Can You Play Game Boy Games on The Switch? You Might Be Able To Soon…



Game Boy and Game Boy Color Games are apparently coming to Switch Online. Does this mean no more Game Boy Classic reissue?


Retro gaming is kind of a big deal. When Nintendo released its Nintendo Classic, the console sold out everywhere in record time. And while the company’s Switch console is still performing brilliantly, Nintendo is apparently planning on adding in yet another USP to its platform.

Reports suggest Nintendo will bring Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles to its Switch Online platform. This rumor – and it is still very much a rumor – has been collaborated by both EuroGamer and Nintendo Life, following its initial leak on Nate The Hate’s podcast.

Game Boy Games On The Switch

Nintendo has already brought plenty of its old-school titles to the Switch. For instance, you have access to over 100 NES and SNES games via Switch Online already, so adding in a bunch of classic Game Boy titles certainly makes sense.

Nintendo is Bringing Game Boy Games To The SwitchPin

Nintendo owns the IP, so why not add in more content to its cloud gaming platform? As for when Game Boy games will hit Switch Online, no one seems to know. It could be soon or it could be next year. Nintendo has been super-slow at adding in NES and SNES titles to Switch Online.

Case in point: games like Earthbound, Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG are still missing in action. And this doesn’t bode well for Nintendo’s plans on bringing Game Boy games to Switch Online.

No Game Boy Classic Release Then…

The Game Boy’s 30th anniversary has been and gone, dashing hopes of a Game Boy Classic release. Nintendo not doing a Game Boy Classic could be down to a couple of reasons: the first is the global chip shortage, and the second is that maybe demand for the handheld gaming unit might not be there.

Either way, it doesn’t look like we’ll see a Game Boy Classic anytime soon. Instead, Nintendo appears to be going the curation route inside its Switch Online platform. This makes sense too; Sony has had a lot of success with reissues and remasters of classic games. Nintendo could well do the same with some of its most iconic Game Boy games.

Nintendo has the resources and time to do remasters of classic games like Metroid Fusion and Link’s Awakening which helped start some of the company’s biggest franchises. I’d love to see some of the Game Boy’s biggest titles rejigged and re-modded for Switch. It’d be so cool.

What About The Game Boy Advance?

Nintendo is being its usual cagey self about the news; the company has stated that it has “nothing to announce” about Game Boy games coming to the Switch, although the initial leakers of the story claim Game Boy Advance games will not be included in Switch Online – just Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.

The Game Boy is now 30 years old if you can believe that. I remember when it came out – I was still in primary school! But what were the most popular Game Boy games ever? Here’s a full list of the most popular and best-selling Game Boy games ever.

GameRelease dateSales
TetrisJune 14, 198935,000,000
Pokémon RedGreen and BlueFebruary 27, 199631,380,000
Pokémon Gold and SilverNovember 21, 199923,100,000
Super Mario LandApril 21, 198918,140,000
Pokémon YellowSeptember 12, 199814,640,000
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden CoinsOctober 21, 199211,180,000
Pokémon CrystalDecember 14, 20006,390,000
Dr. MarioJuly 27, 19905,340,000
Pokémon PinballApril 14, 19995,310,000
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3January 21, 19945,190,000
Kirby’s Dream LandApril 27, 19925,130,000
Super Mario Bros. DeluxeMay 1, 19995,070,000
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of AgesFebruary 27, 20013,960,000
Donkey Kong LandJune 26, 19953,910,000
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening June 6, 19933,830,000
Pokémon Trading Card GameDecember 18, 19983,720,000
F-1 RaceNovember 9, 19903,410,000
YoshiDecember 14, 19913,120,000
Donkey KongJune 14, 19943,070,000
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 4: Battle of Great DuelistsDecember 7, 20002,500,000
Kirby’s Dream Land 2March 21, 19952,360,000
Donkey Kong Land 2September 23, 19962,350,000
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DXDecember 12, 19982,220,000
Wario Land 3March 21, 20002,200,000
Donkey Kong CountryNovember 4, 20002,190,000
GolfNovember 28, 19892,120,000
TennisMay 29, 19891,990,000
AlleywayApril 21, 19891,940,000
Tetris DXOctober 21, 19981,880,000
Metroid II: Return of SamusNovember 19911,720,000
BaseballApril 21, 19891,610,000
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel MonstersDecember 16, 19981,600,000
Dragon Warrior Monsters 2March 9, 20011,570,000
Yoshi’s CookieNovember 21, 19921,530,000
Wario Land IIMarch 1, 19981,480,000
Tamagotchi19971,450,000
DuckTalesSeptember 21, 19901,430,000
The Final Fantasy LegendDecember 15, 19891,370,000
YakumanApril 21, 19891,280,000
Tetris 2December 19931,240,000
Kirby Tilt ‘n’ TumbleAugust 23, 20001,230,000
Game & Watch Gallery 2September 27, 19971,220,000
Solar StrikerJanuary 26, 19901,200,000
Mario TennisNovember 1, 20001,180,000
QixApril 13, 19901,150,000
Super R.C. Pro-AmJune 19911,140,000
Donkey Kong Land IIIOctober 27, 19971,030,000
Game & Watch GalleryFebruary 1, 19971,000,000
Best Selling Game Boy Games

And check out What Is Wordle?

Richard Goodwin

Richard Goodwin has been working as a tech journalist for over 10 years. He is the editor and owner of KnowYourMobile.

Keep Reading