The best Game Boy Color games of all-time

If you find yourself wondering what the best Game Boy Color games are, then our ranking is here for you.

First arriving in the late '90s, the classic little portable machine brought of life so many memorable 8-bit adventures to life with its color palette, which felt like such an exciting step up from the original Game Boy. With some of the very best Pokémon games of all time find a home on the handheld, the Game Boy Color saw its fair share of fantastic releases in its short shelf life span before it was eventually discontinued in 2003.

It's still possible to find cartridges out in the wild today if you've got your hands on the portable console yourself, and happily the Switch 1 and Switch 2 also has a virtual Game Boy console which first landed in 2023, so you can tuck into some of the best Game Boy games, as well as a select number of Game Boy Color classics (here's hoping we keep seeing more get added to the library). So, whether you're after recommendations, you want to get nostalgic, or your curious to see what made our top 10 ranking, read on to discover our pick of the best Game Boy Color games. And be sure to share your favorite memories of the console in the comments section with us!

The best Game Boy Color games, ranked

10. Mr. Driller

The concept behind Mr Driller sounds like a Hollywood pitch: it's Tetris meets Boulder Dash! The game's titular star is trapped in a world covered with mysterious blocks. Fortunately, as his name unsubtly suggests, he possesses a powerful drill and can dig his way to a fresh air supply.

Converted from its own arcade game, Mr Driller is a challenging game that requires quick wits and reactions and helps confirm that the Game Boy Color is no less blessed with puzzle games than its illustrious predecessor. For more on this series, read our Mr Driller Drill Spirits review.

9. Donkey Kong Country

Rare took on the challenge of converting its own Super Nintendo hit to the Game Boy Color and did an amazing job of squeezing the stunning platformer into the handheld. As with the original, Donkey Kong is on a mission to retrieve his stolen banana stash, battling the alliterative hordes of King K. Rool, such as Kritters and Krushas.

While visual clarity is inevitably sacrificed, most of the gameplay survives, and there's even a bonus level entitled Necky Nutmare. Overall, an incredible technical achievement and the finest banana-collecting game on the Game Boy Color. After you play this Game Boy Color classic, check out its sequel with our Donkey Kong Country Returns review, or check our our verdict on the latest DK adventure with our Donkey Kong Bananza review.

8. Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal

Unfairly maligned at the time as a simple upgrade, the Game Boy Color's three Pokemon games subtly yet effectively introduce several noteworthy fresh elements. Top of the list of additions is the arrival of Pokémon breeding and a day/night cycle that means that some Pokemon can only be discovered at certain times.

Combined with a range of other complimentary embellishments and the by-now familiar RPG experience, it adds up to so much more than a by-the-numbers update.

7. Super Mario Bros Deluxe

It's a testament to the original NES game's perfectly refined gameplay that, essentially, the same game should generate another celebrated release 14 years later. Of course, there is more to Super Mario Bros Deluxe; this is Nintendo, after all. In addition to the almost-perfect replication of one of the best Mario games, there's a challenge mode where the player collects red coins and Yoshi eggs.

There's The Lost Levels and two race modes, one versus the Game Boy Color, and the other against a human opponent. When mixed in with the Toy Box bonus features and the delightfully sweet Super Mario Bros gameplay, it's an excellent value-for-money package.

6. Wario Land 3

Mario's alter ego returned for a third outing in 2000's Wario Land 3, bringing with it the similar yet different gameplay of the series. Having crashed his biplane, Wario discovers a mysterious music box. Pulled into its world, he approaches a dark figure who offers to return him to his world – once he's found a set of five missing music boxes.

Wario Land 3 has an incredibly flexible level design, with Wario constantly required to re-explore areas with a newfound ability, such as swimming. A superb alternative for anyone bored of the relentless platform games on the GBC.

5. Mario Tennis

Developer: Camelot Software Planning
Released: 2000

Released shortly after the Nintendo 64 game of the same name, the Game Boy Color does a splendid job of recreating the excitement of tennis. You can participate in an exhibition match from the main menu or select an RPG-type game where leveling up is achieved through practice drills and matches.

Want a break from the game? There are plenty of areas around the courts to explore, and for a real challenge, Mario Tennis supports the link cable, enabling human players to battle against each other. Ridiculously fun and as delicious as a bunch of fresh strawberries and cream. Mario Tennis is one of the best sports games around, and you can learn more about the series in our Mario Tennis Aces review.

4. Shantae

Shantae is a wonderful platform adventure that released at the end of the Game Boy Color's life and a year after the arrival of the handheld's successor, the Game Boy Advance. As such, it flew under the radar at the time, a shame for such a marvelously polished game.

In truth, Shantae offers very little innovation in terms of gameplay, but it is put together with such panache, style, and verve that it's impossible not to love. And indeed, there is no Game Boy Color game as beautiful as Shantae.

3. Dragon Warrior 3

This glorious RPG boasts a snaking plot full of twists and turns hidden behind its familiar tale of good heroes versus evil enemies. Away from the storyline, Dragon Warrior 3 is a traditional role-playing game with plenty of characters, skills, items, and spells to discover.

A hugely interactive world, minigames, new monsters, and dungeons are also included, conjuring up a remarkable game that every Game Boy fan should play. For more recommendations, check out our list of the best JRPGs and the best anime games to play today.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Ages / Seasons

The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Ages / Seasons was a dual release for the Game Boy Color that ensured the legend continued adeptly on Nintendo's handheld range. The Sorceress Of Shadows has stolen the Oracle of Ages and is using it to spread evil across Labyrnna. In the other game, Onox, General Of Darkness, is up to something similar, having imprisoned the Oracle Of Seasons, causing the slow demise of the land of Holodrum.

The USP is the dynamic between the two games: beat one game, and you get a password, which then conspicuously alters the experience with the next one. The changing seasons of Oracle Of Seasons are particularly pleasing, but there's plenty to enjoy in what are undoubtedly two of the best Zelda games of the handheld era. Read our The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Seasons retrospective for more details!

1. Metal Gear Solid

Sharing the name of the PlayStation game, this is an unrelated, separate story from the main series. The gruff Solid Snake is called out of retirement to battle a terrorist menace that has appropriated the secret Metal Gear prototype mech weapon. The gameplay of Metal Gear Solid will seem familiar to fans of both the Sony game and the original series.

Snake stalks across various scenes, using gadgets, weapons, or fists to take down guards or sneak past them unnoticed silently. Featuring all the twists and betrayals for which the Metal Gear games have become renowned, Metal Gear Solid also offers an extreme assortment of bonus content once the main game has been beaten. One of the greatest spin-offs of all time, on any format.

For more on Nintendo, read our lists of all the upcoming Switch 2 games and upcoming Switch games on the way, or you can explore the best Switch exclusives to play today.