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{{Infobox information appliance
|name = Game Boy line
|title = Game Boy line
|logo = [[Image:gameboy logo.svg|250px]]
|image = [[Image:Gameboyline2.png|250px]]
|caption = The Game Boy line logo.
|developer = [[Nintendo]]
|type = [[Handheld game console]]
|generation = [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|Fourth generation]]<br>[[History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|Fifth generation]]<br>[[History of video game consoles (sixth generation)|Sixth generation]]
|lifespan = 1989<ref name="offoldgames">{{cite journal |journal=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |title=Gameboy Club|issue=3|page=68|last=White |first=Dave |date=July 1989}}</ref>–2008
|CPU =
|media = Game Boy Game Pak<br>Game Boy Color Game Pak<br>Game Boy Advance Game Pak
|unitssold = 200.20 million
|topgame =
|successor = [[Nintendo DS line]]
}}

The '''Game Boy line''' is a line<ref>{{cite interview|subject=Tsunekazu Ishihara|subject2=Shigeki Morimoto|interviewer=Satoru Iwata|title=Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version: Just Making The Last Train|url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Pokemon-HeartGold-Version-SoulSilver-Version/Iwata-Asks-Pokemon-HeartGold-Version-SoulSilver-Version/1-Just-Making-The-Last-Train/1-Just-Making-The-Last-Train-225842.html|format=Transcript|program=Iwata Asks|callsign=Nintendo|year=2010|accessdate=2013-01-04|city=Kyoto, Japan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3/ds/release/english.html|title=Nintendo DS Lets Players Touch the Future|publisher=Nintendo |accessdate=2011-07-12|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090415172244/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3/ds/release/english.html|archivedate=2009-04-15}}</ref> of [[Battery (electricity)|battery]]-powered [[handheld game console]]s sold by [[Nintendo]]. The product line sold 200 million units worldwide.<ref name="nintendosales" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20110707175940/http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20090423-137056.html|title=Nintendo's Game Boy turns 20 |publisher=AFP via Yahoo! News |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref>

The original {{nihongo|[[Game Boy]]|ゲームボーイ|Gēmu Bōi}} and [[Game Boy Color]] combined<ref name="businessweek1">{{cite web|url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/game_consoles/source/7.htm |title=A Brief History of Game Console Warfare: Game Boy| accessdate=2008-01-25|publisher=BusinessWeek}}</ref> sold 118.69 million units worldwide.<ref name="nintendosales" /> All versions of the [[Game Boy Advance]] combined have sold 81.51 million units.<ref name="nintendosales">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1312.pdf|title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region |accessdate=2014-01-29 |date=2014-01-28 |publisher=Nintendo |format=PDF}}</ref> All Game Boy systems combined have sold 200.20 million units worldwide.

The Game Boy line was succeeded by the [[Nintendo DS line]]. It (including [[Game Boy Advance|Game Boy Advance for Ambassadors]]) has made a return via the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] and [[Wii U]], in the case of Game Boy Advance.

{{TOC level|3}}

== History ==
{|style="float:right; margin:0 0 0.5ex 1em; font-size:80%; line-height:90%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
|+'''Timeline of release years'''
|-
|1989–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
| – [[Game Boy]]
|-
|1990–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1991–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1992–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1993–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1994–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1995–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1996–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
| – [[Game Boy Pocket]]
|-
|1997–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|1998–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
| – [[Game Boy Light]] <br /> – [[Game Boy Color]]
|-
|1999–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|2000–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|2001–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
| – [[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|2002–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|2003–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
| – [[Game Boy Advance SP]]
|-
|2004–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
|-
|2005–
! style="width:10px; background:#0cc90c; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black;"|
| – [[Game Boy Micro]]
|}

Nintendo's Game Boy handheld was first released in 1989. The gaming device was the brainchild of long-time Nintendo employee [[Gunpei Yokoi]], who was the person behind the ''[[Ultra Hand]]'', an expanding arm toy created and produced by Nintendo in 1970, long before Nintendo would enter the video game market. Yokoi was also responsible for the [[Game & Watch]] series of handhelds when Nintendo made the move from toys to video games.

When Yokoi designed the original Game Boy, he knew that to be successful, the system needed to be small, light, inexpensive, and durable, as well as have a varied, recognizable library of games upon its release. By following this simple mantra, the Game Boy line managed to gain a vast following despite technically superior alternatives which would have [[Liquid-crystal display|color graphics]] instead. This is also apparent in the name (conceived by [[Shigesato Itoi]]), which connotes a smaller "sidekick" companion to Nintendo's consoles.

Game Boy continues its success to this day and many at Nintendo have dedicated the handheld in Yokoi's memory. Game Boy celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2004, which nearly coincided with the 20-year anniversary of the original [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES). To celebrate, Nintendo released the [[Classic NES Series]] and an NES controller-themed color scheme for the [[Game Boy Advance SP]].

In 2006, Nintendo president [[Satoru Iwata]] said on the rumored<ref>{{cite news |first=Daemon |last=Hatfield| title=E3 2006: Nintendo Hints at Game Boy's End |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/708/708063p1.html |work= IGN.com News |date=2006-05-11 |accessdate=2007-01-21}}</ref> demise of the Game Boy brand: "No, it's not true after all. What we are repeatedly saying is that for whichever platform, we are always conducting research and development for the new system, be it the Game Boy, or new console or whatever. And what we just told the reporter was that in thinking about the current situation where we are enjoying great sales with the DS and that we are now trying to launch the Wii, it's unthinkable for us to launch any new platform for the handheld system, including the new version of the GBA... Perhaps they misunderstood a part of this story, but as far as the handheld market is concerned [right now] we really want to focus on more sales of the DS; that's all."<ref>{{cite news|first=James |last=Brightman|title=Exclusive Interview: Satoru Iwata |url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20080314042110/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/exclusive-interview-satoru-iwata/68962/?biz=1 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090304051711/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/exclusive-interview-satoru-iwata/68962/?biz=1 |archivedate=2009-03-04 |work=GameDaily BIZ|date=2006-05-22|accessdate=2007-01-21}} Archived from [http://wayback.archive.org/web/20080314042110/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/exclusive-interview-satoru-iwata/68962/?biz=1 the original] on 2009-03-04.</ref>

{{-}}

== Game Boy family ==

=== Game Boy ===
{{main|Game Boy}}
[[File:Game-Boy-FL.jpg|thumb|upright|130px|Game Boy]]
The original black Game Boy was first released in [[Japan]] on April 21, 1989. Based on a [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] processor, it has a black and green reflective [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD]] screen, an eight-way directional pad, two action buttons (A and B), and Start and Select buttons. It plays games from [[Read-only memory|ROM]]-based media contained in small plastic detachable units called [[ROM cartridge|cartridges]] (sometimes called carts or Game Paks).

The [[Killer application|killer game]] that pushed the Game Boy into the upper reaches of success was ''[[Tetris (Game Boy)|Tetris]]''. Tetris was widely popular, and on the handheld format could be played anywhere. It came packaged with the Game Boy, and broadened its reach; adults and children alike were buying Game Boys in order to play ''Tetris''. Releasing ''Tetris'' on the Game Boy was selected as #4 on [[GameSpy]]'s "25 Smartest Moments in Gaming".<ref>{{cite web|title=Tetris Makes Game Boy a Must-Have|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/july03/25smartest/index23.shtml|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ytcZP66s|archivedate=2011-05-23|accessdate=2007-01-21|format=SHTML| publisher=GameSpy}}</ref>

The original Game Boy was one of the first cartridge-based systems that supported more than four players at one time (via the link port). In fact, it has been shown that the system could support 16 simultaneous players. However, this feature was only supported in ''[[Faceball 2000]]''.

==== Game Boy Pocket ====
{{main|Game Boy Pocket}}
The Game Boy Pocket is a redesigned version of the original Game Boy having the same features released in 1996. Notably, this variation is smaller and lighter.

Another notable improvement over the original Game Boy is a black-and-white display screen, rather than the green-tinted display of the original Game Boy, that also featured improved response time for less blurring during motion. The Game Boy Pocket takes two AAA batteries for roughly ten hours of gameplay. The first model of the Game Boy Pocket did not have an LED to show battery levels, but the feature was added due to public demand.

==== Game Boy Light ====
{{main|Game Boy#Game Boy Light}}
On April 1998, a variant of the Game Boy Pocket named Game Boy Light was exclusively released in Japan. The differences between the original Game Boy Pocket is that it takes on two AA batteries and has a backlit screen that can be turned on or off. This backlit screen allowed the use of it in darkened areas. The Game Boy Light was superseded by the Game Boy Color six months later.

=== Game Boy Color ===
[[File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Color-FL.jpg|thumb|right|130px|Game Boy Color]]
{{main|Game Boy Color}}
First released in Japan on October 21, 1998, the Game Boy Color (abbreviated as GBC) added a (slightly smaller) color screen to a form factor similar in size to the Game Boy Pocket. It also has double the processor speed, three times as much memory,<ref>Game Boy has 8 KiB of RAM and 8 KiB of VRAM. Game Boy Color has 32 KiB of RAM and 16 KiB of VRAM.</ref> and an [[infrared]] communications port. Technologically, it was likened to the 8-bit [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] [[video game console]] from the 1980s although the Game Boy Color has a much larger color palette (56 simultaneous colors out of 32,768 possible).

A major component of the Game Boy Color is its near-universal [[backward compatibility]]; that is, a Game Boy Color is able to read older Game Boy cartridges and even play them in a selectable color palette. The only black & white Game Boy games known to be incompatible are ''[[Road Rash]]'' and ''[[Joshua & the Battle of Jericho]]''. Backwards compatibility became a major feature of the Game Boy line, since it allowed each new launch to begin with a significantly larger library than any of its competitors. Some games written specifically for the Game Boy Color can be played on older model Game Boys, whereas others cannot (see the [[#Game Paks|Game Paks]] section for more information).

{{-}}

== Game Boy Advance family ==

=== Game Boy Advance ===
[[File:Game-Boy-Advance-1stGen.jpg|thumb|right|130px|Game Boy Advance]]
{{main|Game Boy Advance}}
In Japan, on March 21, 2001, Nintendo released a significant upgrade to the Game Boy line. The Game Boy Advance (also referred to as GBA) featured a 32 bit 16.8 [[Hertz|MHz]] [[ARM architecture|ARM]]. It included a [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] processor and a switch activated by inserting a Game Boy or Game Boy Color game into the slot for backward compatibility, and had a larger, higher resolution screen. Controls were slightly modified with the addition of "L" and "R" shoulder buttons. The system was technically likened to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] and showed its power with successful ports of SNES titles such as ''[[Super Mario Advance 2|Super Mario World]]'', ''[[Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3|Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', and [[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords|The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past]]. There were also new titles that you will only find on GBA, such as ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' and ''[[F-Zero: Maximum Velocity]]'', and more. A widely-criticized drawback of the Game Boy Advance is that the screen is not [[Backlight|backlit]], making viewing difficult in some conditions. The Game Paks for the GBA are roughly half the length of original Game Boy cartridges, and so older Game Paks would stick out of the top of the unit. When playing older games, the GBA provides the option to play the game at the standard equal square resolution of the original screen or the option to stretch it over the wider GBA screen.

=== Game Boy Advance SP ===
[[File:Gameboy-Advance-SP-Mk2.jpg|thumb|right|130px|Game Boy Advance SP]]
{{main|Game Boy Advance SP}}
First released in Japan February 14, 2003, the Game Boy Advance SP—Nintendo model AGS-001—resolved several problems with the original Game Boy Advance model. It featured a new smaller [[Flip (form)|clamshell]] design with a flip-up screen, a switchable internal frontlight, a rechargeable battery, and the only problem is the omission of the headphone jack, which requires a special adapter, purchased separately. In some regions owners of the original Game Boy Advance received a special limited offer to trade their old models into Nintendo and merely pay the difference on the Game Boy Advance SP.{{citation needed|date=February 2007}} In mid September 2005, Nintendo released a significantly improved Game Boy Advance SP model known as Nintendo model number AGS-101, that featured a high quality [[backlight|backlit]] screen instead of a [[Frontlight|frontlit]], similar to the Game Boy Micro screen but larger.

=== Game Boy Micro ===
[[File:Game-Boy-Micro.jpg|thumb|right|130px|Game Boy Micro]]
{{main|Game Boy Micro}}
The third form of Game Boy Advance system, the Game Boy Micro is four and a half inches wide (10&nbsp;cm), two inches tall (5&nbsp;cm), and weighs 2.8 ounces (80g). By far the smallest Game Boy created, it has approximately the same dimensions as an original NES controller pad. Its screen is approximately 2/3 the size of the SP and GBA screens while maintaining the same resolution (240×160 pixels) but now has a higher quality (than the original SP, not the improved SP) backlit display with adjustable brightness. Included with the system are two additional faceplates which can be swapped to give the system a new look; Nintendo of America used to sell additional faceplates on its online store. In Europe, the Game Boy Micro comes with a single faceplate. In Japan, a special ''[[Mother 3]]'' limited edition Game Boy Micro was released with the game in the ''Mother 3 Deluxe Box''. The Game Boy Micro is unable to play any original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games, only playing Game Boy Advance titles (with the exception of the [[Nintendo e-Reader]], discontinued in America, but still available in Japan).

{{-}}

== Comparison ==
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|+Comparison of the Game Boy game systems
|-
!Product family
! colspan=3 | [[Game Boy Advance family|Game Boy Advance]]
! colspan=4 | [[Game Boy family|Game Boy]]
|-
! style="width:12.5%;"| Name
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy Micro]]
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy Advance SP]]
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy Advance]]
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy Color]]
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy Light]]
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy Pocket]]
! style="width:12.5%;"| [[Game Boy]]
|-
! Logo
! [[File:Gameboy micro logo.svg|140px]]
! [[File:Game Boy Advance SP logo.gif|160px]]
! [[File:Gameboy advance logo.svg|140px]]
! [[File:Game Boy Color logo.png|70px]]
! [[File:Nintendo Game Boy Light Logo.png|115px]]
! [[File:Nintendo Game Boy Pocket Logo.png|115px]]
! [[File:Nintendo Game Boy Logo.gif|75px]]
|-
! Console
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-Micro.png|160px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-Advance-SP-Mk1-Blue.png|140px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-Advance-1stGen.png|140px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-Color-Purple.png|100px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-Light-FL.jpg|140px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-Pocket-FL.jpg|140px]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[File:Game-Boy-FL.jpg|140px]]
|-
!In production
| colspan=7 {{No|Discontinued}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
!Generation
| colspan=3| [[History of video game consoles (sixth generation)|Sixth generation]]
| [[History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|Fifth generation]]
| colspan=3| [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|Fourth generation]]
|-style="text-align:center;"
!Release date
|
{{vgrelease|JP=13 September 2005<ref name="GameSpot GB Micro">{{cite web|title=Game Boy Micro gets Japanese, European release dates|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/game-boy-micro-gets-japanese-european-release-dates-6131455|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=2005-08-18|accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|NA=19 September 2005<ref name="GameSpot GB Micro"/>}}
{{vgrelease|AUS=3 November 2005}}
{{vgrelease|EU=4 November 2005<ref name="GameSpot GB Micro"/>}}
|
{{vgrelease|JP=14 February 2003<ref name="IGN GBA SP">{{cite web|title=Game Boy Advance SP|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/06/game-boy-advance-sp-2|publisher=IGN|accessdate=22 January 2013}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|NA=23 March 2003<ref name="IGN GBA SP"/><ref name="CNET GBA SP">{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-advance/4505-10109_7-21059766.html |title=Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP review |publisher=[[CNET]] |accessdate=22 January 2013}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|PAL=28 March 2003}}
|
{{vgrelease|JP=21 March 2001}}
{{vgrelease|NA=11 June 2001}}
{{vgrelease|PAL=22 June 2001}}
|
{{vgrelease|JP=21 October 1998}}
{{vgrelease|NA=18 November 1998}}
{{vgrelease|PAL=23 November 1998}}
{{vgrelease|AUS=27 November 1998}}
|
{{vgrelease|JP=14 April 1998<ref name="gblight">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/hardware/light/index.html|title=Nintendo Japan Game Boy Light official homepage|accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref>}}
|
{{vgrelease|JP=21 July 1996<ref name="gbpocket">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/hardware/gbp/index.html|title=Nintendo Japan Game Boy Pocket official homepage|accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|NA=3 September 1996}}
{{vgrelease|PAL=? ? 1996}}
|
{{vgrelease|JP=21 April 1989<ref>{{cite journal |title=retrodiary: 1&nbsp;April – 28&nbsp;April |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |location=[[Bournemouth]] |issue=88 |date=April 2011 |page=17 |issn=1742-3155 |oclc=489477015}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|NA=August 1989<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |title=Gameboy Club |issue=3 |page=68 |last=White |first=Dave |date=July 1989}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|EU=28 September 1990}}
|-
! Launch price
| ¥12,000<ref name="GameSpot GB Micro" /><br />
US$99.99<ref>[http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/650/650400p1.html "Game Boy Micro US Packaging"]. IGN. September 12, 2005. Retrieved January 26, 2013</ref><br />
€99.99<ref name="GameSpot GB Micro"/><br />
A$?
| ¥12,500<ref name="IGN GBA SP" /><br />
US$99<ref name="IGN GBA SP"/><br />
€129.99<br />
A$199.99
| ¥9,800<br />
US$149.99<br />
€109,99<br />
A$?
| ¥8,900<br />
US$79.95<br />
A$?
| ¥6,800
| ¥6,800<br />
US$59.95<br />
A$?
| ¥12,800<br />
US$89.95<br />
A$?
|-
! Units shipped
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Worldwide: 81.51 million <small>(as of December 31, 2013)</small>.<ref name="nintendosales"/>
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| Worldwide: 118.69 million <small>(as of December 31, 2013)</small><ref name="nintendosales"/><ref name="businessweek1"/>
|-
! Best-selling game
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|
''[[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire]]'', 13 million combined <small>(as of November 25, 2004)</small><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2004/041125e.pdf#page=4| format=PDF| accessdate=2007-11-11| date=2004-11-25| title=Consolidated Financial Statements| publisher=Nintendo| page=4}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|
[[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']],<br /> 23 million combined<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5245005/pokemon-gold-and-silver-getting-ds-remakes |title=Pokemon Gold And Silver Getting DS Remakes |publisher=Kotaku |author=Brian Ashcraft |date=May 7, 2009 |accessdate=2011-08-06}}</ref>
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|
''[[Tetris (Game Boy)|Tetris]]'', 30.26 million<small> ([[Pack-in game|pack-in]]/separately)</small><br>[[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']], 23.64 million approximately <small>(as of January 18, 2009)</small>.<ref name="elspap">{{cite web|url= http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944|archivedate= 2009-05-15|accessdate=2009-01-18|publisher=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]]|title= ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum}}</ref>
|-style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=4 | [[Display device|Display]]
| {{convert|2|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| colspan=2 | {{convert|2.9|in|mm|abbr=on}}
| colspan=4 | {{convert|2.56|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=3 | 240 × 160 [[Pixel|px]]<ref name="GBA Technical Specifications">{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.com/techspecgba| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071014004636/http://www.nintendo.com/techspecgba| archivedate=2007-10-14|title=GBA Technical Specifications| publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref><ref name="CNET GB Micro specs">{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-micro/4507-10109_7-31515643.html |title=Nintendo Game Boy Micro specs (Black) |publisher=[[CNET]] |accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref>
| colspan=4 | 160 × 144 px<ref name="gb console database"/><ref name="The Gameboy Project">{{cite web|last=Rawer|first=Marc|title=The Gameboy Project: 1.1 Technical Details|url=http://marc.rawer.de/Gameboy/docu_1.htm#1.1|accessdate=3 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="gbc console database">{{cite web |url=http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/nintendogameboycolor/|title=Nintendo GameBoy Color Console Information - Console Database |accessdate=2011-02-19 |publisher=ConsoleDatabase.com}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=3 | 511 simultaneous colors in character mode<br />32,768 simultaneous colors in bitmap mode<ref name="GBA Technical Specifications"/>
| 10, 32 or 56 simultaneous colors<br /><small>(from a 32,768 color palette)</small><ref name="gbc console database"/>
| colspan=3 | 4 shades of "gray"<ref name="gb console database">{{cite web |url=http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/nintendogameboy/|title=Nintendo GameBoy Console Information - Console Database|accessdate=2013-01-31 |publisher=ConsoleDatabase.com}}</ref><br />
<small>(light to very dark olive green (2-bit))</small><ref name="The Gameboy Project"/>
|-style="text-align:center;"
| Backlight - 5 brightness levels
| Frontlight On/Off toggle <small>(AGS-001)</small><br />Backlight Bright/Normal toggle <small>(AGS-101)</small>
| {{n/a|No backlight}}
| {{n/a|No backlight}}
| Electro-Luminescent Backlight On/Off toggle
| {{n/a|No backlight}}
| {{n/a|No backlight}}
|-style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan=3 | [[Digital audio|Audio]]
| colspan=3 | 6 channels<br /><small>(two 8-bit "Direct Sound" [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] channels, plus the 4 channels from Game Boy)</small>
| colspan=4 | 4 channels<br /><small>(2 square wave channels, 1 PCM 4-bit wave sample channel, 1 noise channel and 1 audio input from the cartridge)</small><ref name="gb console database"/><ref name="gbc console database"/>
|-style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=7 | Single mono speaker<ref name="gb console database"/><ref name="gba console database"/>
|-style="text-align:center;"
| Stereo headphone jack<br /><small>(standard)</small><ref name="gba console database">{{cite web |url=http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/nintendogameboyadvance/|title=Nintendo GameBoy Color Advance Console Information - Console Database |accessdate=2013-02-01 |publisher=ConsoleDatabase.com}}</ref>
| Stereo headphone jack<br /><small>(for headphones [[Game Boy Advance SP#Headphone jack|specifically designed]] for the GBA SP)</small>
| colspan=5 | Stereo headphone jack<br /><small>(standard)</small><ref name="gbc console database"/>
|-style="text-align:center;"
! [[Central processing unit|Processor]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| 16.8&nbsp;MHz 32-bit [[ARM7]]TDMI<br />4 or 8&nbsp;MHz 8-bit [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] coprocessor for [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]] emulation, and as a [[Audio filter|tone]] generator in Game Boy Advance games
| style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap;"| 4 or 8&nbsp;MHz 8-bit [[Zilog Z80]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| 4.19&nbsp;MHz 8-bit custom [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] LR35902
|-style="text-align:center;"
! [[Random-access memory|Memory]]
| colspan=3 | 256&nbsp;[[kilobyte|kB]] [[Dynamic random-access memory|WRAM]] <small>(outside the CPU)</small><br />32&nbsp;kB + 96&nbsp;kB [[VRAM]] <small>(internal to the [[Central processing unit|CPU]])</small>
| 32&nbsp;kB RAM <br />16&nbsp;kB VRAM
| colspan=3 | 8&nbsp;kB S-RAM<ref>{{cite web| author=Jeff Frohwin |url=http://marc.rawer.de/Gameboy/gameboy1.gif |title=Gameboy Internals (CPU Section) |accessdate=2011-06-03}}</ref> <small>(can be extended up to 32&nbsp;kB)</small><ref name="The Gameboy Project"/> <br />8&nbsp;kB VRAM<ref name="gb console database"/>
|-
! Physical media
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Game Boy Advance]] Game Cartridge <small>(2-32&nbsp;MB)</small>
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Game Boy Advance]] Game Cartridge <small>(2-32&nbsp;MB)</small><br />
[[Game Boy Color]] Game Cartridge<br />
[[Game Boy]] Game Cartridge<br /><small>(32&nbsp;kB - 1&nbsp;MB)</small>
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Game Boy Color]] Game Cartridge<br />
[[Game Boy]] Game Cartridge<br /><small>(32&nbsp;kB - 1&nbsp;MB)</small>
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| [[Game Boy]] Game Cartridge <small>(32&nbsp;kB - 1&nbsp;MB)</small><ref name="gb console database"/>
|-
! Input controls
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|
* [[D-pad]]
* A/B, L/R, and START/SELECT buttons
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|
* D-pad
* A/B and START/SELECT buttons
|-
! Batteries
| 460 mAh lithium-ion battery
* 10 hours<ref name="CNET GB Micro specs"/>
| 700 mAh lithium-ion battery<ref name="CNET GBA SP specs">{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nintendo-game-boy-advance/4507-10109_7-21059766.html |title=Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP specs (Platinum) |publisher=[[CNET]] |accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref>
* 18 hours <small>(AGS-001 light off)</small>
* 10 hours <small>(AGS-001 light on)</small><ref name="IGN GBA SP"/><ref name="CNET GBA SP" />
| 2 AA batteries
* 15 hours
<small>(dependent on the Game Pak being played and volume setting)</small><ref name="gba faq">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboyadvance/faq.jsp#batterylife|title=Game Boy Advance Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=2013-01-26}}</ref>
| 2 AA batteries
* 30+ hours<ref name="gbc console database"/>
| 2 AA batteries
* 20 hours <small>(light off)</small>
* 12 hours <small>(light on)</small><ref name="gblight" />
| 2 AAA batteries
* 25 hours<ref name="The Gameboy Project"/>
| 4 AA batteries
* 35 hours<ref name="gb console database"/><ref name="The Gameboy Project"/>
|-style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2" | Connectivity
| [[Game Boy Micro Game Link Cable|Fourth generation link port]]
| colspan=2 | [[Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable|Third generation link port]]
| colspan=3 | [[Game Link Cable#Second generation|Second generation link port]]
| [[Game Link Cable#First generation|First generation link port]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="3" {{n/a}}
| [[Infrared]] port
| colspan="3" {{n/a}}
|-
! Weight
| {{convert|80|g}}
| {{convert|142|g}}
| {{convert|140|g}}
| {{convert|138|g}}<ref name="gbc_gdgt">{{cite web|url=http://gdgt.com/nintendo/game-boy/color/specs/|title=Nintendo Game Boy Color specs - gdgt|accessdate=2013-04-08}}</ref>
| {{convert|190|g}}<ref name="gblight"/>
| {{convert|150|g}}<ref name="gbpocket" />
| {{convert|394|g}}{{Citation needed|date=May 2015}}
|-style="white-space: nowrap"
! Dimensions
|
{{convert|101|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|50|mm|in|abbr=on}} H <br />
{{convert|17.2|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
|
{{convert|84|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|82|mm|in|abbr=on}} H <br />
{{convert|24|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
|
{{convert|144|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|82|mm|in|abbr=on}} H <br />
{{convert|24.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
|
{{convert|75|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|133|mm|in|abbr=on}} H <br />
{{convert|27|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
|
{{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|135|mm|in|abbr=on}} DH <br />
{{convert|29|mm|in|abbr=on}} D<ref name="gblight"/>
|
{{convert|77.6|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|127.6|mm|in|abbr=on}} H <br />
{{convert|25.3|mm|in|abbr=on}} D<ref name="gbpocket"/>
|
{{convert|90|mm|in|abbr=on}} W <br />
{{convert|148|mm|in|abbr=on}} H <br />
{{convert|32|mm|in|abbr=on}} D
|-
! Colors and styles
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center;"| [[List of Game Boy colors and styles]]
|-
! [[Regional lockout]]
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center;"| No
|-
! List of games
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| [[List of Game Boy Advance games]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[List of Game Boy Color games]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| [[List of games for the original Game Boy]]
|-style="text-align:center;"
! Backward compatibility
| {{n/a}}<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/micro_eng.pdf Game Boy Micro Instruction Manual, Page 10]''". Nintendo. Retrieved on 08-20-09.''</ref>
| colspan=2 | [[Game Boy]]<br />[[Game Boy Color]]<ref name="GBA Technical Specifications"/>
| Game Boy
| colspan=3 {{n/a}}
|}

{{Gallery
|title=Game Boy line size comparison
|width=500 | height= | lines=3
|align=center
|footer=
|File:Wikipedia gameboygroup.jpg |
alt1=Game Boy line size comparison
|Comparing the sizes of some Game Boy systems, from top-left: Game Boy (1989), Game Boy Pocket (1996), Game Boy Color (1998), Game Boy Advance (2001), Game Boy Advance SP (2003), Game Boy Micro (2005)
}}

== Game Paks ==
Each [[video game]] is stored on a plastic [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]], officially called a "Game Pak" by Nintendo. All cartridges, excluding those for Game Boy Advance, measure 5.8 by 6.5&nbsp;cm. The cartridge provides the code and game data to the console's CPU. Some cartridges include a small battery with SRAM, [[Flash memory|flash memory chip]], or EEPROM, which allows game data to be saved when the console is turned off. If the battery runs out in a cartridge, then the save data will be lost, however, it is possible to replace the battery with a new battery. To do this, the cartridge must be unscrewed, opened up, and the old battery would be removed and replaced. This may require desoldering the dead battery and soldering the replacement in place. Before 2003, Nintendo used round, flat watch batteries for saving information on the cartridges. These batteries were replaced in newer cartridges because they could only live for a certain amount of time.

The cartridge is inserted into the console cartridge slot. If the cartridge is removed while the power is on, and the Game Boy does not automatically reset, the game freezes; the Game Boy may exhibit unexpected behavior, such as rows of zeros appearing on the screen, the sound remaining at the same pitch as was emitted the instant the game was pulled out, saved data may be [[Data corruption|corrupted]], and hardware may be damaged. This applies to most [[video game console]]s that use cartridges.

The original Game Boy power switch was designed to prevent the player from being able to remove the cartridge while the power is on. Cartridges intended only for Game Boy Color (and not for the original Game Boy) lack the "notch" for the locking mechanism present in the top of the original cartridges, preventing operation on an original Game Boy (the cartridge can be inserted, but the power switch cannot be moved to the "on" position). Even if this was bypassed by using a Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Light, or Super Game Boy, the game would not run, and an image on the screen would inform the user that the game is only compatible with Game Boy Color systems. One exception would be the [[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]] game: despite the game cartridge featuring a notch, enabling it to be inserted on the original Game Boy, the game displays an error message indicating that it only plays on Game Boy Color.

Game Boy Advance cartridges used a similar physical lock-out feature. Notches were located at the base of the cartridge's two back corners. One of these notches was placed as to avoid pressing a switch inside the cartridge slot. When an older Game Boy or Game Boy Color game was inserted into the cartridge slot, the switch would be pressed down and the Game Boy Advance would start in Game Boy Color mode, while a Game Boy Advance cartridge would not touch the switch and the system would start in Game Boy Advance mode. The Nintendo DS replaced the switch with a solid piece of plastic that would allow Game Boy Advance cartridges to be inserted into Slot 2, but would prevent an older Game Boy cartridge from being inserted fully into the slot.

Excluding game-specific variations, there are four types of cartridges compatible with Game Boy systems:
* '''Grey cartridges''' (Also known as class A) are compatible with all Game Boy systems, excluding Game Boy Micro. All original Game Boy games are of this type. Some of these cartridges are in alternative colors, such as red or blue for [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']], and yellow for the ''[[Donkey Kong Land]]'' series. The games on these cartridges are programmed in black and white; the Game Boy Color and later systems provide [[Game Boy Color#Color palettes used for original Game Boy games|selectable color palettes]] for them. Some grey cartridges that were released between 1994 and 1998 have [[Super Game Boy]] enhancements. Even fewer grey cartridges were released with built-in features that made them protrude from the slot, but included the notch to be compatible with the original Game Boy (notably the ''[[Game Boy Camera]]'')
* '''Black cartridges''' (Also known as class B or Dual Mode) are compatible with all Game Boy systems, excluding Game Boy Micro. Although the games on these cartridges are programmed in color, they can be played in monochrome on Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Light and Super Game Boy. Examples of black-cartridge games are ''[[Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition]]'', [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']] (however, the actual colors of these three cartridges are yellow, gold, and silver, respectively). Games such as ''[[Wario Land II]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX]]'' were full-color re-releases of gray-cartridge games but with additional content only available on the Game Boy Color. About one quarter of Game Boy Color releases were black-cartridge games. {{Verify source|date=July 2007}} Some black cartridges have Super Game Boy enhancements. The product ID of games on black cartridges starts with "DMG" like the grey cartridges.
* '''Clear cartridges''' (Also known as class C) are compatible with Game Boy Color and later systems, excluding Game Boy Micro. Some games (such as ''[[Pokémon Crystal]]'') were released in specially colored cartridges, as had been done before, but the new colors remained translucent. About three quarters of Game Boy Color releases were clear-cartridge games. {{Verify source|date=July 2007}} Some clear cartridges have built-in features, including [[Haptic technology|rumble features]] (''[[Perfect Dark (Game Boy Color)|Perfect Dark]]'') and [[tilt sensor]]s (''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]''). These cartridges are a slightly different shape from the earlier varieties, and would obstruct the latch if inserted into the original Game Boy. The product ID of games on clear cartridges starts with "CGB".
* '''Advance cartridges''' (Also known as class D) are half the size of all earlier cartridges and are compatible with Game Boy Advance and later systems including the Nintendo DS. Some cartridges are colored to resemble the game (usually for the ''Pokémon'' series; [[Pokémon]] Emerald, for example, being a clear emerald green). They are also compatible with Nintendo DS and DS Lite (but see the [[#Reception|Reception]] section for limitations). Some Advance cartridges have built-in features, including rumble features (''[[Drill Dozer]]''), tilt sensors (''[[WarioWare: Twisted!]]'', ''[[Yoshi's Universal Gravitation]]'') and [[Photodiode|solar sensors]] (''[[Boktai]]''). The product ID of games on advance cartridges starts with "AGB".

== Accessories ==
{{main|Game Boy accessories}}
{{multiple image
|footer =
|align = right
|image1 = Game-Boy-Camera.jpg
|width1 = {{#expr: (200 * 1150 / 2150) round 0}}
|alt1 = Game Boy Camera
|caption1 = Game Boy Camera
|image2 = Game Boy Printer.jpg
|width2 = {{#expr: (200 * 2515 / 3473) round 0}}
|alt2 = Game Boy Printer
|caption2 = Game Boy Printer
}}

{{expand section|date=December 2013}}

The Game Boy, as with many other consoles, has had a number of releases from both first-party and unlicensed third-party accessories. The most notable being the [[Game Boy Camera]] (left) and the [[Game Boy Printer]] (right), which were released in 1998.

=== Television adapters ===
In addition to the Game Boy, special hardware has been released for various handhelds in the Game Boy line so they can be played on a television set.

==== Super Game Boy ====
[[File:Super-gameboy-player.jpg|thumb|right|150px| The North American Super Game Boy]]
In 1994, a special adapter cartridge for Nintendo's Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released called the [[Super Game Boy]]. The Super Game Boy allows game cartridges designed for use on the Game Boy to be played on a TV display using the SNES/Super Famicom controllers. When it was released in 1994, the Super Game Boy sold for about $60 in the United States. In the United Kingdom, it retailed for £49.99. The Super Game Boy's technical architecture is similar to that of a regular Game Boy, thus Game Boy games functioned on the native hardware rather than being emulated by the SNES. It was the precursor to the Game Boy Player on the Nintendo GameCube, which functioned in a similar manner.

==== Game Boy Player ====
The [[Game Boy Player]] is a device released in 2003 by Nintendo for the GameCube which enables Game Boy (although Super Game Boy enhancements are ignored), Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance cartridges to be played on a television. It connects via the high speed parallel port at the bottom of the GameCube and requires use of a boot disc to access the hardware. Unlike devices such as Datel's Advance Game Port, the Game Boy Player does not use software emulation, but instead uses physical hardware nearly identical to that of a Game Boy Advance.

== Reception ==
Approximately two thousand games are available for the Game Boy, which can be attributed in part to its sales in the amount of millions, a well-documented design, and a typically short development cycle.
The [[Nintendo DS]] and [[Nintendo DS Lite]] are able to play the large library of Game Boy Advance games (though the [[Nintendo DSi]], [[#Larger model|Nintendo DSi XL]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], and [[Nintendo 2DS]] lack a GBA game cartridge slot). However, the DS consoles do not have a GBA game link connector, and so cannot play multiplayer GBA games (except for the few that are multiplayer on a single GBA) or link to the [[GameCube]]. The DS is not backward-compatible with Game Paks for the original Game Boy or the Game Boy Color. With homebrew development on the Nintendo DS, full speed Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulation has been achieved as well as the ability to scale the smaller Game Boy screen image to the full DS screen.

=== Legacy ===
{{see also|Game Boy music}}
{{see also|Nintendo}}
{{expand section|date=December 2013}}
Numerous musical acts have appropriated the Game Boy as a musical instrument ([[Game Boy music]]), using software such as [[nanoloop]] or [[Little Sound DJ]].

Certain games released for the various Game Boy handheld consoles are available via the [[Virtual Console]] service on the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. Game Boy Advance games were thought to be as well due to the 3DS not being compatible, but it was just a mistranslation. However, ten Game Boy Advance games will be released to Nintendo 3DS ambassadors, as in Nintendo 3DS owners who logged into the 3DS eShop before the major August 2011 price drop. The Virtual Console GBA features of releases are limited, and there are no plans to release them to the public. However, starting from April 2014, Nintendo has been releasing Game Boy Advance games as Virtual Console titles via the Nintendo eShop for the [[Wii U]].

== See also ==
{{commons|Game Boy and variants}}
* [[List of games for the original Game Boy]]
* [[List of Game Boy Color games]]
* [[List of Game Boy Advance games]]
* [[List of Super Game Boy games]]
* [[Game & Watch]]
* [[Nintendo DS line]]
* [[Nintendo 3DS line]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
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* [http://gameboy.com/ Official website]
* {{dmoz|Games/Video_Games/Console_Platforms/Nintendo/}}

{{Game Boy line}}
{{Nintendo hardware}}
{{Handheld game consoles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Game Boy Line}}
[[Category:Game Boy| ]]
[[Category:Game Boy consoles]]

Revision as of 06:27, 4 June 2015

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