The original Link's Awakening was an odd departure from prior Legend of Zelda games' frameworks. Despite the absence of Hyrule, the Triforce relic, or even the eponymous Zelda herself, the Game Boy title was a critically hailed experience when it was launched in 1993. Fast forward to 1998, when Nintendo launched the DX version of the game to showcase the Game Boy Color.

The DX edition of Link's Awakening, not to be confused with the famed WWE partnership of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, improved the game with completely colorized visuals, distinct adversaries, a unique dungeon, and color-based puzzles. There was even a photographic feature, which allowed for a dozen photos to be produced and printed using the Game Boy Printer. The end result was a delight since one of the finest Zelda games was now even better, and this version was re-released on the Nintendo 3DS for its virtual system over a decade later.

Release date: 1993

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After the debut of the genre-defining Ocarina of Time and its underappreciated follow-up, Majora's Mask in the early 2000s came this wacky adventure for the Game Boy Color. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons take a unique approach to the Zelda concept, each focused on a different subject and gameplay elements. Oracle of Seasons was Zelda with the action turned up to 11, whereas Oracle of Ages focused more on the franchise's signature riddles.

On the Game Boy Color, each game was excellent in action and rendered with quirky pixel precision, but possessing both would reveal some true magic behind the Nintendo hood. Both games may interact with one another through a password system, resulting in a more full experience. After completing the first game, you'd receive a password that could be used on the companion title to radically alter the adventure and substitute the Veran and Onox boss battle with a famous clash against Ganon. There hasn't been another Zelda adventure like the Oracle games, but these pair of colorful siblings offered the Game Boy Color a fantastic send-off just as the Game Boy Advance was about to launch.

Release date: 2001

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It's no surprise that Pokemon Gold and Silver made this list because they're the recommendations for the finest Pokemon games. The sequel from Game Freak expanded on the catch-em-all mentality of Pokemon Red and Blue on the Game Boy by introducing hundreds of new pocket monsters to a world that was absolutely bursting with bright colors. The new Pokemon were a diverse mix of inventive new designs, and once the Elite Four were defeated, the scope of Pokemon Gold and Silver expanded considerably with a return to the previous generation's Kanto area.

Pokemon Gold and Silver provided unrivaled value for money, giving more than simply an incremental sequel, significantly expanding on its mechanics, and creating a product that was more ambitious than ever before. The first generation of Pokemon games set a basic framework for all subsequent games, while the second generation established a high bar for what future sequels may aim to be like. Pokemon Crystal upped the ante, offering the ideal blend of Gold and Silver highlights, as well as groundbreaking animations for each pocket monster and a plot that centered on the mythical dog Suicune. Whatever version you had, this was the ultimate Pokemon game of the Game Boy period.

Release date: 1999

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Pokemon mania saw its collectible card game spin-off reach the Game Boy Color before Pokemon cards became a viable currency or an ostentatious display of affluence that graced the necks of YouTubers. The essential concept of the TCG was present, as players could face each other using the original 151 Pokemon, but it was all wrapped up in an experience that resembled and even outperformed the original Game Boy games in several areas.

HudsonSoft was tasked with turning the TCG into a huge RPG, and the firm delivered one of the finest titles on the Game Boy Color with a simplified and approachable take on the tabletop gaming sensation. Battling club leaders, collecting cards, and relishing in the clear visuals provided for a memorable—and utterly engrossing—an experience that was difficult to put down. If there was a battery shortage in 2000, you can definitely blame the compulsive one-more-turn gameplay of the Pokemon Trading Card Game.

Release date: 1996

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Tetris is as near to perfection as you can get, due to its ageless design, simple physics, and the challenge of mastering it at its greatest levels. When the Game Boy was initially released, it was a stroke of genius to include a copy of Tetris, and an upgraded version of Tetris was unavoidable for the Game Boy Color. Tetris DX was its name, and it had a number of enhancements to the classic game's stack 'em and clear 'em block-busting action.

Two new gaming modes had been introduced, as well as a profile option for save games, and the game looked wonderful, with vivid colors that made each tetromino stand out. Tetris DX, another Game Boy favorite in this iteration, was familiar but better.

Release date: 1986

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