I’ve just rediscovered my childhood Gameboys, I grew up in the 90s and had an original, a color, an advance and an sp. My game collection has whittled down over the year to the usual suspects, Pokemons, Zelda’s, Mario’s and some other standards. But I want to dive into some games that 7 year old me would have brushed over. So what’s your favorite game?
Buncha youngins with your GBAs.
My favourite OG gameboy game was Kirby’s Dream Land. Played and replayed it many times. Even had one of those attachments to magnify it and light up the screen when it got dark :)
I highly recommend Pleasant Dreams: The Welcoming Play of Kirby’s Dream Land. I got it in one of the mega Itch.io charity bundles and was intrigued. It was the highlight of the bundle for me, unexpectedly.
I’d never played Kirby’s Dream Land, but I loaded it up the next chance I got, and Couture nailed it. It’s an absolutely perfect introduction to gaming for non-gamers.
I was also going to say MMBN, but since that’s been said, I’ll say Golden Sun. Loved both of those games to death.
Breath of Fire 1 and 2 are also great (although technically SNES ports).
Golden Sun is my all-time favorite! I wish I could relive the thill I felt for the first and second games
Same here! They made a DS one as a third installment, but the story leaves off in the middle, and the sense of awe just isn’t there. Not the same anyway as 1&2. Especially 2, when you [SPOILER] play the “bad” guys
Been playing road rash (GBC) and its nice
Kirby games are nice too
If we’re allowed GBA then Zelda Minish Cap or Lego Star Wars.
Advance Wars.
I will never not shill advance wars 1 and 2 Great gameplay, great artstyle, great everyting
Never sleep on Wario land
The Megaman Battle Network series on GBA is awesome. Replayed a few of them last year and they are still great.
If you’re playing Gameboy specifically, and not including Advanced, then I played a ton of Marble Madness. I never beat it, but it is pretty fun physics-y platformer.
If you are including Advanced, then Metroid Fusion is a classic. Atmospheric, and beautiful sprite work. Genuinely scary in parts, and leads right into Dread if you like the gameplay.
- Metroid II is one of my favorite games of all time.
- Mega Man: Dr. Wily’s Revenge and Operation C are both highly polished and fun, but quite challenging.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan is a relatively easy, short, polished action game.
- Kirby’s Dream Land is my favorite game in the series. And if you think it’s too easy, turn on Extra Game mode. It will wreck you, I promise. ;)
- Ninja Gaiden Shadow and Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge are amazingly polished challenging but fair action games.
Every game I mentioned has excellent music, is an original game (not a port), and I have played in their entirety again and again throughout the years.
Let me know if you’re looking for a genre other than an action game. XD
Advance Wars for GBA was up there for me (below any Zelda game). I’ve got my eyes on the Switch remake, but holding until I can find it on sale.
would be the perfect phone game with asynchronous turns
Seriously, it would be great for mobile. I played the OG ones using a GBA emulator but I want more Advanced Wars
I do have a copy of this kicking around. It was my brothers and I never played it. I’ll have to give it a go!
Does Yoshi’s Island count? I loved that game to death and it’s ending makes me tear up as well.
I really enjoyed Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
I know you mentioned Zelda, but there were actually a ton of pretty good Zelda games like Oracle of Ages/Seasons. Advance Wars was pretty fun. Golden Sun too. I also have to agree with MMBN from the other commenters.
Golden Sun and its sequel, Golden Sun: The Lost Age. Easily my two GBA favourites.
