The Top Underappreciated Game Boy Gems to Fire Up on Your DMG
Balloon Kid
The Game Boy sequel to the classic title Balloon Fight, Balloon Kid, is a hidden gem worth rediscovering. Developed and published by Nintendo, this 1990 release offers a delightful blend of flight and platforming. Taking inspiration from the popular Balloon Trip Breeze minigame on Wii U’s Nintendo Land, Balloon Kid expands on the original’s simple gameplay by introducing mechanics like releasing and re-inflating balloons. Despite its short duration, Balloon Kid still offers a fun and enjoyable gaming experience.
Pinball: Revenge of the ‘Gator
Released in 1990, Pinball: Revenge of the ‘Gator by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory oozes charm. Set in a pinball table, this Game Boy title successfully captures the essence of a real pinball experience. With fluid controls, unique bonus areas, a multiplayer mode, and delightful alligator motifs, this game offers enjoyable gameplay and nostalgic fun.
Trax
Trax, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Electro Brain, is a top-down shooter that provides players with challenging gameplay. Released in 1991, Trax pushes the Game Boy’s technical limits and offers a unique combination of freedom in movement with a rotating turret. Players must strategically maneuver their cute tank, dodging obstacles and lining up shots. With fluid controls and captivating boss fights, Trax delivers an enjoyable handheld shooting experience.
Chalvo 55
Originally planned as a Virtual Boy game, Chalvo 55 was adapted into a 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer for the Game Boy. Developed and published by Japan System Supply in 1997, this unique title creatively leverages block-pushing, exploration, and bouncing mechanics. Players control a robot named Chalvo, navigating through challenging levels and solving puzzles. Despite its obscurity and limited release only in Japan, Chalvo 55 stands out as a great and innovative addition to the Game Boy library.
Mercenary Force
Fly into action with Meldac’s Mercenary Force! Released in 1990, this top-quality game takes players on a fast-paced horizontal auto-scrolling shooting adventure. As a band of mercenaries, players can strategically change attack formations to gain advantages in battles. Each unique warrior has special abilities, and the game even features a kamikaze move to deploy when facing defeat. With its challenging gameplay and excellent use of the Game Boy’s capabilities, Mercenary Force is a cult classic worth experiencing.
Catrap
Join a boy and a girl turned into anthropomorphic cats in their quest to reverse a curse in Asmik Ace’s Catrap. This 1990 title is well-known for being one of the first video games to introduce a time-rewind mechanic. Players must solve 100 puzzle rooms by pushing blocks, breaking walls, and climbing ladders to eliminate the ghouls guarding hard-to-reach places. With its unique gameplay mechanic, Catrap offers a charming and brain-bending experience.
Mole Mania
Experience the polished brilliance of Mole Mania, a late-’90s puzzler designed by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto. Developed and published by Nintendo, this game showcases Miyamoto’s innovative level design. Players control a mole on a quest to rescue their kidnapped family by navigating through maze-like levels. Mole Mania offers unique boss encounters and delightful pixel art, making it an absolute must-play title on the Game Boy.
Cave Noire
If you’re a fan of roguelike games, Cave Noire is a historical treasure. Developed and published by Konami in 1991, this game paved the way for roguelike experiences on handheld consoles. Players undertake bite-sized quests across procedurally generated dungeons, each with unique objectives. Surviving and succeeding require mastering inventory management and the game’s turn-based movement. While only available in Japan, Cave Noire’s captivating gameplay and challenging quests make it a game worth exploring.
Bubble Ghost
Embark on a nostalgic puzzling adventure with Bubble Ghost, a game that revolves around precision and skill. Developed by Opera House and published by FCI, Bubble Ghost challenges players to guide a delicate bubble through various rooms, filled with obstacles like barbed wire, spikes, and fans. By ingeniously blowing on the bubble, players must skillfully navigate each room in this momentum-based puzzler. With charming sprite design and engaging controls, Bubble Ghost is a hidden gem on the Game Boy.
Great Greed
Buckle up for a treasure hidden in the depths of the Game Boy library – Great Greed. Developed and published by Namco in 1992, this role-playing game offers quirky humor and a unique battle system. With a fluid “hand-to-hand combat” mechanism, battles become engaging and fast-paced. Along with bizarre plot points and food-themed kingdoms, Great Greed conveys an important anti-pollution message in a playful and radical way. Fans of EarthBound will undoubtedly find joy in this hidden gem.
Let us know below which of these games you’ve played and which ones caught your eye!
