A few of my favourite things: Game Boy games!

The Game Boy, good times! Currently mine is in the loft, the plastic protective screen has fallen off, and it takes a few knocks to get it working, but it’s original, and has plenty of great gaming memories for me, mainly keeping me occupied over a few school summer holidays, and the odd Christmas when I’d run out of Bond or Carry On movies to watch.

Here are a few of my favourite games below, although playing them today gives me eye strain, even with the light magnifier, how did we manage it back in the day? And at the end a few honourable mentions.

Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening

Still my favourite Legend of Zelda game to this day, even with the twist ending the story was amazing and bizarre all at the same time, I mean, who thought up the Windfish? Always a pleasure to play I’ve re-bought this on the 3DS, I’m getting old and it’s slightly easier to see and navigate. The dungeons are some of the most memorable for me and they still hold up to this day. I’ve still got my eye on that owl though, I’m sure he’s up to something.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

I remember playing on a friends copy of Super Mario Land and being suitably impressed that I could play a Mario title on a handheld, having only played previously on the NES. So much so when this one was released I remember specifically saving up money (all £19.99 of it, by mowing lawns for neighbours) to specifically buy this game, I bought it and played it over the entire summer holidays! All that gardening was totally worth it, still one of my favourite Mario titles.

Tetris

Well, it was packaged in the box, so you couldn’t really avoid not playing it, especially if it was the only game you had for awhile. Unforgettable music and gameplay, still great, and I still only like this version though, anything newer just doesn’t seem to have the same impact/hold on me when playing. Also, the only game I had up until Pokémon that could use the link cable, pretty inventive and impressive to me at the time.

Tiny Toons 2: Montana’s Movie Madness

I have this weird soft spot for cartoon licences across many, if not all, retro gaming consoles, especially the Mega Drive, but for the Game Boy this one in particular grabbed my attention growing up. I loved the box art with Buster and the idea that it was a movie themed storyline in the game (I also have a penchant for other movie based games, such as ‘Premiere’ on the Amiga). I loved the platforming action in this one and the little running animation they gave to Buster. Good times!

Pokémon Red

Why ‘Red’, I hear you cry? Well, mainly because my best mate had Blue, and after all, the object is to catch them all, no good if I bought Blue as well. I also partly decided on this version because of Charizard on the cover. I love that Pokémon, even in Pokémon Y I’m using Charizard. One of the Game Boy games I most regret losing, along with Tiny Toons, by lending them out to someone who didn’t return them.

A few honourable mentions:

Donkey Kong Land
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
The Simpsons: Bart and the Beanstalk
Kirby’s Dream Land
Zool

What are your favourite Game Boy games from back in the day? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter!

@RealityGlitch

Cheers!