Game Boy Games

Strategy

Ken Griffey's MLB
Street Fighter II
Knight Quest
Star Wars

Reviews

This section is on reviews (obviously) of the Game Boy games I own. In the "rating" protion of the review, I base my categories on those that have appeared in video game magazines, and rate on a ten-point scale. The categories are:

GRAPHICS: Pretty self-explanatory. How good the game looks, and how well the animation is done.
SOUND: Also pretty self-explanatory. How good the sound effects and music are.
PLAY CONTROL: Three things: first, how intuitive the actions are; second, how easy it is to pull off moves; and third, how quickly the game responds to an action.
CHALLENGE: Is it difficult enough? Is it too difficult? Can the difficulty be adjusted? Is it pretty much self-adjustive? All of these play a factor, but the major question is "Can anyone pick up the game and be challenged?"
FUN FACTOR: This is pretty much a catch-all category which combines the previous four categories and the intangibles such as replay value that don't fit into any of those.

So, on with the show, in alphabetical order:

Alleyway

A true classic! This rehash of the old Breakout (which I used to have on Atari) incorporates levels with scrolling blocks and with blocks that shift downward, plus bonus levels. Not vastly impressive graphically, but it gets the job done and provides hours of lasting gameplay.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
6	6	9	10	8	7.8

Baseball

This was the first baseball game for the Game Boy. It's not a bad game, especially considering the time frame, but it is rather simplistic. More players, more teams, and/or online player info (like power ratings) would make it better, as would better control over the speed of your pitches. This game isn't much of a challenge except as a two-player game.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
6	8	7	6	7	6.8

Brainbender

Ugh! This is the very worst puzzle game ever created. (I can't say the very worst game of all because I've played Barbie for the NES) The music doesn't change, and you can't turn it off; the game gets repetetive, even when it gets frustratingly diffcult; and the only sound effect is that annoying buzzing when you hit the laser generator. Burn it, burn it!

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	3	8	4	2	5.0

Defender/Joust

Okay, I'm lumping these together because they come on the same cartridge. These are faithful translations of the arcade classics, and feature the same simplistic graphics and somewhat loose play control. Still, for fans of these two games, this is a definite must-have.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
6	7	7	10	8	7.6

Donkey Kong

Another arcade classic, updated for the Game Boy. This cart has the original four levels, plus 97 new ones, and a bunch of cool new moves for the Mario formerly known as Jumpman. In every category, this is one of the most impressive games out.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	8	8	10	8.8

Donkey Kong Land

This was Rare's first attempt at ACM 3-D character modeling on Game Boy. I wouldn't say they failed miserably, but they didn't do as good of a job as they did in later efforts. The control is rather loose, and the foreground objects tend to blend in with the backgrounds too much. But some of the tunes kick ass.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
6	10	6	10	10	8.4

Donkey Kong Land 2

They did a much better job the second time around. The play control was tightened up, and the backgrounds were lightened considerably. This may be the best action game that ever made it to Game Boy.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	8	10	10	9.2

Donkey Kong Land 3

No, I'm not going to say this one's better than its immediate predecessor. The music isn't quite as good, and there aren't any cool blast barrel stages. Still, the graphics are crisp and it's just as challenging as ever.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	8	8	10	9	8.8

Dr. Mario

He's got the cure! This puzzler is one of the best classics around. It's easy to pick up and learn, but very difficult to master. It's fun, but difficult, to create huge chains and watch them dissolve, clearing half the screen.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	10	10	10	9.4

Double Dragon 2

This is a rather repetetive game--move forward, beat up on a few guys, repeat--and no items or special weapons to break the monotony. Still, it's a good game, and a fun challenge for a while (read: until you can beat it without losing a life).

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	9	7	6	8.0

Earthworm Jim

Another action game. Another pretty snooze, right? Wrong! This game offers a variety of stages, ranging from standard blast-everything-in-sight to bashing a big ball of snot against a wall. The manual is hilarious, and is almost worth the price of the game.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
10	9	7	8	10	8.8

Ken Griffey's MLB

This isn't a sequel, but this was a much better effort by Nintendo than their original game. The players are larger, the pitching is easier to control, there are a wide variety of teams, the stats are online and self-updating...I could go on for days. Simply put, this game kicks serious ass.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
10	10	9	10	10	9.8

Knight Quest

This is the only true RPG I've ever played, so I really have nothing to compare it against. But it is a visually stunning game, and the fact that you can see (and thus avoid or attack) enemies on the overhead screen is a major bonus. If you're patient or an RPG fan, this is a great addition to your library.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	7	10	7	8.4

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

I can't find anything bad to say about this game. It's a great mix of action and adventure, with wide varieties of weapons, fun tricks, and even a crane game! But what do you expect? It's a Zelda game.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
10	10	10	10	10	10.0

Mega Man

Mega Man has remained virtually unchanged across all the platforms he's appeaed on. Some might disagree, but I find that to be a very good thing. The action in Mega Man's first GB title is fairly constant, but the weapons add variety and the bosses look really cool.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	9	9	8	9	8.6

Mega Man 3

Not much to say here. Same engine, different weapons. Great game.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	9	9	9	9	8.8

Metroid 2

Well, honestly, I can't find anything bad to say about this one either. Great fast-paced action, cool weapons and rich graphics. My only problem was with the sound: some of the areas are bare of music, and the buzzing that sounds when you're low on energy can get annoying.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
10	9	10	10	10	9.8

Mortal Kombat

The arcade classic comes to Game Boy with intense slowdown and no fatalities. The graphics are pretty good, but without an adjustable difficulty, this game doesn't have much replay value.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
7	7	5	6	6	6.2

Mortal Kombat 2

This is definitely an improvement! The action is sped up, the difficulty is adjustable, and the moves pull off far more easily.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	7	9	9	8	8.2

NBA Jam '99

This is a pretty faithful translation from the arcade hit, colmplete with the ol' "On-fire" and options like hotspots and "juice" mode. It's pretty decent overall, but the only challenge comes from seeing how badly you can crush your opponents.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	7	9	7	7	7.6

NFL Football

This game falls in the same category as the earlier Baseball. The graphics are rather simplistic, and the game is pretty easy except as a two-player contest. Plus, though you can pick any NFL team, they all rate evenly in this game.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
6	8	8	6	7	7.0

Quarth

This is another great puzzler, with a novel concept of block-clearing, multiple ships (all equal in ability) to choose from, and cool icons to help you out of a jam. This game also brings a steady challenge.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	9	9	10	10	9.2

Raging Fighter

This was the first Game Boy fighter I ever played, and I must say, it's got the goods. The challenge exists even in the one-player modes, there's a "Story" survival-type mode to keep things interesting, and the sounds and control are top-notch.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	10	9	10	9	9.2

Revenge of the Gator

This is a fast and fun pinball game with multiple levels and bonus games galore. The graphics are stellar, and even though the music gets repetetive, it's not too bad.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	7	10	10	9	8.8

Sports Illustrated Golf Classic

This isn't vastly impressive visually, but it is a good game for golfing enthusiasts. With two courses and four players, this provides hours of amusement. The ability to play a two-player game without a Game Link is a major bonus as well.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
7	9	9	10	9	8.8

Star Wars

Seldom does a movie translate well into a video game. In this case, the game follows the story almost exactly, and the action is fast and furious. In fact, it's almost frustratingly difficult, which will allow you to appreciate the ten continues. Also, when you get hit by an enemy, you don't always "recoil" and you don't experience brief invulnerability like in most action games.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	7	6	8	7.8

Street Fighter II

This is quite a good translation of the arcade hit, especially considering the fact that it's a translation from the arcades to an eight bit platform. The music tunes kick ass and the action flows slowly but smoothly.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	10	9	10	9	9.6

Super Mario Land

Mario's first Game Boy adventure is a lot like his first NES adventure: fun gameplay without fancy graphics or cound. One of the coolest parts of this game is that you get to pilot a sub and a plane (in stages 2-3 and 4-3, respectively).

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
7	7	8	8	9	7.8

Super Mario Land 2

The sequel to the original SML has richer graphics and more Marioesque enemies (like having real koopa troopas instead of turtle bombs like in SML). In addition, this game introduces Ninendo's greatest bad boy, the archnemesis of Mario: Wario!

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	9	8	9	8.8

TMNT: Fall of The Foot Clan

This, the first Turtle Game Boy game, is a delightful five-stage episode of WALKING OVER the Turtles' enemies. This game is so easy it's not funny. But it's a blast to play and the music is ripped straight from the show.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	10	10	5	7	8.2

Tetris

Another great puzzler. 'Nuff said.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	9	10	10	9	9.2

Tetris 2

This game tried to combine Tetris and Dr Mario. It did a decent job, and it offers a great challenge. If you want hard, try beating the computer in match play on "hard" difficulty at level 15 and high speed. Try beating it 3-0.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	8	10	10	9	9.0

Tetris Blast

Bombs, bombs, bombs! Blowing up blocks is SO much cooler than just making them disappear. Other than that fact, this game is pretty similar to the last two.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	8	10	10	10	9.2

Top Rank Tennis

Fast action, tough opponents and adjustable difficulty in a computer doubles match make this one of the finest sports games ever.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	8	10	10	9	9.2

Turrican

Fast action. Huge bosses. Cool weapons. This game rocks! The problem? You can die without even knowing you're being killed: some enemies are practically invisible and you don't recoil...you won't know you're being hit unless you look at the energy bar.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
8	9	10	9	8	8.8

Wario Land

The bad boy gets his own game! This game features Wario as the hero, and is visually stunning. The various hats that he gets offer up some kickass powers.

Graphics	Sound	Control	Challenge	Fun Factor	Average
9	9	9	10	9	9.2

Back