TheGame Boybrand name encompasses three separate portable devices. That would be the original, the Game Boy Color, and the Game Boy Advance. Each handheld has a wide array of classics that made these portables a hit. Some of these games even got remade.
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Many are still waiting forMother 3to get officially translated on the GBA but wouldn’t it be more amazing if it got remade instead? That seems like a huge dream but stranger things have happened. For now, let’s take a look at some of the bigger titles that did get remade. The dates listed are for the North American releases unless otherwise noted.
10Pokemon Red/Blue
Pokemon Red/Blueoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1998. It was later released asPokemon FireRed/LeafGreenfor the Game Boy Advance in 2004. That’s not all because it was remade more recently in 2018 asPokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee. Technically those two games are remakes ofPokemon Yellowwhich was like a retooling of the first two games to fit the anime more, but they’re virtually the same so it counts.
9Metroid II: Return Of Samus
Metroid II: Return of Samusoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1991. It was later released asMetroid: Samus Returnsfor the 3DS in 2017.
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Besides the graphical overall, Nintendo made sure to make the game more accessible to newcomers. The original made it more tricky to find baby Metroids and was just overall more unforgiving.
8The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1993. It was later released under the same name for the Switch in 2019. It is almost a complete shot for shot remake, with a few balance tweaks that made use of the Switch’s extra buttons. The visuals are also a striking difference making it look like a toy world come to life. Technically there was another remake, the DX version of the game that was on Game Boy Color, but that more or less just added color.
7Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sagaoriginally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. It was later released asMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minionsfor the 3DS in 2017. Most of the core game is the same, but the visuals were upgraded. The biggest addition is in the name asBowser’s Minionswas like a strategic side story about Bowser’s underlings trying to wage war for the almighty king.
6Kirby’s Dream Land
Kirby’s Dream Landoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1992. It was later released as one of the eight games insideKirby’s Super Starfor the SNES in 1996. The name of the remake was calledSpring Breeze. It condensed the levels so that there was less of them but they were also longer. The 16-Bit upgrade was a big addition too along with the SNES button functionality. The game overall is a great collection of what the Kirby series does best.
5Final Fantasy Adventure
Final Fantasy Adventureoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1991. It was later released asSword of Manafor the Game Boy Advance in 2003. This added more story and another playable character amongst other things.
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The 2016 remake for PS Vita and mobile devices,Adventures of Mana, was more of a straight remake based on the Game Boy version. The GBA version was more ambitious and is the recommended game to get into.
4Final Fantasy Legend II
Final Fantasy Legend IIoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1991. It was later released asSaGa 2 Hiho Densetsu: Goddess of Destinyfor the DS in 2009 in Japan only. That said, there is an English fan translation of it and between the two versions, it’s much more accessible forSaGanewbies. The third game also got a DS remake in Japan only and also got a fan patch as well.
3Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memoriesoriginally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. It was later released asKingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memoriesfor the PS2 in 2008. It originally as part of a special re-release ofKingdom Hearts IIin Japan but was taken out to be sold separately in North America. It is a huge remake going from the 2D sprites of the GBA to full blown polygons in a 3D space on PS2.
2Dragon Quest Monsters
Dragon Quest Monstersoriginally released for the Game Boy Color in 2000. It was later released asDragon Quest Monsters 1+2 Hoshi Furi no Yusha to Bokujo no Nakamatachifor the PS1 in 2002, which also came with the second game. That was in Japan only. Also only in Japan was a more produced 3DS remake in 2012 akaDragon Quest Monsters: Terry no Wonderland 3D. That was just the first game though.
1Gyakuten Saiban
Gyakuten Saibanoriginally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2001 in Japan only. It was later released asPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorneyfor the DSin 2005. If one wants to count an HD upgrade as a remake via the trilogy collection in 2010, that was also a thing. The GBA and DS games are very similar in content as well as graphics, but the DS did get a new episode along with the added functionality of the DS’ two screens and touch controls making it more ideal for the system as an adventure game.
