Few other game companies are as iconic as Nintendo, and the Nintendo Game Boy, in many ways, partially paved the way for compact devices like the Switch. The Game Boy proved that quality games could be rendered in a portable format, and in following generations, the system's titles were eventually ported to the Virtual Console on 3DS and Wii U. Unfortunately, those services are scheduled to be discontinued in 2023, but there is new hope that those retro releases will not be forgotten. Nintendo Switch Online has become an outlet for game preservation, and the company has recently restated its support for legacy content on the hybrid system.
During the February Nintendo Direct, fans saw the announcement of several classic Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games coming to the Switch's online service. This reveal was exciting, as these titles were exclusive to the Game Boy's unique library. While some of Nintendo's larger titles came from home consoles, such as Donkey Kong Land and Super Mario Land, other lesser-known IPs originated on the device. Over the years, series like Kirby became well-established on newer consoles while other Game Boy games stayed behind. With so many possibilities, fans are already compiling their own Game Boy wishlists for Switch Online, and a few long-lost gems might bolster that service further.
Solar Striker's High-Flying Action
One obscure Game Boy title is Solar Striker, a scrolling shooter where players collect power-ups and fight aliens across six difficulty levels. Solar Striker was published by Nintendo itself and is a sci-fi action game complete with invading aliens and bosses. If the game were to return, the shoot 'em up should fit as a fun addition to the 2023 Nintendo Switch Online games collection, and Solar Striker's arcade gameplay could be appreciated by those that may have missed out on its original release.
Solar Striker's fast-paced combat mostly centered on players dodging and blasting attackers, meaning it was not overly complex. Overall, the sci-fi shooter has a simplistic setup that can make it easier to pick up and play, and these throwback controls might do well by testing players' reflexes over the course of the game.
The First-Person Space Battles of X
Developed in collaboration with Nintendo and Argonaut Games, X is a 1992 first-person space combat simulator that was only released on Game Boy in Japan. Recognizing its high difficulty, plans for a North American release - titled Lunar Chase - were canceled. However, a one-off sequel launched on DSiWare called X-Scape, and Nintendo's X has since been reevaluated as an innovative and technically advanced game for its time. Now, seeing the potential opportunity for a proper import through Switch Online, X could be a Japan-exclusive game that finds new life on the service.
X's pseudo-3D perspective might allow it to stand out among other Game Boy titles, as its significance is mostly derived from how much it pushed the limits of the system's hardware. Argonaut Games went on to help with the creation of Star Fox in 1993, and it shows that this project was also an influential start for one of Nintendo's genre-defining games.
Mole Mania and Its Animated World
Another, though cuter, Nintendo project for the Game Boy is Mole Mania. Produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, Mole Mania is a 1996 puzzle game that stars Muddy Mole who digs and moves obstacles in a quest to rescue his family. The game's last appearance was on the 3DS Virtual Console, and since its initial launch, the game has garnered somewhat of a cult following due to its charm and multi-step challenges. Considering its history with the creator of the Mario IP, Mole Mania is perhaps one of the more noteworthy Game Boy originals - making it an obvious fit for Switch Online. Miyamoto directed many Nintendo classics, and this retro puzzler reflects the legendary game designer's penchant for polished gameplay.
Even though most Nintendo IPs have expanded beyond the Game Boy, there are still several games missing from the modern lineup. Fans are just beginning to enjoy Game Boy games on Switch, and they probably have much more to look forward to here. The Nintendo Game Boy lives on through memorable titles that proved the value of handheld gaming, and it is encouraging to see the Switch continuing that legacy all these years later.
