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64-784: Like the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable , this device allows for multiplayer gaming with the Game Boy Advance, and attaches via the External Extension Connector. The range of this adapter is short compared to the built-in wireless function of the Nintendo DS ; Nintendo recommends players stay within 10 ft. (about 3m) of each other for best results. Due to the Game Boy Micro 's different style link cable port,

128-460: A Game Boy Printer . The Game Boy continued to experience strong sales well into the 1990s, as popular games continued to increase interest in the handheld. This commercial success was something of a double-edged sword for Nintendo; the device was seen as aged, but the company was unwilling to abandon it. Instead, the company embarked on a series of improvements to the Game Boy in an effort to keep

192-627: A "Game Link" logo (often read as "Game Boy Video Link") on the packaging and cartridge. A select few Game Boy games, such as F-1 Race , supported multiplayer modes for up to four players, although this requires the use of up to three additional Game Link cables and the Game Boy Four Player Adapter (model DMG-07). After the release of the Game Boy Pocket, Nintendo started using a smaller Game Link connector (See "Second generation" below) and released an adaptor called

256-479: A March 14, 1994, press conference in San Francisco, Nintendo vice president of marketing Peter Main answered queries about when Nintendo was coming out with a color handheld system by stating that sales of the Game Boy were strong enough that it had decided to hold off on developing a successor handheld for the near future. In 1995, Nintendo of America announced that 46% of Game Boy players were female, which

320-628: A Memory Bank Controller (MBC) inside the cartridge. This chip sits between the processor and the ROM chips. The CPU can only access 32 KB at a time, but the MBC can switch between several banks of 32 KB ROM. Using this technology, Nintendo created Game Boy games that used up to 1  megabyte of ROM. Game Paks could also provide additional functionality to the Game Boy system. Some cartridges included up to 128 KB of RAM to increase performance, which could also be battery-backed to save progress when

384-469: A power LED, different case colors (red, green, yellow, black, gold metal, clear, and blue) and dropped the price to US$ 54.95 (equivalent to $ 104 in 2023). By mid-1998, just months before the Game Boy Color went on sale, prices had fallen to US$ 49.95 (equivalent to $ 93 in 2023). The Game Boy Light was a Japan-only revision released on April 14, 1998. Like the Game Boy Pocket, the system

448-479: A resolution of 160 pixels wide by 144 pixels high in a 10:9 aspect ratio . The SoC also contains a 256 B "bootstrap" ROM which is used to start up the device, 127 B of High RAM that can be accessed faster (similar to a CPU cache ), and the Audio Processing Unit , a programmable sound generator with four channels: a pulse wave generation channel with frequency and volume variation,

512-408: A result of this philosophy, to keep costs low and extend battery life, the Game Boy was designed without a backlight and used a simple grayscale screen, despite potential concerns about visibility and the lack of color. The approach was ultimately vindicated as rival units with full-color, backlit screens were panned for their dismal battery life, making the Game Boy more appealing to consumers. In

576-560: A second pulse wave generation channel with only volume variation, a wave channel than can reproduce any waveform recorded in RAM, and a white noise channel with volume variation. The motherboard also contains a 8 KB "working RAM " chip. The Game Boy features a D-pad (directional pad), four buttons labeled 'A', 'B', 'SELECT', 'START', and a sliding power switch with a cartridge lock to prevent removal. The volume and contrast are adjusted by dials on either side. The original Game Boy

640-697: Is a link cable that links the GameCube to the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP, the e-Reader, or even a second GameCube via the Game Boy Player . The Game Boy Micro is not compatible due to its different connector. The Wii , however, is compatible with the cable due to the Wii's backwards compatibility with GameCube games and controllers. Game Boy The Game Boy is a handheld game console developed by Nintendo , launched in

704-584: Is hosting a game that can be joined. The accessory was packaged with most Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen games and was also available for separate sale starting in Summer 2006 at a price of $ 20. Nintendo of America no longer sells the device separately on its online store. With the wireless adapter launching somewhat later into the Game Boy Advance lifecycle, there are very few games that support it. Compatible games are identified by an icon labeled Wireless Adapter Compatible. Mario Golf: Advance Tour and

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768-423: Is included in the middle of the cable, which allows a second Game Link cable to be branched off of the first, and in turn, a third game link cable can be branched off of the second. This provides connections for four consoles in total, meaning games can be played with up to four players. The order in which the cables are connected to one another determines which player is which; the first player always connects through

832-580: Is the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter (model AGB-015). The adapter allows up to five players to link for multiplayer gaming, although it is capable of linking up to thirty-nine copies of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen in a virtual in-game lobby called the "Union Room". Unlike the AGB-005, the wireless adapter is not compatible with all Game Boy Advance multiplayer games. Only certain games feature specific support for

896-557: The Game Link Cable Adaptor (model MGB-004) which could be used in conjunction with the original Game Link cable (model DMG-04) to allow an original Game Boy to connect to a Game Boy Pocket/Color. The second generation started with the release of the Game Boy Pocket which used a much smaller Game Link connector than those used on the original Game Boy. Although the pin assignment and basic port shape remained

960-809: The LR35902 by its manufacturer, the Sharp Corporation . Within the DMG-CPU, the main processor is a Sharp SM83 , a hybrid between two other 8-bit processors: the Intel 8080 and the Zilog Z80 . The SM83 has the seven 8-bit registers of the 8080 (lacking the alternate registers of the Z80), but uses the Z80's programming syntax and extra bit manipulation instructions, it also adds new instructions to optimize

1024-535: The bit Generations series (Japan only) and the Classic NES Series . This feature can be accessed when the system is turned on only with the wireless adapter inserted, and no game cartridge . It's also possible to boot the wireless adapter, or any single-pak multiplayer, with a game inserted by holding Start and Select as the system boots up. It will continually search for compatible games that are being played nearby. This allows players to easily see who

1088-487: The 2.0 panned the system due to its black-and-white display and motion blur , while his three co-reviewers praised its long battery life and strong games library, as well as the sleek, conveniently-sized design of the new Game Boy Pocket model. The Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color were commercially successful, selling a combined 118.69 million units worldwide: 32.47 million in Japan, 44.06 million in

1152-577: The AGB-015. The fourth and last generation Game Link Cable, called the Game Boy Micro Game Link Cable (model OXY-008), was designed specifically for use with the Game Boy Micro . The Game Boy Micro features an even smaller link cable port than the Game Boy Advance, so it too requires its own Game Link Cable. The link cable features a fourth generation connector on each end which allows two Game Boy Micros to link. Alternatively,

1216-704: The Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable (and must use a link cable to link with Ruby and Sapphire ), up to thirty-nine wireless adapter-connected players can convene in a virtual in-game lobby called the "Union Room" for battles and trades . The wireless adapter is also used in Pokémon games to download special data via the Mystery Gift option at various Pokémon-related events. Besides the Union Room in certain Pokémon versions,

1280-750: The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter will not attach to it. However, a Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter is available for the Game Boy Micro which is compatible for linking with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter. Neither wireless adapter can connect with the Nintendo DS since the DS does not support multiplayer mode in Game Boy Advance games. One of the wireless adapter's greatest uses is in Pokémon FireRed , LeafGreen , and Emerald . While all three still support

1344-690: The Game Boy Color is compatible with the MGB-008 and MGB-010. Despite this, the Game Boy Color did receive its own designated link cable, the Game Boy Color Game Link Cable (model CGB-003), however it was functionally identical to the MGB-008. Nintendo also released a small adaptor called the Universal Game Link Adapter (model DMG-14) which features a small second generation socket and a first generation plug. The adapter can be used in conjunction with either

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1408-667: The Game Boy Micro Game Link cable can be used in conjunction with the Game Boy Micro Converter Connector (model OXY-009) to link one Game Boy Micro and one Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP. Like the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, the Game Boy Micro Game Link Cable features a link cable port in the middle, used to receive additional cables to connect up to four players at once. Also compatible with

1472-604: The Game Boy Micro is the Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter (model OXY-004). The OXY-004 is compatible with all the same games as the AGB-015 and can communicate with the AGB-015 wirelessly to link one or more Game Boy Micros and one or more Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP systems. A Game Link Cable was planned for the Virtual Boy (model VUE-004), though it never came to market. The GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable (model DOL-011)

1536-517: The Game Boy, excluding cancelled and unlicensed games. Additionally, more than 300 games developed for the Game Boy Color were forward compatible with the monochrome Game Boy models. Games are stored on cartridges called the Game Boy Game Pak , using read-only memory (ROM) chips. Initially, due to the limitations of the 8-bit architecture of the device, ROM size was limited to 32 KB. However, Nintendo overcame this limitation with

1600-530: The Japanese home market on April 21, 1989, followed by North America later that year and other territories from 1990 onwards. Following the success of the Game & Watch single-game handhelds, Nintendo developed the Game Boy to be more like a portable console , with interchangeable cartridges. The concept proved highly successful and the Game Boy became a cultural icon of the 1990s and early 2000s. The Game Boy

1664-676: The Japanese market in April 1989, followed by North America in July, and Europe in September of the following year, backed by a $ 10 million marketing effort. Sales of the Game Boy and its successor variants (including the Game Boy Color ) continued until March 2003. The Game Boy uses a custom system on a chip (SoC), to house most of the components, named the DMG-CPU by Nintendo and

1728-729: The MGB-008 or the CGB-003 and features a thin plastic harness allowing it to be clipped on to either cable. In the US and Europe, Nintendo released the CGB-003 and DMG-14 as a set called the Universal Game Link Cable Set . As the set includes both the CGB-003 cable which features the smaller second generation connectors at both ends, plus a removable DMG-14 first generation adapter, it allows the connection of either two Game Boy Pocket/Colors, or one original Game Boy and one Game Boy Pocket/Color. The Super Game Boy 2 also shares

1792-469: The Soviet Union-made game, Tetris , to the attention of Nintendo of America . Despite its simple graphics and lack of a well-known brand, Tetris' s suitability for a handheld platform convinced Nintendo president Minoru Arakawa to port and bundle it with the Game Boy. As a result, Tetris was bundled with the Game Boy in every region except Japan on its release. The Game Boy launched in

1856-522: The United States within weeks. More than 118.69 million units of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color combined have been sold worldwide, with 32.47 million units in Japan, 44.06 million in the Americas, and 42.16 million in other regions. By Japanese fiscal year 1997, before Game Boy Color's release in late 1998, 64.42 million units of the Game Boy had been sold worldwide. At

1920-545: The belief that the appeal of a gaming system was primarily determined by the quality of its games. With this in mind, Okada pushed to make development tools available for third-party developers , a shortcoming of the launch of the NES. R&D1 also developed Super Mario Land , a portable adaptation of the Super Mario Bros. game, intending it to be the flagship title for the Game Boy. However, Henk Rogers brought

1984-472: The company a Game Boy mockup. After seeing the device and wanting to keep Nintendo as a client, Sharp offered competitive pricing and secured the contract. Sharp originally proposed a twisted nematic (TN) display, but after seeing a prototype Game Boy, Yamauchi rejected the TN technology as too hard to see. Sharp then suggested super-twisted nematic (STN) technology, which had better viewing angles and contrast but

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2048-416: The console relevant. The first revision to the Game Boy came on March 20, 1995, when Nintendo released several special edition Game Boy models with colored cases, advertising them in the "Play It Loud!" campaign, known in Japan as Game Boy Bros. Play It Loud! units were manufactured in red, yellow, green, blue black, white, and clear (transparent). The Play It Loud's screens also have a darker border than

2112-465: The creation of the "battle" and "trade" gameplay features in the Pokémon series , first released in 1996. A prototype Game Boy was unveiled in 1987 and later exhibited at multiple industry trade shows. The device incorporated a key design element developed by Yokoi and his team at R&D1 for its Game & Watch predecessor: the directional control pad, often referred to as the " D-pad ." Yokoi had recognized that traditional joysticks might hinder

2176-482: The device's small size, and said that the screen's visibility and pixel response-time had been improved, mostly eliminating ghosting . However, other reviewers were dismissive of the device, with the Los Angeles Times saying Nintendo was "repacking the same old black-and-white stuff and selling it as new." The first version came only in silver and did not have a power LED. A revision in early 1997 added

2240-512: The early 1980s, Okada had worked on an electronic game from Nintendo called Computer Mah-jong Yakuman that allowed cable communication between two devices, he thought it would be possible to implement a similar feature in the Game Boy. Despite concerns within the team that the feature would be too difficult to use and thus a waste of resources, Okada pushed forward and developed the Game Link Cable technology himself. This effort led to

2304-531: The fourth- best-selling console ever. The Game Boy received several redesigns during its lifespan, including the smaller Game Boy Pocket (1996) and the Game Boy Light (1998). Sales of Game Boy variants continued until 2003. The Game Boy was designed by the team at Nintendo Research & Development 1 (R&D1), which had previously developed the Game & Watch handhelds and video games including Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong . However, early in

2368-526: The games, a Game Link Cable can be used to link two games of the same title, like Tetris , or two compatible games like Pokémon Red and Blue . Games can be linked for head-to-head competition, cooperative play, trading items, unlocking hidden features, etc. The first generation Game Link Cable (model DMG-04) was released alongside the original Game Boy and has "large" connectors on both ends. It can only be used to link two original Game Boy consoles to play Game Link-compatible games, usually denoted by

2432-470: The green hues of the original Game Boy. The Pocket also has a smaller Game Link Cable port, which requires an adapter to link with the original Game Boy. This smaller port design would be used on all subsequent Game Boy models. Internally, the Game Boy Pocket had a new SoC, the Nintendo CPU ;MGB, an improved version of the DMG-CPU. A major change was that the device's 8 KB of Video RAM

2496-511: The handheld was off, real-time clock chips could keep track of time even when the device was off and Rumble Pak cartridges added vibration feedback to enhance gameplay. The top-selling franchise for the Game Boy were Pokémon Red , Blue , and Yellow , the first installments of the Pokémon video game series , which sold more than 46 million copies. The best-selling single game was Tetris , with more than 35 million copies shipped, it

2560-543: The multiplayer NES Classics are missing this label, despite being compatible. List Game Link Cable#Third generation The Nintendo Game Link Cable ( Japanese : ゲームボーイ専用通信ケーブル , romanized :  Gēmubōi sen'yō tsūshin kēburu , lit.   'Game Boy dedicated communication cable') is an accessory for the Game Boy line of handheld video game systems, allowing players to connect Game Boys of all types for multiplayer gaming. Depending on

2624-441: The normal Game Boy. A major revision to the Game Boy came in 1996 with the introduction of the Game Boy Pocket, a slimmed-down unit that required just two smaller AAA batteries , albeit at the expense of providing just 10 hours of gameplay. The other major change was that the screen was changed to a film compensated super-twisted nematic (FSTN) LCD. This film compensation layer produced a true black-and-white display, rather than

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2688-683: The ongoing development of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System , the Game Boy team chose a less powerful CPU from the Sharp Corporation . Sharp initially showed reluctance to engage in the project, particularly for the LCD technology, which was a critical component. The team considered buying displays from the Citizen Watch Company which was already using LCD screens to build portable TVs. However, talks continued with Sharp, with Yokoi and Okada showing

2752-534: The port allows the Game Boy Advance , Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Player to accept all the second generation Game Link Cables, but only for backward compatibility between Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. The second generation Game Link cable cannot be used to link Game Boy Advance games, but through an undocumented technique; third generation Game Link Cables can still be used to link Game Boy or Game Boy Color games by using two cables, connecting

2816-495: The portability of handheld devices. As a result, he designed the D-pad – a flat controller that extends just slightly beyond the device's casing. A similar layout had been used on the NES, making it easier for owners to transition to the handheld. Yamauchi estimated that the console would achieve sales exceeding 25 million units in its initial three years, a claim that was regarded as bold at the time. Nintendo's philosophy centered on

2880-477: The process, deep disagreements arose between Gunpei Yokoi , the R&;D1 division director, and Satoru Okada , the assistant director. Yokoi's original vision was for a simpler device, akin to an advanced Game & Watch, while Okada strongly advocated for a more powerful device with interchangeable cartridges, like a portable version of the successful Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Their differing visions for

2944-654: The processor for certain operations related to the way the hardware was arranged. The Sharp SM83 operates at a clock rate of 4.194304 MHz. The DMG-CPU also incorporates the Picture Processing Unit , essentially a basic GPU , that renders visuals using an 8 KB bank of Video RAM located on the motherboard. The display itself is a 2.5-inch (diagonal) reflective super-twisted nematic (STN) monochrome liquid-crystal display (LCD), measuring 47 millimeters (1.9 in) wide by 43 millimeters (1.7 in) high. The screen can render four shades with

3008-573: The project led to frequent clashes, heated meetings and high tensions, with Okada ultimately convincing Yokoi of his vision. The team was encouraged to pursue the project by Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi . However within Nintendo, many were skeptical that such a device would be feasible. Some employees even gave the project the derogatory nickname " Dame Game" ( dame (だめ) meaning "hopeless" in Japanese). The codename for this nascent project

3072-443: The purple end of a game link cable, and all of the others through the grey ends, due to the design of the plugs and receptacles. The port design on the third generation is almost identical to the second generation link cable ports except that it adds an extra protrusion on the plug and a notch on the socket to prevent a Game Boy Advance Game Link cable from being inserted into older model Game Boy systems. The almost identical shape of

3136-402: The purple section of each cable into the other cable's hub, and using the grey ends to connect to each system. The e-Reader also uses the third generation link cable port, but since it is incompatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, it is not backwards compatible with the second generation Game Link Cable. Also compatible with Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, and Game Boy Player

3200-424: The same smaller style link cable port and therefore uses the same cables and adapters. The third generation started with the release of the Game Boy Advance which was released alongside its own link cable called the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable (model AGB-005). It features yet another new type of link cable port which is used on the Game Boy Advance , Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Player . A small hub

3264-526: The same, its much smaller size necessitated the release of new Game Link Cables. The second generation Game Link Cables came in a few varieties, but each serves the same purpose. The first was called the Game Boy Pocket Game Link Cable (model MGB-008), and was designed to be used with the Game Boy Pocket . The MGB-008 was the only Game Link cable to be white in color, and may have only been released in Japan. The MGB-008 features

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3328-518: The smaller second generation connectors on both ends, allowing two Game Boy Pockets to link. The next cable in this generation is called the Universal Game Link Cable (model MGB-010). It features the smaller second generation connector on one end, and the cable splits into both a second generation and first generation connector at the other end (although only one connector at this end can be used at any given time). This link cable

3392-420: The wireless adapter only supports up to five players. A major drawback of the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter is that it is not backwards compatible; that is, it will only work with games that have been programmed to support the wireless adapter, excluding all older model Game Boy games. As of July 2009, only about 30 Game Boy Advance games support the wireless adapter, and many of the few supported games are

3456-515: Was "Dot Matrix Game" (DMG), reflecting its intended display technology , a stark contrast to the Game & Watch series, which had segmented LCDs pre-printed with an overlay, limiting each model to only play one game . The initials DMG came to be featured on the final product's model number: "DMG-01." Originally, a Ricoh -manufactured CPU, similar to the one used in the NES, was considered for compatibility. However, due to resource constraints amid

3520-634: Was a pack-in game included with the purchase of many original Game Boy devices. When the Game Boy was released in Japan in April 1989 alongside four launch titles : Alleyway (a Breakout clone ), Baseball (a port of the NES game), Super Mario Land (an adaptation of the Mario franchise for the handheld format) and Yakuman (a Mahjong game). When the console was introduced in North America, two more launch titles were added: Tetris and Tennis (another NES game port), while Yakuman

3584-470: Was designed by the Nintendo Research & Development 1 team, led by Gunpei Yokoi and Satoru Okada . The device features a dot-matrix display , a directional pad , four game buttons, a single speaker, and uses Game Pak cartridges. The two-toned gray design with black, blue, and dark magenta accents sported softly rounded corners, except for the bottom right, which was curved. At launch, it

3648-620: Was higher than the percentage of female players for both the Nintendo Entertainment System (29%) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (14%). In 2009, the Game Boy was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame , 20 years after its introduction. The console received mixed reviews from critics. In a 1997 year-end review, a team of four Electronic Gaming Monthly editors gave the Game Boy scores of 7.5, 7.0, 8.0, and 2.0. The reviewer who contributed

3712-583: Was included with the Game Boy Printer in the US and Europe but does not appear to have been available to buy separately. After the Game Boy Pocket came the Game Boy Light (a backlit Game Boy Pocket only released in Japan), and the Game Boy Color , all share the same link cable port design, and Game Boy Color games and original Game Boy games can both use a second generation cable. Therefore,

3776-423: Was more expensive. To reduce cost, the team reduced the screen size, however, it was too late in the development process to shrink the console's overall size. Within R&D1, Yokoi had long promoted " lateral thinking with withered technology", a design philosophy which eschewed cutting-edge technology in favor of using mature technologies, which tended to be more affordable and reliable, in innovative ways. As

3840-509: Was moved from the motherboard to the SoC for faster access. The Game Boy Pocket was released in Japan on July 20, 1996, and in North America on September 2, 1996, for US$ 69.99 (equivalent to $ 136 in 2023). The Game Boy Pocket revitalized hardware sales and its release was ultimately well-timed as it coincided with the release of the first Pokémon game, which catapulted the Game Boy into uncharted realms of commercial triumph. Reviewers praised

3904-567: Was never released outside of Japan. Though it was less technically advanced than the Sega Game Gear , Atari Lynx , NEC TurboExpress and other competitors, notably by not supporting color, the Game Boy's lower price along with longer battery life made it a success. In its first two weeks in Japan, from its release on April 21, 1989, the entire stock of 300,000 units was sold; a few months later on July 31, 1989, 40,000 units were sold on its first release day. It sold one million units in

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3968-454: Was powered internally by four AA batteries . For extended use, an optional AC adapter or rechargeable battery pack can be connected via a coaxial power connector on the left side. The Game Boy has a single monaural speaker and a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack . The right side offers a Game Link Cable port for connecting to another Game Boy for two-player games or, notably in Pokémon , sharing files. This port can also be used with

4032-438: Was priced at ¥6,800 (equivalent to ¥6,892 in 2019). The Game Boy Light is slightly bigger than the Game Boy Pocket and features an electroluminescent backlight allowing it to be played in low-light conditions. It uses two AA batteries, which give it approximately 12 gameplay hours with the backlight on and 20 with it off. It was available in two standard colors: gold and silver. More than 1,000 games were released for

4096-445: Was sold either as a standalone unit or bundled with games like Super Mario Land and Tetris . Despite mixed reviews criticizing its monochrome graphics and larger size compared to competitors like the Sega Game Gear , Atari Lynx , and NEC TurboExpress , the Game Boy rapidly outsold them all. An estimated 118.69 million units of the Game Boy and its successor, the Game Boy Color (1998), have been sold worldwide, making it

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