.
16. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
Publisher: Nintendo
The original SMB gem in NES perfect form had us all wondering what other furture NES classics would make it to the Game Boy Color. Alas, this was the only one. Still, it was a winner all the same.
15. Mario Tennis
Publisher: Camelot
It's tennis, it's Mario, and it's a dream come true on the small screen. It didn't hurt that there was an RPG-esque game on here as well where you took your character through a Royal Tennis Academy that wasn't in the N64 version. We weren't complaining.
14. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge
Publisher: Intelligent Systems
This stellar puzzle game would be even higher on the list if it really wasn't just a rebranded version of Tetris Attack with Gold and Silver Pokemon characters in it. Shameless, Nintendo. Shameless.
13. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
Publisher: Nintendo Software Technology
Who needs a jump button? The grappling hook returned in this GBC classic. We especially liked the sniper rifle sections.
12. Metal Gear Solid
Publisher: TOSE
Acting as a follow-up to the NES games rather than the 3D Playstation titles, the 2D overhead perspective was befitting of the series roots.
11. Pokemon Pinball
Publisher: Jupiter
It's pinball, but the ball is a Pokeball, and you were able to collect 151 Pokemon. As if pinball wasn't addictive enough.
10. Mega Man Xtreme
Publisher: Capcom
Basically, it was Mega Man X on the small screen. It was a little ugly, but hey, the gameplay was still there.
9. Tetris DX
Publisher: Bullet-Proof Software
Only Tetris could admit that it was the same game you already owned on the previous system, but in color. Still, it WAS Tetris, and who doesn't love Tetris?
8. Mario Golf
Publisher: Camelot Software Planning
Similar to Mario Tennis, this phenomenal title also featured some RPG elements not featured in its console big brother. And plus, it's golf, which has always translated well on a small screen. Just check out those greens.
7. Shantae
Publisher: WayForward Technologies
While you might not have ever heard of this game before since it came so late in the GBC's lifespan, it was a really solid platformer featuring a half genie named Shantae. You can actually play it right now. It was re-released for the 3DS virtual console. Pick it up.
6. Dragon Warrior III
Publisher: TOSE
Chronologically taking place before Dragon Warrior I & II, this is definitely the best of the three. We loved the anime look of the game and the fact that it was a bit more mature than most GBC titles. Fun fact: It was the first GBC game to get a teen rating. Oh, and the game was absolutely massive, making it the perfect title for the ever so long family vacation.
5. Pokemon Crystal Edition
Publisher: Game Freak
If you held off on getting Pokemon Gold and Silver at an earlier date, then Pokemon Crystal was your game, as it was a combination of the two. We really liked the new Battle Tower, as it was kind of like Pokemon Stadium. We also liked that our little sisters could feel empowered with this game since you could actually pick to be a girl Pokemon trainer (In previous editions, you could only be a boy). Hear hear to female advancement!
4. Wario Land 3
Publisher: Nintendo
The best platformer for the Game Boy Color, who needed a new Mario Land title when the Wario Land games (This one taking place in a music box) were so fun? Wario was indestructable!
3. The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons
Publisher: Capcom
A game so good that even though it wasn't made by Nintendo (Capcom made both Oracle titles), it's still considered canon. Honestly, Oracle of Seasons and Ages are interchangeable on this list as they both came together to make one massive game. Dig that rod of seasons.
2. The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages
Publisher: Capcom
Again, Ages, Seasons, Seasons, Ages, either is interchangeable on this list, so don't get huffy. We like them equally.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Publisher: Nintendo
Our all-time favorite handheld Legend of Zelda game (Sorry Oracles of Ages and Seasons), Link's Awakening DX is basically just a color version of Link's Awakening on the Game Boy, but that's just fine with us because that game was perfect already. Plus, this version has a secret dungeon with color based puzzles. Gimmicky? Sure, but what's a gimmick here and there when the gameplay is already this solid?