Serpent

Serpent is a competitive action game for the Game Boy that reimagines the classic snake concept as a futuristic sport. Set in a time where serpentine robotic machines are used for combat, two fighters pilot these mechanical snakes and try to outmaneuver each other. The goal is to trap your opponent's head by cornering them against a wall or encircling their body; if their head remains stuck for a few seconds, they explode and lose the round. The game features several difficulty levels, with higher levels making the AI faster. A second mode introduces small, dangerous snakes if a round drags on too long. Players can collect power-ups like missiles to slow down or speed up their opponent and special numbers to increase or decrease their snake's length. Winning seven out of thirteen matches crowns you champion.

Game Boy

Developed by Naxat Soft and published by Taxan in North America, Serpent was released in Japan on April 6, 1990, and in North America in November 1990. While simple to pick up, the game is known for its unique control scheme: pressing A turns the snake clockwise, while Left turns it counter-clockwise, a design choice that can be unintuitive. The Game Over screen is memorable, displaying "the bitter taste of defeat" alongside an animated crying snake. The soundtrack, by Atsuhiro Motoyama, features a diverse battle theme that shifts in style. While the AI can become predictable, the true highlight is the two-player competitive mode via the Game Link Cable, which transforms it into an intense strategic duel.