Game Boy Systems

Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance (GBA), Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Micro (not to size)

The Game Boys

The Original "Fat"

The very first Game Boy was released in Japan the spring of 1989, powered by 4 AA batteries (Nintendo also sold external rechargeable battery packs). Sporting a small black and green LCD screen, an 8-way d-pad and two action buttons, the Game Boy was an instant hit. The first blockbuster Game Boy game was Tetris, making it the must-have portable system over its competitors. In 1995, this edition of the Game Boy was available in different colors (though still with a monochrome screen), which included Green, Black, Red, Yellow, and a Translucent Clear model. (Blue? Unconfirmed.) Aside from the cosmetic changes, these later-release Game Boys were exactly the same as the 1989 edition.

Pocket

In 1996, Nintendo released a lighter, slimmer, smaller and sharper version of the Game Boy. The Game Boy Pocket also provided a clearer screen and better battery life -- 10 hours from 2 AAA batteries.

Color

Finally! Color! In late 1998 Nintendo released the Game Boy Color (GBC) to screaming Game Boy fans. Approximately the size of the Game Boy Pocket, the Game Boy Color sported twice the processor speed and memory of its predecessor and allowed games to be made in glorious 8-bit color. An important feature of the GBC was its backwards compatibility with previous Game Boy games.

Advance

Mid-2001 saw a revolution in the Game Boy line. The Game Boy Advance was a huge leap in technology from the Game Boy Color. Think portable Super Nintendo. Again, this iteration of Game Boy systems was backwards compatible with all previous games and allowed for even larger and better-looking games to boot. Many ports of classic SNES games were released for the Game Boy Advance. It also became a stomping ground for nostalgic favorites and sequels to cult hits. Many regard the Game Boy Advance as one of the best gaming systems ever released.

Advance SP

Two years after the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo tweaked the design and released the SP. Now the Game Boy featured a clamshell design with a flip-up, front-lit screen. For the first time a Game Boy didn't need batteries, as a rechargeable battery became part of the package.

Micro

Unveiled in 2005, the Game Boy Micro is the smallest and sleekest Game Boy design so far. Technically the same as the SP and GBA systems, the Micro is roughly two inches tall and less than inch deep. Micro indeed. The screen is brighter and crisper than other systems'. The GBM is only compatible with Game Boy Advance games, however, so keep your Game Boy Advance around for those classic titles.

Game Boy Accessories

Many accessories have been released for the Game Boy systems over the years.

Camera\Printer

A crude digital camera that fits into the game slot of the original Game Boy system was released in 1998. Rough, monochrome pictures could be taken and printed using the small printer device. The Game Boy Camera also had a few minigames.

Super Game Boy and Game Boy Player

Not an accessory for the Game Boy as much as a way to play your portable games on your TV. The Super Game Boy was a cartridge for the Super Nintendo that allowed you to play Game Boy games on your TV screen. The Game Boy Player is a similar device for Game Boy Advance games that connects to the Nintendo GameCube.

e-Reader

The e-Reader used special cards that would unlock content in games that supported it. New items, levels and other goodies could be featured if developers chose to utilize it.

Nintendo DS -- Not A Game Boy

Although it is often lumped into the Game Boy category, Nintendo has specifically stated that the Nintendo DS is not a part of the Game Boy lineup. However, the DS does have a slot that allows Game Boy Advance games to be played. Its unique features, like its touch screen, set it apart from the Game Boy systems as a third-tier system that co-exists with the Game Boy Micro.

Future Systems

What's in store for the future? Rumors are flying that the next Game Boy (Game Boy 2, as many refer to it) will be more like the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) with a wide screen and multiple media functionality. Nintendo has kept the lid on any information, but rest assured the next incarnation of the world's most popular gaming system is hot on the development table. [[[Nintendo DS]]]

Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance (GBA), Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Micro (not to size)

The Game Boys

The Original "Fat"

The very first Game Boy was released in Japan the spring of 1989, powered by 4 AA batteries (Nintendo also sold external rechargeable battery packs). Sporting a small black and green LCD screen, an 8-way d-pad and two action buttons, the Game Boy was an instant hit. The first blockbuster Game Boy game was Tetris, making it the must-have portable system over its competitors. In 1995, this edition of the Game Boy was available in different colors (though still with a monochrome screen), which included Green, Black, Red, Yellow, and a Translucent Clear model. (Blue? Unconfirmed.) Aside from the cosmetic changes, these later-release Game Boys were exactly the same as the 1989 edition.

Pocket

In 1996, Nintendo released a lighter, slimmer, smaller and sharper version of the Game Boy. The Game Boy Pocket also provided a clearer screen and better battery life -- 10 hours from 2 AAA batteries.

Color

Finally! Color! In late 1998 Nintendo released the Game Boy Color (GBC) to screaming Game Boy fans. Approximately the size of the Game Boy Pocket, the Game Boy Color sported twice the processor speed and memory of its predecessor and allowed games to be made in glorious 8-bit color. An important feature of the GBC was its backwards compatibility with previous Game Boy games.

Advance

Mid-2001 saw a revolution in the Game Boy line. The Game Boy Advance was a huge leap in technology from the Game Boy Color. Think portable Super Nintendo. Again, this iteration of Game Boy systems was backwards compatible with all previous games and allowed for even larger and better-looking games to boot.

Many ports of classic SNES games were released for the Game Boy Advance. It also became a stomping ground for nostalgic favorites and sequels to cult hits. Many regard the Game Boy Advance as one of the best gaming systems ever released.

Advance SP

Two years after the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo tweaked the design and released the SP. Now the Game Boy featured a clamshell design with a flip-up, front-lit screen. For the first time a Game Boy didn't need batteries, as a rechargeable battery became part of the package.

Micro

Unveiled in 2005, the Game Boy Micro is the smallest and sleekest Game Boy design so far. Technically the same as the SP and GBA systems, the Micro is roughly two inches tall and less than inch deep. Micro indeed. The screen is brighter and crisper than other systems'. The GBM is only compatible with Game Boy Advance games, however, so keep your Game Boy Advance around for those classic titles.

Game Boy Accessories

Many accessories have been released for the Game Boy systems over the years.

Camera\Printer

A crude digital camera that fits into the game slot of the original Game Boy system was released in 1998. Rough, monochrome pictures could be taken and printed using the small printer device. The Game Boy Camera also had a few minigames.

Super Game Boy and Game Boy Player

Not an accessory for the Game Boy as much as a way to play your portable games on your TV. The Super Game Boy was a cartridge for the Super Nintendo that allowed you to play Game Boy games on your TV screen. The Game Boy Player is a similar device for Game Boy Advance games that connects to the Nintendo GameCube.

e-Reader

The e-Reader used special cards that would unlock content in games that supported it. New items, levels and other goodies could be featured if developers chose to utilize it.

Nintendo DS -- Not A Game Boy

Although it is often lumped into the Game Boy category, Nintendo has specifically stated that the Nintendo DS is not a part of the Game Boy lineup. However, the DS does have a slot that allows Game Boy Advance games to be played. Its unique features, like its touch screen, set it apart from the Game Boy systems as a third-tier system that co-exists with the Game Boy Micro.

Future Systems

What's in store for the future? Rumors are flying that the next Game Boy (Game Boy 2, as many refer to it) will be more like the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) with a wide screen and multiple media functionality. Nintendo has kept the lid on any information, but rest assured the next incarnation of the world's most popular gaming system is hot on the development table.