Listen to this playlist for maximum effect:
Takoyaki Games
I opened up their website with its 8-bit graphics and retro-vintage charm. Instantly, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend.
Like racing through Green Hill Zone with Sonic the Hedgehog and flying through the sky with Kirby!
Greeted by familiar faces and creatures from my childhood, I was transported to the whimsical world of sprites, arcade-like sound effects, and classic characters.
Now you can have that joy again too! Travel back in time to the golden age of the Game Boy.
But unlike when you were a kid, you have the money to nab the Game Boy of your dreams! Whether it’s a neon yellow one with Pikachus on it or an atomic purple one that evokes the colors of Bomberman, there’s a little something for everyone!
Takoyaki Games is a company that produces custom Game Boys. And their products even come with cool modifications! This one changes color if you press the start button!
View this post on Instagram
Their modded custom Game Boys can be outfitted with any modifications you can think of!
But what’s a Game Boy without the games? Let’s take a trip down memory lane! Here are ten classic games to play on the Game Boy.
1. Pokémon Red and Blue
Generation one, where it all began.
Released in 1996, Pokemon Red and Blue were games that revolutionized gaming and started the world’s biggest monster franchise, It was the first game of its kind to have concepts such as Game Boy-to-Game Boy trading and battling, and is considered one of the greatest games ever made!
From the moment you choose your starter Pokemon to the ending fanfare; Pokemon games are a joy to play – even the very first ones in the series!
You’ll find yourself on a sprawling adventure through the Kanto region, revisiting iconic locations from your childhood like upbeat Cerulean City and spooky Lavender Town.
Listen to the game’s soundtrack here:
The goal of the game is simple: to train your team of monsters and become a Pokemon champion! As the anime’s opening lyrics say “I wanna be the very best like no one ever was!”
Here’s a full playthrough of Pokemon Red and Blue to jog your memory:
You can get a Pikachu-themed Game Boy at Takoyaki Games!
2. Super Mario Land
When you think of classic video games, a certain Italian plumber with a red hat is bound to come to mind. Specifically, one that steps on mushrooms and jumps through green tubes: Mario!
Released in 1989, Super Mario Land is the first Mario game to hit the Game Boy. And boy, did it deliver! It was a huge success with more than 18 million copies sold worldwide!
Players control Mario as he travels through Sarasaland to save Princess Daisy from Tatanga. (Yes, not Princess Peach from Bowser)
Here’s the complete soundtrack of Super Mario Land for you to enjoy! Lose yourself in electronic beeps, clinks, and coin-collecting noises!
Amazingly, you can visit the world of Super Mario in real life! Watch this video on Super Nintendo World to find out how!
3. Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong takes nostalgia even further by having the look and feel of a classic arcade game. Everything from the user interface to the sound effects contributes to this, and it’s also very fun (and challenging) to play through.
In 1994, the game became the top-selling Game Boy game for two months in the United Kingdom! It definitely holds a place in the Game Boy hall of fame!
Just like the previous entry on this list, the player controls Mario to save another damsel in distress (this time, Pauline) from an antagonist. In this case, the antagonist is the eponymous Donkey Kong, who throws bananas and other hazards to stop Mario.
Here’s a playthrough of the iconic game!
4. Harvest Moon
Before Stardew Valley and all the other farming simulators out there, there was Harvest Moon!
A fun and relaxing “slice of life” game that follows a young man who inherited a dilapidated farm from his grandfather. The player can plant and sell crops, raise livestock, spend time in town, and live their best rural life!
If you played Harvest Moon as a kid, then listen to the soundtrack and feel the clock go back in time!
Here’s a nice clean-cut custom Game Boy that fits nicely with Harvest Moon’s color scheme!
5. Pacman
Pacman was one of the first arcade games ever created! In fact, he’s a year older than Mario. An icon of the 80s, you can always find the famous yellow blob-eating dots, fruits, and running away from ghosts.
Featured and referenced in countless films and even other games, few characters as old as Pacman enjoy the same level of star power that he does.
In 1991, Pacman was released on the Game Boy with all the same chomping fun as the original!
Here is a gameplay video of this iconic game:
If you love Pacman, then perhaps you can purchase this bright neon yellow Game Boy that looks just like him!
6. Bomberman GB
Bomberman GB is the Bomberman franchise’s first foray into the Game Boy, and is hours of great fun! Featuring classic Bomberman elements, the main objective is to blow up your enemies in order to move on to the next level.
Here’s a playthrough of the Indiana Jones-inspired version of Bomberman GB:
Buy a black Bomberman-colored Game Boy for your demolitionist desires here!
7. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening ironically does not feature Zelda. It is about Link, who awakens on a mysterious island and must escape.
Focused on exploration and combat, the game lets players experience an adventure-filled world full of monsters, puzzles, and treasure chests. The game is considered one of the best Game Boy games ever, for good reason! Its open-world design, sprawling dungeons, and worldbuilding make it a game ahead of its time.
You can get a Zelda-themed Game Boy here!
We hope you enjoyed this nostalgic trip back in time. Time to get your custom Game Boys at Takoyaki Games!
