Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow – 46.02 million copies sold
The best-selling Game Boy offering of all time is the first Pokémon game. Released in versions entitled Red, Green, Blue and Yellow depending on the year and continent, this game takes the player through a fictionalised version of Kanto, Japan to collect 151 Pokémon and rise to the top of the Indigo League. This game has sold a total of 46.02 million copies since its first release in 1996.
Tetris – 35 million copies sold
The puzzle game Tetris was first invented by Alexey Pajitnov in 1985 and released on the Electronika 60. This title was released on the Game Boy in 1989 and swiftly became a bestseller thanks to its extremely addictive nature. The Game Boy edition had a selection of music to choose from, including folk music and a tune by Johann Sebastian Bach. It has sold 35 million copies over the years.
Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal – 29.49 million copies sold
This game sold 29.49 million copies, but it never reached the success of its predecessor, Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow. It featured 100 new Pokémon species as well as several new Poké Balls. But one of the most popular additions to the franchise was the Pokégear: an all-in-one watch, map, radio and phone to communicate with other characters.
Super Mario Land – 18.14 million copies sold
Truly a champion of the Game Boy console, Super Mario Land was described by one reviewer as “an arcade machine in your pocket”. This 1989 game is the only Mario game set in Sarasaland, where Mario sets out on a quest to save the new character Princess Daisy.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins – 11.18 million copies sold
In this sequel to Super Mario Land, Mario returns home to Mario Land to find his home placed under an evil spell cast by Wario. He must collect the six Gold Coins and return to his castle in order to battle Wario himself and reclaim the land. This game has sold an impressive 11.18 million copies since 1992.
Dr. Mario – 5.34 million copies sold
Released in 1990, Dr Mario is a falling block puzzle game in which players destroy viruses with the doctor’s vitamin capsules. The game was produced by Gunpei Yokoi, who previously produced Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. It was yet another great success for this game designer, as it sold 5.34 million copies.
Pokémon Pinball – 5.31 million copies sold
This Pokémon spin-off is a simple pinball game, based around the Poké ball. The game was a hit when it came out in 1999, with 5.31 million copies eventually sold. However, not all reviewers were impressed, with one criticising its “gratuitous Pikachu appearances” and “incorrect physics”. Yikes!
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 – 5.19 million copies sold
In another highly successful Super Mario Land sequel, Wario Land shows the famed antagonist seeking his own fortune on the pirate-infested Kitchen Island and Syrup Castle. The game came out in 1994 (including a delay for North American and European markets) and sold 5.19 million copies.
Kirby’s Dream Land – 5.13 million copies sold
Set in the nation of Dream Land on the star-shaped Planet Popstar, this game follows the quest of a young Dream Lander named Kirby as he fights against a tyrannical leader. It is the very first game in the hugely successful Kirby series, and it has managed to sell over 5.13 million copies since its release in 1992.
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe – 5.07 million copies sold
One of the older games on this list, Super Mario Bros. came out in 1985, and the deluxe version was released in 1999. In this game, players control Mario, plus Luigi in multiplayer mode, as they attempt to save Princess Toadstool from King Koopa in the Mushroom Kingdom. The game is considered one of the greatest of all time and sold 5.07 million copies.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages – 3.96 million copies sold
In The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Link battles the forces of evil with his sword and shield, solving puzzles along the way. A linking password could be used to create a further plot twist in which the witches Twinrova capture Zelda and Link must rescue her. This game sold 3.96 million copies and was considered a hit.
Donkey Kong Land – 3.91 million copies sold
The first item on the list developed by the British studio Rare, Donkey Kong Land was produced from 1994 to 1995 and was a modified version of the SNES game Donkey Kong Country. In the game, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are in hot pursuit of their banana stash, stolen by King K. Rool. This game sold 3.91 million copies worldwide.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – 3.83 million copies sold
The Game Boy classic The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was originally meant to be a version of the SNES game A Link to the Past, but it soon turned into a completely new project. It stands out among other Zelda games as it doesn’t take place in Hyrule and has no appearance by Zelda. Nevertheless, it sold 3.83 million copies.
Pokémon Trading Card Game – 3.72 million copies sold
The Pokémon Trading Card Game came out in Japan in 1998, but worldwide audiences had to wait two years longer for the release. This game simulated the tabletop card game from which Pokémon first originated. It sold a whopping 3.72 million copies. Not everyone was a fan, though – the game was banned in Saudi Arabia.
F-1 Race – 3.41 million copies sold
F-1 Race was published by Nintendo for Game Boy between 1990 and 1991. It has been described as a “first class racing game” for its attention to detail and exciting gameplay. You race in one of two Formula One cars through vivid scenery, manoeuvring around objects in the road and rival vehicles. The game sold 3.41 million copies in total.
Yoshi – 3.12 million copies sold
Like Dr Mario, Yoshi is another spectacularly successful falling block puzzle game, although this game was produced by the Japanese company Game Freak rather than Nintendo R&D1. Featuring the now-famous friendly dinosaur, this game has sold 3.12 million copies since it came out in 1991.
Donkey Kong – 3.07 million copies sold
Donkey Kong started life as an arcade game in 1981, and in 1994 Nintendo created a new story for the Game Boy. Players take on the role of Mario in a mission to save Pauline from Donkey Kong. It was notable for being the very first Game Boy game that had advanced features when used with the Super Game Boy. Donkey Kong for Game Boy sold 3.07 million copies.
Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi – 3 million copies sold
Game de Hakken!! roughly translates to ‘Discovered in the Game’. This was a Game Boy version of the cult classic electronic keychain game, Tamagotchi. It came out in 1997 and managed to sell 3 million copies. However, this pales in comparison to the original Tamagotchi units, of which 83 million have been sold over the decades.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelists – 2.5 million copies sold
Tu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great Duelist was released in Japan only for the Game Boy Color. It came out in 2000 and was offered in three versions: Yugi Deck, Kaiba Deck and Jonouchi Deck, each of which offered a limited selection out of 900 possible playing cards. Despite its lack of a global release, this game still sold 2.5 million copies.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories – 2.4 million copies sold
One reviewer recommended this game to “players who are interested in trying out a new card game with plenty of replay value.” Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories has sold 2.4 million copies since it was released for Game Boy Color in 2000, and it was the first ever Yu-Gi-Oh! game to be released in the English language.
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 – 2.36 million copies sold
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 sees Kirby return to fight against Dark Matter, a malevolent force that was controlling the cruel King Dedede in the original game. This time, Kirby is joined by three animal companions and works with them to collect Rainbow Drops to forge the Rainbow Sword. Released in 1995, this game managed to sell 2.36 million copies.
Dragon Warrior Monsters – 2.35 million copies sold
Dragon Quest Monsters was the first of its franchise, and its cartridge was useable in both the original Game Boy and the Game Boy Color. It sold an impressive 2.35 million copies. It saw a 2012 remake for Nintendo 3DS, although this was released in Japan only. This remake reached smartphone devices in 2018.
Donkey Kong Land 2 – 2.35 million copies sold
Donkey Kong Land 2 was the highly successful Game Boy sequel to the original game. It came out in 1996, just a year after the franchise’s first instalment, and sold 2.35 million copies. The game shows Diddy and Dixie Kong setting out to rescue Diddy’s uncle Donkey from the throes of the Kremling Krew.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX – 2.22 million copies sold
Thanks to the popularity of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, in 1998 Nintendo released a DX version for the Game Boy Color. This version was compatible with the Game Boy Printer and also boasted a color-based dungeon level. Link’s Awakening DX has sold 2.22 million copies since its inception.
Wario Land 3 – 2.2 million copies sold
Wario Land 3 was released in 2000 and showed Wario on a quest to rescue an unknown figure from a music box. It later transpires that the figure is Rudy the Clown, another antagonist who must be defeated after he is freed. Wario Land 3 sold 2.2 million copies, outstripping Wario Land 2.
Kirby’s Pinball Land – 2.19 million copies sold
This game combines one of the most successful game types with the beloved character Kirby. In Kirby’s Pinball Land, released in 1993, Kirby features as the ball within the game. The three pinball tables are owned by Kirby’s enemies Whispy Woods, Kracko and Poppy Bros. It has sold 2.19 million copies over the years.
Donkey Kong Country – 2.19 million copies sold
Thanks to the successes of the SNES game Donkey Kong Country, as well as the similar Game Boy game Donkey Kong Land, developer Rare decided to port Donkey Kong Country directly to the Game Boy Color console. Due to the limitations of this console, some of the sounds and graphics were weaker than the original SNES game, but the Game Boy versions still sold 2.19 million copies.
Golf – 2.12 million copies sold
Golf is a simulation game that Nintendo has ported and re-released on various occasions. The original game was first released for NES in 1983, and it later reached the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. The central figure may look familiar – Nintendo later confirmed that he is Mario, though the game doesn’t name him. It has sold a total of 2.12 million copies.
Tennis – 1.99 million copies sold
First released for the Famicom computer in 1984, Tennis is a sports simulation game that also saw success as an arcade game. For the Game Boy, it sold 1.99 million copies after it was ported over in 1989. It was republished for Nintendo 3DS in 2011. Again, Mario can be seen watching over the various matches.
Alleyway – 1.94 million copies sold
Alleyway was originally a portable clone of Breakout, the game-changing arcade offering of 1976. Alleyway reached the Game Boy console in 1989 and was named because the player must travel through an outer-space gateway in their ship. It has sold a whopping 1.94 million copies over the years.
Tetris DX – 1.88 million copies sold
The game of Tetris has truly stood the test of time, with PC Magazine noting in 2019: “Tetris serves up addictive and challenging gameplay on the go for all ages”. In 1998, Nintendo created a remaster of the original game Tetris for the Game Boy Color, entitled Tetris DX. It sold over 1.88 million copies.
Metroid II: Return of Samus – 1.72 million copies sold
Metroid II: Return of Samus was released in 1991, first in North America and then in Japan and Europe. It is an original action-adventure game designed specifically for the Game Boy console. This game is about Samus Aran, a bounty hunter on the warpath against a parasitic alien force and the Space Pirates. It sold 1.72 million copies.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters – 1.61 million copies sold
Yu-Gi-Oh! Monster Capsule: Breed and Battle was the very first Yu-Gi-Oh! video game, a Playstation offering. However, for its sequel, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, the developers at Konami decided to publish exclusively on the Game Boy. This decision led to 1.61 million sales from the game’s inception in 1998.
Baseball – 1.61 million copies sold
The video game Baseball started out as a Famicom game in 1983, and by the following year, it reached the VS. System arcade. In 1989, it was ported to the Game Boy system. A simple and appealing sports simulation, this game garnered 1.61 million sales. Of course, it also features an unnamed Mario on the cover.
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 – 1.57 million copies sold
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 never reached the heights of the original game, but this sequel still sold 1.57 million copies. It was published by Enix in 2001 for the Game Boy Color. This role-playing game lets you train a monster team to do battle, whilst stepping into the shoes of either Cobi or Tara.
Yoshi’s Cookie – 1.53 million copies sold
Yoshi’s Cookie was a hit game of 1992, with its tile-matching puzzle format led by the fan favourite character Yoshi. The game mechanism has been compared to a Rubik’s Cube. It was released for both Game Boy and NES in 1992, and the Game Boy version alone managed to sell 1.53 million copies.
Wario Land II – 1.48 million copies sold
Wario Land 2 sees Mario’s sworn enemy Wario fight against his own nemesis, Captain Syrup. He must track down and find Syrup to avenge a raid on his castle. It was a Game Boy exclusive, originally released in 1998 and later offered on the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. It sold a total of 1.48 million copies.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories – 1.45 million copies sold
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters II: Dark Duel Stories is another example of a game that didn’t need international publication to achieve huge sales. It was released in Japan alone in 1999 for the Game Boy Color, and it sold an impressive 1.45 million copies thanks to the overall fame of the franchise.
Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi 2 – 1.45 million copies sold
Bandai, the toy and console manufacturer behind Tamagotchi, Terebikko and WonderSwan, released a sequel to Game de Hakken!! in 1997. It features three minigames as well as a wide range of ocean and forest Tamagotchis. This sequel sold a total of 1.45 million copies.
DuckTales – 1.43 million copies sold
The only game on this list published by the Japanese company Capcom, which has elsewhere found success with Street Fighter and Resident Evil, DuckTales is based on a Disney show of the same name. You play as Scrooge McDuck. It began life with the NES system but was ported to the Game Boy in 1990, ultimately selling 1.43 million copies.
