exclusives to treasure

Six classic GBC games that you won’t find anywhere else (Virtual Console included)

STRANDED KIDS 1999

It may look like a Zelda clone, but this is a unique, open-ended adventure where you have to survive on a desert island by foraging and crafting. It’s utterly charming and captivating throughout. Followed by a sequel, and succeeded by the Lost In Blue series on Nintendo’s DS and Wii.

POKÉMON PINBALL 1999

All of the Game Boy Color Pokémon games are on the 3DS Virtual Console bar this spin-off. This is possibly because the original cart includes rumble tech (that requires its own AAA battery). As portable pinball games go it’s one of the best, rivalling the classic Kirby’s Pinball Land.

KIRBY TILT ‘N’ TUMBLE 2000

Another title that included built-in tech, in this instance an accelerometer inside the cart. By tilting and jerking the Game Boy Color you guide our rotund friend around various courses, collecting stars. It’s a riot, basically. This was never released in Europe, making it an import favourite.

METAL GEAR SOLID 2000

Ignore the title. This is not an attempt to recreate the 3D majesty of the Playstation game. Rather it’s a return to the overhead 2D style of the MSX and NES titles, and its brand of stealthy gameplay works brilliantly on the Game Boy Color. Known in Japan as Metal Gear: Ghost Babel.

WARLOCKED 2000

Not a particularly well-known title, but one that fans of realtime strategy games should definitely seek out. You can happily waste hours playing this, making it perfect for long journeys. It’s technically impressive too, with very little slowdown despite the complexity of the game.

WENDY: EVERY WITCH WAY 2001

Licensed didn’t always mean lousy. This whimsical platformer, featuring Wendy the witch from the Casper series, features a gravity gimmick that transforms an ordinary game into an exceptional one. Creator Matt Bozon would follow this with the first entry in the Shantae series.