Game Boy (GB)

Nintendo’s classic monochrome handheld combines interchangeable game cartridges with a directional pad and physical buttons for portable play.

Type: Handheld
Platform company: Nintendo
Launch date: Apr 21, 1989
Official website: www.nintendo.co.jp

Collected games: 374

www.nintendo.co.jp

Overview

What is this platform?

Game Boy, or GB, is Nintendo’s handheld gaming platform first released in Japan on April 21, 1989. Its screen, controls and speaker are built into one portable unit. This entry includes the original model and its Pocket and Light revisions; Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance have separate entries.

Main features

The original system uses a monochrome LCD and a simple layout of a directional pad, A and B buttons, Start and Select. Interchangeable cartridges provide different games, including action adventures, puzzles and role-playing titles. Supported software can connect two machines with a suitable link cable for multiplayer or exchanging data.

What to know before playing

A standard GB does not run Color-only or Advance-only cartridges. Check the platform marking on each game. Screen lighting, batteries and accessory connections differ between hardware revisions. Saving progress depends on the game, and an old cartridge’s ability to retain a save should be checked.