Ranking the 25 Best Original Game Boy Games

Originally released on April 21, 1989, Nintendo's first Game Boy will be celebrating it's 25th birthday in 2014. Depending on how you look at it, the age can either seem too young or too old. Was it really 25 years ago that we spent hours upon hours playing classic titles like Super Mario Land or Kirby's Dream Land? On the other hand, the graphics are so outdated for the first Game Boy that it seems like a relic of the Stone Age. After all, it wasn't even in color!

However, regardless of how it has aged, there's no denying that the Game Boy was an essential platform during its heyday, as the handheld entertainment system allowed us to carry all of our favorite video game heroes around with us. So, in honor of the system's legacy and its approaching anniversary, it's time to figure out The 25 Best Original Game Boy Games, from no. 25 to no. 1.

Note: this list does not include games that were made after the Game Boy Color was released! We're keeping it strictly O.G. around here.

RELATED: The 25 Best Games for Nintendo's Game Boy Color

RELATED: 20 Video Games From the '90s You Probably Forgot About

Year: 1990
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Platformer

Any fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had been waiting for an opportunity to play as their favorite heroes in half-shells. With Fall of the Foot Clan, they finally got it, as the title allowed them to play as Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael battling through the sewers to save April from their arch-nemesis, Shredder. Using either shuriken or their trademark weaponry (staff, katanas, nunchuks, sais), the game pitted you against Rocksteady, foot soldiers, Krang, and more as you fought to save your friend. A faithful adaptation of a beloved cartoon series, the TMNT franchise sacrificed nothing by moving to the Game Boy.

Year: 1995
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Puzzle

Many had never heard of Picross before they played Mario's Picross, and many still probably haven't heard of it since then either. The title was a niche puzzle game, using a puzzle format created in Japan and translating it to the Mario universe. Essentially, you were solving puzzles within a box of columns and rows in order to form the resulting picture. With 256 levels in total, Picross could have you plugging away at numbers and lines for days, offering a challenging and rewarding experience for all inquisitive minds.

Year: 1993
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Platformer

How often is it that a game which was intended as a parody actually turns out to be a pretty great time all on its own? Originally created to poke fun at the Castlevania series, Kid Dracula became much more than that when it was released in 1993, as the platforming adventure allied you with Death and Dracula in your quest to defeat Galamoth. Of course, it never took itself too seriously, but Kid Dracula also showed how fun a video game could be without dragging itself down by its own emotional weight. After all, it is just a game.

Year: 1990
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Puzzle

Dr. Mario may have seemed like a blatant re-branding of Tetris at the time of its release, but the subsequent years have been kind to the Nintendo puzzle title, as it has steadily grown in reverence and appreciation. The game was all about tile-matching, as you threw in colored medicine capsules to defeat the evil viruses lurking within a pill bottle.

Today, it's known as one of the Game Boy's best puzzle titles. And, of course, this wasn't the last time we would see Mario, M.D. either, as the popular doctor has also made his way onto the Super Smash Bros. series since.

Year: 1991
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Sports

Sports games on any handheld console are difficult to pull off, as they require a variety of angles and a wide perspective to truly be successful in gameplay. However, with Blades of Steel's left-to-right action grid, moving the hockey title to a portable setting was easy enough, finally giving sports fans a game they could get behind. With fighting, shoot-outs, and a variety of real-life NHL teams, Blades of Steel is an underrated classic in sports gaming that pulled off a feat few other sports titles have managed to do.

Year: 1991
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Puzzle

A falling block game in which you stacked similar blocks on four available platforms, Yoshi's Egg was the green dinosaur's first solo game, and is originally titled simply as Yoshi. Its gameplay is easy enough, as the pace of the game quickens the deeper you get into the level, but the falling block structure differentiates the title from Tetris and its countless clones, giving you a puzzle game that prefers to blaze its own trail instead of following in another's path.

Year: 1989
Publisher: Hal Laboratory
Genre: Pinball

Why anyone thought to combine an alligator and a pinball machine is beyond us, but we certainly aren't complaining, as Revenge of the 'Gator was one of the most enjoyable pinball titles available for the Game Boy. Of course, everyone knows how to play a pinball game, so there isn't much explaining to do in that regard, but 'Gator did offer one notable wrinkle in the way of its gameplay, as you had to be sure to avoid the titular gator out to munch on your pinball. Offering a multiplayer mode as well, Revenge of the 'Gator took a time-tested format and successfully transferred it to the Game Boy, creating a competitive and satisfying setting for all.

Year: 1994
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

Mega Man titles largely become repetitive after awhile, but Mega Man V was a game that truly had some claim to originality, as it was the only original Mega Man title for Game Boy that didn't recycle the bosses of its NES counterpart. Instead, Mega Man V offered a revamped universe, a new weapon (the aptly-named Mega Arm), and Tango, a never-before-seen sidekick. Even if the Mega Man titles do seem to mirror one another, they're still wildly enjoyable titles, and out of the first five games, the final edition fully perfected the franchise formula.

Year: 1991
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Armed with a bow and an endless stock of arrows, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters put you in the shoes of Pit, a young angel trying to make his way through the underworld, the overworld, and the sky world. Eventually, by gaining the Wings of Pegasus, the Silver Armor, and the Light Arrows, Pit gains entrance to the Sky Palace, where he must defeat the demon Orcos. Though it was a well-made game, Of Myths and Monsters was the last Kid Icarus game released for 21 years until Kid Icarus: Uprising was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. Why? With a title of this quality, it's hard to know why Nintendo cooled off to the series.

Year: 1994
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer, puzzle

Taking the original Donkey Kong game and bringing it the Game Boy, the portable DK title was only loosely based on its arcade predecessor, keeping its puzzle elements, but enhancing various details of the game to make it a more fluid and forgiving experience. With 101 levels to play, Donkey Kong on the Game Boy has often been looked at as underrated, having received little to no attention since its release compared to other Donkey Kong games. If you're looking for barrel-hopping action and dizzying puzzle solving, then it's time to pick up this game.

Year: 1991
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Action-adventure

Many remember Metroid II as a failed sequel, which is a shame because it completely de-legitimizes an amazing title, and almost rewrites history in a sense. When the title came out, it was praised for its graphics, which were almost as good as the NES, and beloved for its strong story which served as a precursor for the SNES's Super Metroid. Time hasn't been kind to Metroid II, but if you have the chance, you should pick up and play this old classic to see what you think for yourself. An unearthed gem awaits you.

Year: 1991
Publisher: Sunsoft
Genre: RPG

Similar to The Final Fantasy Legend, 1991's Final Fantasy Adventure isn't actually a Final Fantasy title. Take a deep breath. Yes, your childhood has been shattered. Everything you know has been shown to be a lie. But can we move on now? Great.

Indeed, marketing purposes necessitated that the title be branded under the FF name, as the game offered the first Mana experience without actually being called Mana. Eventually, the well-crafted RPG would be remade in 2003 as Sword of Mana, properly placing the title within its appropriate context. FF or not, though, Final Fantasy Adventure was still a blast, combining the top-down action style of the Legend of Zelda series with the role-playing elements of any FF title to create a cohesive and unique escapade in the process.

Year: 1992
Publisher: Nintedo
Genre: Platformer

The debut title for the entire Kirby franchise, Kirby's Dream Land gave the world a new favorite vacuum cleaner, as the titular pink ball sucked up and spit out his enemies in a quest to defeat the dastardly King Dedede. Plot-wise, it was your classic platformer title, but what made Kirby's Dream Land stand out was its trademark gameplay, as your eat-and-shoot abilities allowed you to use your own opponents as a weapon.

Furthermore, the game was sweet but perhaps too short, as most agreed that it could've stood the addition of a few more levels. Still, the game remains essential to the franchise, and is remembered in a positive light to this day, setting out a template for a series still known and loved by many.

Year: 1990
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Platformer, side-scroller

At its heart, Gargoyle's Quest is a platformer and a side-scroller, but we can't ignore the slight RPG elements as well, such as the random battle encounters engine and the abilities system that made it such an essential title for the Game Boy. Playing as Firebrand, it was your duty to travel through the Ghoul Realm and save your allies from the evil King Breager. A spin-off from Ghosts 'N Goblins, the title improved upon its predecessor's original features to offer an even more captivating and pulse-pounding experience.

Year: 1991
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Platformer

Acting as a sequel for the first Castlevania game, Belmont's Revenge was the second Castlevania title for the Game Boy, featuring one of your favorite vampire hunters, Christopher Belmont, as he set out to save his son from Dracula's clutches. Using axes, holy water, and more, you took Belmont through four different levels in his quest to rescue his demon-possessed offspring. While the short play time was frustrating for some, Belmont's Revenge still made the most of what it had, offering one of the best action experiences available for the Game Boy.

Year: 1998
Publisher: Natsume Co., Ltd
Genre: Simulation, RPG

Who knew that virtual farming could be such a blast? Before Harvest Moon, no one knew how rewarding it could be to grow your own digital crops. In your quest to become the Ranch Master, you had to raise livestock, cultivate the land, and learn everything else that comes with being a good citizen of the Earth. Pick up tools like axes, hammers, and hoes, and see what you can do. It was just you, your instincts, and a plot of land. Would you wilt or flourish under the pressure?

Year: 1990
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

In DuckTales, Capcom took the beloved Disney channel animated series about Scrooge McDuck and his adventurous nephews and brought it onto your Gameboy, creating one of the finest platformers available for the system in the process. Scrooge McDuck was the original Jordan Belfort, as the wealthy old duck traversed various worlds in search of more money to increase his already considerable fortunes. If that wasn't a reflection of the excess of the 1980's and early '90s, then nothing was.

DuckTales was given a reboot in 2013 when it was re-released for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Windows as DuckTales Remastered, but most people who have played both titles will tell you that you're always better off sticking with the original.

Year: 1990
Publisher: Sunsoft
Genre: RPG

Fun fact: The Final Fantasy Legend isn't actually a Final Fantasy title, it was just marketed as a FF game by Square in order to boost its sales. Talk about false advertising, right? In actuality, the title was the first SaGa game ever made, a series which saw its last edition in 2012 with SaGa Emperors. Regardless of its name, though, The Final Fantasy Legend offered a compelling role-playing experience that was one of the first of its kind for a portable unit. With the title, the Game Boy proved that it wasn't just about puzzle games or simple platformers. Entire worlds could be explored and conquered with your Game Boy.

Year: 1995
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Creating a well-made, faithful translation of a game between a console and a handheld is difficult, but Donkey Kong Land was a title that pulled it off with surprising ease, taking all the fun of the Super Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country and putting it right into your Game Boy. However, while the sounds, background elements, and characters are all straight out of the SNES version, the level designs were given a complete reboot in the Game Boy edition, providing a fresh and enjoyable experience for fans. While Donkey Kong Country boasted slick graphics and a rich soundtrack, Donkey Kong Land offered strong gameplay in lieu of these details, and suffered no drop-off in quality.

Year: 1989
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Selling over 18 million copies, Super Mario Land was a flagship title for the Game Boy, boosting its popularity by showing just how much fun you could have with your favorite plumber on his newest system. The graphics were simple, but the gameplay was intuitive and enjoyable, giving you all the richness of a regular Mario title, and all the nerve-wracking difficulty. No matter how many times you died in Super Mario Land, it's straightforward mechanics and entrancing soundtrack would always have you coming back for more until you were finally able to save Princess Daisy. After all, being a hero takes dedication.

Year: 1994
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

If you never played Wario Land, then you missed out. Sorry to break the news to you, but it's true. Wario's power-ups made Mario's Tanooki suit look like chump change, as the Bull Helmet, Dragon Helmet, and Jet Helmet allowed Wario to double his strength, breath fire, and fly through the air. Perhaps because they were testing out a new character, Nintendo felt obligated to give Wario an extra hand. Whatever the reason, these power-ups, along with a host of entertaining levels and gameplay, made Wario Land one of the best spin-off titles around. Though, can we get an edit on that title? Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 is a mouthful that's no longer necessary. The game can stand on its own two feet without the Mario association.

Year: 1989
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Puzzle

If you know anything Tetris, then you probably know this: it's an institution in the video game world. The popular puzzle game set a standard for addicting games and endless entertainment when it was released in 1989, and its legacy continues to flourish today. Originally created by Alexey Pajitnov, the game's intuitive conceit, catchy music, and increasing pace had you tapping away at your D-Pad furiously, as you tried to arrange and re-arrange all the pieces to get the perfect fit. With millions of copies sold, it's safe to say a "perfect fit" is exactly what Tetris when it hooked up with the original Game Boy.

Year: 1992
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Featuring Magic Carrots, 32 levels, and the nefarious Wario, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins was one of the strongest platformers available for the Game Boy. Directed by Hiroji Kiyotake (instead of Shigeru Miyamoto), the game has a unique fantastic element to it, different from many other Mario titles. 6 Golden Coins let you travel through space, shrink down to ant-size, and jump your way through a giant mechanical robot as you set out to collect every precious coin. When it comes to the original Game Boy, Super Mario Land 2 will always be remembered as a fan favorite.

Year: 1993
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Action-adventure

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening was the franchise's first title for a portable console, and is also one of the series' finest (and most underrated) editions. When it comes to handheld Zelda games, many are quick to talk about Oracle of Seasons or Oracle of Ages, but Link's Awakening was the first to show that these powerful, emotionally complex tales could translate to the Game Boy at all.

SPOILERS: It's also one of the series' most unique storylines as it turns out to have all taken place in an intricate dream. Today, it's less remembered than older titles like A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time, but anyone who has overlooked the game up to this point should schedule themselves for a visit.

Year: 1998
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: RPG

Pokemon Red and Blue just barely make the cut for this list, having been released only a few months before the Game Boy Color hit the market. However, we're happy to remember these classic RPGs, which sparked a wave of fandom that has yet to die out, and a series of titles that has only grown stronger today.

Pokemon was phenomenon among gamers when it first came out; it was a title everyone seemed to know. Who did you choose? Squirtle, Bulbasaur, or Charmander? It felt like you could ask any kid this question and they would have an answer. Because of its universality and the countless hours you devoted to training up your new sidekicks, Pokemon offered a lifestyle more than anything else, setting a standard for portable gaming that few others have met to this day.