5 Rarest Game Boy Games (And How Much They're Worth)

As one of the best handheld consoles of all time, the Game Boy had quite the library of titles available throughout its run. Many of the console's most popular games are still relatively affordable today, even 30 years after its heyday. But there are a handful of games that have seen their value skyrocket in the decades since, as they make their way through various resellers. These highly sought after collector's titles for the Game Boy are the ones that we're highlighting with this particular article.

Whether it's because of limited success in the North American market affecting production numbers or licensed rarities, there are numerous reasons why games become valuable. If you happen to already own any of these titles, you have an expensive piece of gaming history on your hands. If you're a collector on the lookout, prepare to shell out a pretty penny for any of these individual games. 

These are the five rarest Game Boy games and how much they're worth on the resale market.

Among the Japanese-developed titles that never quite caught on in the United States is "Sumo Fighter." Released in 1991, the game follows sumo wrestler Bontaro Heiseiyama on a side-scrolling adventure to Kyoto. As Heiseiyama continues on his journey, he develops several techniques to dispatch enemies that he encounters along the way. The levels are punctuated by bonus stages, with Heiseiyama participating in everything from thumb wrestling to arm wrestling matches.

"Sumo Fighter" couldn't quite connect with North American audiences and its production run was limited because of it. A mint condition copy of the game, with its manual and box included, can sell for well over $7,000. Complete sets that aren't of the same quality can still fetch a resale price of over $3,000. A curio released for the Game Boy, "Sumo Fighter" is better known for its rarity than the quality of the game itself these days as evidenced by its inflated price.

From "Beyond Oasis" to "Secret of Mana," there was no shortage of video games like "The Legend of Zelda." Among these titles was "Rolan's Curse," a game developed by NMK and released for the Game Boy in 1990. The title was successful enough to receive a sequel, the aptly titled "Rolan's Curse II,"  also made for the Nintendo handheld in 1992. Like its predecessor, the game is played from a top-down perspective like the "Zelda" titles of the time, with returning protagonist Ray battling the evil King Barius once again.

"Rolan's Curse II" effectively ended the short-lived fantasy action series with its sophomore effort on the Game Boy. The obscurity around the sequel likely led to a low production run, causing copies to become relatively scarce. Mint condition copies of the game can sell for around $2,300, while complete sets including the box and manual, but in lesser quality, can still sell for around $1,000. By 1993, Nintendo released its own "Zelda" title for the Game Boy, overshadowing any long-term viability "Rolan's Curse" ever had.

Even the horror superhero comedy "The Toxic Avenger" decidedly leaned towards more mature movie audiences, it still received an animated series tie-in targeting younger viewers. Premiering in 1991, "Toxic Crusaders" only ran for a single season but still received a wave of tie-in video games, including a title for the Game Boy. Like its home console counterparts, the handheld title is a side-scrolling action game following the Toxic Avenger taking down waves of enemies. Several supporting characters from the cartoon appear, as does the show's generally more family-friendly tone compared to the movies that inspired it.

As a licensed title, and an obscure one at that, "Toxic Crusaders" was always destined for a cult release. The Game Boy version is the rarest of the set in comparison to its Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis counterparts. This is evidenced by its resale price, with mint condition copies selling for around $4,450 and even loose cartridges selling for nearly $350. One of the rarer releases within the wider "Toxic Avenger" franchise, the Game Boy version of "Toxic Crusaders" is a valuable find for hardcore fans.

While it isn't ranked highly among the "Castlevania" games, the 1993 spin-off "Kid Dracula" offers its own thrills. A sequel to the 1990 Famicom title of the same name, which originally went without a North American release, the Game Boy release features chibi versions of familiar franchise monsters. The game has the heroic vampire Kid Dracula defend Earth from the hostile extraterrestrial Garamoth in his latest bid to conquer the planet. Upon completing each level, Kid Dracula gains new powers that he can cycle between as he progresses through increasingly difficult platforming sequences.

A spin-off heavily overlooked in comparison to its mainline counterparts, including the pair of "Castlevania" titles also released for the Game Boy, "Kid Dracula" is a franchise oddity. This outlier nature of the title makes it incredibly rare on the resale market, driving up its price considerably. A mint condition copy of the game sells for over $3,700, while complete sets, with manual and box included, in lesser quality still sell for over $1,600. Interestingly, the Famicom version of "Kid Dracula" is included in "Castlevania Anniversary Collection," while the Game Boy title isn't, making it even more of a franchise rarity.

Mega Man was king in the late '80s and early '90s, boasting a whole line of Mega Man games on Nintendo platforms. The franchise received its own set of titles for the Game Boy, with the last being the 1994 release "Mega Man V." Not to be confused with the 1992 NES game "Mega Man 5," the Game Boy release boasts its own villainous Robot Masters and level design. The game's story continues Mega Man's feud with Dr. Wily as the mad scientist carries out his latest plot for global domination.

By the time "Mega Man V" was released, the franchise was starting to lean into the "Mega Man X" series that started on the Super Nintendo in 1993. Comparatively, the original series wasn't as action-packed as its 16-bit successor, which may have affected the Game Boy title's popularity. This limited production run means mint condition copies of the 1994 game sell for over $3,400, while complete sets in lesser quality sell for over $1,500. While "Mega Man V" was re-released digitally through Nintendo Switch Online, physical copies of the game still fetch a high price.