Balloon Kid Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Platformer

Balloon Kid

SystemGame Boy
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperNintendo
PublisherNintendo
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 5

Developed by Nintendo, Balloon Kid arrived on the Game Boy as a platformer.

Nintendo also made Pokémon Yellow, Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins for the Game Boy.

Balloon Kid supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives

What playing Balloon Kid is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Balloon Kid gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

Balloon Kid cheats & codes

15 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Infinite Lives00E-18D

See all Balloon Kid cheats

Balloon Kid walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Balloon Kid.

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Playing Game Boy games today

Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.

Balloon Kid FAQ

Who made Balloon Kid?

It was developed by Nintendo.

Is Balloon Kid multiplayer?

Yes. Balloon Kid supports up to 2 players.

How long does Balloon Kid take to play?

As a platformer, Balloon Kid typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Balloon Kid on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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