Game Boy · Shoot 'em Up / Puzzle
Block Hole
Certified classic
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Puzzle |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Ultra Games |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 11 |
Developed by Konami and published by Ultra Games, Block Hole arrived on the Game Boy in 1990 as a shoot 'em up. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Quarth. It blends shoot 'em up and puzzle elements.
It came out in the Game Boy's second year on the market. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1990 include DuckTales, The Final Fantasy Legend and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan. Among the 27 Game Boy shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
Konami also made Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, Castlevania Legends and Castlevania: The Adventure for the Game Boy.
Block Hole supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the Game Boy's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Block Hole is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Block Hole cheats & codes
10 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Select Up To Level 5 | 054-9EA-E66 |
|---|---|
| Super Turbo Ship | 00B-31D-08F |
| Blocks Don't Drop (Push Up To Bring Blocks Down) | AF6-32E-A28 |
| Blocks Drop Faster | 3E6-2BE-081
506-2CE-2AB
006-2DE-F79 |
| Blocks Drop Super fast | 3E6-2BE-081
806-2CE-2AB
006-2DE-F79 |
Block Hole walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Block Hole.
If you like Block Hole, the Matrix also picks…
Battle City Classic Co-op
Space Invaders Classic
Sunset Riders Classic Co-op
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra Force Classic
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.
Block Hole FAQ
When did Block Hole come out on the Game Boy?
Block Hole was released for the Game Boy in 1990.
Who made Block Hole?
It was developed by Konami and published by Ultra Games.
Is Block Hole multiplayer?
Yes. Block Hole supports up to 2 players.
How long does Block Hole take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Block Hole typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Block Hole 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.