Legacy & History
Released in 1998, the GBC brought color to Nintendo's handheld line. It hosted the second generation of Pokemon games, solidifying the franchise's dominance.
Cultural Impact
It proved that backward compatibility was a killer feature. By playing the entire existing Game Boy library (often with added color palettes), it was an instant upgrade for millions of existing users.
Modern Legacy
The GBC normalized the idea of iterative console upgrades (like the PS4 Pro or DSi) rather than just generational leaps.
Under the Hood
The GBC CPU could run at 8 MHz (double the original Game Boy speed) and address more memory. Its screen could display up to 56 colors simultaneously from a palette of 32,768. Crucially, it included an IR port for wireless data transfer, famously used in Pokemon Gold/Silver for "Mystery Gift."
CPUSharp LR35902 (Double Speed)
MEMORY32 KB RAM
DISPLAY160 x 144 (Color)
AUDIO4-channel stereo
Defining Titles
Pokemon Gold/SilverRPG • 1999
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages/SeasonsAction-Adventure • 2001
Metal Gear SolidStealth Action • 2000
Super Mario Bros. DeluxePlatformer • 1999
ShantaePlatformer • 2002
Best Selling Title
Pokemon Gold/Silver
GBC Games
Showing 60 of 1,136
5
Absolute X
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Baldi Builder
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2022
5
Capybara Quest
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2022
5
Chee-Chai Alien
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
5
Die Maus: Verrückte Olympiade
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
5
Dr. Rin ni Kiitemite! Koi no Rin Fuusui
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2002
5
Equestriad 2001
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Floracy
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Halo: Combat Devolved
Nintendo Game Boy Color
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Jibaku-kun: Zero no Ki no Kajitsu
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Max Steel: Covert Missions
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Monster Traveler
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2002
5
Nakayoshi Cooking Series 4: Tanoshii Dessert
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
5
Pocket Monsters Go! Go!
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Pokémon Crystal Maeson
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Pokémon Crystal Ultimate
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2020Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Pokémon Crystal World
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2008Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Pokémon Jade Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Pokémon Super Gold 97
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2020
5
Pokémon Wasteland
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Runelords
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Seme COM Dungeon: Drururuaga
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2000
5
Shaman King Card Game: Chou Senjiryakketsu: Funbari Hen
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2000Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Shengui Diguo Zhi Emo Cheng
Nintendo Game Boy Color
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Shui Hu Zhuan: Qun Mo Feng Yun Lu
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Sylvanian Families 2: Irozuku Mori no Fantasy
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2000
5
Tetris Chromatic
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2024
5
The Great Battle Pocket
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
5
Tokimeki Memorial Pocket: Culture Hen: Komorebi no Melody
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
5
Trade & Battle: Card Hero
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2000
5
Tsuri Sensei 2
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Wang Zu Tian Tang
Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Watashi no Kitchen
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
5
World Soccer GB 2000
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999Nintendo Game Boy Color
5
Yakuza GB
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2024
5
Zen-Nippon Shounen Soccer Taikai: Mezase Nippon Ichi!
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
4.75
Pokémon Orange
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2017
4.75
Pokémon: Yellow Legacy
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2024Nintendo Game Boy Color
4.66666666666667
Pokémon Joel's Bizarre PokeVenture
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2017
4.66666666666667
Pokémon Ultimate End
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2009
4.625
Final Fantasy X: Fantasy War
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
4.57531055900621
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1998
4.5625
Pokémon Red Full Color Hack
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2013
4.5
Baldi's Gameboy All-Stars
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2021
4.5
Dr. Mario DX
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2023Nintendo Game Boy Color
4.5
Ganso! Doubutsu Uranai
Nintendo Game Boy Color
4.5
Gradius II: The Return of the Hero
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2000
4.5
Hamster Paradise
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
4.5
Hana Yori Dango: Another Love Story
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
4.5
Honkaku Yonin Uchi Mahjong: Mahjong Ou
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
4.5
J.League Excite Stage Tactics
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
4.5
Metroid II: EJRTQ Colorization
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2019
4.5
Minna no Shougi: Shokyuu Hen
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
4.5
Nakayoshi Cooking Series 3: Tanoshii Obentou
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
4.5
Pocket Color Mahjong
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
4.5
Pocket Cooking
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2001
4.5
Pocket Family GB2
Nintendo Game Boy Color
1999
4.5
Pokémon Black and White 3 Genesis
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2021
4.5
Pokémon Crystal Legacy
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2023
4.5
Pokémon Pinball Generations
Nintendo Game Boy Color
2019