SM's Top 100 GameBoy/GameBoy Color Games of All Time

[Satoshi_Matrix]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m913vzVbPO1rc7qlzo1_1280.png

Hey guys just wanted to let you all know I've finished the first part of my new Top 100 countdown!

This list is dedicated to the top 100 GameBoy and GameBoy Color games released between 1989 to 2002. It contains both original black-and-white and color titles. Placement was deemed after several hundred candidates that been evaluated in a number of ways including how well each holds up today in terms of playability and enjoyment.

Here's the first ten games, #100 - 91! A handful of the games that made the final list are ones I wouldn't have otherwise even considered. Cheers to you, and cheers to the almighty GameBoy!

So here ya go guys! Enjoy!

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/top-100-gameboy-games-100-91/

[Satoshi_Matrix]

additional info added as per comments received.

[Tanooki]

Still up to these lists eh? They were pretty interesting to read and debate. Weren't you doing these over at NA? I guessing the response wasn't what you were hoping for?

[FrankSerpico]

Good start to your list. You wouldn't happen to know off-hand the GBC titles aside from the Wendy the Witch that have added features when played on a GBA would you?

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Th eonly others I'm aware of are the excellent Shantae and the two capcom developed Zelda Oracle games.

[Tanooki]

Shantae is getting a USA-eShop re-release on the 3DS here any week now, it's all ESRB re-rated and approved by Nintendo is it's in the queue. I'm hoping it cuts the insane pricing on that game down a peg or two on ebay. Various other pricy games have taken the slide from it in the past like FF7 going up on PSN being a notable one.

It's a great title and really deserves to be more accessible by gamers who aren't loaded.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

How do those digital versions work? Do black and white DMG games get the various color options if played on a GBC or GBA? Do games like Donkey Kong '94 get the Super GameBoy enhancements?

If not, then Shantae on the 3DS will be rather bad. The game pops on the GBA, but on the GBC it's colors are far more bland, plus if it lacks the GBA exclusive content then all the more reason to stick to the original cart.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'm happy to announce part 2 of my top 100 GameBoy games of all time!

Here's the next ten games, #90 - 81! I hope you guys enjoy this one and sorry about the delay. I had a heck of a time getting some of these screenshots. In case you guys didn't notice, I take all of these screenshots myself and don't simply pull them from other sources.

Anyway, here's the link. Enjoy!

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/top-100-gameboy-games-90-81/

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hey long time no see, Top 100 GB thread!

Time FINALLY to unveil part 3, #80-71! enjoy! Hopefully the next part won't take as long.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/top-100-gameboy-games-80-71/

[ccovell]

Good update! Cosmo Tank is a favourite of mine too. However, as far as I know, Asuka is the publisher and Atlus the developer. IIRC, some old Nintendo Power or VG&CE magazine said Atlus was trying to set up a publishing arm (partner?) in the U.S. named Asuka Technologies... but that didn't last long.

Other things: Mercenary Force was developed by Kaze and published by Meldac, not Nichibutsu. GB Bomberman 3 (Bonk's Adventure GB possibly, too) was developed by A.I. There are probably others (Altron a developer?), so if you're not sure of who did what, I think it's a bit dangerous to credit the developer and publisher to the same company.

[IHatedSega]

Pokemon Red, PERIOD. haha!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Good update! Cosmo Tank is a favourite of mine too. However, as far as I know, Asuka is the publisher and Atlus the developer. IIRC, some old Nintendo Power or VG&CE magazine said Atlus was trying to set up a publishing arm (partner?) in the U.S. named Asuka Technologies... but that didn't last long.

Other things: Mercenary Force was developed by Kaze and published by Meldac, not Nichibutsu. GB Bomberman 3 (Bonk's Adventure GB possibly, too) was developed by A.I. There are probably others (Altron a developer?), so if you're not sure of who did what, I think it's a bit dangerous to credit the developer and publisher to the same company.

I base my info on mobygames, but they're not always right. Thanks for this info. I'll correct it when I get a chance.

[treismac]

... if you're not sure of who did what, I think it's a bit dangerous to credit the developer and publisher to the same company.

Would the ghost of the Hudson Bee sting you from beyond the grave? :help:

Sorry. Halloween's just around the corner and everything and I feel obligated to comment on everything Hudson Soft related.

[ccovell]

The Hudson ghost train will bear down on your house until the noise becomes deafening! :vamp:

[Satoshi_Matrix]

quick, we need a muscleman to suplex the ghost train!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y105/Thenork/trainplex.jpg

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Time for part 4. Again, sorry these are taking so long. Despite my best efforts they seem to be about a month apart. I'll try to have the next part out before Christmas though as my gift to you guys.

http://satoshimatrix.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/top-100-gameboy-games-70-61-2/

Wordpress has made some internal changes lately, so I've tried to integrate some new features. Let me know if anything is broken, as well as any spelling errors I've overlooked.

I've also added a poll at the end where you the reader can voice your opinion on which of these is your favorite pick.

And as always, enjoy and discuss!

[Bubble_Man]

Looks like you've put a good deal of effort into this. I've spotted a few games on the list that I didn't know existed, so that'll give me something to look up. Nice avatar, BTW. Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2 are my favorite anime series.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Looks like you've put a good deal of effort into this. I've spotted a few games on the list that I didn't know existed, so that'll give me something to look up. Nice avatar, BTW. Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2 are my favorite anime series.

lol you could say that again! Each part of this series takes dozens of hours to finish. I not only write about each title, but I also do research to find interesting tidbits for the "fun facts" section, I take all my own screenshots which then need to be enhanced in photoshop to be web-ready, and that doesn't say anything to the time I need to take to replay each game so I have a fresh presective and not just speaking on the basis of nostalgia.

I have a huge passion for the GameBoy/GameBoy Color, and after I finished my top 100 NES/Famicom editorial, I wanted to do something similar for the GameBoy.

As for Urusei Yatsura and Ranma I totally agree. Lum is the best. If you look up my beadsprite thread, you'll find a sprite I made of Lum based on the Mega CD screenshot I used as my avatar.

Here it is. without getting too off topic here.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5065/5743871857_32a370dc6a.jpg

[Atarileaf]

Very enjoyable read. I've really been into the GB/GBC lately so this is perfect for me. I'm a big Trekkie and didn't know about the 25th Anniversary port. It looks good and I've put it on my want list :)

[FieryReign]

Small world, I was just looking at this list the other day. I enjoyed the NES list. Was a bit disappointed getting cutoff early in the countdown, will it ever get finished? Didn't understand how Resident Evil got on the list though. Considering it's not even a finished game, just a prototype.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Was a bit disappointed getting cutoff early in the countdown, will it ever get finished? Didn't understand how Resident Evil got on the list though. Considering it's not even a finished game, just a prototype.

Uh, the list hasn't been cutoff or anything. I JUST posted part 4, #70-61 a few hours ago. Each part takes me roughly a month to finish. Like the top 100 before it, this will be finished in several months time.

As for the RE Prototype, I explained why it's in the top 100 in the "why you should play it" section. The game is 90% finished, and there's a bugfix patch for it. Even unfinished it's extremely impressive for the GBC. If it were finished, it would have placed much higher, but as it stands I feel it belongs where it does.

[dbiersdorf]

Uh, the list hasn't been cutoff or anything. I JUST posted part 4, #70-61 a few hours ago. Each part takes me roughly a month to finish. Like the top 100 before it, this will be finished in several months time.

As for the RE Prototype, I explained why it's in the top 100 in the "why you should play it" section. The game is 90% finished, and there's a bugfix patch for it. Even unfinished it's extremely impressive for the GBC. If it were finished, it would have placed much higher, but as it stands I feel it belongs where it does.

Are you ever planning on finishing this? This list is awesome so far but would love to see it completed. :)

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Actually yes, I have plans for this, but I've decided that I'm going to split this series into two editorial lists - Top 100 DMG GameBoy/Super GameBoy, and Top 100 GameBoy Color.

The reason is because although they share much in common, the GameBoy and GameBoy Color are actually different systems. Therefore, its unfair to directly compare the libraries, as the GB was at quite a disadvantage in terms of hardware specs.

I'm waiting on Wiggy to see about banners!

[dbiersdorf]

Actually yes, I have plans for this, but I've decided that I'm going to split this series into two editorial lists - Top 100 DMG GameBoy/Super GameBoy, and Top 100 GameBoy Color.

The reason is because although they share much in common, the GameBoy and GameBoy Color are actually different systems. Therefore, its unfair to directly compare the libraries, as the GB was at quite a disadvantage in terms of hardware specs.

I'm waiting on Wiggy to see about banners!


That seems incredibly ambitious. Well hope you do, there's an extreme lack of insight into either of these systems library online outside of the typical Nintendo library. Look forward to it. :) I haven't posted on Digital Press for years, so goes to show how much I'd like to see this.