Best games
Best RPG games on Game Boy
The 10 best RPG games on Game Boy, ranked from 3,023 critic and player ratings.
The best RPG game on Game Boy right now is Pokémon Gold Version, with a critic score of 88/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 30 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 10 games are listed on this page, carrying 3,023 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 10
01
Pokémon Gold Version
Pokémon Gold, along with Pokémon Silver, are the sequels to Pokémon Red and Blue. They offer 100 new Pokémon to capture and train, 8 more Gyms to take on and a new Pokémon League challenge. Featuring an expanded post-game, Pokémon Gold and Silver additionally offer extra content from the previous entries in the series.
88
/100
02
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Blue is the third core series Pokémon game released as a minor revision of Pokémon Red and Green, which were released earlier that year. It was thus the first solitary version in the core series of Pokémon games. Various fixes in the game include a graphics and sound upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. Outside of Japan, its graphics, game engine and script formed the basis of Pokémon Red and Blue, while the wild Pokémon and game-exclusive Pokémon lists were changed to match Red and Green.
86
/100
03
Pokémon Crystal Version
Pokémon Crystal is a special edition of Pokémon Gold and Silver. It added the option to play as a female character, expanded upon the storyline and made slight aesthetic changes to the still-intact core experience of becoming a Pokémon Master.
85
/100
Pokémon Gold Version
Pokémon Gold, along with Pokémon Silver, are the sequels to Pokémon Red and Blue. They offer 100 new Pokémon to capture and train, 8 more Gyms to take on and a new Pokémon League challenge. Featuring an expanded post-game, Pokémon Gold and Silver additionally offer extra content from the previous entries in the series.
88
/100
02
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Blue is the third core series Pokémon game released as a minor revision of Pokémon Red and Green, which were released earlier that year. It was thus the first solitary version in the core series of Pokémon games. Various fixes in the game include a graphics and sound upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. Outside of Japan, its graphics, game engine and script formed the basis of Pokémon Red and Blue, while the wild Pokémon and game-exclusive Pokémon lists were changed to match Red and Green.
86
/100
03
Pokémon Crystal Version
Pokémon Crystal is a special edition of Pokémon Gold and Silver. It added the option to play as a female character, expanded upon the storyline and made slight aesthetic changes to the still-intact core experience of becoming a Pokémon Master.
85
/100
04
Pokémon Silver Version
Pokémon Silver, along with Pokémon Gold, are the sequels to Pokémon Red and Blue. They offer 100 new Pokémon to capture and train, 8 more Gyms to take on and a new Pokémon League challenge. Featuring an expanded post-game, Pokémon Gold and Silver additionally offer extra content from the previous entries in the series.
85
/100
05
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Pokémon Yellow is an enhanced version of Pokémon Red and Blue that allows you to start the game with your very own Pikachu following you around on-foot and collect the 3 other starters from strangers you meet around the region. However, your goal remains the same: catch them all and become the ultimate Pokémon Master.
80
/100
06
Prehistorik 2
Prehistorik 2 takes up the story of its predecessor, for another caveman-era platform game. The hero must use his club to crush animal enemies, many of which then release bonus items to collect. He no longer needs to feed his clan, so there is no required minimum food target, unlike the original game. Other bonus items are located around the levels, while yet more can be found by using your club creatively and adventurously. There are bosses and passwrods after every few levels.
81
/100
07
Dragon Quest (1986)
All is darkness. The Dragonlord has captured the Princess and stolen Erdrick's powerful ball of light. You are Erdrick's heir. To you has fallen the most dangerous task— to rescue the King's daughter and recover the mystical ball of light. Your mission is deadly, but it is your fate. Prophets have foretold your coming. Three keepers await your journey, each ready to aid you with a mystic item of great power. Gather the three objects. Scribes will record your deeds. Use cunning and wisdom to choose your commands. Gain experience, weapons and armor as you battle your way through the world. Rest if you must. Search out the Dragonlord's lair and face your destiny. In this role-playing adventure, you are the Dragon Warrior!
75
/100
08
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon Red, along with Pokémon Green, are the first video games in the Pokémon series of games. They are the first paired versions of Generation I. Developed over the course of several years, Red and Green established several standards for later Pokémon games and sequels. They take place in the Kanto region, with the player having to collect eight Gym Badges to become the Pokémon Champion while also completing the Pokédex by collecting all 151 Pokémon.
75
/100
09
Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest
Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by New World Computing in 1995 for DOS. A spin-off of New World Computing's Might and Magic series of role-playing video games, the success of Heroes of Might and Magic led to a number of sequels. In 1996, NWC released an updated version of the game, ported to Windows 95. This new version included a map editor, random map generator, CD audio, and new scenarios. As a bonus, King's Bounty was also included on the CD.
75
/100
10
Populous
Populous is a real-time strategy game where the player takes the role of a deity influencing the development of civilizations. You shape terrain, guide followers, and use natural disasters like floods, volcanoes, and earthquakes to influence or eliminate opposing tribes. The game features an isometric perspective and includes 500 levels (worlds), each with different challenges. Originally developed by Bullfrog and designed by Peter Molyneux, it is considered one of the earliest examples of the god-game genre.
74
/100
Pokémon Silver Version
Pokémon Silver, along with Pokémon Gold, are the sequels to Pokémon Red and Blue. They offer 100 new Pokémon to capture and train, 8 more Gyms to take on and a new Pokémon League challenge. Featuring an expanded post-game, Pokémon Gold and Silver additionally offer extra content from the previous entries in the series.
85
/100
05
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Pokémon Yellow is an enhanced version of Pokémon Red and Blue that allows you to start the game with your very own Pikachu following you around on-foot and collect the 3 other starters from strangers you meet around the region. However, your goal remains the same: catch them all and become the ultimate Pokémon Master.
80
/100
06
Prehistorik 2
Prehistorik 2 takes up the story of its predecessor, for another caveman-era platform game. The hero must use his club to crush animal enemies, many of which then release bonus items to collect. He no longer needs to feed his clan, so there is no required minimum food target, unlike the original game. Other bonus items are located around the levels, while yet more can be found by using your club creatively and adventurously. There are bosses and passwrods after every few levels.
81
/100
07
Dragon Quest (1986)
All is darkness. The Dragonlord has captured the Princess and stolen Erdrick's powerful ball of light. You are Erdrick's heir. To you has fallen the most dangerous task— to rescue the King's daughter and recover the mystical ball of light. Your mission is deadly, but it is your fate. Prophets have foretold your coming. Three keepers await your journey, each ready to aid you with a mystic item of great power. Gather the three objects. Scribes will record your deeds. Use cunning and wisdom to choose your commands. Gain experience, weapons and armor as you battle your way through the world. Rest if you must. Search out the Dragonlord's lair and face your destiny. In this role-playing adventure, you are the Dragon Warrior!
75
/100
08
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon Red, along with Pokémon Green, are the first video games in the Pokémon series of games. They are the first paired versions of Generation I. Developed over the course of several years, Red and Green established several standards for later Pokémon games and sequels. They take place in the Kanto region, with the player having to collect eight Gym Badges to become the Pokémon Champion while also completing the Pokédex by collecting all 151 Pokémon.
75
/100
09
Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest
Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by New World Computing in 1995 for DOS. A spin-off of New World Computing's Might and Magic series of role-playing video games, the success of Heroes of Might and Magic led to a number of sequels. In 1996, NWC released an updated version of the game, ported to Windows 95. This new version included a map editor, random map generator, CD audio, and new scenarios. As a bonus, King's Bounty was also included on the CD.
75
/100
10
Populous
Populous is a real-time strategy game where the player takes the role of a deity influencing the development of civilizations. You shape terrain, guide followers, and use natural disasters like floods, volcanoes, and earthquakes to influence or eliminate opposing tribes. The game features an isometric perspective and includes 500 levels (worlds), each with different challenges. Originally developed by Bullfrog and designed by Peter Molyneux, it is considered one of the earliest examples of the god-game genre.
74
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best RPG game on Game Boy?
Pokémon Gold Version currently tops the ranking with a score of 88/100 across 392 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.