It is a curious fact that the original Game Boy has more fighting game options than its successor, the Game Boy Color. Still, there are a good number of fighting games that got ported or released as an exclusive on the portable handheld. Here are seven of the best fighting games on the Game Boy Color.
Best game boy color fighting games
7. Mortal Kombat 4
At the time of its release, the Mortal Kombat franchise had moved from being a 2D fighter into a full-blown three-dimensional fighter. For some obvious reasons, the Game Color version could not have moved in this new direction due to hardware limitations. Moreover, there is Mortal Kombat 4 on the dedicated gaming handheld.
This game has been panned for being one of the worst Mortal Kombat games. But the truth is, there is not much selection in the fighting genre on the platform. Mortal Kombat 4 on the Game Boy Color is still a playable game, and it being compared unfavorably to the home console version is unfair.
The fun factor is still undeniable in this game. From the moment players hit the start button, players are thrown into the character select screen, where they are greeted with a solid roster of nine fighters. The selection includes popular choices like Raiden, Quan Chi, Fujin, Liu Kang, Reptile, Sub-Zero, Reiko, Tanya, and Scorpion. There are three difficulty settings: Novice, Warrior, and Master. Each difficulty setting ramps up the challenge, increasing the opponents' skills in offense and defense.
6. Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship has since exploded into the mainstream. But at the time of this game's release, the sport is still not part of the hegemony. This game features four main modes, including Tournament Mode, Versus Mode, Training Mode, and Survival Mode, providing players with various gameplay options to explore. While the training mode may not cover all aspects of the sport, it still offers an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the controls. Additionally, the inclusion of fighter biographies is a great touch.
Visually, Ultimate Fighting Championship delivers decent graphics, particularly with well-rendered fighter portraits and detailed backgrounds. Although the fighters themselves may appear generic, their unique styles are reflected in the gameplay. The sound effects effectively capture the intensity of the fights, with satisfying thuds upon landing blows.
Its intuitive button combinations allow for seamless execution of punches, kicks, and grappling moves. The pseudo-3D movements within the octagon create an immersive experience, complemented by reliable collision detection.
5. X-Men: Mutant Academy
X-Men: Mutant Academy offers a familiar one-on-one fighting experience with Marvel characters and a movie-inspired storyline. While it may not introduce a new formula, the game manages to avoid being a complete disaster.
The game presents five modes: story, battle, versus, survival, and training, with the latter two modes supporting link-cable multiplayer, a commendable feature. Players can choose from nine selectable characters and unlock two hidden characters by completing the story mode.
X-Men: Mutant Academy shines in the visual department. Character sprites are large, colorful, and expressive, surpassing the visuals of Street Fighter Alpha. The game boasts impressive background visuals, featuring vibrant and stylish backdrops.
4. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
In an attempt to capitalize on the success of Ready 2 Rumble, Midway released a modified port of the game for the Game Boy Color. However, this version lacks many of the features present in the original release, offering only two modes: Arcade and Championship. One positive aspect of the game is its utilization of the GBC's rumble capability.
The gameplay follows the standard mechanics of boxing and fighting games. Players engage in matches until a knockout, TKO, or time limit is reached. An interesting addition is the RUMBLE combo, where successful hits accumulate letters to spell out "RUMBLE." Activating this combo allows players to unleash a flurry of punches on their opponent. However, opponents can also utilize this feature, adding a strategic element. The game offers multiple characters to choose from, including two unlockable ones, each with their own advantages. While this adds some replay value, the overall gameplay can become repetitive and dull over time.
3. Super Chinese Fighter EX
Super Chinese Fighter EX is a fighting game for the Game Boy Color that brings martial arts battles to handheld gaming. Developed by Culture Brain, it offers a diverse roster of characters, each with unique fighting styles and special moves. While it may not be groundbreaking, the game provides an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
The character selection in Super Chinese Fighter EX is a standout feature, with a variety of fighters to choose from, each with distinct personalities and fighting techniques. The gameplay mechanics are accessible, with responsive controls that allow players to execute punches, kicks, and special moves with ease. The visuals are colorful and well-animated, making good use of the Game Boy Color's capabilities.
2. Power Quest
Power Quest is a unique fusion of an RPG and a fighting game. The story begins with the protagonist, accompanied by their long-time friend Louis, receiving a free model for remote-controlled robots. For beginners, the game suggests starting with the Axe model, but there are a total of six different models, each with its own special technique. Throughout the game, players engage in battles to earn credits that can be used to upgrade their models and unlock new parts.
The game offers a combination of RPG elements and fighting gameplay, providing a simple combo system that is easy to execute. The models have their own "super attacks" that deal significant damage. The battles take place in various locations such as the park and school, with the location depending on the credits earned. With multiple models to choose from and different strategies to explore, Power Quest offers high replayability.
1. Street Fighter Alpha Warrior Teams
The Game Boy Color port of Street Fighter Alpha proves that portable fighting can be rock-solid fun. Developed by Crawfish Interactive, this bite-sized edition of the popular fighting game delivers a quality handheld experience. The graphics, while limited by the Game Boy Color's capabilities, are fluid and detailed, faithfully recreating the arcade backgrounds and character animations. The music, though in 8-bit quality, retains the memorable soundtrack of the arcade original.
The control and gameplay mechanics work surprisingly well within the handheld's limitations. With only two buttons to work with, the pressure-sensitive touch allows for different levels of punches. The game features all 13 characters from the arcade version, each with their own unique moves and combos. The AI provides challenging matches throughout the Arcade and Survival modes, and there are hidden challengers and storyline encounters to discover.
While the game lacks multiplayer support, it offers some replayability through unlocking hidden characters, discovering arcade endings, and mastering the various moves and combos. The Training Mode helps beginners improve their skills, and the Survival Mode adds an extra challenge.