GameBoy Original
Here we have all the games in the GameBoy Original Section.
GameBoy Original
One on One Beat Em Up
Great use of the two buttons to provide some cracking special moves with many colourful in game characters.
GameBoy Original
Puzzle
Matching up the blocks of the jumbled up pictures with the superb styling of ninja family Nintama. The characterisation adds much to the melee and plenty of colour to the black and white proceedings.
GameBoy Original
Action
Hardware appropriate graphical achievements and gameplay to match as the players penguin pecks platforms to negotiate a safe passage for the egg through the screens laden with traps and adversaries. A real gem in Sega’s crown that shows why it enjoyed the fine times ahead.
GameBoy Original
Action
Makes ace use of the monochrome screen as players bound the platforms clearing away the Bero men baddies with a tactical comb or two in order to clear the level and progress. Much sort after due to being released in a collectable tin, as opposed to a card box.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
A wonderful premise of a game: try and keep the family of the household happy. Cheap rent is always a good place to start. Very compelling.
GameBoy Original
Sports
Simply animated on screen action and appealing avatars convey the emotion of the simple yet at times frustrating game. A fine all round representation of the sport and a pleasure to whittle away long journeys.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
The ancient Japanese game of shougi comes to the GameBoy. Capture your opponents pieces by jumping over them. But be sure to think ahead to become a true master.
GameBoy Original
Puzzle
Beautiful monochrome simplicity as Popeye takes down Bluto (helped by a can of spinach power up) then negotiates the mazes to rescue Olive Oyl. Fine use of the cherished license.
GameBoy Original
One on One Beat Em Up
Smashing little Capcom scrapper with silky roster of special moves as pugilists take on fellow robot fighters. Some tidy character designs as you might expect from Capcom with a giant skulled robot and simply a giant robot. Backgrounds make clever use of the hardware limitations to still conjure a futuristic feel, such as the robotic plans of the samurai armour in the temple level. Good use of combos too.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
Captures the fun of taking print club pictures which dominated the arcades of Japan. Features can be tweaked in capturing a dream sticker. Also known as Purikura Club Pocket.
GameBoy Original
Puzzle
Clear the blocks from the screen by shooting them to extend their length and turn them into big squares. They then disappear in time for another wave descending down the screen.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
Poor old carpenter Gensan just wants a simple life, but once again his fair lady has been kidnapped and he must battle robot rivals in a quiz format. Questions are a good chance for Japanese students with heavy use of Hiragana and are on the lines of “How many bones in the human body?” Thankfully the answers are multi choice.
GameBoy Original
RPG
Big, bold sprites allow the gender bending Takakhashi manga to come to life on the GameBoy. Plenty of exploring and a dash of fisticuffs in this fine conversion of the intriguing source material.
GameBoy Original
Sports
Does a spiffing job of bringing the arcade coin op, lycra-clad wrestlers to the small GB screen and even die-hard grapple fans will lap it up.
GameBoy Original
Platform
The name Rockman seems to more aptly convey the old school challenge the series presents and this version squeezes scintillating performance out of the GB. Yet it is more likely hardware restrictions such as found on the Famicom that led to the series gripping gameplay and tight play mechanics that launched a solid franchise. The gamers choice.
GameBoy Original
Puzzle
Clever and cunning strategy is required to take down the opponent snake by encircling them and trapping them within the serpent’s body. Power ups and random mini snake attacks add to the variables and may distract from the best course of action.
GameBoy Original
Sports
A three quarter perspective version of football with nice touches such as the teams bowing to each other (and the ref) before the game. The play mechanics are smooth and the world teams look good.
GameBoy Original
Platform
Chirpy, cheery chip tunes and a suitably sized up Mario sprite make for a fine outing for Nintendo’s loveable mascot on the GameBoy. Using wings to gain extra distance on jumps, underwater sections, pipes – its all here and the wee man is in fine fettle.
GameBoy Original
A Bit Special
Gamers of a certain vintage would have cut their teeth cleaning up Tamagotchi poo, petting them and feeding them. The journey to the GameBoy seems a natural progression.
GameBoy Original
A Bit Special
Opens up the Tamagotchi world as players explore the town and meet more virtual pets that need feeding and teaching basic maths to grow up big and strong (and able to add up.)
GameBoy Original
A Bit Special
Feed your virtual pet, give it medicine, shower it with praise, tell it off and play puzzles with it, not forgetting the odd poop that will need a scoop. Happy days are here again.
GameBoy Original
Action
With the classic look of a Game & Watch title, this action platformer requires players to drop tactical bombs to give themselves some time to avoid the pursuit of the Tasmanian Tigers of the title. Perfectly suited to the small screen and a very enjoyable action title with some nice ditties such as Waltzing Matilda. Japanese title Tasmania Monogatari.
GameBoy Original
Action
Great animation and an understanding of pushing the architecture just as much as it can handle. Impressively bold sprites and suitably bad bosses all set to the familiar Turtles tune.
GameBoy Original
One on One Beat Em Up
Takara shows exactly why it was so at home with the GB’s humble architecture in this jaw crunching conversion of the arcade bad boy. Slickly animated, every character each moving seamlessly through their martial arts routine.
GameBoy Original
Puzzle
A rather neat puzzle title where shapes must be matched up in fours with the top score (and some fine visual pyrotechnics to celebrate) being reached via matching up all seventy two shapes. Different options on offer in terms of shapes to use for those spooked by the traditional stones.
GameBoy Original
Sports
Very popular and classy basketball based anime series which captures the raw emotion of the game and gives the GameBoy a good work out with very slickly animated characters from the much-cherished anime series.
GameBoy Original
RPG
Simplistic, yet beautifully clear sprite graphics ensure the gameplay is fluid as dank dungeons are explored with axes to chuck at adversaries. Captures the Ultima essence perfectly and is a very fitting addition to the series, despite the small screen origins.
GameBoy Original
RPG
Enchanting chip tunes draw the gamer into the cult Ultima world in this fine sequel that was overshadowed by Zelda at the time. Yet there is plenty of fine gameplay within its RPG dungeon’s walls to sing its praises from the highest of its castles’ towers.
GameBoy Original
RPG
Known as the Legend of the Sea King GB in the West. Explore the town and cast a line or two to try and land the dream fish on endless summer days.
GameBoy Original
Shooter
Little known shoot em up in which players stand off against alien vessels and fire against each other in a futuristic, intergalactic duel. Travelling across the middle of the screen though is an asteroid belt that can absorb shots, or even deflect them back at your own vessel. Old school and proud of it.