Top 25 GameBoy & GameBoy Color games

[Satoshi_Matrix]

After the successful Top 25 Powerpak Killer Apps list I wrote a while back, I've received many requests to do another such list, and this one is dear to my heart.

Here's my top 25 GameBoy & GameBoy Color games list with my reasons for each. See if your favorite makes the list! Hope you enjoy guys and gals!

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/

[T]

Very nice article, great job!

[Ryaan1234]

Great list! You have some really good picks.

Lol, I kept scrolling down the list thinking "Oh is he gonna know about Warlocked?" and finally at #6. Yeah!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Heh, great to hear there's more Warlocked love out there.

Here's my review if you missed it.
http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/warlocked-review-gbc-3/

[Doonzmore]

Great list! Never knew Star Trek was actually a shmup. Some of my favorite GBC titles are Polaris Snocross (like Star Trek, it's a LOT better than the console versions), Street Fighter Alpha: Warrior's Dream, and Wendy: Every Witch Way. You should check those out if you haven't already.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Wendy was already the subject of a past review of mine. I considered it for the list, but its ultimately too short and lacks the replay value of the others to make the list. It's a good runner up though.

here's my Wendy EWW review.
http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/wendy-every-witch-way-review-gbc/

[Yoder]

I've read your PowerPak article and loved it! I've been looking for good GB and GBC games, so this will be great! Keep it up :-) (meaning, write more) ;-)

[Jorpho]

Yes, this is quite nice. One point I;d like to address:

Many slight improvements such as the ability to combine guns like the Super Spread Gun and Homing Spread Gun made it a lot of fun.In Operation C, you could indeed upgrade the spread gun by picking up another spread gun, but I am quite sure there was really only one homing gun and it couldn't be combined with anything else. (It just happened to look a lot like the spread gun.)

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I've read your PowerPak article and loved it! I've been looking for good GB and GBC games, so this will be great! Keep it up :-) (meaning, write more) ;-)

I plan on writing top 25ish lists on a monthy basis. Inbetween expect my usual reviews, such as my recent Tenchu Z review. Check the blog often!



Yes, this is quite nice. One point I;d like to address:
In Operation C, you could indeed upgrade the spread gun by picking up another spread gun, but I am quite sure there was really only one homing gun and it couldn't be combined with anything else. (It just happened to look a lot like the spread gun.)

Yes, I think you are correct, but this is a very minor thing. I'll correct it when I get a chance.

[shinobimusashi]

Very well written list, but you forgot about Castlevania II: Belmonts Revenge. Thats my pick for best overall action game on the original Gameboy. Epic soundtrack, beutifull graphics even without any color, great length with some nice levels and bad ass boss battles. I think its better than the NES version of Castlevania II.

Shantae is wicked good, I'm amused for hours just with the animation of her jumping up and down alone.

[Brianvgplayer]

Nice list. Not a lot of shmups, though. Nemesis and Gradius Interstellar Assault and both great and amoung my favorites. Some other notable games are Wario Land 2, Wario Land 3, Final Fantasy Legend 2, Final Fantasy Adventure, Toki Tori, Pocket Puyo Puyo Tsuu, and Xtreme Sports (lame name, but surpisingly excellent game from the developers of Shantae).

[frogofdeath]

Good list, though I would personally place Super Mario Land 2 in the top five. Still one of the best Mario side-scrollers to date.

[old man]

Needs Metroid 2.

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah, decent list, but where were R-Type DX (GB/C) and Gradius: The Interstellar Assault (GB), two of the Game Boy's best games? Despite my below issues, this is probably my biggest one. Those games should be there.

And yeah, Wario Land II should be considered for the list too; though I wouldn't rank it above other GB platformers like most of the ones on that list there, it's still a pretty interesting and compelling game.

Also, I'd rank Kirby 2 higher, and Kirby's Pinball Land would be on the list for sure... and Final Fantasy Adventure. Probably Micro Machines too. But not any Pokemon games. And the original GB version of Zelda LA is just as good or better than the GB/C version...

Also, Bionic Commando: Elite Forces (GBC) is one of my favorite portable games ever, pretty much.

Also, seriously, you put Mega Man Xtreme and Xtreme 2 above MMIV and MMV? I wouldn't, Xtreme is just a collection of ported SNES levels while the older games are actually new (MMIV bosses aside); that matters to me. Like, sure, DKC for GBC is an amazing, amazing port, and easily has some of the system's best graphics, but it is just a port, so I would rank great original titles higher (though because of its great quality I definitely agree that DKC GBC is a fine inclusion for the list). But returning to Mega Man, IV and V are incredible games, and the levels are actually new. :) (Actually, I, III, IV, and V are all great games... only MMII GB is disappointing. Way too short, way too easy, and with the worst music of any GB Mega Man game too.)

A good list though, sure. It is hard, making a single list for two systems with so many good games... there are way too many good games to choose from!

(Oh, and Pokemon Gold/Silver is a Super Game Boy compatible game, actually; only Crystal is GBC-only.)

GB/C means dual-mode titles.

Here's a tentative list of my favorite original GB titles...
1. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
2. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
3. Kirby's Dream Land 2
4. Gradius: The Interstellar Assault
5. Donkey Kong '(94)
6. Final Fantasy Adventure
7. Mega Man IV
8. Mega Man V
9. Kirby's Pinball Land
10. Micro Machines

Some of the many honorable mentions (in no order) - Quarth, Hexcite (SGB, GB/C), Ninja Gaiden Shadow, Mega Man in Dr. Wily's Revenge, Mega Man III, Wario Land II (GB and GB/C), Kirby's Star Stacker (SGB), Tetris, Kirby's Block Ball (SGB), Aerostar, Montezuma's Revenge (GB/C), Survival Kids (GB/C), Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins, Donkey Kong Land (SGB), Battle Arena Toshinden, Looney Tunes, Wave Race, Castlevania: The Adventure II, Conker's Pocket Adventure (GB/C, SGB; note that the GB/SGB and GBC versions are completely different with entirely different level maps and save systems.), etc. (there are plenty more, the other Sunsoft Looney Tunes games such as Taz-Mania and Speedy Gonzales perhaps for instance)

Not: Toy Story, the game I liked least of all games I owned for the GB in the '90s.

For GBC-only games (also definitely tentative, I like the top 5 but I'm not so sure about the next five...)
1. The Legend of Zelda - Oracle of Ages
2. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
3. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
4. The Legend of Zelda - Oracle of Seasons
5. R-Type DX
6. WarLocked
7. Donkey Kong Country
8. Micro Machines V3
9. Heroes of Might & Magic
10. Survival Kids (GB/C) (I only ever played it on GBC, so it's on this top 10 and not the original GB one. Also color does help the game.)

No Shantae because I didn't buy it then (should have, that was stupid) and now it's overly expensive, so I haven't played it much.

Some honorable mentions (in no order) - Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, Wario Land 3, Top Gear Pocket 2, Frogger 2, Rayman, Conker's Pocket Adventure (GB/C, SGB; note that the GB/SGB and GBC versions are completely different with entirely different level maps and save systems.), Wario Land II (GB/C), Looney Tunes (GB/C ver.), Hexcite (GB/C, SGB), etc.

Not: Micro Machines 1 & 2: Twin Turbo. Disappointing game.


Currently, I'm completely addicted to Hexcite. Such a great game... great, very addictive puzzle/boardgame gameplay, battery save, great GBC and SGB support (it even has 2 player with 2 conrollers on SNES! (alternating, but that's how the game is.)), and more...

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Very well written list, but you forgot about Castlevania II: Belmonts Revenge. Thats my pick for best overall action game on the original Gameboy. Epic soundtrack, beutifull graphics even without any color, great length with some nice levels and bad ass boss battles. I think its better than the NES version of Castlevania II.

Shantae is wicked good, I'm amused for hours just with the animation of her jumping up and down alone.

Castlevania II will be on my runner's up list. I agree with everything you said about it. Also it's not too surprising watch a girl in a bikini jump up and down is enough to entertain for hours ;)


Nice list. Not a lot of shmups, though. Nemesis and Gradius Interstellar Assault and both great and amoung my favorites. Some other notable games are Wario Land 2, Wario Land 3, Final Fantasy Legend 2, Final Fantasy Adventure, Toki Tori, Pocket Puyo Puyo Tsuu, and Xtreme Sports (lame name, but surpisingly excellent game from the developers of Shantae).


Yeah, decent list, but where were R-Type DX (GB/C) and Gradius: The Interstellar Assault (GB), two of the Game Boy's best games? Despite my below issues, this is probably my biggest one. Those games should be there.

The GameBoy didn't have really any shmups I can really think of that I'd want to play over and over. The Nemesis/Gradius titles were incredibly primitive, especially when you compare them even the limited offerings on other 8-bit consoles.

When I was young one of the first GBC games I got was R-Type DX, but even that's only so-so.

Probably the GB shmup I spent the most time with was SolarStriker due to it's rather amazing music.


Good list, though I would personally place Super Mario Land 2 in the top five. Still one of the best Mario side-scrollers to date.

I agree its a good game but there are better picks in my mind's eye.


Needs Metroid 2.

No. For me, Metroid II is simply unplayable.

I've had this discussion on a lot of boards, and like Donkey Kong Country, Metroid 2 is polarized with diehard fans and haters. I'm unfortunately a hater of Metroid 2. This was my first Metroid game and really put me off from liking the rest of the series. It would be years and years later until I was even willing to play the original Metroid and then Super Metroid that the damage Metroid II caused would be undone. I've since fell in love with every Metroid game made except for Metroid II.

My problems with it are mainly in how it plays. the sprites, especially Samus, were way too big for the limited 160x144 resolution of the Gameboy. There was no map, no indicator where to go, or even what to do. As a kid, this game frustrated me to no end. I don't like games where I get stuck and have to consult walkthroughs to proceed. I've had this problem in other Metroid games such as Super Metroid and Fusion, but nowhere near to the same degree as here.

Now if Nintendo ever bothered to remake Metroid II like they remade the original into the excellent Zero Mission, I'd play it. In it's original form, there's no way I could put it even in the top 100 GameBoy games. Of course, that's just my personal opinion.


And yeah, Wario Land II should be considered for the list too; though I wouldn't rank it above other GB platformers like most of the ones on that list there, it's still a pretty interesting and compelling game.

That's an honorable mention. Wario Land II was good, but not nearly as good as the first one.


Also, I'd rank Kirby 2 higher, and Kirby's Pinball Land would be on the list for sure... and Final Fantasy Adventure. Probably Micro Machines too. But not any Pokemon games. And the original GB version of Zelda LA is just as good or better than the GB/C version...

The Kirby Pinball game is also an honorable mention for me. Final Fantasy Adventure....I'm in the minority that prefers the GBA remake, Sword of Mana. To remove the Pokemon games would be like compiling a top MegaDrive list without Sonic, or top NES list without Mario 3. Regardless of personal preference, the quality and the importance of the Pokemon games speak for themselves. I don't understand how you mean that the original LA was as good as or better than the GBC version. It's the same game. the GBC version is in color with an added dungeon.



Also, Bionic Commando: Elite Forces (GBC) is one of my favorite portable games ever, pretty much.

Fair enough that its one of your favorites, but I think its garbage, espically compared to the original GB Bionic Commando.



Also, seriously, you put Mega Man Xtreme and Xtreme 2 above MMIV and MMV? I wouldn't, Xtreme is just a collection of ported SNES levels while the older games are actually new (MMIV bosses aside); that matters to me. Like, sure, DKC for GBC is an amazing, amazing port, and easily has some of the system's best graphics, but it is just a port, so I would rank great original titles higher (though because of its great quality I definitely agree that DKC GBC is a fine inclusion for the list). But returning to Mega Man, IV and V are incredible games, and the levels are actually new. :) (Actually, I, III, IV, and V are all great games... only MMII GB is disappointing. Way too short, way too easy, and with the worst music of any GB Mega Man game too.)

A good list though, sure. It is hard, making a single list for two systems with so many good games... there are way too many good games to choose from!


Don't get so caught up on the order. I like the GB Megaman games a lot. In fact, the fact that the Xtreme games were ports of the SNES games was impressive and made me very happy, to replay some of my favorite SNES games again in 8-bit. It's why I've deliberately tracked down some of the late NES games like Joe & Mac to compare them with my memory of my SNES childhood.

I appreciate all the feedback guys. A runner's up list is on it's way.

[A Black Falcon]

Good list, though I would personally place Super Mario Land 2 in the top five. Still one of the best Mario side-scrollers to date.
I might have said that, before I played Wario Land... I've liked Wario Land better than either SML game since when I first played it.

And honestly, in retrospect SML1 is very nearly as good as the second one too. It's shorter, has small graphics, and has no saving, but still, it is a great traditional Mario platformer... still though, yeah, SML2 is a very good game too. All three Super Mario Land titles were very good games. But I would definitely rank Wario Land 1, Kirby 2, and (though it's a puzzle-platformer) DK'94 above them, from the first party platformer lineup. I'm not sure about Wario Land 2, probably that would go a bit below them.


The GameBoy didn't have really any shmups I can really think of that I'd want to play over and over. The Nemesis/Gradius titles were incredibly primitive, especially when you compare them even the limited offerings on other 8-bit consoles.
What in the world? What you say here makes absolutely no sense at all. Most obviously, Gradius: The Interstellar Assault is in no way primitive. Its much lower difficulty level aside, it's a far more advanced and complex game than, say, Gradius for the NES. It's got a configurable ship, five levels, an actual plot that continues through the game, outstanding level designs, incredible music, good graphics, and more... it's probably the best handheld shmup of the '90s, only the GG Aleste games are close really.

The whole game is just such an awesome experience. It starts off with a high-energy chase (with you being chased), then goes through a long and detailed stages, then you get kidnapped and lose your power, then you fight your way out of the alien ship, then you fight through the alien asteroid field base, then the surface of their planet, then their underground base, and then there's the final chase, sort of the inverse of the beginning, and all with little cinema scenes between stages too that actually give you the transitions. The only other Gradius game I know of that puts as much effort into presenting a continuing story is Gradius V.

Comparing it to Konami NES shmups sure it's shorter and easier, but doesn't lack in any other categories. The graphics, music, design, and gameplay easily hold up to any of them. And I must admit, while it is easier, part of why I say that probably is because I've played Gradius: The Interstellar Assault so many dozens of times that I've half-memorized the entire game... that's not true for pretty much any other shmup, for me. :) And I love Konami shmups; theirs are my favorite ones on the NES and SNES too (Gradius III is my favorite shmup of its generation, etc.).


When I was young one of the first GBC games I got was R-Type DX, but even that's only so-so.
Considering that R-Type DX is a collection of the two GB R-Type ports, with improved colorized modes added, and missing levels aside both are fine ports of the games, basically what you mean here is that you don't like R-Type. Why? The difficulty level? I agree, R-Type is a punishingly hard game, and some people do hate it for that, but despite that I love it anyway... R-Type is one of the great classics of '80s shmups, incredibly influential and important and right up there after Gradius at the top of my list of the best of the decade, high difficulty or no (not sure offhand what would be next, Blazing Lazers perhaps?). And at least on the GBC you get infinite continues, so you can keep trying the levels until you beat them. :)

I mean, sure, GBC R-Type doesn't have the graphics of the TG16, PSX, arcade, or X360 versions, but it's a portable with a tiny screen, it couldn't match those systems. It does do a fine job visually when compared to the one 3rd gen console port of R-Type, the Sega Master System version.


Probably the GB shmup I spent the most time with was SolarStriker due to it's rather amazing music.
Solar Striker is a dull, extremely simplistic game. Maybe it was okay in 1989, but as soon as vastly superior games like the Gradius ones were out, I can't see much reason to return to it much... it's not BAD, I guess, just so, so bland.

Do you prefer vertical shmups to horizontal, though? That does make me wonder if you've tried Aerostar. Interesting game, and it is a vertical shmup. Not truly great or something, but somewhat unique and fun.

Oh, and it was only released in Japan, but Chikyuu Kaihou Gun ZAS is pretty good stuff, for a GB vertical shmup. One of the better ones.


Fair enough that its one of your favorites, but I think its garbage, espically compared to the original GB Bionic Commando.
No way, GB Bionic Commando is pretty bland compared to BCEF. It's a good game, certainly, but no match for Elite Forces. The larger graphics and better animation of the GBC game are nice, but that isn't what decides it. The niggest thing that Elite Forces improves over the NES and GB Bionic Commando games is the controls -- the grappling controls of the GBC game are just outstanding, the animation and control you have is a significant improvement from past titles. It's easy in Elite Forces to swing around freely, while in the previous games the nowhere near as good controls make that much more difficult. Also, Elite Forces has more levels -- BC for GB doesn't have many levels, once you ignore the neutral zones (where you do not fight), but BCEF has quite a few more. It's still a short game, but at least it's not as short as the GB game. Elite Forces has even better music too, and battery save (though the GB title's passwords certainly are a vast improvent over the no saving of the NES game). And it actually has topdown stages too, like the original instead of side-scrolling stages replacing the topdown truck stages. So yeah, gameplay, graphics, controls, music, whatever, BCEF is one of the best games on the GBC.


That's an honorable mention. Wario Land II was good, but not nearly as good as the first one.
This I agree with. Wario Land 1 > Virtual Boy Wario Land > Wario Land 2, pretty much. And Wario Land 3 and 4 would probably each rank as a bit weaker than the last, after Wario Land 2, too. The first two, WL:SML3 and VBWL, are just incredible games, some of my favorite platformers. Both play very similarly, and it's a great design. The VB game is way, way too short, but it adds so many interesting features -- the dual-layer playfield, stuff to find in every stage, those 3d graphics -- that it's great anyway. If it was as long as WL:SML3, it'd probably have been an even better game... as it is it doesn't quite match up thanks to its lacking length, but still it's pretty great stuff.

After that though, WL2... well, graphically obviously it's got nothing on the VB game, though that's not fair. I do find it a bit disappointing though that so much of the graphics in WL2 are ripped straight out of WL1, pretty much the entire cast of enemies return unchanged for instance. They did add other new stuff, but still, it does feel a little lazy graphically. The gameplay's where it's different, but that change was not entirely for the better -- that no-die system that 2 and 3 used just was more of a pain than it was worth, it led to so, so much frustration and irritation... I've beaten WL2 100%, twice, but just can't get myself to play through WL3. 4 finally dropped the no-die thing, but the game was far too short and just didn't have the greatness of the first two games, or Wario Land 2 for that matter.

Wario Land: Shake It (Wii) is pretty good stuff though, certainly one of the better Wario platfomers (above WL3 and 4 at least, for sure, maybe higher). Great fun game. I haven't played Wario: Master of Disguise for the DS.


The Kirby Pinball game is also an honorable mention for me.
Yeah, it's such a great, great game... endlessly playable and brilliantly designed.


Final Fantasy Adventure....I'm in the minority that prefers the GBA remake, Sword of Mana.
Uh, what? Sword of Mana was horrible in comparison to the original game! Very poor remake in comparison. The only good new feature was letting you play as the girl instead of the guy if you wanted; other than that, graphics aside it was all worse. The levels were changed from Zelda-style large, open overworlds to linear paths. No more confusion or getting lost in Sword of Mana, it's pretty much 100% linear (and dull). It's really a big loss. The changes to the story were not improvements, either, the original version has more emotional weight. The remixes of the music somehow don't sound better than the 8-bit originals. Combat's not terrible, but I prefer the more Zelda-ish combat of the original. It's just such a bland, dull game in comparison. Really disappointing. I know, when you're remaking such a great classic it can be pretty difficult to get it right, but it didn't work out.


To remove the Pokemon games would be like compiling a top MegaDrive list without Sonic, or top NES list without Mario 3. Regardless of personal preference, the quality and the importance of the Pokemon games speak for themselves.
But they're bad games, in my opinion (Panel de Pon titles aside, those ones are good). A list of best games should be the person making the list's list of favorite titles for the platform, not some "these ones are popular so I must list them no matter whether I liked them or not" list. And I have always greatly disliked Pokemon RPGs; in fact I only actually played one once, back in the '90s (Pokemon Red). I think it took me all of half an hour to never want to touch the series again. My younger sister and cousins were completely hooked to the game, but I couldn't see the attraction at all...


I don't understand how you mean that the original LA was as good as or better than the GBC version. It's the same game. the GBC version is in color with an added dungeon.
It's not the same game though. They made several changes. First, there is that added dungeon; it's not the greatest dungeon, but it is added content so that is a slight improvement for the GBC version. The photos to find are an added amusement too. But the color... I don't like the color choices, the game just looks so garish. I think the game looks better in B&W than color. Also, importantly, they change the hint system on the GBC. In the original version, each dungeon has just one hint, in a stone slab. Find the stone slab piece and put it in the slab and you're given the clue. The remake, though, replaces the slabs and slab pieces with owl statues and beaks, and has multiple statues per stage, each with a different clue. It makes the game easier, and I don't think the change was needed. Also, the special costumes you get for beating the color dungeon help make the game easier too, and again, not needed... no, I'd rather play the original version.


Don't get so caught up on the order. I like the GB Megaman games a lot. In fact, the fact that the Xtreme games were ports of the SNES games was impressive and made me very happy, to replay some of my favorite SNES games again in 8-bit. It's why I've deliberately tracked down some of the late NES games like Joe & Mac to compare them with my memory of my SNES childhood.
I was disappointed that Xtreme was just a port though, and didn't buy it because of it. I'd already played Mega Man X, sure it was a pretty good game but why buy it again? I'd prefer something new, like the old GB games had been... I think that Xtreme 2 was more original though, yes?

[Brianvgplayer]

The GameBoy didn't have really any shmups I can really think of that I'd want to play over and over. The Nemesis/Gradius titles were incredibly primitive, especially when you compare them even the limited offerings on other 8-bit consoles.


I found them no more primitive than some of the other games listed (and the GB has more shmups than other portables like NGPC and GG, though GG got Aleste). Gradius IA pulled off some impressive things on the GB and Nemesis is in some ways less "primitive" than the original Gradius on NES. I don't know what this "primitive" thing is even about, since some so called "primitive" games hold up better than some that are more complex.

Nemesis is shorter than Gradius on NES, but the level design is more advanced in some ways. The gameplay, which should matter, is what holds up. As for other shmups, the R-Types are decent, but flawed ports (still very good, but not as polished as some other shmups), Sagaia is a good translation of the Darius series, and Twinbee Da!! is also very well done. Solar Striker isn't bad, but not one of the best of the system. There's also Quarth that isn't a real shmup, but is one of the better puzzlers on the GB.

I wouldn't put them on top, but I also like the ports of Galaga/Galaxian for GB and Defender for GBC (not the older GB port). I heard good things about the GBC Magical Chase port too.

I don't know about the 8 bit comparison. NES definitely has more to offer, especially including JP Famicom games, but pre NES has only less complex shmups on offer (lots of good ones, though). SMS and SG-1000 have as much or less to offer than GB (though SMS has a far superior R-Type port and both have Compile support).

Personally, I prefer the GB b/w Megaman games over the Xtreme games (aside from Mega Man II/Rockman World 2). I like the GBC X games quite a bit, but the b/w games are all original and feel more polished in some ways (aside from the unpolished Mega Man II). I feel Mega Man III is underrated, as well.



No. For me, Metroid II is simply unplayable.

My problems with it are mainly in how it plays. the sprites, especially Samus, were way too big for the limited 160x144 resolution of the Gameboy. There was no map, no indicator where to go, or even what to do. As a kid, this game frustrated me to no end. I don't like games where I get stuck and have to consult walkthroughs to proceed. I've had this problem in other Metroid games such as Super Metroid and Fusion, but nowhere near to the same degree as here.

I understand it's your opinion, but Metroid II is far from unplayable. There's no map, but the game does have some indicators of where to go and what to do (areas are blocked off until you destroy a certain amount of mutated Metroids), more so than the original Metroid. I agree the sprites are big, but the game controls very well and I never found the sprite size to be an issue with playability.

[Jorpho]

Another quibble with the article: while it's an absolutely kickass game, there's really no way you can call DK94 a "port". The first four levels are trivial exercises thanks to Mario's fancy new abilities, and I doubt their layouts and mechanics are anything near the original.


And honestly, in retrospect SML1 is very nearly as good as the second one too. It's shorter, has small graphics, and has no saving, but still, it is a great traditional Mario platformer...I really don't think anyone would remember SML1 if it wasn't for the fact that it featured Mario. (I hardly think it's unlikely that it did in fact start out as something else entirely and had Mario thrown in at the last minute.)


After that though, WL2... well, graphically obviously it's got nothing on the VB game, though that's not fair. I do find it a bit disappointing though that so much of the graphics in WL2 are ripped straight out of WL1, pretty much the entire cast of enemies return unchanged for instance. They did add other new stuff, but still, it does feel a little lazy graphically. The gameplay's where it's different, but that change was not entirely for the better -- that no-die system that 2 and 3 used just was more of a pain than it was worth, it led to so, so much frustration and irritation... I've beaten WL2 100%, twice, but just can't get myself to play through WL3.WL3 was freakin' awesome, I say. Pure genius - the closest thing we'll get to a 2D version of SM64.

I'm not really sure how to compare either WL2 or 3 to WL1, though; WL1 was very much a different kind of game.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Ahhh so much to read @_@

I'm finally caught up. Here's some condensed responses to Black Falcon

On GameBoy shmups:

I simply feel the complete opposite you do. I've played every shooter you mentioned and many others too, but I just feel they are all either bland or better done elsewhere. Shmups require three things for me: speed, enjoyability, and visibility. The GameBoy couldn't deliver any of these in a satisfying way. I like the GameBoy a lot, but the system's limitations need to be considered when making games, and I don't honestly think shmups should have been tried at all.

Have you ever played Alone in the Dark for the GBC? The game looks simply incredible, yet it's barely playable and what is playable isn't fun. It's just one of those games that doesn't work on the GameBoy. The GBA had the same problem when it came to FPS games. With some notable exceptions such as Ice Nine and perhaps Duke Nukem Advance, they were all terrible.


Bionic Commando:

I agree with you the controls were better as were the animations, but I just thought the game looked bad, and I didn't like how Spencer wasn't the main character. The original Bionic Commando blows both out of the water for me.

Wario Land:

After the first, there was a nosedive in quality. Wario Land 3 and 4 were so bland I only borrowed them from a friend, and never finished them at that. The second one I kind of like though, and the virtual boy version. too bad the VB gives me headaches.

Final Fantasy Adventure:

I preferred Sword of Mana because of exactly what you said - no more
confusion or getting lost in Sword of Mana, it's pretty much 100% linear. This is what the game needed to be in the first place. I acknowledge I'm alone on this as most people think SoM is a bad remake, but I love it.

Pokemon:

My list is composed of the games I personally feel strongest about on the GB/GBC, not a list of popular games for the sake of it. I've always been a big fan of the series. The very first game I ever imported was Green, and last fall I imported Black months and months before it was released in English. I even reviewed it. I just can't agree with you that they're bad games. Bad games don't endure and indeed thrive in the same way Pokemon does. it's of course not for everyone, but to each their own.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/pocket-monsters-black-import-review-ds/

for a full listing of other games, check this thread
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150357

Link's Awaking:

The changes you mentioned were either superficial or optional. I don't see how that makes it worse than the original. The only big change is the map warping trick has been patched, which to me is the only reason to pick up the original.

Megaman Xtreme 2 is a port of Megaman X2 and X3, in the same way Xtreme 1 was a port of X1 and X2.



Another quibble with the article: while it's an absolutely kickass game, there's really no way you can call DK94 a "port". The first four levels are trivial exercises thanks to Mario's fancy new abilities, and I doubt their layouts and mechanics are anything near the original.

No matter how you slice it, Donkey Kong '94 is a port of Donkey Kong '81. Donkey Kong '94's first four stages are directly ported from the arcade, with identical layouts, goals, enemies, everything. It just so happens that the port then builds upon the original after that point.

To quote from myself,

"While it starts off as a direct port of the original arcade game, Donkey Kong ’94 quickly proves to be far more than that. After the original four arcade boards are cleared, many brand new, GameBoy exclusive levels open up with new challenges, enemies and objectives never before seen. "

[old man]

I can understand why you feel the way you do about Metroid 2, and I completely agree it needs zero mission style a remake. I like that you included Donkey Kong '94 on the list. Everybody on these boards needs to play that game.

[A Black Falcon]

No matter how you slice it, Donkey Kong '94 is a port of Donkey Kong '81. Donkey Kong '94's first four stages are directly ported from the arcade, with identical layouts, goals, enemies, everything. It just so happens that the port then builds upon the original after that point.
Donkey Kong '94 is as much a port of Donkey Kong arcade as Donkey Kong Country is a port of Donkey Kong arcade (hey, it starts with the classic music and the title is similar, sae thing right?) or Super Mario Bros. 3 is a port of Mario Bros. (well, it's an option in the menu, so it's a port!)... that is, it is in absolutely no way whatsoever a port of Donkey Kong. First, no, it does not start out as a port of the arcade game. As Jorpho pointed out, the maps are not identical, first -- everything has been shrunk down a bit for the smaller screen. And second, the numerous additional moves and important control changes make the experience completely, totally different. No more dying when you fall two feet. Triple jump. Backflip. Handspring to bounce barrels off of your feet. Etc. And then after you finish those first four levels, in like a couple of minues probably on your first try (in the arcade game, beating all four screens once is quite a task that will take some real effort), then the real game begins, with 96 challenging puzzle-platformer levels to struggle through. "It just so happens" that after that it "builds on it"? What? :lol: Sorry, but that's one of the most deceptive descriptions of DK'94 I've ever heard...

I'd probably call it a genre-changed remake (the original wasn't a puzzle-platformer like the GB game is), but port? Of course not.


The changes you mentioned were either superficial or optional. I don't see how that makes it worse than the original. The only big change is the map warping trick has been patched, which to me is the only reason to pick up the original.
If you're going to re-release a game, the new version should actually be better than the original version, yes? I don't think that LADX is better.

Megaman Xtreme 2 is a port of Megaman X2 and X3, in the same way Xtreme 1 was a port of X1 and X2.
Oh, alright. So it definitely belongs below GB MM I, III, IV, and V then.


My list is composed of the games I personally feel strongest about on the GB/GBC, not a list of popular games for the sake of it. I've always been a big fan of the series. The very first game I ever imported was Green, and last fall I imported Black months and months before it was released in English. I even reviewed it. I just can't agree with you that they're bad games. Bad games don't endure and indeed thrive in the same way Pokemon does. it's of course not for everyone, but to each their own.
Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's good... look at anything from Zynga. :)

Also, personal opinions vary.


Final Fantasy Adventure:

I preferred Sword of Mana because of exactly what you said - no more
confusion or getting lost in Sword of Mana, it's pretty much 100% linear. This is what the game needed to be in the first place. I acknowledge I'm alone on this as most people think SoM is a bad remake, but I love it.
So you dislike complexity and challenge in games, I guess? Because it wasn't just the level design that changed, combat was made easier too. But really, the Zelda-style overworld, the Zelda-style dungeons, all of that was completely removed in Sword of Mana in favor of linearity. For anyone who loved the original FFA, and/or the Zelda series, that's an obvious, huge step down.

I mean, sure, I got stuck sometimes in FFA too, but it wasn't THAT bad. I eventually figured things out. And the story and presentation in that game were so good for an original GB game, it's simple and somewhat cliche but works really well. Tragic (most of the people you meet seem to die on you), but well thought through. Sword of Mana's story has lots of added complexity, but it's not an improvement; it just makes things more confusing, not better.



Bionic Commando:

I agree with you the controls were better as were the animations, but I just thought the game looked bad, and I didn't like how Spencer wasn't the main character. The original Bionic Commando blows both out of the water for me.
Elite Forces' controls are so dramatically improved over the past games that it's hard to even go back and play them in comparison, your movement is so ridiculously stiff in those games, you can't easily swing along the ceiling, following from swing point to swing point is much trickier, etc. And in a game about swinging on a bionic arm, controls are key.

As for the characters, I really liked that you could play as the female commando too, I wish more Bionic Commando games had that option...


On GameBoy shmups:

I simply feel the complete opposite you do. I've played every shooter you mentioned and many others too, but I just feel they are all either bland or better done elsewhere. Shmups require three things for me: speed, enjoyability, and visibility. The GameBoy couldn't deliver any of these in a satisfying way. I like the GameBoy a lot, but the system's limitations need to be considered when making games, and I don't honestly think shmups should have been tried at all.
Speed, enjoyability, and visibility? Well, I have some good news for you, Gradius: The Interstellar Assault has no problems with any of those things. Even with lots of enemies on screen, there is almost never slowdown; only in the very most enemy-filled screens will it slow down at all (for instance with those giant snake enemies early in the game). It has less slowdown than the NES or SNES Gradius games actually, probably. Visibilty is perfect -- the background is white, mostly, the detail is in the environment. You can see everything perfectly. And enjoyability, it's one of the most fun shmups ever. Do you dislike Gradius or something? Difficulty aside it's every bit as good a game as the NES original, probably better.

R-Type DX does have a lot more slowdown and it has a lot of flicker too, but the Turbografx and Master System versions of the game are also slowdown and/or flicker-plagued; R-Type is just really hard on older systems. You eventually get used to it.

But yeah, if you dislike both Gradius and R-Type, you must basically just dislike classic-style shmups (horizontal ones at least), because they're some of the best of them.


Have you ever played Alone in the Dark for the GBC? The game looks simply incredible, yet it's barely playable and what is playable isn't fun. It's just one of those games that doesn't work on the GameBoy. The GBA had the same problem when it came to FPS games. With some notable exceptions such as Ice Nine and perhaps Duke Nukem Advance, they were all terrible.
I haven't played any Game Boy(/color/advance) survival horror games or FPSes.

Oh, and I do agree about Wario Land, at least, as I said earlier -- 1 and VBWL are the best ones, no question, probably followed by the Wii game. Fortunately I don't have headache problems with the VB. Also, as for Metroid 2, I don't have it and haven't played more than a few minutes of it, but considering that I find the NES game almost unplayably archaic, mostly thanks to the lack of an ingame map (the lack of direction hurts a lot too, but that's the biggest flaw), I'm sure I'd think even worse of the GB sequel which also has no map, but doesn't even have different colors in the areas to tell places apart.

[Brianvgplayer]

I simply feel the complete opposite you do. I've played every shooter you mentioned and many others too, but I just feel they are all either bland or better done elsewhere. Shmups require three things for me: speed, enjoyability, and visibility. The GameBoy couldn't deliver any of these in a satisfying way. I like the GameBoy a lot, but the system's limitations need to be considered when making games, and I don't honestly think shmups should have been tried at all.

Have you ever played Alone in the Dark for the GBC? The game looks simply incredible, yet it's barely playable and what is playable isn't fun. It's just one of those games that doesn't work on the GameBoy. The GBA had the same problem when it came to FPS games. With some notable exceptions such as Ice Nine and perhaps Duke Nukem Advance, they were all terrible.

That comparison doesn't fit. Alone in the Dark wasn't made from the ground up for gameboy like Twinbee Da!!/Pop 'n Twinbee, Nemesis, Gradius IA, and Sagaia. Not to mention that the original version of that Alone in the Dark game was a 32 bit game on vastly more powerful hardware.

Maybe you have unrealistic expectations for speed, playability, and visability, but I found Sagaia and the Konami games to be extremely playable on the b/w GB with good speed (and the games are designed around the GB's limitations, with the speed, graphics, and visability designed around the b/w GB hardware). Not to mention that visability is a non issue on GBC and GBA. Super Mario Land is on the list, despite it being more "primitive" than some of those so called primitive shmups (the description of those stages is favorable as well. Don't get me wrong, I love the game, but I'm not seeing the logic here), so I'm a bit surprised by your reaction to shmups.

[j_factor]

In what way is Pokemon Puzzle Challenge better than Tetris Attack?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Not only have I played and completed Gradius/Nemesis: The Interstellar Assault, I still own it. I simply don't like it. I'd much rather play the PC Engine Gradius, or even the NES version. http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2011/01/08/gradius-review-nes/ It's not like I don't really enjoy Gradius. Even the low points were still great times, from Gradius Galaxies to even slowdown ridden Gradius III on SNES. All were enjoyable experiences for me.

I like shmups a lot, but I'd rather play them in another format than the GB classic.

Some of my favorites I can think of: Gun-Nac, Gradius II, Parodius Da, Cotton, R-Type III The Third Lightening, Aero Fighters 2, Zanac, 1943, etc.

[Baloo]

Nice list, there were definitely some games I was happy to see on there, and some I didn't know about. Makes me want to check out Mega Man IV, Operation C, Shantae, and Mega Man Xtreme 1 and 2. There were a couple of games I was hoping to see on there though and didn't, like Mickey's Speedway USA, Revenge of the Gator, and Kirby's Tilt N' Tumble.

Super Mario Land is definitely my favorite Game Boy game, one of my first. Loved the simplicity of it, and yet the Submarine/Flying levels changed things up a bit. Enemies were different and interesting, and the Game Boy comics series gave it a neat background. I actually prefer it to 2, which was slower-paced.

Mega Man V was an absolutely fantastic game. I had $40 for a cart-only copy, but I don't regret it at all, as I simply couldn't put the game down. It was hard, but a ton of fun, possibly my favorite out of all of the classic Mega Man games, even the NES ones.

I was disappointed that Mickey's Speedway USA wasn't on there, as that's one of the all-time best portable racing games ever. Capcom did such a good job on that, super fun and simple but challenging as well.

Revenge of the Gator is a quirky pinball game that has really well-done physics. Kind of like Alien Crush on TG-16, but better. The same old table gets boring after a while, but the gameplay is top-notch for a pinball game, especially for the time. Anyone else play this one?

And is Super Mario Land III: Wario Land that much better than II? I have 2 and don't like it at all, but I'd be willing to give Wario Land a try if it's good.

[Brianvgplayer]

Revenge of the Gator is a quirky pinball game that has really well-done physics. Kind of like Alien Crush on TG-16, but better. The same old table gets boring after a while, but the gameplay is top-notch for a pinball game, especially for the time. Anyone else play this one?


I also like Revenge of the Gator quite a bit. Very nice little game. I feel that the GB and GBC should have been on different lists since they are different systems. Some other GBC games I feel are among the best are Dragon Warrior III and Mario Golf (I like it better than the GBA one).

[tom]

Quite a good list, glad to see Donkey Kong at number 4, should be higher though.
Missing some real classics like Mr. Do!, Mario's Picross, Boxxle or Catrap.
Glad to see you're not the average 1: Mario, 2: Zelda, 3: Mario 2, 4: Zelda 2, 5: Mario 3, 6: Zelda does it again...etc... kinda guy.

[Doonzmore]

I was disappointed that Mickey's Speedway USA wasn't on there, as that's one of the all-time best portable racing games ever. Capcom did such a good job on that, super fun and simple but challenging as well.

Completely forgot about that one. I picked up a complete copy of that game for 6 dollars a few months back and I can not believe how similar the music is to the n64 version.

I wonder how Racing Adventure is?

[Frica89]

Great, great article. I just wanted to mention Mole Mania, which I believe is Miyamoto's most underrated game and one of the best on the Gameboy. It really could have used a DS sequel with both above and underground being displayed on the dual screens, but there was zero demand for it. Who here has played this game?

[Baloo]

Completely forgot about that one. I picked up a complete copy of that game for 6 dollars a few months back and I can not believe how similar the music is to the n64 version.

I wonder how Racing Adventure is?

Yeah, I love how well they reproduced the tunes. I used to play a lot of the N64 game as well and the music was one of my favorite parts for sure. The game itself was kind of bland but still fun.

Racing Adventure has the same gameplay, but a whole overworld where you have to walk around and collect things in an RPG fashion. It's still good, but personally I think it takes away from the racing gameplay itself. If you like Mickey's Speedway USA combined with a sort-of RPG, then pick up Racing Adventure.

[A Black Falcon]

Revenge of the Gator is a quirky pinball game that has really well-done physics. Kind of like Alien Crush on TG-16, but better. The same old table gets boring after a while, but the gameplay is top-notch for a pinball game, especially for the time. Anyone else play this one?
Yeah, it's good. Nintendo's next pinball game after it, Kirby's Pinball Land, is even better, though, and that's why I wouldn't list Revenge of the Gator; what's there is fine, but the next one blew it away. Kirby Pinball is just such an exceptional game... it's got three tables, each three screens high. Like in the other Nintendo pinball games of the era (Pinball for the NES, Revenge of the Gator) there are separate paddles on each screen. Each table also has a boss and a bonus area; you access the bonus area by doing something on the middle screen of each table, and the boss from the top screen. Beat all three bosses and you face Dedede. Beat him and it resets (not the score, the bosses, so that you play them again), so you don't have to stop playing after beating him. It has a battery and saves your top four high scores, and can also save a game in progress (interrupt save only -- load the file and it deletes.).

Unfortunately, their next pinball game after that, Pokemon Pinball (GB/C, SGB enhanced, rumble cart), is pretty disappointingly bland, Pokemon or no. It's got only two tables, and each table is just about a screen and a half to two screens tall. Both are similarly designed and bland. The bonus areas don't save it, there's just not enough there to keep my interest at all. I haven't played the one after that, Pokemon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire for GBA.


I was disappointed that Mickey's Speedway USA wasn't on there, as that's one of the all-time best portable racing games ever. Capcom did such a good job on that, super fun and simple but challenging as well.
Capcom? You mean Rare, right? Rare made the Mickey kart racing games for N64 and GBC. Honestly, I don't like them that much. I think I liked Super R.C. Pro-Am better, as short and easy as it is once you spend a little while with it... Mickey's Racing Challenge and Mickey's Speedway USA, their two GBC (only) racing games, both have issues with how far you can see versus how fast you are, I find them hard. Never spent a lot of time with either, though, they weren't fun at the start so I didn't continue much. My favorite top-down racing game on GBC is Micro Machines V3... considering that it's a port of a Playstation/N64 game, impressive work.



Mega Man V was an absolutely fantastic game. I had $40 for a cart-only copy, but I don't regret it at all, as I simply couldn't put the game down. It was hard, but a ton of fun, possibly my favorite out of all of the classic Mega Man games, even the NES ones.
If you liked Mega Man V, DEFINITELY look up Mega Man III and IV! Both are outstanding games, challenging and great classic Mega Man titles. IV is maybe the best GB Mega Man, but III and V are close behind it. It's hard to choose between IV and V, really... The first game's alright too, but it does have more issues than the later ones (lots of flicker, etc.). Also, despite being short, it's quite challenging. III through V have a solid challenge level too though, some of the stages in III made me think of Mega Man X6 or MM&Bass's difficulty for instance... just like with the sound though II is the odd one out, it's much easier than any of the others, and less fun as well. I beat it in under two hours the first time I ever played it.


I really don't think anyone would remember SML1 if it wasn't for the fact that it featured Mario. (I hardly think it's unlikely that it did in fact start out as something else entirely and had Mario thrown in at the last minute.)
No, I think that people would definitely remember SML1 whether or not it had Mario in it. It's a great platformer. And I'm pretty sure it was always designed as a Mario game, yes. It's just that it was made by a different team, Nintendo's handheld team under Gunpei Yokoi, not Miyamoto's team. That's why it feels so different, different people were making it. The same applies to Mario Land 2, that's why it too feels different... and supposedly they then created Wario, because they wanted to make a game starring their own character and not Mario.


Great, great article. I just wanted to mention Mole Mania, which I believe is Miyamoto's most underrated game and one of the best on the Gameboy. It really could have used a DS sequel with both above and underground being displayed on the dual screens, but there was zero demand for it. Who here has played this game?
Wow, I managed to forget Mole Mania too, in my list? Yeah, that's a great game. It's basically like the Lolo games, but better. Fantastic puzzle gameplay as you try to figure out how to get through each room, nice cute graphics, good audio, and an amusing sense of humor... it's an all-around great game for sure.

I also wish that they'd bring it back on the DS or 3DS, it'd be absolutely perfect for the game as you say.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Guys, I didn't "forget" anything -

this is my list of picks and I've been told by a lot of people it's a great list, it's a terrible list, it's an okay list, it's a list with too many well known games, etc. The bottom line is that list is simply my opinion. If you disagree well hey, let me know and tell me what you think! Although I don't agree with a lot of Black Falcon's thoughts, I respect him because he backed up his ideas and more importantly, wasn't rude, nor did he make childish comments like "lol ur list sux it doesn't have enugh shooterz!!!!!!!11"

There are a lot of games that didn't quite make the list that I really really love, Mole Mania among them. King of Fighters '95 and '96 were also truly excellent. The James Bond 007 game. Super Mario DX didn't make the list either, and that the NES Super Mario Bros. AND Super Mario Bros. 2J!

Please continue to discuss what you think of my list, but I also want to hear what you think. Feedback is great.

[Brianvgplayer]

Guys, I didn't "forget" anything -

this is my list of picks and I've been told by a lot of people it's a great list, it's a terrible list, it's an okay list, it's a list with too many well known games, etc. The bottom line is that list is simply my opinion. If you disagree well hey, let me know and tell me what you think! Although I don't agree with a lot of Black Falcon's thoughts, I respect him because he backed up his ideas and more importantly, wasn't rude, nor did he make childish comments like "lol ur list sux it doesn't have enugh shooterz!!!!!!!11"

There are a lot of games that didn't quite make the list that I really really love, Mole Mania among them. King of Fighters '95 and '96 were also truly excellent. The James Bond 007 game. Super Mario DX didn't make the list either, and that the NES Super Mario Bros. AND Super Mario Bros. 2J!

Please continue to discuss what you think of my list, but I also want to hear what you think. Feedback is great.

I know you didn't forget anything, but I feel both GB and GBC have a lot of great games. I'm sorry if I came off as rude. The SML and Star Trek impressions just gave me the impression that you liked GB shmups and the Metroid II comments gave me the impression that it wasn't given a fair shake (it's one of the more polarizing games in the series, but the game is actually fairly linear, as far as Metroid games go. It doesn't hold you by the hand, but it does give clues with the Metroid carcasses, blocked off areas, and the earthquakes after the Metroids in an area are defeated).

As far as the Gradius comments, I read the NES review. I think it may have focused too much on the hack and seemed to ignore some of the differences form the arcade (laser and double work somewhat differently in the NES version, the arcade has more brutal rank, where there are unavoidable shots with the shield and the difficulty goes wild with four options, and the Moai stage scrolls vertically as well as horizontally in the arcade). I also feel Gradius is one of the simpler games in the series in terms of design (I still love it though).

As far as Nemesis goes (the first GB one, not IA), I feel it's like a remix of Gradius 1 and 2. The power ups are more like 1 (though double and laser work different), it has a Salamander/Life Force style levels, and level design is like a remix of previous games (while still being new). The ship speed starts out slower and movement is somewhat jerky, but the speed ups make up for this. I like how it has a skeleton level like the TG-16 and MSX ones. One thing is that the config has the option for 99 lives, which it something it shouldn't have from the start.

Anyway, I actually agree with most of the games on the list and was happy to see stuff like Shantae, Kirby's Dreamland 2, Pokemon and the first Wario Land on there. I didn't mention it before, but I disagree with A Black Falcon on Pokemon and especially like Gold/Silver.