Faceball 2000 on the Game Boy is what happens when someone looks at the gritty rise of first-person shooters and says, “What if instead of guns and gore, we had floating smiley faces and pure confusion?” You play as HAPPYFACE, a yellow orb of emotionless optimism, wandering a maze that looks like a wireframe dentist’s office from a cyberpunk fever dream. Your goal? Blast other floating emoji-like enemies into oblivion before they do the same to you. It’s like DOOM, if DOOM was designed by someone who had only ever played Pong and once saw a sphere.
Somehow, this plucky little Game Boy cart managed to cram in a 3D first-person experience using approximately four pixels and the processing power of a microwave. Each enemy has a distinct face, ranging from “mildly annoyed” to “existentially over it,” and they glide silently through the maze like ghosts of MSN Messenger past. The cherry on top? The game supported up to 16-player multiplayer via link cable—because clearly the Game Boy was designed for LAN parties in 1991. In the end, Faceball 2000 isn’t just a game; it’s an experience—a surreal, minimalist art piece disguised as a shooter where every kill feels like you’ve just disappointed a sentient emoji.
JerryRigEverything is like the MythBusters of tech, except the only myth being tested is, “Can this phone survive Zach’s wrath?” Hosted by Zach Nelson, the channel specializes in putting the latest gadgets through a torture test so extreme it feels like watching a Saw movie for smartphones. He wields his razor blade like a tech-savvy samurai, scratching, burning, and bending devices with the kind of calm demeanor that makes you wonder if he’s secretly auditioning for the next James Bond villain.
But it’s not all destruction; there’s an oddly satisfying science to it. Zach’s soothing voice explains the chaos as he systematically destroys your dream gadget, all in the name of “durability.” Want to know if your $1,000 phone can handle being sat on? He’s got you covered. Curious about whether it scratches at a Level 6 or a Level 7? He’s your guy (and yes, there’s always a deeper groove at Level 7). By the end of each video, you feel oddly educated and vaguely guilty for laughing as a poor phone gets bent in half. It’s the perfect mix of nerdy engineering and tech carnage, and you can’t help but come back for more.
My review of the Chromatic by ModRetro: a premium handheld for Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, featuring a custom display and magnesium alloy shell. But at $200, is it worth it, or are there better & cheaper options?
Here are five lesser-known Game Boy Color (GBC) games that are often considered hidden gems by retro gaming enthusiasts:
1. Shantae
Developer/Publisher: WayForward
Year: 2002
Why it’s a gem: Released late in the GBC’s lifespan, Shantae is a colorful action-platformer with Metroidvania elements. Its vibrant graphics, catchy music, and unique gameplay (Shantae transforms into animals to solve puzzles) make it a standout title.
Fun Fact: Due to its low print run, physical copies are rare and highly sought after.
Why it’s a gem: Often overshadowed by Pokémon, this monster-raising RPG offers deep gameplay, a robust breeding system, and expansive worlds to explore. The level of customization in building your team is immense.
Fun Fact: It allows players to breed unique monsters with specific abilities, making each playthrough different.
3. Wendy: Every Witch Way
Developer/Publisher: WayForward
Year: 2001
Why it’s a gem: This gravity-defying platformer is simple but highly polished. Players control Wendy, the Good Little Witch, using her powers to flip gravity and solve clever puzzles.
Fun Fact: It’s one of the earliest games by WayForward, who would later become famous for Shantae.
4. Survival Kids
Developer/Publisher: Konami
Year: 1999
Why it’s a gem: A survival adventure game where players must navigate a deserted island, gather resources, and find a way to escape. It features multiple endings and a focus on crafting and exploration.
Fun Fact: This game is considered the precursor to the Lost in Blue series on the Nintendo DS.
5. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 2000
Why it’s a gem: A unique spin-off of the Bionic Commando series, this game combines action-platforming with a grappling hook mechanic for puzzle-solving. It’s challenging and offers satisfying gameplay.
Fun Fact: The grappling mechanic remains a defining feature of the Bionic Commando series.
These games showcase the GBC’s impressive library beyond its most famous titles. Have you tried any of these, or are you looking for something similar?
Here are 10 new games for old consoles like the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, GBA, Super Nintendo & Nintendo 64! GAMES SHOWN:
The Machine (GBC)
InDestructoTank! (GB)
Dango Dash (GBC)
2021 Moon Escape (GB)
Wing Warriors DX (GBC)
Pine Creek (GBC)
Deadeus (GB)
Elland: The Crystal Wars (GBA)
Chip’s Challenge (SNES)
BIG2SMALL (N64)
RetroRGB takes a look at the latest IntecGaming kickstarter, this time it’s a GBA HDMI Kit that has a lot of potential but is ultimately let down by lame components and design decisions. Buyer Beware!
Digital Foundry – John and Audi sit down with Modern Vintage Gamer, famous YouTuber and emulation coder, who recently worked on the re-release of the famous Shantae for Game Boy Color, making use of his Carbon Engine – an all-new multisystem emulator tailored for the modern consoles.
Hyperkin RETRON SQ Review – the Good & the Bad – Definitely some compromises were made to hit the $75 price point…but is it still worth it? Check it out >> https://youtu.be/RFQxNIHHUCc
