5 Game Boy Color hidden gems you should play

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, let me tell you that unearthing hidden gems from retro consoles is like finding buried treasure. I recently got my hands on an Analogue Pocket and it’s been a joy to revisit the Game Boy Color library, uncovering games that were overlooked in their time but deserve recognition now.

Have you acquired an Analogue Pocket this year? I’ve managed to get one myself, and it’s truly amazing! The FPGA emulation is not just cutting-edge technology, but it also provides a fantastic reason to revisit numerous retro game libraries in search of forgotten gems. A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon several intriguing ROM hack projects that were inspired by my experiences with the AP. This week, I’m delving into some games that are incredibly fun to play, and they’re not the typical choices you’d associate with classics. My focus is on the Game Boy Color in this case, a system often recognized for its popular hits and an overwhelming number of licensed games. Regardless of whether it’s innovative genre blends or exceptional technical abilities, these games are unique because they have no equal on Nintendo’s second 8-bit portable console.

Power Quest

As a child, I was captivated by this game, and it was a delightful surprise to find others who share my enthusiasm during my research for this compilation. The most accurate description I can think of for Power Quest is: “Imagine if Pokemon Trading Card Game morphed into a fighting game.” Although the narrative and navigation resemble old-school RPGs, the actual gameplay bears strong similarities to Street Fighter 2. You select your robot according to distinct combat archetypes, enhance its power throughout your journey, and ultimately uncover a sinister plot concealed within an anime-style competition’s background.

Survival Kids

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts about an intriguing title that predates the likes of ARK and Minecraft – Survival Kids by Konami. This game, fittingly named, delved into survival mechanics long before they became commonplace. It was truly remarkable for a Game Boy Color (GBC) game, offering not just a tough, immersive gameplay loop with various systems to ensure your character’s survival, but also a vast, non-linear narrative. The story unfolded in a way that allowed multiple outcomes based on what you discovered and achieved during your survival journey.

Magical Chase GB

As a devoted enthusiast, I recall when the ingenious minds behind Quest produced the enchanting side-scrolling shooter, Magical Chase, before they became renowned for RPG classics like Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre. This game was unveiled on TurboGrafx-16, but unfortunately, its publisher went bankrupt at the same time, causing it to become one of the priciest secondhand games out there. Remarkably, it was later adapted for Game Boy Color, and is considered one of the most impressive ports on this compact handheld device. This adorable yet challenging shooter appears as if it would strain the GBC’s capabilities, but it operates smoothly and offers endless entertainment. Despite its lack of text, a fan translation is available, making Magical Chase an ideal hidden treasure for unofficial hardware or repro carts.

Star Ocean: Blue Sphere

Among the numerous Role-Playing Games (RPGs) for the Game Boy Color, only a few are direct sequels to console games that many consider all-time greats. One such example is Star Ocean: The Second Story, which remains an enduring classic. Interestingly, Blue Sphere was not a spinoff as expected from handheld entries but a surprising sequel instead. What sets Blue Sphere apart is not just its status as a sequel, but also its intricate design that’s unusual for a Game Boy Color game. This complexity is particularly evident in Blue Sphere’s real-time combat system. Similar to Magical Chase, there exists a fan translation of Blue Sphere, with this one being more impressive (and necessary) due to the game’s extensive nature as a full-fledged RPG.

Legend of the River King

For years, dedicated Harvest Moon enthusiasts are well-versed with series like Story of Seasons or Rune Factory. However, Marvelous also developed another hybrid game that wasn’t as popular due to its highly specialized concept. Known as River King, it had only a handful of entries translated over time, with the Game Boy Color games being the ones that left an impression on those who experienced them. Picture a fishing mini-game in a Zelda-like setting, but the entire game centers around this fishing experience. You’ll encounter battles against spiders and other creatures, collect bait and fishing gear, and ensure you use the right equipment for the fish you’re trying to catch. The overall fishing experience is central to the game, which requires an abundance of patience. In essence, River King offers a unique blend of role-playing and life simulation, with patience being its key ingredient.

Among the many overlooked treasures and beloved cult titles on the Game Boy Color, these five games have left an indelible impression on my memory. They either offer a distinctive, genre-blending appeal that’s hard to find elsewhere or showcase such impressive technical skill that it’s astonishing they run on a GBC cartridge. If you’re eager to expand your gaming knowledge or seek something beyond the usual picks, these games are a must-play. Have you discovered any other hidden gems worth mentioning? I’d love to hear about them, especially after experiencing Magical Chase for the first time!

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2024-12-15 19:27