The original Game Boy was not the most powerful handheld of the 90s. Its screen was green and grey, it had no backlight and it ran on four AA batteries. But it was tough, affordable and had a library of games that rivals any console ever made. From puzzle classics to epic adventures, these are the best Game Boy games of the decade.
Quick answer
The best 90s Game Boy games include Pokémon Red and Blue, Tetris, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Pokémon Yellow, Super Mario Land 2, Kirby's Dream Land, Metroid II, Wario Land, Donkey Kong (1994) and Dr. Mario.
The top 10
| Rank | Game | Year (NA) | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokémon Red and Blue | 1998 | Collect, trade and battle; a global phenomenon |
| 2 | Tetris | 1989 | The perfect portable puzzle game |
| 3 | The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | 1993 | A full Zelda adventure in your pocket |
| 4 | Pokémon Yellow | 1999 | Pikachu follows you, cartoon-style |
| 5 | Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins | 1992 | Bigger, better Mario, and Wario's debut |
| 6 | Kirby's Dream Land | 1992 | Kirby's first adventure |
| 7 | Metroid II: Return of Samus | 1991 | Atmospheric sci-fi exploration |
| 8 | Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 | 1994 | Greedy, funny platforming |
| 9 | Donkey Kong | 1994 | Clever puzzle-platform reinvention |
| 10 | Dr. Mario | 1990 | Addictive color-matching puzzles |
The rest of the best (11–25)
Kirby's Dream Land 2
1995: animal friends join Kirby.
Final Fantasy Adventure
1991: action RPG classic.
Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge
1991: tough portable Mega Man.
Donkey Kong Land
1995: pre-rendered graphics on Game Boy.
Super Mario Land
1989: the launch classic.
Wario Land II
1998: Wario cannot die, only change.
Link's Awakening DX
1998: color version with a bonus dungeon.
Pokémon Pinball
1999: pinball with a rumble cartridge.
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
1999: the NES classic, in color.
Harvest Moon GB
1998: farming on the go.
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Late 1990s Japan, 2000 US: the card game as an RPG.
Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
1991: underrated sequel.
Mole Mania
1996: quirky puzzle game.
Game & Watch Gallery
1997: classic LCD games remade.
Tetris DX
1998: Tetris in color with new modes.
Why the Game Boy won
Several handhelds challenged the Game Boy in the 90s, some with color screens and backlights. The Game Boy beat them with battery life, durability and price. Four AA batteries lasted many hours, the system survived drops and spills, and families could afford it. Most importantly, it had the games, especially after Pokémon arrived in 1998.
Game Boy models of the 90s
| Model | Year (NA) | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | 1989 | The original brick |
| Game Boy Pocket | 1996 | Smaller, lighter, sharper screen |
| Game Boy Color | 1998 | Color screen, backward compatible |
How to play Game Boy games today
Original hardware
Original cartridges work on Game Boy, Pocket, Color and Game Boy Advance systems.
Replace save batteries
Many save-game cartridges need a new internal battery after decades.
Official re-releases
Nintendo has re-released many Game Boy classics on its newer systems.
Avoid reproductions
Fake cartridges are common, especially for Pokémon. Check labels and circuit boards.
Fun fact: The link cable turned the Game Boy into a social device. Tetris battles and Pokémon trades made it a two-player system long before online gaming on handhelds.
Conclusion
The best 90s Game Boy games still hold up: Pokémon, Tetris, Link's Awakening and the Mario and Kirby classics. Whether you replay them on original hardware or official re-releases, they prove great games do not need great graphics. Wondering what your old system is worth? See how much is a Game Boy worth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-selling Game Boy game?
Pokémon Red, Blue and Green combined, and Tetris, are among the best-selling Game Boy games of all time.
What was the first Game Boy game?
The Game Boy launched with titles including Tetris and Super Mario Land in 1989. In North America, Tetris was bundled with the system.
When did the Game Boy Color come out?
The Game Boy Color launched in late 1998 and could play most original Game Boy games, often with added color.
How can I play Game Boy games today?
You can play original cartridges on Game Boy, Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance hardware, or use official re-releases on Nintendo's current systems where available.
Are old Game Boy cartridges still working?
Many still work. Games that save progress use an internal battery that can die after decades and may need replacing.
What was the best Game Boy accessory?
The link cable, which let players trade and battle, was essential for Pokémon. Worm lights and magnifiers helped people play in dim light.
Sources and further reading
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.