Great Greed Game Boy: A Quirky Retro RPG Worth Rediscovering

Lost in the vast library of Game Boy titles are some true hidden gems, quirky adventures that deserve a second look decades later. One such title that stands out for its unique premise and mechanics is Great Greed for the Game Boy. Released by Namco in 1993, this isn't your typical medieval fantasy RPG; it's a strange, environmentally-themed quest packed with personality.

If you're a fan of classic 8-bit role-playing games and are looking for something off the beaten path, stick around. We're diving deep into what made Great Greed a memorable, albeit obscure, experience.

What Exactly is Great Greed?

Imagine this: you're Sierra Sam, a regular guy from Earth, suddenly transported to a bizarre world facing ecological disaster. The culprit? A villain named Bio-Hazard Harry (yes, that's his name). Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to traverse this polluted land, battle Harry's minions, and ultimately save the planet. It's an early example of an RPG tackling environmental themes, wrapped up in a distinctly 90s package.

The core gameplay loop will feel familiar to anyone who played RPGs of the era: explore towns and dungeons, talk to NPCs, get into random encounters, level up your character, and upgrade your gear. But Great Greed throws in some curveballs.

Combat That's Anything But Standard

While many 8-bit RPGs relied on simple menu-based combat, Great Greed tried something different. Battles are turn-based, but instead of selecting "Attack," "Magic," or "Item" from a list, you assign spells and actions to the D-pad and face buttons (A, B).

• A Button: Usually your standard physical attack.
• B Button: Often used for defense or a specific action.
• D-Pad: Assigned different magic spells or abilities.

This system makes battles feel a bit more dynamic and requires quicker reflexes than typical menu navigation. There's even a penalty if you take too long to decide! It's a love-it-or-hate-it mechanic, but you can't deny it's unique for a Game Boy RPG.

Companions, Progression, and Difficulty Spikes

As you journey through the world, you'll meet temporary party members who join your cause. These companions aren't permanent fixtures, but they'll jump into battles occasionally to offer support, whether it's attacking, healing, or casting spells. It adds a nice touch of variety to the combat.

Character progression in Great Greed leans heavily on equipment. Finding or buying new weapons and armor in each area is crucial for keeping up with the increasing difficulty. Thankfully, the game is pretty generous; you don't typically need to grind for hours just to afford the next gear set or gain levels. In fact, leveling up automatically restores your HP and MP, a fantastic quality-of-life feature for the time!

However, be warned: the final section of the game sees a significant difficulty spike. Monsters become much tougher, and battles can turn into lengthy slugfests.

The Good, The Bad, and The Quirky

Great Greed is a game of contrasts.

The Good:

• Unique Theme: An RPG focused on environmentalism was rare and refreshing.
• Quirky Charm: From character names to item descriptions (many food-related!), the game has a distinct, often humorous personality.
• Player-Friendly Saves: The game features frequent regular saves and an autosave after every battle, which was incredibly convenient, especially in dungeons.
• HP/MP Restore: Leveling up fully heals you – a blessing!
• Unique Combat: While divisive, the button-based system is certainly different.

The Bad:

• Simple Presentation: Graphics and music are functional but don't quite reach the heights of some other contemporary Game Boy RPGs. Some dungeon textures can be visually jarring.
• Empty Interiors: Town and shop interiors feel unnecessarily large and empty, lacking detail.
• Inventory Clutter: You can accidentally pick up "garbage" items that clutter your inventory, and getting rid of them can be a hassle, especially later in the game when shopkeepers aren't around.
• Backtracking: Needing to backtrack to sell garbage or buy items in the final dungeon is inconvenient.

Saving the World... and Maybe Marrying a Princess?

After approximately 20 hours of gameplay, Sierra Sam confronts Bio-Hazard Harry. The final boss battle is split into two phases, and the game cleverly autosaves between them. A useful tip: try to level up right before the boss chamber to start the second phase with full health and magic! It's also wise to make a regular save beforehand in case your spell setup isn't ideal.

The ending of Great Greed offers a surprising twist: you can choose to marry one of seven different princesses you encountered throughout your journey. With three save slots available on the cartridge, the game encourages replayability if you want to see all the different outcomes.

Why Great Greed Deserves Your Attention Today

Great Greed Game Boy might not be as polished or famous as Final Fantasy Legend or Link's Awakening, but it's a fascinating piece of retro RPG history. Its environmental message, unique combat, quirky writing, and player-friendly save system make it stand out. It truly feels like a sleeper hit that didn't get the recognition it deserved back in the day.

If you're an old-school RPG fan looking for something different to play on original hardware or via emulation, tracking down Great Greed is highly recommended. It's a solid, charming adventure that proves even the humble Game Boy could host ambitious and unique role-playing experiences.

Great Greed Game Boy FAQ

• What is the main story premise of Great Greed? You play as Sierra Sam, transported from Earth to a polluted world, tasked with stopping the villain Bio-Hazard Harry and his environmental destruction.
• Is Great Greed a difficult game? The game's difficulty is generally moderate, but there is a noticeable spike in the final section and the final boss fight can be challenging.
• How long does it take to beat Great Greed? A typical playthrough takes around 20 hours.
• Does Great Greed have multiple endings? Yes, the game features seven different possible endings based on which princess you choose to marry.