In this work, we derive a distributed power control algorithm for energy-efficient uplink transmissions in interference- limited cellular networks, equipped with either multiple or shared relays. The proposed solution is derived by modeling the mobile terminals as utility-driven rational agents that engage in a noncooperative game, under minimum-rate constraints. The theoretical analysis of the game equilibrium is used to compare the performance of the two different cellular architectures. Extensive simulations show that the shared relay concept outperforms the distributed one in terms of energy efficiency in most network configurations.