The Mayor of Sanctuary is an Endearing New Adventure for the Game Boy Color

Over 20 years after the release of the last official game for the Game Boy Color, a new title proves that the much-loved handheld is still going strong.

The last game ever published for the Game Boy Color was a Japan-exclusive title called “Doraemon no Study Boy: Kanji Yomikaki Master,” released on July 18, 2003. Now, more than 20 years later, we have a new original game to enjoy on the handheld. Released in late 2023, “The Mayor of Sanctuary” is a great new addition to the Game Boy Color’s fantastic library.

The game was created by Anthony Wallace, the man behind indie studio Nara Makes Games, and published by Incube8 Games, a company known for bringing quality retro-style titles to the market. This exciting new release shows that even in a landscape dominated by next-generation consoles, there’s still room for the classics to shine.

An adventure cloaked in mystery

“The Mayor of Sanctuary” is focused primarily on exploration. This little adventure, which takes about 2 hours to complete, will take players on a journey filled with secrets, discoveries and an intriguing cast of characters.

Players take on the role of Yuu, the former mayor of a mysterious town called Anzen, which is being plagued by cursed spirits that are emerging from the forests of Sanctuary. The game’s premise revolves around solving simple puzzles, engaging in light combat, discovering hidden treasures and unravelling the story as you progress through the large map and meet all sorts of amusing characters and strange creatures.

The game was designed to work on both the Game Boy Color and the original Game Boy, with graphics that retain the pixelated charm of that era, including a few close-up scenes that are incredibly detailed and absolutely gorgeous. Anthony made the conscious decision of allowing players to keep these scenes on screen for as long they wanted.

“I intentionally designed the game to hold on the cutscenes, giving players the opportunity to enjoy the pixel art and capture them on camera before moving forward.”

“This is something I wish all games did, and as someone who came up in the Instagram Game Boy community, this seemed like a fitting feature for my own game.”

The unique narrative is beautifully woven into the gameplay. Each character has its own unique personality and backstory, and you can’t help but want to learn more about them and the town’s history. The game world is expansive, with every corner, nook and cranny meticulously crafted to encourage exploration and reward curiosity.

The Mayor of Sanctuary draws creative influence from a number of classic games including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Secret of Mana, as well as more recent titles like Eastward. Anthony also attributes his personal life experiences, his affection for animals and the stunning sceneries of Japan as significant sources of inspiration.

After three long years, he was finally able to bring the project to life, marking his official debut as a game developer. When asked if we can expect more from this adorable universe in the future, this is what he had to say:

“I absolutely plan on continuing the Sanctuary universe that was established in the first game. I have plans to return to Japan in March, and a big part of that trip is to collect inspiration and references for the next game. So things are happening.”

Physical Editions

The game is now available as a physical release, with a few options to choose from. The standard edition includes the game’s box, a clear black cartridge and protector, a silkscreened PCB featuring artwork on the back, the instructions manual and a sticker sheet.

The Collector’s Edition features a clear blue cartridge variant, along with all the items from the standard edition, plus an additional sticker sheet, a set of enamel pins, a large poster and a CD with the game’s soundtrack.

If you want to go for something even more exclusive, you can try to get your hands on the Limited Collector’s Edition, which includes an awesome gold cartridge made out of anodized aluminum. This one is currently sold out, but you can sign up on Incube8’s website to be notified in case it ever becomes available again.

A rewarding journey

Anthony Wallace‘s first game, “The Mayor of Sanctuary”, is a beautiful, cosy and thoroughly enjoyable new adventure for the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, the Analogue Pocket or any digital emulator. I really enjoyed my time playing this one, and if the Game Boy still holds a special place in your heart, I’d recommend you do the same.