Game Boy (+ Color)

Heart & Heart (M&M) [Game Boy – Cancelled]

Heart & Heart is a cancelled dating-sim that was in development around 1991, planned to be published by M&M on Nintendo Game Boy. Players would have been able to insert real-life details of their loved one, such as age, Zodiac sign and blood group, and customize the sprite of the in-game girl. Then Heart & Heart would calculate the compatibility between the player and the girl, then maybe set a romantic date trying to choose the right questions and answers to win the girl.

An ad for the game was also published in Famitsu magazine (issue 157), but in the end Heart & Heart was never released. Here is the ad text translated by Google:

“In 1992, the ban on male-female dating live simulation was lifted, and her actual data was input. In addition, the eyes and looks are also montages. In addition, the game starts with her own data. An epoch-making experience that does not change from the real date is waiting for you. Whether she was able to escort well is shown by her compatibility diagnosis with her last. Since the data stock for 12 people can be done, there are 10 people and 10 colors to use. You can get data from that unrequited love daughter and use it later for compatibility diagnosis. Of course, even if she isn’t there, she can play a good game called Nampa Mode. For men and women, I have to make it myself, because I don’t want to be a Shinario. Now, really hone your dating skills. Soft Heart & Heart for Game Boy ”is in great shape!”

We are not sure what happened to M&M, but they are the same company who published the cult-RPG Otaku no Seiza: An Adventure in the Otaku Galaxy.

Thanks to Celine for the contribution!

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Trickle (Metem) [Game Boy – Cancelled]

Trickle (トリックル) is a cancelled maze game that was planned by Metem for Game Boy. Single player gameplay was similar to Pac Man, with players moving around a maze in a top-down view, collecting bonuses and using power ups against enemies. When playing in VS mode (against bots or other players?) the game would change its perspective in a first-person view and you could explore the maze like in Doom, trying to find and eliminate (?) your enemies.

Previews of Trickle were published in japanese gaming magazines such as Game Boy Magazine (Vol.6) and Famitsu News (August 1990), but in the end the game seems to have vanished. For sure it was an original idea for Game Boy: if you can read Japanese and see more information in the scans below, please let us know!

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Magical Saurus / Zaurus [Game Boy – Cancelled]

Magical Saurus / Zaurus (マジカルザウルス) is a cancelled level-based action / puzzle game that was planned by Natsume (?) around 1989 – 1990. Players would take the role of a boy that had to survive to maze-like levels, avoiding enemies, moving boxes and pulling levers. Not much more is known about Magical Saurus or why it was never released, but it seems it was mistakenly listed in the Japanese Game Boy Encyclopedia as a published game. Some more screenshots were published in japanese magazines such as Game Boy Magazine Vol.5.

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Jibaku-kun: Zero no Ki no Kajitsu [Game Boy Color – Cancelled]

Jibaku-kun: Zero no Ki no Kajitsu (ジバクくん 零の樹の果実 ワールド) is a cancelled Action RPG that was in development by Enterbrain and Media Factory for Game Boy Color. The game is based on a manga / anime series by Ami Shibata and gameplay is kinda similar to the Tales Of series: players can explore the world and its cities, talking to NPCs and resolving quests, while fighting monsters in side-scrolling combat.

This is one of the playable GBC prototypes that was found in the Nintendo Gigaleak in September 2020, so luckily it was preserved: a few  screenshots and gameplay footage are available online.

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High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 [Game Boy Color – Cancelled]

High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 is a cancelled sport game that would have been published by The 3DO Company for Game Boy Color. While other versions of the game were released in 2001 for PC, Game Boy Advance, Playstation and PS2, this GBC edition was announced but then never released by the company. As we can read in their old website:

“Bring the best Major League action to the road! Whether you prefer to play a single game, an entire season with playoffs, or just want to whack the ball out of the park in the Home Run Derby, this game’s got it!

  • All 30 Major League Baseball teams
  • Actual updated 2001 teams and player rosters
  • 5 different modes of play – Batting Practice, Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, and Home Run Derby
  • Strike out batters with multiple pitch types
  • Use the auto-fielding option for easy play

Maybe one day someone will leak a ROM of this canned port?

Thanks to Nemkell for the contribution!

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