Colour to Handheld Gaming

The GameBoy Colour is one of the most iconic handhelds of all time. It ran from 1998 to its discontinuation in 2002. Even though the Atari Lynx brought colour to handhelds, GBC was the one that was most prominent. Despite facing competition from superior devices like the Neo Geo Pocket and WonderSwan, the GBC outsold them by a landslide. With games like these, it's no wonder it controlled the market. 

Shantae
Shantae was a stellar 2D platformer on the GBC. The game had vibrant colours and relatively consistent animation, easily competing with early GBA games. Shantae had a fun factor that stayed constant throughout the series. It was released after GameBoy Advance was announced, so the developers made sure that playing the GBC cartridge on GBA would introduce enhancements to the original.

Metal Gear Ghost Babel
Ghost Babel was not a main entry to the franchise, and often cast aside due to it being non-canon and treated as just an alternate sequel to the first Metal Gear (MSX2, not Solid). However, it was still a faithful adaptation of the series with its iconic weapons and stealth based action. It had stunning visuals and fluid movement, very well detailed for a GBC game. Its top down shooter gameplay inspired the less stealth based Perfect Dark and Resident Evil Gaiden.

Link's Awakening DX
This was a remake of the GameBoy version, with much more than just colour. Link's Awakening was an all in one package, superb soundtrack and pretty good graphics, with a challenge present like all games in the franchise do. The GBC version was released on the same year as the handheld, showcasing the clear difference between GB and GBC. What set it apart from other Legend of Zelda titles at that time was its funky font and subtle Mario cameos.

Pokémon Crystal
Pokémon Crystal was THE Pokémon game for GBC. It had all the features that were present in Gold and Silver and then some. Crystal sported moving animated sprites that were natural; something that we later got in the fifth generation. Animations in Emerald and the fourth generation were just Pokémon that jumped or expanded. Crystal had blinking eyes, brandishing claws and flapping wings. Crystal was also the first of the series to boast a Battle Tower.

Dragon Quest III (known as Dragon Warrior III)
Dragon Quest was a huge hit in Japan, and was second to only Final Fantasy at the time. Kids were arrested for truancy and Dragon Quest was never sold on school days. This shows just how popular it was back then. It was arguably the best JRPG on the platform; outclassing the likes of Lufia, Last Bible and Crystalis. DQ3 used GBC's full potentials; creating a 40+ hour journey with above average graphics, a connected storyline with the first two games, and medieval-esque music to put the icing on the cake.

Honourable mentions: Pokémon Trading Card Game, Donkey Kong Country, Wario Land 3, Survival Kids, Mario Tennis

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