If classic games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night or other RPGs have already been adapted, why can’t one of the most iconic handheld consoles be adapted too? Here are the titles we would like to see.
These 7 GameBoy games we would like to be available on mobile:
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
The first Super Mario Land was Mario’s debut on Nintendo’s handheld console. The game had an aesthetic reminiscent of the first Super Mario Bros, but it was largely surpassed by its sequel.
Super Mario Land 2 is the pinnacle of Game Boy platformers, at least as far as its star character is concerned. Super Mario Land remains my favorite of the series, and it can be played in full color on the Game Boy Color. We would like to see that adaptation, but an option to play with the original monochrome can also be included.
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
When Wario Land was introduced, it was thought of as a spiritual successor to the Super Mario Land series, but with a twist. While Super Mario Land 2 was a relatively linear experience where secrets could be found if one searched well, Wario Land favored active exploration for a simple reason.
And what is that reason? Well, if Mario is a selfless hero who fights for the common good, Wario is a villain who only seeks personal gain. The title is a giant treasure hunt that, if completed 100%, will reward us appropriately at the end of the adventure. There are even several different endings depending on the amount of treasure you get, adding replay value.
Pokemon Red & Blue
The world of Pokemon has evolved a lot since its origins, but the two original games are the ones that evoke the most nostalgia among fans of the series. It is a standard JRPG that follows the cliches of the genre, with the final goal being to collect all gym badges and capture the 150 (then) Pokemon.
There is a whole generation of children who grew up playing this game, who would surely be delighted to see an adaptation of it for Android while preserving its original essence.
Fire Emblem
This series that combines role-playing with strategy and turn-based combat did not reach Europe until the release of the Game Boy Advance. Over the years, however, it has garnered a significant fan base. It is said to be one of the most challenging titles in its genre, with a steep learning curve, but that doesn’t stop many players from approaching it.
It would be fantastic to see an adaptation by Nintendo for Android, but only the Big N has the final say on that. However, with about 40 hours of gameplay, it would be a great experience to enjoy on our mobile devices.
Donkey Kong Land 2
Seeing an adaptation of Donkey Kong Land 2 on Android is particularly difficult, especially considering that Rare is now owned by Microsoft, and therefore, all its intellectual properties are also owned by Microsoft. Nevertheless, the SNES spin-offs of the Donkey Kong Country series for Game Boy are some of the best of their genre.
With frenzied gameplay, this little brother of the Donkey Kong Country series would be a great adaptation for Android. It’s a shame that it’s more of an unattainable desire than a realistic expectation.
Kid Dracula
This seemingly cute title is actually a parody game. In fact, Konami initially created it as a spin-off of Castlevania designed to poke fun at Mega Man. Nevertheless, it’s a fantastic game with a delightful gameplay and enough difficulty to keep you trying for a few hours to progress.
The game is quite old and would need a major overhaul in some aspects such as allowing players to save their progress, but an adaptation for Android would be the perfect excuse to do so.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Link’s arrival on the Game Boy gave us a classic for the ages. The hero of the Zelda series made his debut on handheld devices with a bang, satisfying fans who got their hands on it.
Since there are no Zelda games available for Android, it would be great to see this classic handheld game on the platform. There are voices clamoring for it on various forums, so hopefully Nintendo takes note.