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The 30 greatest Game Boy games, according to Jeremy Parish’s 2019 editorial ranking for Polygon, begin with Donkey Kong, Game Boy Camera, the Pokémon series, the Wario Land series, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The list marks one selection for each year of the system’s life, but it is a personal editorial selection—not a formally scored or objective ranking.
The complete ranking
Here is Parish’s list in its published order. A series label means that the slot represents a franchise rather than one individual cartridge, so the ranking contains 30 slots but not 30 single-game picks.
- Donkey Kong
- Game Boy Camera
- Pokémon (series)
- Wario Land (series)
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- Tetris
- The Final Fantasy Legend (series)
- Kirby’s Dream Land (series)
- Mario’s Picross (series)
- Super Mario Land (series)
- Game Boy Gallery (series)
- Balloon Kid
- Bionic Commando
- Mega Man V
- Final Fantasy Adventure
- Heiankyo Alien
- Gargoyle’s Quest
- Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge
- Mole Mania
- Metroid II: Return of Samus
- Space Invaders
- Kid Dracula
- Cave Noire
- Harvest Moon GB
- Avenging Spirit
- Chalvo 55
- The Sword of Hope (series)
- Game Boy Wars/Turbo
- Trip World
- X
How to read a list that mixes games and series
The ranking combines landmark releases with less familiar selections, and treats some franchises as single slots. For example, Pokémon, Wario Land, and The Final Fantasy Legend each occupy one place without specifying a single installment. That makes a direct comparison with entries such as Donkey Kong or Link’s Awakening imperfect: one slot can represent a body of work, while another names one game.
Parish’s author archive describes the approach as “one for each year of the system’s life.” The available description does not establish a scoring formula or explain how influence, design, or playability were weighted. Treat the order as a critic’s curated perspective, not a consensus verdict. Readers may reasonably disagree with the selections or the decision to group franchises.
#1 Best Overall
- New and high quality.
- Compatible for both US/EU/JAP versions console.
- RPG games can be saved by the battery inside,but Action games have no saving function.
- 108 in 1
- GBC games can't play on the GB game console
Which picks can you play through Nintendo Switch Online?
Nintendo’s February 2023 announcement said a Nintendo Switch Online membership provides access to a selection of Game Boy games. It specifically named Metroid II: Return of Samus, Tetris, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, and Game & Watch Gallery 3. The service also offers Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color screen styles, suspend points, offline play, and online or local wireless multiplayer in supported games. Nintendo’s announcement describes the launch selection and features.
The ranking is not a catalog of what the service currently carries. Nintendo’s July 8, 2026 catalogue update says the Game Boy – Nintendo Classics library requires any Nintendo Switch Online membership, but the selection and service terms may vary by time and region. Check Nintendo’s current classic-games listing and the terms for your country before counting on a particular title being available.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- New and high quality
- Compatible for both US/EU/JAP versions console.
- RPG games can be saved by the battery inside,but Action games have no saving function.
- 61 in 1
- GBC games can't play on the GB game console
Rank #4
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
Rank #3
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
Rank #2
- New and high quality.
- Compatible for both US/EU/JAP versions console.
- RPG games can be saved by the battery inside,but Action games have no saving function.
- 30 in 1
- GBC games can't play on the GB game console
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