It’s a bit of a special circumstance but the Game Boy launched in both North America and Japan in 1989. Usually with consoles and games, Japan was ahead of the curve by at least a year if not more. In this case, the Japanese and Western launches were only a few months apart as the Game Boy debuted on North American store shelves on July 31, 1989.
10 Game Boy Games That Got Remakes (& What They Were Released For)
The Game Boy had tons of classic games in its library. These titles got solid remakes years after the originals first released.
It had quite the legacy and by 1994, its library of games was massive. From Super Mario Land to Tetris, there was something for everyone. Here's a look at some of the well-known and obscure titles celebrating an anniversary in 2024.
8 Bonk's Revenge
An Underrated Platformer Series
- Release Date: November, 1994
- Developer: Red Company
- Platforms: TurboGrafx-16, PS Network, Game Boy
Bonk, as a character, was created as the mascot for the TurboGrafx-16. Despite that, Bonk made the jump quite often to other systems like the Game Boy. While Bonk's Revenge shares its name with a console game, it is an original title for the Game Boy.
The titular Bonk has a cavalcade of abilities concerning his head. This little cave boy can bash enemies with his large scalp and his teeth can be used to climb up walls. For a Game Boy game, the sprites are highly expressive, making it one of the sillier platformers on the portable which is a good thing.
7 Contra: The Alien Wars
A Worthy Port
- Release Date: 1994
- Developer: Factor 5
- Platforms: Game Boy
Contra: The Alien Wars is both a port and an original game based off of the SNES title. It’s kind of hard to tell these games apart, especially on the Game Boy as they blend together. That’s not necessarily a diss because Konami perfected the formula with their arcade classic. While challenging, this game is fun to run and gun through levels as there are plenty of power-ups to collect.
One of the most interesting things about this Game Boy version is that it was handled by Factor 5 and most Nintendo fans probably know of their work on Star Wars: Rogue Squadron which came out just a few years after this.
6 Donkey Kong ‘94
A Simple But Addictive Remake
Donkey Kong (1994)
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy
- Released
- July 22, 1994
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD , Pax Softnica
- Genre(s)
- Platformer , Puzzle
Like Contra: The Alien Wars, Donkey Kong ‘94 is both a port and a new game based on the original arcade title. Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline and Mario has to go save her through a series of increasingly difficult levels. Mario could jump over barrels, fireballs, and other items along with climbing ladders.
10 Game Boy Games That Deserve A Remake
Plenty of games are getting the remake treatment. These Game Boy classics should be next on the list.
He’s a lot more limited in his powers and movements compared to the Super Mario Bros. games but that simplicity is kind of why it’s fun to go back to the arcade original. This update is a good one to go back to as well since the controls are a lot smoother and it does look and sound better.
5 Mega Man 5
A Forgotten Spinoff
- Release Date: September, 1994
- Developer: Capcom
- Platforms: PlayStation, NES, Android, iOS
Mega Man 5, despite the name, is 100% not based on the NES original, unlike a few other ports on the list. The Mega Man games leading up to this one were indeed remixed console ports but for whatever reason Capcom decided to try something new. They should have called it something else to make the difference clearer by hindsight is always 20/20.
Now, the game plays like all of the others as Mega Man fights bosses and collects their unique powers. In this one, he faced Stardroids which were evil space robots with names like Mars and Venus and Mega Man even got a new robot cat, Tango, who helped take them out.
4 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
It’s Morphin Time!
- Release Date: November 23, 1994
- Developer: Natsume
- Platforms: Game Boy, Super NES, Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear
Power Rangers could not have been hotter in the 90s, so it was assured that there would be games. Of the few released in 1994, the best version was on the SNES. It’s a brawler, just like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is on the Game Boy.
However, in the Game Boy version, several steps are skipped which some may enjoy more. Players begin as the titular Power Rangers all powered up and once a boss was reached, players would get into their Megazord and duke it out Kaiju-style. It’s a simpler game by far, but the music still kills and it’s worth seeking out for those who played and remember the SNES version.
3 The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy In Miniature Golf Madness
A Unique Golf Experience
- Release Date: November 1994
- Developer: Beam Software
- Platforms: Game Boy
There were dozens if not hundreds of games based on The Simpsons around this era. Most of them starred Bart and were platformers but The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness was different. As the name may suggest, it was a golf game but one with action elements. As Scratchy, players would try to get their ball in the hole through a course of trials at each level.
10 Game Boy Games Trapped In Japan
The Game Boy had a great library of games. But unless you could read Japanese, you missed out on some hidden gems.
Also, Itchy would appear to torment Scratchy who would die in one hit and players had nine lives which acted as a health bar. Players could beat Itchy away with their club or other power-ups they found and while it was not award-winning, the concept is not half bad by today’s standards.
2 Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!
A Perfect Wario Crossover
- Release Date: November 1994
- Developer: Hudson Soft
- Platforms: Game Boy
This game was originally just a Bomberman title, but when Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman! was brought over, Wario was added. Wario had quite the year in 1994 which may be why he was chosen to be added to a seemingly normal Bomberman experience.
As Wario or Bomberman, players would go around a maze and blow up rocks while looking for their opponent. It’s a simple game of cat and mouse that has been this series’ M.O. from the beginning. While not the most immersive entry as the Game Boy could only do so much, the addition of Wario helped it stand out.
1 Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
The Wario Land Series Begins
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy
- Released
- March 13, 1994
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo R&D1
- Genre(s)
- Action , Platformer
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 is the game wherein Wario took over Mario’s short-lived Game Boy career as the hero which is odd considering the name. Nintendo was still trying to figure the whole Wario formula out too because he wasn’t invincible on this one, unlike most other Wario Land entries.
Wario shrinks down when he gets hit and the downgraded version is quite creepy. Wario has a lot of odd and expressive animations in the game which adds to the charm. The big sprites, music, levels, and everything in between all made Wario’s big hero debut a splash in 1994.
