The 15 Best Game Boy Games of All Time

By YPB TeamPublished Jul 8, 2026

Pocket-sized legends that defined a generation, from puzzle juggernauts and monster-catching phenomena to cult platformers only die-hards remember. Which cartridge wins? Cast your vote!

1
Tetris
The block-stacking puzzle phenomenon bundled with the Game Boy that became one of the best-selling games ever.
1000pts
2
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
A full-sized 1993 Zelda adventure set on the dreamlike Koholint Island, widely hailed as the handheld's finest game.
1000pts
3
Pokemon Yellow
The 1998 Pikachu-focused special edition that let a beloved Pikachu follow the player everywhere.
849pts
4
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
The 1994 platformer that gave Wario his own greedy, treasure-hunting starring role.
734pts
5
Kirby's Dream Land
The 1992 debut of the pink puffball, a breezy, charming platformer built for newcomers.
734pts
6
Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge
The 1991 Game Boy entry compressing the Blue Bomber's run-and-gun action onto a cartridge.
636pts
7
Pokemon Red and Blue
The 1996 monster-catching RPGs whose link-cable trading turned Pokemon into a global phenomenon.
636pts
8
Super Mario Land
Mario's 1989 Game Boy debut, a quirky launch platformer set in the far-off land of Sarasaland.
636pts
9
Gargoyle's Quest
A 1990 action-RPG spin-off of Ghosts 'n Goblins starring the demon Firebrand.
636pts
10
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
The bigger, stranger 1992 sequel that first introduced the greedy antihero Wario.
520pts
11
Metroid II: Return of Samus
The 1991 sequel sending bounty hunter Samus deep into a hostile planet to exterminate the Metroids.
520pts
12
Donkey Kong
The 1994 release that starts as an arcade remake then explodes into an inventive puzzle-platformer.
382pts
13
Castlevania: The Adventure
The 1989 handheld debut of the vampire-hunting series, sending a Belmont after Dracula.
382pts
14
Final Fantasy Adventure
The 1991 action-RPG that planted the seed for Square's beloved Mana series.
212pts
15
Mole Mania
A hidden 1996 Miyamoto-designed puzzle gem about an above- and below-ground digging mole.
212pts