The 5 Game Boy Games That Need To Come To Switch
There were a lot of great games for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color console family, so fans were excited when a rumor started circulating that Switch owners might get a chance to play some of these classic games emulated on their new favorite console. Known dataminer @OatmealDome posted on Twitter that a closer look at the NES Switch app revealed that there were several retro-console emulators built into the software back in 2019. Switch fans went wild. After all, who wouldn't love to play some of Nintendo's most iconic handheld classics upgraded to a new, bright LCD display? Recently, Eurogamer sources have independently corroborated that Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles are not only coming to the Switch, but they are coming soon.
The Game Boy and Game Boy Color collectively had an unusually long life cycle which gave birth to a lot of games worthy of a second life. Of course, Nintendo has had some gaming flops in the past (and some of these games are better off forgotten), but there are at least a few titles that deserve a place on a 21st-century console. "Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" has already made its way onto the Switch in the form of an HD remaster, but here are five Game Boy games that need to come to the Switch.
The Wario Land Series
Mario has seen a lot of love on every console Nintendo has ever made, but his arch-rival has yet to make a significant appearance on the company's newest platform. "Wario Land" series began on the Game Boy back in 1994 with "Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3." In the game, Wario is searching for a statue of Princess Peach in a place called Kitchen Island when he discovers that the nefarious Captain Syrup and her pirates have stolen it.
Two more titles were later released for the Game Boy Color. This trilogy was one of the most popular on the platform since it was one of the first Nintendo series to allow players the opportunity to play as one of the bad guys (or just misunderstood guys).
There was a "Wario Land 4" for the Game Boy Advance and "Wario Land: Shake It" on the Wii, but it's been a while since our bulbous-nosed anti-hero has had a chance to shine. Bringing back the original "Wario Land" trilogy would give players a chance to play one of the Game Boy series that shaped a generation, and it might also reignite excitement in the series, prodding Nintendo into making a new "Wario Land" game.
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble
The "Kirby" franchise actually made its debut on the Game Boy before quickly becoming one of the most popular and well known Nintendo properties out there with over thirty titles under its belt. Not bad for a little pink puff who almost didn't even become a video game character. Kirby has seen some representation on the Switch with "Kirby: Star Allies", but there's still plenty of Kirby to appreciate on the console where he was born.
All the "Kirby" games deserve a spot on the Switch, but "Kirby: Tilt 'n' Tumble" stands out as one of the better ones. Players would use an accelerometer built into the cartridge to 'tilt' and 'tumble' Kirby through various puzzles. It's arguably the game that inspired Nintendo to lean into motion-controlled gameplay and the reason gamers even have the Wii (and by extension the JoyCon) in the first place.
Outside of that, it's also a blast to play. Many of the levels are timed, forcing gamers to move fast and think faster as they struggle to solve the challenges and move forward. Just picture being able to play it on the modern motion control technology built into the Switch.
Metal Gear Solid
Most people probably don't think of the Game Boy when they think about "Metal Gear Solid," since the game was originally released for the PlayStation, but there's a version of it that came to the Nintendo handheld which holds a special place in gamers' hearts. Konami was commissioned to create a portable version of the 1998 classic action-adventure stealth game directed by the legendary Hideo Kojima. The game was called "Metal Gear: Ghost Babel" in Japan but kept the "Metal Gear Solid" title in the west.
The challenges of adapting a 3-dimensional game to a 2-dimensional platform forced the team to make some creative changes. Rather than detracting from the experience, however, it made this version of "Metal Gear Solid" into something special. The game used the overhead 2D format established in "Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake" and changed to story to take place in an alternate continuity which is set seven years after the event of the first "Metal Gear."
This special non-canon "Metal Gear" game deserves a place on the Switch roster. It's a unique and memorable adaptation of a classic Konami series that deserves a second life.
Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Oracle of Seasons
There are a few great "Zelda" titles on the Game Boy and while "Link's Awakening" might be the most memorable, the fact that it's already available on the Switch makes it less of a priority for emulation. "Oracle of Ages" and "Oracle of Seasons" are also fantastic "Legend of Zelda" games that shouldn't be forgotten. They are considered the seventh and eighth mainline "Zelda" games respectively, but aren't entirely separate from each other.
Players can actually link the two games into a single linear plot with an alternate ending once they've completed one of them. This can either be done with passwords received at the end of the game or via two Game Boy Colors and a Game Link Cable. This allows the players to experience exclusive content that isn't available in either of the games on their own.
These are the only two "Zelda" games to have ever made it onto the Game Boy Color and a special joint edition of them on the Nintendo Switch would be a truly memorable gaming experience for fans of the series.
Pokemon Crystal
You can't talk about the Game Boy without talking about "Pokémon." "Red" and "Blue" made their premier appearance on the Game Boy Color back in 1998 and launched the phenomenon that continues to this day. According to Nintendo's Press Room, "'Pokémon Gold' and 'Silver' for Game Boy Color [made] their U.S. debut in October [2000], becoming the fastest-selling games of all time by selling a combined 1.4 million copies in one week and 6 million through December."
Any of those would be great additions to the Nintendo Switch, but there's one that stands out above the others. "Pokémon Crystal" is the enhanced version of "Pokémon Silver" and "Gold" which has "updated features and added story elements specific to the 'Pokémon Crystal' game." It was the last "Pokémon" game to be made on the Game Boy and features some of the most advanced game mechanics as well as the largest Pokédex.
Moving the crown jewel of second-gen "Pokémon" to the Switch would give new and old players alike a chance to experience Game Boy "Pokémon" at its finest. Besides, it's already available as a port to the 3DS, so it should be easy for Nintendo to move it onto a new platform.