The 15 Best Game Boy Games of All Time

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.

999pts

3

Pokemon Yellow

The 1998 Pikachu-focused special edition that let a beloved Pikachu follow the player everywhere.

907pts

4

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

The 1994 platformer that gave Wario his own greedy, treasure-hunting starring role.

837pts

5

Kirby's Dream Land

The 1992 debut of the pink puffball, a breezy, charming platformer built for newcomers.

837pts

6

Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge

The 1991 Game Boy entry compressing the Blue Bomber's run-and-gun action onto a cartridge.

777pts

7

Pokemon Red and Blue

The 1996 monster-catching RPGs whose link-cable trading turned Pokemon into a global phenomenon.

777pts

8

Super Mario Land

Mario's 1989 Game Boy debut, a quirky launch platformer set in the far-off land of Sarasaland.

777pts

9

Gargoyle's Quest

A 1990 action-RPG spin-off of Ghosts 'n Goblins starring the demon Firebrand.

777pts

10

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

The bigger, stranger 1992 sequel that first introduced the greedy antihero Wario.

706pts

11

Metroid II: Return of Samus

The 1991 sequel sending bounty hunter Samus deep into a hostile planet to exterminate the Metroids.

706pts

12

Donkey Kong

The 1994 release that starts as an arcade remake then explodes into an inventive puzzle-platformer.

621pts

13

Castlevania: The Adventure

The 1989 handheld debut of the vampire-hunting series, sending a Belmont after Dracula.

621pts

14

Final Fantasy Adventure

The 1991 action-RPG that planted the seed for Square's beloved Mana series.

518pts

15

Mole Mania

A hidden 1996 Miyamoto-designed puzzle gem about an above- and below-ground digging mole.

518pts