Black Onyx, The (Japan)

The Black Onyx is a role-playing game that originated on Japanese home computers in the 1980s, and this version brings the classic to the Game Boy Color. Developed by Henk Rogers and his team at Bullet-Proof Software, it was one of the first RPG hits in Japan, predating many of the big-name series gamers know today. This portable release lets you experience a piece of RPG history on the go, with the same turn-based combat and dungeon crawling that defined the original.

You explore a fantasy world, fighting monsters in turn-based battles to gain experience and level up. Instead of numerical hit points, a unique health bar gradually shifts from blue to red as you take damage - a mechanic that may have originated here and later appeared in other games. The core loop involves navigating towns and dungeons, talking to NPCs, managing equipment and items, and gradually uncovering the story. Since this is the Japanese version, all menus and text are in Japanese, so a basic understanding of the language or a guide will help.

For retro RPG enthusiasts, this is a fascinating snapshot of early Japanese game design. The health bar gimmick alone makes it worth a look, and its historical significance as a precursor to later JRPGs gives it lasting value. Just keep in mind it's a simple, dungeon-heavy RPG by modern standards, and the language barrier may require patience. It's best appreciated as a piece of gaming archaeology rather than a polished adventure.