The Best Game Boy Color RPGs of All Time (2023)

As with the invention of color television, the only way to make something good even better is to add a little life to the screen. This is largely the case with the Game Boy Color, which was already a success with its predecessorGame Boy1989.

It surpassed a million sales in its first week alone, beating all of its handheld competitors in the process. Many wondered how the Game Boy could ever get any better. Then, in 1998, Nintendo introduced color screens. What better way for '90s gamers to enjoy this latest technology than with the best Game Boy Color RPGs?

Role-playing games, commonly known as role-playing games, were one of the most popular game genres for the Game Boy, as well as the successor to the Game Boy Color. It seems like the genre is perfectly suited to the handheld console, allowing players to take their time and enjoy the tasks at hand without the high-octane thrills associated with the Nintendo 64play station, and the same.

With that in mind, let's celebrate some of the best Game Boy Color RPGs of all time by going through a ranking of the best titles.

What are roleplays?

Before we jump into the rankings, it's worth finding out what exactly an RPG is. We've already said that the abbreviation "RPG" means role-playing game, but what exactly does this type of game mean?

What are its origins and where does it stand today? In short, RPGs are more than just onevideo gameGender. They also exist outside of the virtual world, and have done so for a long time. Here's the basics: Players assume the roles of fictional characters and take responsibility for completing tasks and fulfilling duties as said character.

RPGs can follow a set story or something much more open-ended and character-centric. They started out in tabletop form with game mechanics that mimicked strategic discussions. (heard beforeDungeons and Dragons? This is perhaps the most popular example of a tabletop roleplaying game.)

There's also live-action role-playing games, or LARPing, where players literally act out their quests and duties. interesting enoughDungeons and Dragonsled directly to the development of RPG video games. A lot of the early titles from the 1970s were simpleD&DScenarios on a mainframe.

The Atari 2600 launched role-playing gamesconsoleswith the release ofkite runner1982. From then on it went into racing. Ofwars will end1983 udragon warrior1986 toFinal FantasyIn 1987, RPG console games effectively took the genre to remarkable new heights.

The popularity of RPGs has increased tenfold, and RPGs continue to play an important role (no pun intended) in console and handheld gaming well into the 21st century. That's at least partly thanks to the Game Boy Color.

A brief history of the Game Boy Color

Role-playing games were so successful with the Game Boy Color because of the great portability of the handheld console. The Game Boy Color was first released in Japan on October 21, 1998 before moving to North America in November of the same year. He brought a full color screen to Nintendo's already popular Game Boy handheld console.

Although slightly thicker and larger than previous models, the Game Boy Color, sometimes abbreviated GBC, was small enough to fit in a gamer's palms.

cleverly combinedIntel8080 and Zilog Z80 microprocessors on its own unique 8-bit processor, the success of the Game Boy Color helped the Game Boy line to nearly 120 million sales. (That makes it the third best-selling video game system of all time.)

The GBC relied on cartridges inserted into the back of the machine for its games, and also allowed wireless connection via infrared between consoles for local multiplayer games. Small enough to be carried around but still big enough to see what's happening on screen, the GBC pretty much sold itself.

This small size and efficient portability is a big part of what made role-playing games on the Game Boy Color so popular. Players could take their games with them anywhere, allowing them to slip into their role-playing environment on the bus, in the car, at home, at break, wherever.

The popularity of the genre has spawned some really great Game Boy Color RPGs. We've collected and ranked the best of the best below.

The best Game Boy Color RPGs

From franchise entries to indie hits, these Game Boy Color RPGs represent the best the handheld has to offer. Here are the seven best Game Boy Color RPGs of all time. Read on to see where your favorites rank.

7. Erntemond 2 GBC (2000)

You can't talk about the best RPGs for aNintendoconsole without talking about thatharvest moonRow. For Game Boy Color, theharvest moonthe entrance should beHarvest Moon 2 GBC.

The object of itharvest moonThe game is that simple: expand your farm to prevent evil amusement park developers from taking over your land. Considered to be much bigger (and much better) than the previous entry in the series,Harvest Moon 2 GBCresignationharvest moonThe dating function focuses entirely on agriculture. (You don't have time to get out when your land is available!)

6. Revelations: The Demon Hunter (1999)

The first title inMegami Tensei Gaiden: Ultima BibliaSerie,Revelations: The Demon Hunterwas originally an early Game Boy game1990which was later ported to the Game Boy Color in the late '90s. The game follows a young wizard-in-training named El as he hones his skills with Zodia, his teacher.

Subsequent sequels adopted the series' Japanese title.Megami Tensei Gaiden: Ultima Biblia, but it is AmericanizedrevelationsThe title stands out as one of the best GBC RPGs in the handheld's five-year lifespan.

5. The Legend of the River King 2 (2001)

Originally marketed in the United States as a derivative ofHarvest Moon 2 GBC- Despite theking of the riverThe series is actually the older of the two franchises:The Legend of the River King 2It's about the most relaxing GBC RPG you're likely to find.

Fishing always seems like a fun little feature in some notable RPGs, thoughThe Legend of the River King 2makes it the focus. It's much better to do it. Players can choose between a child character and a teenage characterking of the riverSequel effectively offers two unique story modes under one title.

4. Lufia: The Legend Returns (2001)

Technically the third in theLufiaSerie,Lufia: The Legend ReturnsIt's the first entry in the series to be available for a handheld console. In that sense, it works like a kind of soft reset. In it, players explore dungeons in search of ancient texts that will later help them acquire new abilities to use in random battles.

Originally intended forPlaystation 2, the game's original developer went under and was later acquired by Neverland. There's quite an extensive storyline to keep players entertained, making it one of the most complex GBC RPGs in handheld history. It's also one of the best.

3.survival children(1999)

Also known asstranded childrenin European markets,survival childrenis a survival RPG with a story and open goals. The plot is simple; His boat capsized in a storm in mid-ocean, effectively stranding him on a deserted island.

You must manage your life signs by finding food, water and shelter. You can also craft, which often comes in handy as the game progresses. There is no single way to complete the game, giving players tons of different outcomes to complete. You can move as fast or as slow as you like, making it a truly unique RPG.

2.Dragon Warrior III(2001)

CurvedDragon Quest III: The Seeds of Redemptionalmost everywhere except here in America,Dragon Warrior IIIshows that the third time is almost always the stimulus. weatherDragon Warriors I and IIThey're pretty cool on their ownDragon Warrior IIItakes gameplay and storyline to exciting new levels.

It may have originally been published for theNESalmost 15 years ago, but even when it was ported to the Game Boy Color,Dragon Warrior IIIit still feels as fresh as if it was made specifically for handheld. It's everything RPG lovers could want from a GBC game.

1.Pokemon: Crystal(2001)

Can you really talk about Game Boy Color RPGs without talking about them?PokémonFranchise? The two are practically one and the same, withPokémon Crystalto be the epitome of it. Technically improved version from 1999Pokémon OrojPlata,Crystaltake somethingPokémonthe fans loved itorjPlataand introduces new next-generation features.

orjPlataThey were already popular games at the timeCrystalcame out butCrystalThe additional features made the game much better. As it is, it tops the list of the bestGame BoyColor RPGs of all time.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the best Game Boy Color RPGs of all time

What is role play?

A role play is a role play. While it originated in tabletop form, today the term RPG is mostly used in reverence for video games.

When did the Game Boy Color come out?

The Game Boy Color was released in November 1998 in the United States. It was the next in line in the legendary Game Boy family of handheld consoles. In 2003, Nintendo discontinued the Game Boy Color.

Pokemon is an RPG?

And.PokémonIt remains one of the most popular and well-known examples of an RPG.

What is the best-selling role-playing game of all time?

By today's standards, the best-selling RPG of all time is that of 2011.Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

What is the best role-playing game for the Game Boy Color?

The best-selling Game Boy Color RPG also happens to be the best-selling handheld game overall:Pokémon OrojPlata.