3 new Gameboy games (which is 35 years old) in Nintendo Switch Online including Super Mario Land

Three new Game Boy games have just been made available to Nintendo Switch Online users, namely Alleyway, Baseball and the classic Super Mario Land. These games are being released to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Game Boy, since they were all released the same year as the console, 1989.

“Super Mario Land” is a classic platform game developed by Nintendo and released in 1989 for the Game Boy handheld console. This is the first game in the Mario series to launch on a handheld console.

In “Super Mario Land,” players take control of Mario, the heroic plumber, in a new adventure set in the kingdom of Sarasaland, far from the usual Mushroom Kingdom. The game’s storyline is simple: Princess Daisy, ruler of Sarasaland, has been kidnapped by the evil alien Tatanga. Mario must travel through four different worlds to save her, each divided into three distinct levels with unique themes, such as Egyptian pyramids, oceans, rocky mountains and oriental cities.

The gameplay of “Super Mario Land” follows the basic principles of Mario platform games. Players must guide Mario through levels filled with enemies, obstacles and traps, while collecting coins, power-ups and invincible stars. Power-ups include the Super Mushroom, which makes Mario grow, and the Fire Flower, which allows him to throw fireballs to defeat enemies. A special feature of this game is the addition of shoot’em up type levels where Mario pilots a submarine or a plane, shooting at enemies and obstacles.

Graphically, “Super Mario Land” uses the Game Boy’s monochrome capabilities to create distinct environments and recognizable characters. Despite the console’s technical limitations, the game manages to provide a pleasant and engaging visual experience. The music, composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, is memorable and contributes greatly to the game’s atmosphere, with catchy and distinct themes for each world.

“Super Mario Land” has been widely praised for its addictive gameplay, inventive level design and its success in bringing the Mario experience to a handheld console. It has sold millions of copies worldwide and is often cited as one of the Game Boy’s most iconic titles.

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“Alleyway” is a brick-breaking game developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, released in 1989 for the Game Boy. As one of the Game Boy’s launch titles, “Alleyway” introduced players to a classic gaming experience adapted for the handheld console.

In “Alleyway”, players control a racket, often piloted by Mario, located at the bottom of the screen. The goal is to bounce a ball against a series of bricks at the top of the screen, using the paddle to prevent the ball from falling out of play. Each level features a different arrangement of bricks, and players must destroy all the bricks to move to the next level.

The gameplay is simple but addictive, requiring quick reflexes and precise coordination to succeed. Levels become progressively more difficult, with bricks sometimes moving or requiring multiple hits to destroy. The game uses the Game Boy’s monochrome capabilities to deliver clear, functional graphics, with smooth ball and racket animations.

“Alleyway” is loved for its simplicity and increasing challenge. As a brick-breaking game, it doesn’t offer any revolutionary features, but it managed to captivate gamers of the time with its addictive gameplay and well-designed levels.

“Baseball” is also one of the first sports games developed by Nintendo for the Game Boy, released in 1989. This game offers a simplified but entertaining baseball experience, adapted for the handheld console.

In “Baseball,” players can choose between two teams, the Bears and the Eagles, and compete in baseball games in single-player mode or against a friend via link cable. Gameplay follows traditional baseball rules, with players alternating between hitting and throwing. When batting, players control the batsman and must synchronize their shots to hit the ball thrown by the opposing pitcher. In defense mode, players control the pitcher and fielders, trying to throw out opposing batters and prevent runners from scoring runs.

The monochrome graphics of “Baseball” are simple but effective, depicting the players, field and actions in a clear and understandable manner. The game captures the essence of baseball while being accessible to players of all ages with its intuitive controls and straightforward gameplay.

“Baseball” is loved for its simplicity and ability to provide a fun, portable baseball experience. While it doesn’t offer the advanced features of modern sports games, it remains a nostalgic title for those who grew up with the Game Boy, representing an era when handheld gaming was emerging.

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In Japan, one more game is added to the list, the famous Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls), a game completely unknown to us which uses the graphics engine of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

[トピックス]Nintendo Switch Onlineタイトルが配信開始。https://t.co/DfCrdBEwHG

— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) May 15, 2024

“The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls” (known as “Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru” in Japan) is an action-adventure game developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, released exclusively in Japan for the Game Boy in 1992. The game gained cult fame for its innovative gameplay, charming humor, and influence on future Nintendo titles, including “The Legend of Zelda” series.

The story follows Prince Sable, a young and reckless prince who embarks on a quest to save the kingdom of Mille-Feuille and its princess Tiramisu from the clutches of the evil King Delarin. The prince soon discovers that his rival and friend, the Prince of Cushelle, is also on the same mission. Together, but often in competition, they must navigate through various challenges to achieve their goal.

The gameplay of “The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls” mixes elements of action, platforming and puzzle solving. Unlike many games of the era, combat is not controlled directly by the player. When a battle begins, the prince and the enemy automatically face off, and the outcome is determined by each character’s strength and stamina stats. The player can improve these stats by finding items and gaining experience.

A unique aspect of the game is the prince’s ability to transform into a frog and a snake, each with special abilities. As a frog, the prince can swim and jump higher, while in snake form he can crawl through narrow spaces and poison enemies. These transformations are essential to solving the puzzles and progressing in the adventure.

Graphically, “The Frog For Whom The Bell Tolls” uses the monochrome capabilities of the Game Boy to create detailed environments and expressive characters. The art style is charming and humorous, which adds an extra layer of fun to the game. The soundtrack, composed by Kazumi Totaka, is catchy and memorable, contributing to the game’s upbeat atmosphere.

Although the game was never officially translated into English or released outside of Japan, it influenced later Nintendo titles. For example, the game engine was reused for “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening”