Shantae. Metroidvania-esque. It’s hard as nails. View distance is pretty short. But it’s got a lot of cool stuff in it. While it technically has GBA features, it’s a GBC cart and works just fine on a good ol’ grey Gameboy.
The dungeons are pretty well designed, and I love the fact that while you’re exploring there’s even a day/night cycle changing things up. Also, love the music in this game.
Phantasy Star. Love that game.
I put together a list of games for every letter of the alphabet with playable female characters that I’ve personally played and a lot of them are pretty old.
https://eldritch.cafe/@Gwendolyn/109348711301572294