Representin' the OG
We dish out much love for the original, grayscale Game Boy titles. Pics and descriptions of the top 15...
...Continued From Page 2
Castlevania Legends
The last of three Castlevania titles for the original Gameboy is also the best, and the source of some Castlevania controversy. This adventure featuring the female protagonist Sonia Belmont was officially stricken from the Castlevania timeline by series creator Koji Igarashi. He thought it was out of place for a Castlevania title to have a strong female figure. I think I just heard Lara Croft getting really, really pissed off.
- Cody Musser
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
With such a limited system in terms of technical specs, some said it would be impossible for Nintendo to bring the Zelda name to the Game Boy, as it could simply never compare to its console counter parts. Well Nintendo succeeded admirably with Link's Awakening by managing a massive overworld, tricky dungeons, frustrating puzzles, memorable bosses, and of course unique characters. While the game might have been remade in full color for the Game Boy Color, you simply can't deny the greatness of the original.
- Dan Biersdorf
R-Type
The classic Irem arcade shooting game, somehow magically shrunk down to miniscule proportions. All the playability of the original was there, it was just you and your ship versus the mighty Bydo Empire. Sacrifices were made in translating the game to the OG. Space, instead of being black and spacey, was now pale green rather than dark, simply so you would be able to see your enemies instead of screen blur. Your weapons were reduced in visual impact too but they still had the same effect. Overall a perfect game for us spaceship hungry kids.
-Philip Jones
Final Fantasy Adventure
Final Fantasy Adventure isn't technically a Final Fantasy at all. The game was released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden, and while a spin-off of the Final Fantasy series, it is actually the birth of the Mana series. Anyone who plays this might notice some familiarity to Sword of Mana for the GBA, which is all well and good considering Sword of Mana is in fact a remake of this classic OG title.
- Cody Musser
Oddworld Adventures
While the console versions of Oddworld have always managed their fanbase, the handheld games have often gone overlooked. However the original Oddworld Adventures manages a fairly true Oddworld experience with platforming elements and difficult puzzle challenges that any gamer, fan of the series or not, can appreciate. It even had voice work incorporated into the game, now that's what I call ahead of its time.
- Dan Biersdorf
Final Fantasy Legend
The first Final Fantasy game to be released on Gameboy was not exactly a Final Fantasy title either. This game marked the birth of the SaGa series, and the series has been appearing on consoles and handhelds for more than twenty years since. One of the OG's best stories follows four characters as they journey through a tower that supposedly leads to Paradise.
- Cody Musser
Burai Fighter Deluxe
An enjoyable horizontally scrolling shooter from Taxan. You have been tasked with fighting a race of invading alien "super-brains" who have created an army of half flesh half robot cyber creatures. What makes the game is the cool weapon upgrade system and that you can shoot in any direction. The three weapon types, Laser, Missile and Ring can be upgraded several times, becoming more and more powerful each time. Burai Fighter Deluxe was a welcome change to the usual blandness of other thirdparty releases of the time, a really well executed space adventure.
-Philip Jones
Kirby's Dream Land
Not just one of the best OG titles, Kirby's Dream Land is easily one of the best platformer games ever created. This first appearance of the pink poof set forth design elements in 2D platformer gameplay that would resonate for the entire history of video games. Don't simply enjoy Kirby's Dream Land, cherish it, as it should be a title that is forever remembered. Not to mention ... he's so cute!
- Cody Musser
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Written by Modojo Staff on Monday, August 7, 2006
posted September 28, 2006