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Nintendo’s recent Direct presentation brought a lot of exciting news including the addition of Game Boy and Game Boy Color games to Nintendo Switch Online. And while we received a dozen fairly strong titles to start with (Tetris, Super Mario Land 2, Metroid II, Kirby’s Dream Land, Link’s Awakening, Alone in the Dark, Game & Watch Gallery 3, Gargoyle’s Quest, and Wario Land 3), it’s hard not to come up with a wish list of games that we want to see added.
Super Mario Land
It’s understandable that Nintendo opted to include Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins rather than the first entry. Most believe it to be a better game and more what one expects from a traditional Mario platformer. Still, the original Super Mario Land has a certain charm that is more than worth the play-through. It’s short and feels a little different than any others in the series, but it’s an important (and still very playable) part of the Game Boy history.
Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge
A Castlevania title made exclusively for the Game Boy? Yes please! Not to be confused with Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, this is actually the sequel to an earlier Game Boy title, Castlevania: The Adventure. And while that may seem like the more natural choice, audiences largely prefer its successor. It’s an authentic yet monochromatic take on that familiar walk-n-whip gameplay that made the NES game a smash success.
Pokémon Red and Blue
No Pokémon? Seriously? It’s pretty much the reason Game Boy stayed alive for as long as it did. Admittedly, I’m not much of a fan myself, but I understand the franchise’s importance and admire the intensity of its fans. And yeah I know – I squeezed a bonus game in there. But the inclusion of these two would be a fantastic way to introduce current fans of the franchise to its classic roots.
Mega Man V
In 1994, Capcom graced audiences with Mega Man V, an action platformer starring their iconic robotic boy. Not to be confused with Mega Man 5, this title was developed and released exclusively for the Game Boy. There’s not a whole lot to say about this one except it’s a decent Mega Man game – one that’s often overlooked in conversations and legacy collections.
Donkey Kong
Unofficially known as Donkey Kong ’94, many will vouch for this as the best version of Donkey Kong. Sounds like a bold statement if you’ve never experienced this unique take on the 1981 arcade classic. Beginning with the four familiar levels in which Mario rescues Pauline from the titular gorilla, it continues on with all new challenges – a lot of them! Players are treated to a total of 101 levels of classic platforming goodness. The success and warm reception prompted Nintendo to the create the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series.
What are some Game Boy or Game Boy Color titles you’d like to see added to the service? Let us know in the comments!
