As a ’90s kid, I like to play retro games from time to time. For this purpose, I use my beloved Anbernic RG351V (not an affiliate link, just here for reference), which I got at the beginning of 2023.
It’s now 2026, and with the technology we have today, we can say that we are lucky enough to have almost every tool we need to build Game Boy games. Yes, I’m looking at you, Game Boy Studio!
It has been a while since I wanted to list some of my favorite indie/homebrew GameBoy games I found for the last couple of years. Happy I finally took the time to write it down. I will make sure to create some more in the future. My backlog is huge – haha, can you believe me?
It’s been a while since I’ve wanted to list some of my favorite indie/homebrew Game Boy games that I’ve found over the past couple of years. I’m happy I finally took the time to list my top 10. I will make sure to create more lists in the future. Something like a top 10 once a year. My backlog is huge—can you believe it?
Well, some of those games are free, some are demos, and some are paid. I suggest you check them out for yourself below. Let’s go!
#1 Mud Warriors
Developer: Polyducks
Genre: RPG, Story Rich, Action/Adventure
Price: Free
RetroAchievements: Not yet (request it)
Without hesitation, this is my number one choice. This is the Game Boy version of Ryan Veeder’s narrative adventure game, and to me, it’s a gem. Its story, gameplay, graphics — well, everything. Everything clicked for me. Plus, it’s free!
#2 Potbound
Developer: Polyducks
Genre: RPG, Story Rich, Action/Adventure
Price: Free
RetroAchievements: No
Okay, here’s another game from Polyducks, and it’s another RPG. Guys, it’s hilarious! You play as an onion that has been sent to a bin where you have to save a dying plant. I won’t say more. I won’t spoil it. But everything clicked for me, so I highly recommend it. Go ahead and try it!
#3 Sushi Gun
Developer: Metagamemike
Genre: Action/Shooter
Price: Free
RetroAchievements: Yes
You play a bunny who must shoot sushi at hungry cats in a sushi bar. I mean, why not? Yeah, definitely! It’s not a very long game, but it’s still challenging and fun. If you want more fun, you can earn achievements on RetroAchievements!
#4 Inspector Waffles Early Days
Developer: Goloso Games
Genre: Adventure
Price: $9.99
RetroAchievements: Not yet (request it)
This is the prequel to the PC game Inspector Waffles, which was developed by the same company. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve had a blast so far. I mean, not a lot of detective-based games exist on the Game Boy, right? Or maybe I missed something. If so, please mention it in the comments below.
Also, it’s available on Steam.
#5 Bubble Frog DX
Developer: Timbo Johnson
Genre: Puzzle
Price: $3.00
RetroAchievements: Not yet (request it)
This charming puzzle platformer features a frog in a bubble and a cute story about lost onigiri. There are four zones to explore and 50 levels to complete. Players can also collect 160 lost Onigiri for additional challenges. For just three dollars, that’s a lot. You also receive a key for the Steam version. Pretty cool, right?
#6 Kero Kero Cowboy
Developer: Metagamemike
Genre: Platformer
Price: $9.99
RetroAchievements: Not yet (request it)
Kero Kero Cowboy holds a special place in my gamer heart. Not only is the hero a frog, but the entire game takes place in a Western. It’s a well-made platformer with cool mechanics and fun story moments. A free demo is available if you want to try it out first. A physical version is available thanks to Broke Studio/Homebrew Factory, and it’s also available on Steam.
#7 Phantom Flash
Developer: Britt Brady
Genre: Metroidvania/Adventure
Price: Free
RetroAchievements: Not yet (request it)
I don’t think I need to say much about this one. Imagine a tiny platformer that’s a love letter to the Wario and Luigi’s Mansion games. Well, you’ve got it. It’s short and has beautiful art. It was made for the GBJAM 12 and is really good. It’s worth checking out!
#8 Feed It Souls (Jam Version)
Developer: Gumpy Function
Genre: Metroidvania/Platformer
Price: Free
RetroAchievements: Yes
In this Metroidvania game, you play a biotechnological monstrosity that must retrieve souls to feed its master. You gain his power, and each soul you retrieve enhances your mobility. Cool story! Cool concept! There are different difficulty modes, such as “Normal,” “Hard,” and a “Bonus” mode. The visuals, story, and gameplay all clicked for me.
#9 BULB!
Developer: skRap Klan
Genre: Puzzle/Platformer
Price: $3.99
RetroAchievements: Yes
In this puzzle platformer, you play a light bulb that must illuminate objects to progress through levels. The mechanics are really well done, which is probably why this game has a special place among my favorite Game Boy games. Physical cartridges are available at the Inside Gadgets shop if you’re interested.
#10 Cheesy Town
Developer: Hidebu Games
Genre: RPG/Adventure
Price: Free/$2.99
RetroAchievements: No
Let’s end this top 10 list with a cute, wholesome, top-down RPG adventure about mice and cheese. You can play it for free in your browser, which is a great way to try it out. Or, you can pay three dollars to download the ROM and play it on your favorite device or emulator. The cute pixel art and story seduced me. It’s a short game, but it’s really worth trying if you like cute, tiny games.
That’s it!
Let me know what you think or which one is your favorite.
If you want to see more homebrew Game Boy games, check out my “🕹️ Game Boy Games” list on Itch.io. I’ve already listed over 100 games. Of course, I still haven’t had the time to try them all.
If you think I forgot a game that deserves a spot on your favorite indie Game Boy games list, please let me know in the comments below. 👇🏼
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