Upon its first release, the Game Boy was a technical marvel. You could play NES-quality titles on the go for the first time, and players responded in kind. In 2019, Nintendo’s main console can trace its lineage back to this portable titan, and we’re seeing the same type of excitement among gamers. However, it’s hard to go back and relive some of the best that this older console had to offer. Game Boy games lacked color and featured very simplistic sprites. This level of age will inevitably put off a lot of modern folks. Nintendo knows this, which is why it is bringing games like Link’s Awakening and Metroid 2 into the modern age.
Of course, the Game Boy library is way more than two key games. Nintendo has published plenty of forgotten gems on the system, and a lot of them are good and ready for a rebirth. Nintendo sometimes suffers from having too many franchises, but this type of reimagining is the perfect way to refresh something from the vaults. From Miyamoto’s forgotten Mole Mania to the adventure’s of Mario’s greatest plumbing rival, we’ve collected 10 of the most interesting Game Boy releases. Each one of them is ready for prime time once again.
Not every game on this list warrants a big full-scale remake. Some of the arcade-style releases might work as a digital-only release on the eShop. Some might even work best as Nintendo Online giveaways à la Tetris 99. Whatever the method, it’s good to see that Nintendo is will to preserve its history in this way. Just like films get HD transfers and feature packed Blu-rays, games should receive these remasters from time to time. If for no other reason than to preserve their original intents. Not everyone is going to be OK with going all the way back to the beginning. That doesn’t make a game like Link’s Awakening any less important historically.
Game Boy Revivals
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10 Game Boy Games That Deserve the Link's Awakening Treatment
For the time, the original Game Boy was a marvel of modern engineering. However, unless you're nostalgic, it can be hard to appreciate some of the classics released on the system. With Nintendo remaking Link's Awakening, here are 10 more candidates for a Game Boy revival. -
Balloon Kid
The only official sequel to Nintendo's take on Joust, Balloon Kid brings forward everything in Balloon Fight on NES as side modes. The main event is a platforming campaign complete with boss fights and enemies to stomp. Plus, the titular Balloon Kid stars a little girl hoping to rescue her brother. It was a gender swap ahead of its time. -
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
The only game in the series developed by Nintendo proper, Elite Forces takes place in an alternate history with a bit more of a Saturday morning cartoon vibe. Outside of some sniping sections, the gameplay is still grappling and shooting, and an update could fit well on the eShop. -
Gargoyle's Quest
When Firebrand made his appearance in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, a lot of folks probably wondered why a particular enemy was important enough to join the roster. This wasn't a Piranha Plant type of random moment; this was the star of Gargoyle's Quest taking center stage once again. -
Kid Dracula
Back when Konami made video games, it made some of the best games around. The company was even the best at making fun of themselves. Kid Dracula is a parody of Castlevania that has a similar toyetic style of Link's Awakening. If Konami is willing to license the IP, it's well worth a redux. -
Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
Kid Icarus doesn't get much love from Nintendo, but Of Myths and Monsters is the next logical step if the publisher wants to keep their patterns going. It's a Game Boy follow-up to an NES classic that is in desperate need of an update. Plus, we're all in desperate need of a Kid Icarus game that doesn't require a plastic stand to play. -
Kirby's Pinball Land
Kirby's mainline Game Boy adventures have already seen countless updates, but nothing has been done with his first jaunt into pinball. There will most likely need to be gameplay tweaks, but a return to the pinball adventure could be a great side game to release between new platforming titles. -
Mole Mania
Released late in the original Game Boy's life, Mole Mania is a puzzle title with a strong pedigree. It's one of the least known Shigeru Miyamoto games, and it's staring character hasn't popped up much beyond this game. Perhaps a Mario redo with Monty Moles could be the update this title needs to get more recognition. -
Solar Striker
It's always notable when Nintendo stretches out into genres it is not known for. Solar Striker is one of its only attempts at a vertical scrolling shooter, and it was received well. A straight port would probably be a little lax, but add in some visual flair and price it accordingly and it could be a good Switch game. -
Trax
A HAL Laboratories release, Trax is all about a little spherical tank shooting everything that moves. He almost resembles HAL's famous Kirby, which could lead to an excellent excuse to remake it. Its soundtrack alone is jaunty enough to deserve a modern rendition away from the very chiptune Game Boy speaker. -
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Simply put, Wario Land is one Nintendo franchise that deserves more love. Perfectly capturing the difference between the two plumbers, the first Wario Land is a classic platformer that takes thing a bit slower. Since Wario seems to be on an extended vacation from making games, perhaps now is the time for him to revisit his original adventures.
