Pokemon, Zelda, Mario: how to replay the Game Boy and Game Boy Color library on a modern handheld, with the right screen and format.
The Game Boy and the Game Boy Color defined a whole generation that grew up with Pokémon in their schoolbag and Tetris in maths class. Good news: replaying these classics today has never been easier. Here's how to rediscover that legendary library on a modern handheld.
Why it's so easy today
Game Boy's 8-bit games are among the lightest to emulate: any retro gaming console, even entry-level, runs them perfectly. You don't need a high-end model to rediscover Pokémon Red, Zelda: Link's Awakening or Super Mario Land.
A quick reminder of the three generations, because they aren't equal. The original Game Boy (1989) is monochrome: Tetris, Link's Awakening, Pokémon Red/Blue. The Game Boy Color (1998) adds colour and a few exclusives. The Game Boy Advance (2001) is another dimension entirely: 32-bit, with hits like Metroid Fusion, Golden Sun or the Pokémon remakes. Good news: all three run perfectly, even on an entry-level console.
Why do these games still hold up? Because their creators, limited by the hardware, bet everything on game design: simple, readable, instantly fun mechanics. A Tetris, a Super Mario Land or a Pokémon hasn't aged a day because they rest on ideas, not effects. That's also what makes the pocket format so addictive: short sessions, perfect for five minutes in a queue or an hour on the train.
A few must-plays to rediscover
The Game Boy and Game Boy Color library is full of gems: the Pokémon games, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Super Mario Land, Tetris, Kirby's Dream Land and Metroid II. All classics that any retro gaming console, even an affordable one, runs without a hitch.
An often-overlooked pleasure: screen filters. Game Boy games were designed for a small screen with visible pixels; on a modern panel, an "LCD" or "grid" filter recreates that period look, while a sharp, bright render modernises the image. The mood is yours to choose. And with save states, gone is the dread of losing your Pokémon save to a dead battery: you freeze your progress whenever you like.
The right screen and format
Game Boy games were built for an almost-square screen. To do them justice, favour an IPS screen and a 4:3 ratio: the image is sharp, faithful, undistorted. As for format, pocket is the most natural — light, discreet, perfect on the go. The R36S 3.5″ captures that modern Game Boy spirit, and since these games need no power, an affordable retro gaming console is plenty (we cover it in our guide to cheap models). On the software side, the system (ArkOS or muOS) is already set up, with no tweaking.
| What matters | Why | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| IPS screen | Sharp colours, good readability | Recommended |
| 4:3 ratio | True to the original image | Ideal for 8-bit |
| Pocket format | Game Boy spirit, portable | Perfect for these games |
Which model to pick for these games? Since the Game Boy needs no power, the criterion becomes comfort: a small pocket format for the original spirit, or a horizontal controller if you have big hands. An R36S 3.5″ ticks both boxes on a tiny budget, and makes an ideal gift. Also think about a screen protector and, for the family TV, a wireless controller: small accessories that change the everyday experience.
FAQ — Game Boy games on a handheld
Do I need a powerful console for the Game Boy?
No, it's one of the easiest systems to emulate: even entry-level handhelds run it perfectly.
Can I play Game Boy games in colour?
Yes: Game Boy Color games display in colour, and some emulators even colourise monochrome games.
Does saving work like back in the day?
Better: on top of the game's own saves, you get instant save states at any moment.
Which console to replay Pokémon?
Any model, even entry-level: Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are among the easiest to run. For the GBA remakes, it's just as smooth.
Can I use the old trading/link features?
Some link functions are emulated on certain systems, but the solo experience (collecting, adventure) is the most reliable and immediate.
The same console usually handles the GBA, the NES, the Super Nintendo and the Mega Drive, and even flirts with the PS1. To compare models, see our retro handheld comparison or find yours via the quiz.
