Best GBC Games You Should Try

If you’re a big fan of GBC games or recently bought your handheld gaming device, you probably want to try out the best GBC games available. Don’t worry. There are hundreds of GBC game titles, and it’ll take a long time before you can go through all of them.

But having so many options can also be challenging. You’re probably wondering which games to play first and which are most fun. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. We thoroughly searched and listed only the best GameBoy Color game for you.

But before we get to our list, let's look at the criteria we used to pick the best GBC games.

How We Picked the Best GBC Games

When selecting the best GBC games of all time, we considered the following criteria:

• Popularity & legacy: We picked games that received some of the best reviews from players and critics. The titles on our lists have been recognized as classics and have won countless rewards. Their longevity is a testament as they are still being played and talked about.
• Mechanics: The most important thing about games is that they are fun and engaging. They have amazing gameplay, good mechanics, smooth controls, enjoyable experience, and replayability value.
• Graphics and art: A good GBC game should have an overall unique art style and amazing graphics. We looked at distinguishable and clear visuals that offer the true gaming experience on GameBoy Color.
• Music and sound: Many games are remembered for their music and sound effects that follow players on their amazing journeys.
• Story: A compelling story can make a game more iconic and more enjoyable. Great storylines, plots, and character development follow it.
• Innovation: We’ve also picked out games that introduced new gameplay elements and greatly impacted the whole gaming industry.

List of Best GameBoy Color Games of All Time

• Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda series is probably one of the most iconic games ever, regardless of the platform. Many of the titles were controversial as they had polarizing endings, but despite that, they are still some of the most iconic GBC games. You should try The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages.

• Pokemon

The Pokemon series is still played today and has a big community. These games pioneered how developers could innovate and change their franchise to keep players engaged, starting with Pokemon Crystal. Each Pokemon series improved the shortcomings of the previous release and redefined the world of RPGs.

• Donkey Kong Country

Many Donkey Kong games are on GameBoy, but Donkey Kong Country is the most impactful release. Even though it’s not an exclusive GBC game, the game's release on this platform showed newer generations what they’ve missed out on. It has amazing graphics and addictive gameplay, making it popular over two decades later.

• Prince of Persia

Most people know about Prince of Persia games that came out in the 2000s for PC and game consoles. However, Prince of Persia has a long tradition and has games on GameBoy. This game has a fantastic sound with all actions followed by unique effects. It offers stellar gameplay that’s simple, fun, addictive, and challenging. It’s one of the games you won’t be able to put down once you start playing.

• Dragon Warrior

Dragon Warrior is one of the most iconic game franchises on GBC. All of the parts are amazing, and they build off each other. The game takes some elements from the Pokemon series and offers many monsters and an amazing RPG experience. All of the levels are colorful, and players embark on a monster-hunting quest and breed their monsters.

• Super Mario Bros Deluxe

This list wouldn’t be complete without a Mario game on it. We believe the Super Mario Bros Deluxe went to the next level by adding action-packed levels, a unique challenge mode, and a fun multiplayer mode. It’s not only the game's remake, but it comes with new features and storylines that make it worth playing even if you played the original one.

• Wario Land

If you enjoy playing games as a bad game and hate Mario for some reason, you should try Wario. This game has three parts, all of which have been critically acclaimed. On top of that, many players say that this is one of the best GBC games they’ve ever played. Wario uses different attacks and baddies to power up and defeat his opponents, giving the game an additional layer to its gaming experience.

• Tomb Raider

The first appearance of Lara Croft on GameBoy Color is an action platformer where players can climb walls, swing across the ceiling, and leap over endless chasms in search of hidden treasures. It’s a cinematic, visually appealing, and slow-paced adventure game. Unlike Mario and Prince of Persia, the game focuses on creating an amazing atmosphere with impressive animations.

• Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear is well-known for its 3D setting, but this version brings us back to its old roots. Metal Gear doesn’t need any introduction, and the name justifies its popularity. It’s one of the best adventure/stealth crossover games ever. Even though this is a 2D version with limited graphics, the game lives true to its younger successors.

• Shantae

Shantae is now available on Switch, but the original game was really challenging and brimming with character. It definitely has an old-school approach, and modern players might not like its design, but it’s still one of the most unique game ideas for the platformer genre. Try it out, and you’ll see why it’s one of the best GameBoy Color games.

• Survival Kids

Konami is known for making great adventure games. Survival Kids is still one of the best GameBoy Color ROMS. Survival Kids has compelling storylines and entertaining characters that make you fall in love with the game. It’s one of the first open-ended GameBoy games, and every player can progress through the game at their own place.

• Tetris DX

There’s nothing like a good old Tetris game if you want to have a vintage gaming experience. It’s one of the most iconic puzzle games in the world, and it’s set the stage for some popular titles like Candy Crush and Columns. However, these games will never be at the same level as Tetris. If you somehow missed it, just try it out. We’ll leave it at that.

• Croc 2

Croc is an incredibly cute platformer that introduces moving in all directions and giving players a ¾ top-down perspective. It’s not the first game to do it, but it's won the hearts of many GameBoy players around the world. The graphics are very appealing, cartoonish, and smooth. It’s one of the best GBC platformer games.

• Mario Golf

If you enjoy sitting back and playing a game that relies on intuitive mechanics and a slow pace, you should try out Mario Golf. It’s an RPG-styled golfing game that lets you level up to improve your skills and go through different courses to challenge yourself. It even has a fun multiplayer mode that lets you go against your friends.

• R-Type DX

The R-Type DX brings upgraded colors to the game, so you should look for this version. This is a horizontal cyber shooter game where players fight against intergalactic monsters and aliens with their R-9 Arrowhead spaceship. Players progress through different levels and defeat different bosses at the end. If you liked Space Invaders, this is one of the origin games that made it possible.

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories

This is the third game in the Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters Series. It has a link cable multiplayer mode and amazing art that still exists today. It’s the first Yu-Gi-Oh game to enter the Western markets, and even today, it has some of the best mechanics, tactics, and strategies of any card game you can play against other players.

How to Choose the Best GBC Games for Yourself

Here are some general guidelines you can use to choose the best GBC game for yourself:

• Game genre: First of all, check out the game genre and find the type of game you enjoy playing the most.
• Game difficulty: Game difficulty is an important factor. Some players like a challenge, while others want a more lean-back experience.
• Gameplay style: Some games are focused on mechanics, fast-paced gameplay, and quick reaction times. On the other hand, there are slow puzzles, lean-back games, and multiplayer games you can enjoy with your friends.
• Personal nostalgia: Think about which games you’ve played and whether there are older iterations that might spark that nostalgia.

How to Record GameBoy Color Gameplay

If you want to record GameBoy Color gameplay, using a GameBoy emulator is the only functional and easy method. There are many free GameBoy emulators you can download and install for free. These emulators are available for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux devices.

Simply find a GameBoy emulator online, download it, and install it on your device. Once done, you can play and record some of the best GBC games ever. But before you can record, you will have to get recording software. Here’s how you can record using Wondershare Filmora. This platform works both on Windows and Mac.

Recording GameBoy Color Gameplay on Windows/Mac

Start by downloading and installing Filmora from the official website. Once you’ve done that, start the GameBoy emulator and turn on your game. Once you’ve done that, minimize the emulator and follow these steps:

1. Launch Filmora, and when you enter the main menu, click Screen Recorder.

   

2. Click File > Record Media and Record PC Screen.

   

3. Select the Full Screen, Custom, or Target Window option.

   

4. You can also enable system audio, record your microphone, and record your webcam.

   

5. Click Settings to configure additional recording settings.

   

6. Click the REC button to start recording. Click on it again to stop.

   

7. Click Export in the bottom right corner to save the video.

   

How to Correct Colors of Your Gameplay Videos

GameBoy Color is an old platform and your recorded videos could definitely use a bit of enhancement. Luckily, Filmora also lets you quickly improve colors with various tools. Here’s how to do it:

1. After recording your video, go to the media screen and drag and drop the video into the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

   

2. Double-click your video on the timeline and click Color when the editing window opens. Move the sliders left and right to adjust contrast, saturation, brightness, tint, and 3D LUT.

   

3. Return to the main editing window, click on your video on the timeline, and click the advanced color correction icon. You can adjust settings manually or select one of the presets. When done, click OK.

   

4. When ready, click Export in the upper right corner. Adjust settings to save your video, select the desired format, and click Export in the bottom right corner.

   

Conclusion

These are some of the best GameBoy color games of all time. Of course, opinions are different, and some players might argue there are better games out there. There’s no straightforward answer or a way to rank them all with absolute certainty.

After all, games are about personal preference, and gamers always have different favorites. Still, you can’t go wrong with any of these titles, so try them out and enjoy!

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