Top 10 Best Game Boy Indie Games! [HOMEBREW]

Check out some of the best indie Game Boyy homebrew games, as well as some tips for developers! See below for links to all the games I showed in this episode!

* GIVEAWAY DETAILS *
WIN a copy of Pineapple Kid!

Share in the comments what you believe makes a good Game Boy game. Try and make it useful for Homebrew developers so we can try and improve games in the future!

Make sure you're subscribed to the channel, and I'll choose a winner in a few weeks time!

* Games List *
The Shapeshifter 2

Super JetPak DX

POWA!

Doc Cosmos

Deadeus

Indestructo Tank

Black Castle

DMG Deals Damage

Dangan GB

Wing Warriors

Tobu Tobu Girl DX

Bouncing Ball

Repugnant Bounty

* Video Contents *
00:00 Intro / Giveaway!
01:17 The Shapeshifter 2
03:23 Super JetPak DX
04:40 POWA!
05:59 Doc Cosmos
07:13 Deadeus
08:28 Indestructo Tank
09:38 Black Castle
11:57 DMG Deals Damage
12:47 Dangan GB
13:26 Wing Warriors
14:12 Tobu Tobu Girl DX
15:30 Download Only Highlights
15:46 Bouncing Ball
16:24 Repugnant Bounty
17:11 Thanks For Watching / Giveaway!

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#RetroBreak #RetroGaming #homebrew

Discover the best of the Game Boy homebrew scene with our top 10 list of the best Game Boy homebrew games so far. From classic 8-bit style games to innovative indie creations, this video showcases the talented Game Boy developer community and the rich history of Game Boy programming and game development. Whether you're a fan of retro gaming or just want to see what the Game Boy has to offer, this video is a must-watch for all fans of Nintendo's iconic handheld console.

Get a glimpse into the vibrant world of Game Boy homebrew and indie games with this comprehensive video. Explore the top 10 Game Boy homebrew games that push the boundaries of what this classic handheld console is capable of. From old-school gaming nostalgia to modern indie masterpieces, this video covers it all. Whether you're a seasoned Game Boy gamer or just starting out, you'll find something to love in this carefully curated list. So why wait? Join us as we delve into the amazing world of Game Boy homebrew games and discover the hidden gems that have made this classic console a beloved part of gaming history.

[RetroBreak]

The competition is now closed. Congratulations to Turnabout for winning the copy of Pineapple Kid! Thanks everyone for taking part, and for your amazing and helpful comments! I'm sure everything here will be very useful to devs in the future!

[A_d_e_k]

I like that GameBoy games have so little horsepower, that they actually have to focus all their resources into making a game that is cohesive and clear about its message

[userxf]

What a honor to be in your top ten! A good Gameboy game is simple and techical impressive but not overloaded with effects. Also the readability on an original DMG screen is important. Its really nice you mentioned for every game how it was made.

[INeverWanted]

Perfect timing with this video! I just modded my Gameboy Color with a backlit screen and was looking forward to collecting some old games and had no idea there was such a lively homebrew community.

In my opinion, a good Gameboy game is something that makes you realize "hey, this is a really good game" and not just "this is good... for a Gameboy game".

[vvlvmusic]

What I look for in new GameBoy homebrew is for someone exploring ideas but tries to incorporate how gaming and mechanics have evolved since the 90s. Take your time, rather keep it small but polished. And good music goes a long way on the GB. For example the Deadens soundtrack by Stoo Busby. But tbh honest, it's tricky to break down what a new home-brew game should be like, because I feel there's so many interesting genres and ideas to explore. Just try to make something you'd thoroughly enjoy playing even if it wasn't your own game.

[CitrusArchitect]

A good Gameboy game is one that that capitalizes on the hardware limitations rather than just "does its best" despite them. Having a small screen with a limited pixel count and only two buttons can lead to so much creativity in how the devs approach the game design (and I think the makers of the Playdate understand this too).

Love your channel! You've inspired me to get into collecting myself. :) I'm starting small with just DS games, but its still a lot of fun!

[gravitywaves]

I'm amazed what people are getting out of the game boy now days. I just love the retro simple style of the games I grew up with. Simple easy controls are the key for me. Some new games just take too long for me to get in to.

[iananthny]

What makes a great Game Boy game is the incredible innovation that comes from designing to the hardware’s limitations. The limitations in designing 8 bit music as well. Those gaps we fill in with our imagination. Something simple, yet elegant at the same time. Something you can play for 30 minutes or 2 hours if you so choose. Something that doesn’t require too much investment or preparation to be able to understand. In essence, the Pick up and Playability. Something so perfectly tailored to the hardware that it compels you to bring out your old DMG or pocket as the only way to play it properly.
For me, the Game Boy games that quintessentially encapsulate all of these criteria are Super Mario Land 2 and Wario Land 3.

Thank you for your content and the joy it brings. Your content brings me the same joy as playing the games for myself. Passion cannot be faked and your soul shines though the screen.
Keep rising! 👊🏽

[louielouieshow]

I love game boy games that are easy to play hard to master. Even if they are not necessarily arcade games. The simple controls make them stand out even more now compared to modern console games.

[muto]

You touched on this in your video, but I think what makes a good Gameboy Homebrew is respecting the player's time--this isn't always a consistent trait for homebrew games, which is a bit odd for retro pieces which might favor older audiences with less time to spare (that's my own speculation tho!). A homebrew that I enjoyed recently was Swordbird Song.

[erneststackhouse]

Indestructo Tank is super awesome but I'm a huge fan of Castlevania and Black Castle rocks! In my opinion Black Castle is the best Game Boy game around. So much fun!

[martintxo]

I like games when they mix new ideas with classic ones. Also charming Art is very important to me.
I totally agree with your top 4, love how polish are the shoot em ups and tobu tobu deluxe.

[MonchoPR_]

Powa! and Black Castle. Love bith. Can't choose which is better. Haha... Thank you for all those devs and the people who support them. Great work all of you. :)

[TrevorClifford-Film]

Deadeus one of the best gaming experiences ive had in years - so disturbing especially if youre the right age for pokemon red/blue nostalgia

[Pusscadour]

For me the unexpected is what makes a great Game Boy game, a secret area, game mechanic, voice sample, beautiful cut scene or whatever. Something that makes me go Wow, never expected to see/hear that on a Game Boy. Because of this The Machine is my favourite homebrew, unexpected and mind blown from beginning to end ❤

[jsgb]

What makes a good Game Boy game is:
*easy to pick up up and play (short levels or easy to save anytime)
*simple graphics that “pop” despite the color limitations
*catchy chiptunes made specifically for the Game Boy sound chip
*responsive controls that aren’t complicated
*2-player link support is a BONUS

[taipion]

Black Castle and Indestructo Tank would be my picks. Simple gameplay elements that are fully developed.

[kadaverf]

Black castle looks awesome! Just found out it is being handmade in a village nearby :D thank you very much!

[fabiohenriques]

Surprised the machine was not mentioned. Truly great game

[VideoGameStoryTime]

Thanks very much for this video, it's great to see your top picks (and to feel vindicated when you name some of my favourites)!

I don't think there's any one type of homebrew game I like to play on Game Boy. Sometimes it's fast-paced action, but I also like a longer, more story driven RPG or adventure title. I think the thing I look for most is earnest passion. If I can see that a developer has tried hard to emulate a certain kind of game, or has put a piece of themselves into the game, or if it's simply a clear nostalgia trip that speaks about the creator's personal experience with Game Boy games, I'm probably going to have a good time.

After all, what's the reason for making new games on old hardware unless there's a specific thing that we get from Game Boy games that other, newer hardware doesn't provide? Each of these games is a reflection of its creator and the way they themselves connect emotionally to this aging console.

Genre and style and gameplay will obviously affect things, but my number one thing I look for in a game is whether the developer had fun making it! That's always easy to spot, and it warms my heart!