Warlocked (USA)

Warlocked is a real-time strategy game that landed on the Game Boy Color in the year 2000, making it one of the earliest attempts to cram the RTS genre onto a handheld. Developed by Bits Studios and published by Nintendo in North America, it brings the usual base-building and army management to a system not typically known for strategy. The cartridge was released exclusively for the Game Boy Color, meaning it won't run on the original monochrome Game Boy.

You take control of a fantasy army and must gather resources, construct buildings, and train units to defeat your opponent. The core loop involves collecting gold from mines and lumber from trees, then using those resources to erect barracks, towers, and other structures. You can recruit soldiers, archers, and even summon magical creatures like dragons, then send them across the map to attack enemy bases. The action unfolds in real time, so you have to juggle economy and combat simultaneously, all within the limitations of the handheld screen. There is a campaign with multiple missions as well as a skirmish mode against AI.

For a Game Boy Color game, Warlocked is an impressive achievement. The developers managed to translate the core RTS experience into a playable form despite the small screen and limited controls. It remains a curiosity and a favorite among retro fans who appreciate seeing a genre not often attempted on Nintendo's handheld. While it may not rival PC strategy titles of its time, it stands as a solid, enjoyable game that still holds up if you adjust your expectations for the platform.