Nintendo’s Newest Game Boy Classics Are Surprisingly Good
There are still so many Game Boy classic games I wish Nintendo would put on the Classics line on the Switch and Switch 2. Pokémon Pinball, Dragon Warrior Monsters, and Final Fantasy Adventure, just to name a few. That goes for all catalogs in the Classics library, from the NES to the GameCube. It seems when one is announced, the fanfare is relatively low unless Mario may be in the title. Needless to say, the latest classics added—Avenging Spirit, Mole Mania, and Revenge of the ‘Gator—didn’t exactly thrill me upon announcement. But after playing all three, I am going to share my thoughts on them below.
Avenging Spirit
The game Avenging Spirit came out in arcades in 1991, followed by this Game Boy port in 1992. Both versions are essentially the same, except that the Game Boy game has cuter versions of enemies and characters.
You play a ghost who has the power to possess enemies in levels. There’s an energy meter that allows you to possess enemies, and then there is health. If the health of a possessed hero runs out, the ghost has a chance to possess someone else as long as there is energy left.
It sounds more complicated than it is. Not every hero is created equal, meaning some are better to use than others, like the martial arts woman, but overall this cute platformer is delightful to go a few rounds, if not all the way. Avenging Spirit is a surprising little gem from the relatively unknown developer and publisher in today’s gaming market: C.P. Brain and Jaleco, respectively.
Mole Mania
Mole Mania was co-developed within Nintendo EAD, meaning that Shigeru Miyamoto (of Mario and Zelda fame) worked on it. Released first in Japan in 1996, it took a year more to make it Westside. Players can think of it as a more bite-sized, puzzle-based version of a Zelda adventure paired with a newer game from this year, Mina the Hollower. As the little mole hero, your main power is digging underground, which lets you get past obstacles on the surface.
For example, if there is a rock in the way, simply digging underneath to the separate underground tile will let you pass, but it gets more complicated from there. Enemies show up, balls are introduced, traps are laid out, and so much more.
Visually, it’s the best-looking game on the list, which shouldn’t be that surprising since Nintendo helped make it. It’s definitely a lost masterpiece among the many bigger Game Boy games Nintendo had a hand in, and now it’s been given another chance. Mole Mania is a rare Nintendo Classics port that I never wanted to put down.
Revenge of the ‘Gator
Revenge of the ‘Gator is the weakest of the bunch, but that’s only because this odd triple pack was actually quite decent. HAL Laboratory worked on it, which most people probably know from the Kirby series, so yet again there is a pedigree here. It launched on the Game Boy in Japan in 1989, followed by Western areas a year later.
Even though it is not my favorite of the group, I can emphatically say it has the best intro with big, wonderfully rendered alligator sprites dancing like it was the opening of The Muppet Show.
The game itself is fairly rudimentary as a pinball game. Enter a dual-screen table, whack the ball around, and keep it in play by using bumpers. Avoid environmental hazards, knock out alligator allies, unlock slots, and so much more. There are bonus games to enter too, like a brickbreaker clone, and while it may not have as much pizzazz as the other two Game Boy games, Revenge of the ‘Gator is at least a good pinball title at its core.
The latest of Nintendo’s Game Boy offerings are better than expected
Even though most Nintendo friends probably never played these three titles on the Game Boy in their heyday, and they all have weird names and premises, these are not games to pass up. Would they rank in a top ten or even a top twenty list Most likely not, but they are still quite amazing.
If you have a Switch or Switch 2 and the Nintendo membership, try spending an afternoon with Avenging Spirit, Mole Mania, and Revenge of the ‘Gator. The results may shock you.
