For gamers who grew up in the late 90s, the Game Boy Color was a portal to amazing portable fun with friends. Thanks to its colorful upgrade from monochrome screens and groundbreaking Link Cable for 4-player connections, the Game Boy Color let us enjoy lively multiplayer classics on-the-go.
But with hundreds of titles in the GBC library, which games stood out as all-time greats for parties and playing together? Let‘s rank the absolute definitive selections that kept gamers smiling, trash talking, and bonding well into the night. Get ready to re-experience nostalgia!
#7. Tetris DX – The Puzzler Showstopper
Before battle royale games swept the world, Tetris pioneered intense player-vs-player rivalry as one of the world‘s most popular head-to-head puzzlers – and this 1998 release raised the bar even higher. beyond adding vibrant visuals, Tetris DX introduced hardcore competitive modes for up to 16 players by linking Game Boy Colors. Can you even imagine the fun (and rage) of trying to outlast 15 friends in block-stacking skills?
Prominent gaming site IGN praised Tetris DX as "Yet another great incarnation of the classic formula" while awarding an 8.5/10 review score. Building on core appeal and innovation, Tetris DX deserves its party pedestal.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 10/10 |
| Fun Competition Factor | 9/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 8/10 |
With instantly accessible puzzle action for newbies and experts alike plus massive head-to-head potential, Tetris DX earns its place among party legends.
#6 Mickey‘s Speedway USA – The Surprise Racing Riot
This zippy 2000 kart racer ties into Disney icon Mickey Mouse and friends – but holds its own as a shockingly fun multiplayer smash thanks to developer Rare. Rocking up to 4-player races and battle modes, Mickey Speedway‘s polished driving captured lighting in a bottle via colorful courses packed with weapons and secrets.
Gaming site Nitro rad calls it "a pretty interesting little racer" with greater depth than expected in its review. Strong 21st century fan followings and competitive racing nuance give it an edge over many contemporaries today.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 8/10 |
| Fun Competition | 10/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 7/10 |
Years later, Mickey‘s tighter controls, responsive drifting, and rapid-fire gameplay still endure. This unexpected racing gem is surely a podium party piece.
#5. Super Mario Bros Deluxe – Old School Multiplayer Magic
It‘s incredible enough that this 1999 cartridge essentially included the full iconic 1985 NES classic Super Mario Bros, letting a new generation experience one of gaming‘s revolutions in portable color form. Even wilder is the suite of new multiplayer modes allowing both cooperative AND competitive battling.
Gaming site Pocket Tactics scored it a 9/10 as a "faithful port of one of the most famous video games ever made." Yet beyond faithfully translating Mario‘s platforming brilliance, this remake adds various 2-on-2 cooperative modes utilizing both of the Game Boy Color‘s buttons per player. Cue the delightful chaos! There‘s also head-to-head racing and battling other Mario staples in new mini-game challenges.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 7/10 |
| Fun Competition | 10/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 9/10 |
30 years later, experiencing Mario magic as a party game with the console‘s advanced link cable capabilities still delights. It set a new standard for retro recreations.
#4. Pokemon Gold/Silver – Linked Creature Catchers
Pokemon transitioned many solo Game Boy gamers into highly social trainees via Pokemon Red and Blue in 1998. Yet the series truly realized multiplayer brilliance with 2000‘s Gold and Silver. The dual releases marked many firsts – from 100 colorful new beasts to real-time day/night cycles – but one key revolution was connectivity.
Beyond single cartridge head-to-head battles, Gold and Silver introduced compelling reasons for friends to connect Game Boys via that iconic forest green link cable. The depth of unique pokemon you could catch in each distinct version meant trading creatures was integral to catching em‘ all. Transferring unique critters locally made for perfect party chatter.
Respected gaming site RPGamer named Pokemon Silver Best Game Boy Color game ever. Today, these Gen II releases remain Pokemon royalty thanks to multiplayer foundations.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 8/10 |
| Fun Competition | 10/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 10/10 |
That stimulating blend of friendly trades and strategic battles still serves as the franchise model today. Gold and Silver made "constantly connected" combat enticing.
#3. Mario Golf – Swinging for Social Thrills
Mario Golf garnered buzz by bringing Rare‘s polished Nintendo 64 links gameplay to Game Boy Color in stunning fashion. Vivid sprites, creative mode variety, and balanced risk/reward shot mechanics made it a winner. But the multiplayer options pushed it to hall of fame status as a party pick.
Offering strokes, match, and miniature golf for side-splitting rivalry, Mario Golf also introduced unique arenas allowing up to four human players or CPU controlled characters on the links simultaneously – a technical feat. This kept conversation flowing as you tracked everyone‘s shots in real time before taking your own. A clubhouse mode also allowed creating/upgrading characters together in a lobby, further enhancing bonding.
GamePro Magazine praised these innovations in a rave 4.5/5 review: "Mario Golf ‘s depth and variety simply blows away almost every other golf release on any game system."
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 9/10 |
| Fun Competition Factor | 10/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 8/10 |
The creative Mario-themed courses, evolving golfer system, and smooth pace of play helped Mario Golf set the gold standard for portable party challenges. It‘s almost impossible not to cheer and agonize together hole by hole.
#2: Austin Powers: Welcome To My Underground Baby! – Party Mini-Game Magic
A truly weird and wonderful 2002 curiosity, Austin Powers tying into the comedy spy film hero seems an unlikely multiplayer smash. Yet its wacky roster of reflex/puzzle games specially designed for link cable connections make it an underrated party gem and great conversation piece.
While single player provides some enjoyably bizarre Austin style-humor, the two-player minigames shine brightest. Frantic showdowns in twisty tunnels, dance floors, and evil lairs provide pick-up-and play thrills and spills. Cooperative tag-team modes inspire teamwork, while competitive score battles stir up rivalries and laughs. Quirky concepts like navigating Austin‘s psychedelic bus or collecting his stolen "mojo energy force" simply entertained groups for hours.
Underground Gaming Source reflected on its enduring fun factor and creativity, saying "It‘s amazing how well Austin Powers lends itself to video games." We wholeheartedly agree – seldom has an unconventional license delivered so much bankable multiplayer bang.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 10/10 |
| Fun Competition Factor | 8/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 9/10 |
If your party crew craves curveballs, Austin Powers handheld debut can still shake and stir smile even today. The mini-games might feel fleeting…but the memories of laughing through Austin‘s outrageous challenges endure.
#1: Mario Tennis – The Portable Party Powerhouse
The Mario sports crossover extravaganza kicked off in high gear with vibrant arcade sensibilities on Nintendo 64 in 2000 before becoming a Game Boy Color graphical showpiece later that year. Yet portable Mario Tennis earns GOAT party game applause thanks to fantastically fun multiplayer modes for up to four players.
Frantic doubles tennis with Mario, Luigi and other staples inspires equal doses competition and camaraderie in one slick package. Animated mannerisms between points, courts tailored to characters like speedy Yoshi, and balanced "power moves" keep matches varied and riveting rallies alive. Links cable cooperative tournaments set the stage for nail-biting showdowns – letting you crown true court kings and queens.
Mario Tennis set records as the top-selling portable tennis title ever thanks to this blend of creativity and local multiplayer excellence. IGN summarized its finest qualities nicely in an 8.8/10 review, calling it "simple to play, nice to look at, and really addictive." Two decades later, Mario Tennis for GBC remains the undisputed party and gameplay ace of Nintendo‘s portable roster!
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Quick Learning Curve | 10/10 |
| Fun Competition | 10/10 |
| Innovation/Features | 9/10 |
Why Mario Tennis Triumphs
- Frantic yet fair competitive tennis action
- Polished arcade style with Nintendo personality
- 4 player local multiplayer support out of the box
- Fun cast of Mushroom Kingdom icons to battle as
- Progress unlocks and rewards for single and multiplayer longevity
Simply put, Mario Tennis on Game Boy Color is easy to pick up, hard to put down fun with friends. Thanks to fantastic mechanics and local multiplayer innovation, it kept parties buzzing better than any other GBC game – then or now!
Whether you crave cooperation or trash talk, Mario Tennis plays a blinder as the peak portable party experience. It‘s ace Game Boy memories like intense tennis rally comebacks that make Mario on GBC an eternal social slam dunk. Game, set, match!
