Top 16 Game Boy Games Ever Ranked

The Nintendo Game Boy, launched in 1989, revolutionized portable gaming and reigned supreme for nine years until the Game Boy Color's arrival in 1998. With its iconic 2.6-inch black-and-white display, the Game Boy introduced millions to the joys of gaming on the go, setting the stage for future innovations like the Nintendo Switch. It remains one of the best-selling consoles ever, with a staggering 118.69 million units sold, ranking fourth in the list of all-time best-selling consoles.

A key factor in the Game Boy's enduring success was its rich library of games, which introduced fans to now-iconic Nintendo franchises such as Pokémon, Kirby, and Wario. But which games truly stand out as the best of the best? IGN's editors have carefully selected the top 16 Game Boy games that have either stood the test of time or launched major gaming franchises. Note that only games released on the original Game Boy are included, excluding Game Boy Color exclusives.

Without further ado, here are the 16 best Game Boy games of all time.

16 Best Game Boy Games

16 Images16. Final Fantasy Legend 2

Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square | Publisher: Square | Release Date: December 14, 1990 (JP) | Review: IGN's Final Fantasy Legend 2 review

Final Fantasy Legend 2, the second installment in Square's SaGa series, offers a more complex turn-based RPG experience than its predecessor. Despite borrowing the Final Fantasy name for its North American release, it's a distinct part of the SaGa saga, with enhanced gameplay, better graphics, and a more engaging narrative.

15. Donkey Kong Game Boy

**Developer:** Nintendo/Pax Softnica | **Publisher:** Nintendo | **Initial Release Year:** June 14, 1994 (JP) | **Review:** IGN's Donkey Kong Game Boy review

Donkey Kong for Game Boy expands on the classic arcade game, featuring not only the original four levels but also an additional 97 stages that take players from construction sites to jungles and arctic environments. This version introduces new elements like platforming and puzzle-solving, enhanced by Mario's ability to pick up and throw items.

14. Final Fantasy Legend 3

Image credit: Square EnixDeveloper: Square | Publisher: Square | Release Date: December 13, 1991 (JP) | Review: IGN's Final Fantasy Legend 3 review

Final Fantasy Legend 3, known as SaGa 3 in Japan, builds on the series' turn-based RPG foundation with a deeper, more engaging time-travel narrative. The game's mechanics, where actions in the past influence the present and future, echo the innovative storytelling of Square's renowned Chrono Trigger.

13. Kirby's Dream Land

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: HAL Laboratory | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: April 27, 1992 (JP) | Review: IGN's Kirby's Dream Land review

Kirby's Dream Land introduced the world to the beloved pink puffball and established many of the series' staple mechanics, including self-inflation for flight and enemy-swallowing for projectile attacks. This side-scrolling action-platformer, designed by Masahiro Sakurai, is a compact adventure that can be completed in under an hour.

12. Donkey Kong Land 2

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Rare | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: September 23, 1996 (NA)

Donkey Kong Land 2, a handheld adaptation of the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country 2, maintains the original's charm with Diddy and Dixie Kong on a mission to rescue Donkey Kong. Adapted to fit the Game Boy's hardware, it offers unique levels and puzzles, released on a distinctive banana-yellow cartridge.

11. Kirby's Dream Land 2

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: HAL Laboratory | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 21, 1995

Kirby's Dream Land 2 expands on its predecessor by introducing Kirby's ability to mix and match powers with his animal friends, a hallmark of later Kirby games. With three times the content of the original, this sequel offers a more comprehensive and engaging experience.

10. Wario Land 2

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: March 9, 1998 (NA) | Review: IGN's Wario Land 2 review

Wario Land 2, released just before the Game Boy Color, showcases Wario's unique gameplay with his powerful charge attack and invincibility. With over 50 levels, the game offers diverse boss battles and a complex network of hidden exits and secret paths.

9. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

**Developer:** Nintendo | **Publisher:** Nintendo | **Release Date:** January 21, 1994 (JP) | **Review:** IGN's Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 review

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 breaks from tradition by featuring Wario instead of Mario. This innovative platformer introduces new gameplay mechanics like exploration and power-ups via hats, setting the stage for the Wario Land series.

8. Super Mario Land

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: April 21, 1989 (JP) | Review: IGN's Super Mario Land review

Super Mario Land, a Game Boy launch title, was Nintendo's first handheld Mario platformer. Adapted for the smaller screen, it features unique elements like exploding Koopa shells and introduces Princess Daisy, who temporarily takes Peach's place as the damsel in distress.

7. Dr. Mario

**Developer:** Nintendo | **Publisher:** Nintendo | **Release Date:** July 27, 1990 | **Review:** IGN's Dr. Mario review

Dr. Mario brings the addictive puzzle gameplay of Tetris to the Game Boy, with players matching colored pills to destroy viruses. The familiar mechanics, combined with the novelty of Mario as a doctor, make it a memorable title.

6. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: October 21, 1992 | Review: IGN's Super Mario Land 2 review

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins improves upon its predecessor with smoother gameplay and larger sprites. It introduces backtracking, an overworld, and the Fire Flower, alongside the new Bunny Mario power-up, with Wario making his debut as the main villain.

5. Tetris

**Developer:** Nintendo | **Publisher:** Nintendo | **Release Date:** June 14, 1989 (JP) | **Review:** IGN's Tetris review

Tetris, a crucial part of the Game Boy's success, was included as a pack-in game at launch in North America and Europe. Its timeless puzzle gameplay, perfect for on-the-go play, helped drive Game Boy sales, selling 35 million copies and becoming the best-selling single Game Boy title.

4. Metroid 2: Return of Samus

**Developer:** Nintendo | **Publisher:** Nintendo | **Release Date:** November, 1991| **Review:** IGN's Metroid 2 review

Metroid 2: Return of Samus brings the eerie isolation and exploration of the Metroid series to the Game Boy. Introducing key weapons and abilities like the Plasma Beam and Spider Ball, it also sets up the narrative for Super Metroid and was later remade as Metroid: Samus Returns for the 3DS.

3. Pokémon Red and Blue

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Game Freak | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: February 27, 1996 (JP) | Review: IGN's Pokémon Red review

Pokémon Red and Blue sparked a global phenomenon with their creature-collecting and battling gameplay. These games introduced the world to the rich universe of Pokémon, leading to the highest-grossing media franchise ever, with countless sequels, spinoffs, and merchandise.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

**Developer:** Nintendo | **Publisher:** Nintendo | **Release Date:** June 6, 1993 | **Review:** IGN's Link's Awakening review

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening offers a unique adventure on Koholint Island, blending traditional Zelda gameplay with a surreal narrative inspired by Twin Peaks. Its charm and depth were revived in a 2019 remake for the Nintendo Switch.

1. Pokémon Yellow

Image credit: NintendoDeveloper: Game Freak | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: September 12, 1998 (JP) | Review: IGN's Pokémon Yellow review

Pokémon Yellow, the definitive Game Boy Pokémon experience, aligns closely with the first season of the Pokémon anime. It features a companion Pikachu that follows the player and introduces changes like Team Rocket's Jessie and James. The first generation of Pokémon games remains the best-selling, with nearly 500 million copies sold across the franchise.

For more on the Game Boy, explore former IGNpocket Editor Craig Harris' list of his 25 favorite Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on IGN Playlist. You can also customize his list, rerank the games, and make it your own:

Best Game Boy games

I was tasked with curating what I believe to be the finest games the Game Boy has to offer. This includes both Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, as the latter was essentially an enhanced version of the original. For Game Boy Advance titles, that's a different story entirely:

1Mario GolfCamelot2Donkey Kong [GB]Nintendo EAD3ShantaeWayForward4Tetris DXNintendo R&D15Kirby Tilt 'n' TumbleNintendo R&D26Metal Gear Solid [2000]Konami OSA (KCEO)7Pokemon PinballJupiter8The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening [1993]Nintendo EAD9Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu EditionNintendo10Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden CoinsNintendo R&D1