50 Best Game Boy Color (GBC) Games Of All Time

Resident Evil Gaiden didn’t even make the top 50? Who was spamming it with low reviews? There’s no chance it’s worse than a Yu-Gi-Oh and DBZ game.

I regret not participating, but am super happy legendary super warriors made the list. Its actually a decent game boy game. To pull off both a turned based and card based system was pretty cool, plus there were tons of characters.

I wish king of fighters was on the list. Glad mario tennis and wario made it.

Pokemon Cristal is better than Gold/Silver by far. The only advantage gold and silver have is that they are playable on Super Game Boy (and DMG Gameboy too)

How did Pokemon Gold and Silver rank about both Pokemon Crystal AND both Zelda Oracle games?!

Pokemon Crystal and Gold Silver are basically the same game! So yeah Pokemon used to be the very best back then

Gold/Silver is not better than Crystal.

While some will argue the specific ranks, the Zelda games and Pokemon games for me were the absolute best of the GBC library. So seeing Oracles, Link's Awakening, and Gold/ Silver/ Crystal all in the top 10 just makes sense.
Ranks will always vary slightly, but the right ones are near the top, for me. Solid list — makes me want to dig out these carts and give em another go.

You say the first Harry Potter is the best, but it ranks lower?

As how Pokemon Crystal ranks lower than Gold/Silver.
I mean, leaving out Mareep was a huge mistake, but I don't think GS should still be better.
Not sure why the two Oracle games have different release dates, but I've learned not to pay too much attention to NL's retro release dates.

Survival Kids sounds like an idea that was used in a Super Famicom game that has not yet been even fan-translated. Mujintou Monogatari (which I'm guessing means something like Uninhabited Island Story).

Sports games with a RPG mode I think has been done only a couple times before. Final Lap Twin for the TurboGrafx had that, as well as the unreleased NES port of the arcade hockey game Hit the Ice (it was released on other consoles, but that RPG mode would've been an NES exclusive feature).

I'm still sour S-E never localized the 3DS Dragon Quest Monsters games.

@Screen
Actually, Gold and Silver ARE better than Crystal. Gold is currently at 1900 dollars an ounce, and silver is at 28 dollars an ounce. An ounce of crystal, on the other hand, is worth a few cents at the most.

It's not a good sign when the first 15 of the top 50 are full of reviews saying the games are crap. The original Gameboy had way more great games.

Pokemon and Zelda in the top 10 was expected but is correct. Those games are endlessly replayable.

@KingMike Not having Mareep in Crystal was the biggest flaw of the game.

❗NO 'Blade'?

SHAM!

😛😛😛

Genuinely my least favorite Nintendo library.

@Screen @ObeseChihuahua2 @abdias Crystal is obviously better, as it's an enhanced version of the other two, but it actually adds just a little more content and was sold as a full-price game. Sure, I grew up with Crystal, and loved it to bits, but look at it this way: when Gold/Silver came out, they were absolutely incredible games, in themselves or compared to the first generation. Then Crystal came out a year later, and it was much less exciting, as it was pretty much the same game with some minor stuff added. The achievements of Crystal are pretty much just the extra stuff, but we can thank everything else we love about gen 2 to G/S.

@PickledKong64 What about the Virtual Boy? N64 DD? DSi?

This is a decent list. The only glaring omission for me is Motocross Maniacs 2 - genuinely one of the most addicting games I've ever played.

A lot of those Pokemon and Zelda games in the top 10 are also on 3DS VC, probably cheaper to go that route than find the carts on Ebay.

I never really got into the GBC back in the day, but when i got my 1st 3ds a few years ago I started to check out a bunch of GBC games on the eshop.

There have been some really awesome games on it, between the Zeldas, Wario Lands, Shantae, etc. I have been really happy to have the ability to play a bunch of them now.

@dartmonkey Thanks

May they all come to switch online soon.

Hey, a reference to Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast! I actually appear in an episode of that show asking a question to one of his guests! It's my very minor claim to fame. Lovely to see a reference to a love of mine in another love of mine

No Cannon Fodder in the list what now? In all seriousness, the GBC port was fantastic given the hardware it was on.

@TheWingedAvenger depends on what crystal it is.

I was very much into the Neo Geo Pocket when the Game Boy Color was current, so I only played a little bit of GBC here and there. A list like this is a good way to see what's worth checking out if I feel the need. I do remember keeping up with news and reviews then and seeing clever ways developers were using the GBC which is something I always appreciated. Making Street Fighter Alpha work well on the system may be a good example of that. There's not much reason to play that version now other than to see how they dealt with the hardware limits, but the single-player only wouldn't have bothered me. Most of my time with fighting games has been against the CPU and, despite what most people say, I've always found that to be quite fun.

I have been reluctant to try the Wario Land sequels. The shift toward puzzle platforming sounds less appealing to me. I was a big fan of the original Wario Land on the original Game Boy. I last played it about six months ago and had a great time still. I'll have to read more about the follow ups. Hearing that Zelda Oracle of Seasons is combat heavy and straightforward sounds like my style. I've been meaning to dive into all the old Zeldas I missed and a few I haven't played in a long time but did enjoy. As for Metal Gear Solid, I really like how they shrunk the game down. It looks good and plays well. As with most things MGS, I found the dialogue parts far too wordy, and I didn't love the stage design as much. I would have preferred more emphasis on stealth and combat and less on exploring and looking for items. But the game is what it is. The VR missions are closer to what I enjoy. I'm glad I played it though.

I think it's stupid to give separate ranks for Gold, Silver, and Crystal, as they're all virtually the same game (with Crystal being a glorified deluxe version).

But the Gen II Pokémon games are my absolute favourites in the series, perhaps followed closely by the excellent Gen V games (which I would love to play again, but couldn't bear to write over my save data!).

I absolutely love GB and GBC games though, and I would throw myself at compilations of the library's very best.

Not to get too pedantic, but Pokemon Gold/Silver are actually Gameboy games that can be played in color on the GBC. So they're kinda hybridish? Not sure it's a big deal, but they are technically GB games.

Pokemon Crystal is the one that is GBC exclusive.

@Harmonie A bunch of the games on this list are the same way, but they're still advertised as GBC games on their boxes. It would be a truly pathetic list if they stuck solely to the relatively small amount of GBC exclusives.

I've played NONE of these games. I actually didn't get a Gameboy until quite late, and never a GBC. I was content with the NES and saw the Gameboy as something for kids. My mom, who bought the NES for me one Christmas, was the one to buy me a transparent Gameboy complete with Space Invaders & Galaxians in the box. I would have bought about 5 more games for it myself over time.

DON'T WORRY, GUYS, CRYSTAL IS BEATING GOLD & SILVER NOW

I can't believe Harvest Moon outranks Harvest Moon 3.

I feel like the Dragon Warrior games would rank a lot higher if more than 40 people had played them. I, II, and III on GBC are the sole reasons that I never played Gold/Silver when they came out.

Very good list!
But I thinking will be counting only GBC exclusive titles.
Fun fact: the first dedicated cartridge to the system is Top Gear Pocket.

@Strumpan
Hey, this is a G-rated website! You mustn't talk about crystal m___.

Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong and Dixie Kong should be included, but it's not catalogued on Nintendo Life. A definite 9/10.

Good to see MGS at 4, it is certainly my number one as i have never been a fan of Pokemon at all. Links Awakening was brilliant too, but i always consider that a GB game as that is my first fond memory of that game.

@TryToBeHopeful oof that’s rough. His humour does come across as mean-spirited and bitter sometimes and I can’t imagine he’s a particularly pleasant bloke. His podcasts are always amusing though, the emergency questions spruce things up and his guest list is basically unparalleled (except for maybe Adam Buxton’s) if you want to hear some candid conversations with some of Britain’s biggest names in comedy.

While we’re on the topic of podcasts (and decidedly not on actual topic), everybody should check out Athletico Mince. Not many podcasts have me grinning ear to ear so consistently

Weird that neither of the Spider-Man games cracked top 50.

@BulbasaurusRex I see. TBH, I didn't have too many GB or GBC games, so I wasn't aware of other GB games that played in color on the GBC.

@Krisi do those really count tho?

Where the heck is Micro Machines 1 + 2?

@PickledKong64 I mean sure, they are Nintendo libraries, right?

@TryToBeHopeful But in color, and Bear isn’t animated for some reason. It’s the definitive way to experience DKLIII.

Megaman Extreme 1/2 are missing, excellent games.

Has anyone on their staff even played the oracle games, from their description, I highly doubt it.

Every bomberman game I on here and I love it! There's hope for humanity! 🤯🤣

I'd put Little Magic on here

❗️My Top 5️⃣ GBC Games:

1️⃣Blade
2️⃣Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
3️⃣Tetris DX
4️⃣Power Rangers: Time Force
5️⃣Power Rangers: LightSpeed Rescue

@TheWingedAvenger crystal meth though…

Wario didn't even break the top 5? Booo.

I am currently playing through LoZ:OoA and OoS and am really enjoying Seasons (which I started first). Really hoping for a two-pack remake some day!

I might be the only one who thinks Link's Awakening sad story is exaggerated.

I keep hearing fans talk about how you form a connection it's with characters only to be heartbroken in the end.

I'm not knocking the gameplay. That part is stellar, but I do question if alot of this supposed deep story stem from outside influences, because I found none of it in the game.

Link is a mute, you interact with the inhabits for no more than a few seconds, and the supposed closed bond you form with Marin seems questionable. There is virtually no character development, from start to finish. You just meet a cast of quirky individuals and then done.

You meet her a couple of times, she tells you about wanting to be reborn a bird, and then you're gone. You don't remotely spend enough time with the cast of characters to form any sort of believable bond.

The ending asks you to feel sad, but the game doesn't immersive you enough in it's world to feel sad at all. The remake, which had a chance to do that, doesn't.

That's why I wonder if some of that supposed deepness comes from outside factors, than from the actual game itself.

I will die on the hill that the Oracle games are overrated, bottom-tier Zelda and not very good.

@RappinRootbeer They are still fun, but the best way I can explain this is, they feel fragmented.

After reading up on how the supposed original idea was 3 games, it looks Capcom might have had this huge idea, but due to issues, just scrapped the supposed 3rd game and split in between the current two.

As, the article sates Oracle of Seasons has a barebones story, while Ages doesn't. However, playing the latter first, enhances the former.

My belief is due to the original idea failing, Capcom couldn't make this quite complete epic trilogy they wanted. As a result, some of the story ideas had to be scrapped because of limitations.

I'm happy with the 3 Zeldas at the top, and I'm glad Wario 2 is as well, but Survival Kids should 100% be in the top 5. Phenomenal game. For me it would be #2 after Link's Awakening.

It's too bad that fan-translated games never make it to these lists, because Star Ocean Blue Sphere is an amazing action rpg with one of the best sprite works on the console (if we take out non-action games like the sakura taisen ones), the second Pokemon TCG game and Samurai Kid, all really good games.

It seems so bizarre to me now that there would be a 3 year gap between hardware being released in Japan and Europe.

Metal Gear destroys every other title not named Zelda. It's sooooo good! Still worth the $100+ for a loose cartridge.

Very good list, i couldn't agree more.

I quite enjoyed Magi Nation, wish more people would give it a chance (it's based on a card game, but I had no problem with zero knowledge of this before hand, it just came off as more of a really good Pokemon knockoff with hilarious dialogue)

Just seeing Harry Potter on this list makes me proud. 😌

If you're into modding you should play Mega Man 5 World. It's a Gameboy Color mod of Mega Man 5 and it's excellent!!

The Game Boy Color was my first handheld ever. Cheers to 25 years!

@dartmonkey Actually only Europe got both versions of Pocket Bomberman. Japan only got the monochrome version and North America only got the color version.

I don't know if it's telling of the Game Boy Color's short history that the game rated the best is an incremental upgrade of a previously available game.

@KingMike But the Game Boy Color itself was an incremental upgrade of a previously available console.

I was more of a GBA man in the GB era of consoles. I did have a cousins hand me down, second hand GBC though which I enjoyed a number of their games, and a handful of additional, self bought ones. Links Awakening DX was superb and "signature game" of the console for me. Loved Pokemon Pinball, Tetris DX, Mario Golf and Tennis, Pokemon Crystal, Metal GS. Ah good times.

@mauhlin12 There is another

Of the games listed, I've owned:

-Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories
-Game & Watch Gallery 2
-Pokémon Pinball
-Pokémon Trading Card Game
-Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
-Pokémon Gold
-The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
-The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

The definitive version of Link’s Awakening is still the monochrome original. It is very well designed, very atmospheric and just perfect in every way.

The remake and the game boy color port are nice too, but I will always recommend the original one over those, due to the garish colors and overpowered items available in the GBC port and the fact that the remake is an entirely different game.

The description of Tetris DX proves they haven't played it describing it as the same game as the original GB one, only in colour.

It controls far more tightly and accurately. Play them side by side and the diffence was huge.

@WaffleRaptor01 I think it has to do with the idea.

You wash up on an island, Marin brings to back to consciousness, and as you adventure through the small island, you see all these people and creatures just going about their daily lives. I think interacting with them helps give a better understanding. And even though you don't spend a lot of time with Marin, the moments you do spend feel special, especially when she sings. The DX version even encourages spending time with Marin thanks to the photography side quest.

As you play the game, though, the dialogue of the monsters suggests what you're doing isn't going to end well, but you don't care. You're here to get yourself off the island.

Or are you?

Then, when you get to the Southern Shrine, you read the warning, and all of a sudden, you realize what the monsters were talking about. You now have a choice: stay on the island, never to return to Hyrule, or wake the Wind Fish at the cost of Koholint. You don't want to see these people disappear forever, since they've done nothing wrong. However, you realize that if you don't move forward, Hyrule is left without a hero, and Koholint will be overtaken by nightmares anyway.

You know what you have to do, and you do it with a heavy heart.

Eventually, you defeat the monsters, get all the instruments, and wake the Wind Fish. He asks you to play the melody one more time, and Koholint disappears. As you do, though, your sorrow turns to comfort, as you know that even if the people on the island weren't truly real, the memory of them will always stick with you. This is compounded with the post credit cutscene with Marin (which is a very good reward for beating the game without dying once).

Knowing the stories found in other games and how subjective it all can be, I understand if you didn't gel with this one. And you're right about the game itself: all versions feel great to play, Koholint's compact nature means less tedium, and the dungeons are still my favorite from a top down game (even after Link Between Worlds). For me, though, similar to something like Kirby Planet Robobot, it's little elements like these that really sell the game for me.

I hope this gave you a better understanding.