Brain Drain
Game Boy · 1998
About this game
Brain Drain is a puzzle game in which the player has to recreate a pattern, consisting of different symbols like apples or hearts, which is shown in the corner of the screen.
The main playing field consists of said symbols, but randomly switched around.
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The player controls a frame which encloses four of the symbols.
When pressing a button, the symbols are rotated clockwise around the frame.
Of course the levels have to be solved within a time limit.
In the higher difficulty levels, the player also has to deal with so-called special effects which occasionally kick in during play, e.g. some symbols get hidden by "?" blocks, symbols rotate on their own or the controls are reversed.
Three power-ups can be earned by completing bonus levels or finishing a level really fast: clock (stops time for 20 seconds), flash (skips the current level) and credit (gives a second try after time has run out).
Clock and flash have to be activated manually; credits is applied automatically.
Besides the regular playing mode, there is also the "Brain Race" available which involves solving a certain number of levels (depending on the difficulty) as fast as possible.
About Game Boy
The original Game Boy (1989) proved that handheld gaming didn't need cutting-edge graphics to succeed — its monochrome screen and legendary battery life, combined with Tetris as a pack-in, made it a cultural phenomenon. Game Boy cartridges are famously durable, so this remains one of the more accessible retro platforms to collect, though translucent color variants and complete-in-box copies with the original brick-sized manual add real value for condition-focused collectors.
Gamevaro tracks Brain Drain for Game Boy with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Brain Drain to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This GB release dates back to 1998.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-18 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.90 |
| 2026-07-18 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €65.59 |
| 2026-07-18 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €8.74 |
| 2026-07-18 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.36 |
| 2026-07-18 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €104.92 |
| 2026-07-18 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €26.45 |
| 2026-07-16 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.92 |
| 2026-07-16 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.37 |
| 2026-07-16 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €65.75 |
| 2026-07-16 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €8.76 |
| 2026-07-16 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €105.19 |
| 2026-07-16 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €26.51 |
| 2026-07-14 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €26.50 |
| 2026-07-14 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €8.74 |
| 2026-07-14 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €105.02 |
| 2026-07-14 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.91 |
| 2026-07-14 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €65.65 |
| 2026-07-14 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.37 |
| 2026-07-13 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €65.62 |
| 2026-07-13 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €26.48 |
| 2026-07-13 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.37 |
| 2026-07-13 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €104.97 |
| 2026-07-13 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €8.74 |
| 2026-07-13 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.90 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.90 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €26.48 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €8.74 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €104.97 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €65.62 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.37 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Brain Drain has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Brain Drain worth?
Brain Drain for Game Boy is currently worth €29.68 loose, €47.82 complete in box, and €110.24 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Brain Drain rare?
Brain Drain has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Brain Drain?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Brain Drain, loose is €29.68 and CIB is €47.82 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Brain Drain worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Brain Drain is currently worth €29.68 loose, versus €27.68 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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