Cool Ball Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Platformer

Cool Ball

SystemGame Boy
Released1991
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperLoriciel
PublisherTakara
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Loriciel and published by Takara, Cool Ball arrived on the Game Boy in 1991 as a platformer.

It landed about 2 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1991 include Metroid II: Return of Samus, Final Fantasy Adventure and Yoshi.

Cool Ball is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Cool Ball 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.

Cool Ball gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

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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.

Cool Ball FAQ

When did Cool Ball come out on the Game Boy?

Cool Ball was released for the Game Boy in 1991.

Who made Cool Ball?

It was developed by Loriciel and published by Takara.

Is Cool Ball multiplayer?

No. Cool Ball is a single-player game.

How long does Cool Ball take to play?

As a platformer, Cool Ball 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.

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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