Game Boy accessories

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This is a list of video game accessories that have been released for the Game Boy handheld console and its successors. Accessories add functionality that the console would otherwise not have.

Contents

Game Boy

Game Boy Pocket Sonar

The component parts of the Pocket Sonar Pocket sonar.gif
The component parts of the Pocket Sonar

The Game Boy Pocket Sonar is a peripheral for the Nintendo Game Boy made by Bandai that used sonar to locate fish up to 20 meters (65 feet) underwater for the sport of fishing and contained a fishing mini-game. [1] [2] It was released in Japan in 1998, but never released internationally. [3] It was the first sonar-enabled gaming accessory. [4]

Game Boy camera and printer

The Game Boy Camera was a rudimentary digital camera. Game-Boy-Camera.jpg
The Game Boy Camera was a rudimentary digital camera.

The Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer (Pocket Camera and Pocket Printer in Japan) are accessories for the Game Boy handheld gaming system and were released in 1998. The camera can take basic, often grainy, black-and-white digital images using the four-color palette of the Game Boy system. The printer utilizes thermal paper to "burn" saved images, making a hard copy. There are also several minigames built into the camera itself. A picture of the player's face is used as an avatar in the minigames. Both accessories were marketed by Nintendo as light-hearted entertainment devices in all three major video game regions of the world: Japan, North America, and Europe.[ citation needed ] The former N64 Magazine went so far as to dedicate a monthly section to the devices.[ citation needed ]

The camera cartridge is inserted directly into the cartridge slot of a Game Boy Pocket, while the printer must be connected via a second generation Game Link Cable. Both accessories are also compatible with the original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Light, the Super Famicom's Super Game Boy 2, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance (original and SP), and the GameCube's Game Boy Player. Additionally, the Game Boy Camera is compatible with the original Super Game Boy, whereas the Game Boy Printer is not, because the printer must connect via a Game Link Cable. In order to connect to the original Game Boy, the printer must use a Universal Game Link Adapter.[ citation needed ] Besides being used for printing Game Boy Camera pictures, the Game Boy Printer can also be used on its own with certain Game Boy Color games, including Super Mario Bros. Deluxe , The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX , Donkey Kong Country , and Pokémon versions Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal.

The Japanese version of the Game Boy Camera can be utilized in the Mario Artist suite of multimedia games for 64DD, via the Transfer Pak. Users can map photographs of their own faces onto 2D paintings and 3D animated avatars. [5] [6]

While the European and standard North American versions of the Game Boy Camera are essentially the same, they vary slightly from both the Japanese version (in more than just language) and the US-exclusive limited-edition gold Zelda version. Both also differ from the Japan Exclusive Golden Diddy Kong version.

Nintendo reportedly had plans to release a successor to the Game Boy Camera called the GameEye for the Game Boy Advance, which would have taken color photos and featured connectivity with the Nintendo GameCube, but the GameEye never saw a release.

Super Game Boy

The Super Game Boy is a plug-in cartridge for the Super NES that allows Game Boy and black cartridge Game Boy Color games to be played on a television screen. It was released in 1994. The black-and-white games can be colorized by mapping colors to each of the four shades of gray making up the Game Boy's color palette. There are also special Super Game Boy labeled Game Boy games that contain custom palettes and borders that only show up when played on a Super Game Boy. A 1998 follow-up released only in Japan, the Super Game Boy 2, includes different default borders, different music for the credits, and a link cable port, enabling support for multiplayer gaming and the Game Boy Printer.

Transfer Pak

Released in 1998 in Japan and 2000 in other territories, the Transfer Pak is a device that fits onto the Nintendo 64 controller. Unlike the Super Game Boy, the Transfer Pak can typically only be used for transferring Game Boy Color game data to a counterpart Nintendo 64 game. For example, players can transfer their player characters from the Game Boy Color versions of both Mario Golf and Mario Tennis to the Nintendo 64 games of the same name in order to use their Game Boy characters in a 3D environment. Doing this also allows players to earn more experience points for their characters, which they can then transfer back to the Game Boy Color games to upgrade their characters much more quickly than would normally be possible. The Perfect Dark games can also connect in a similar fashion to access unlockables in the Nintendo 64 version. Though most Transfer Pak compatible games feature functionality like this, when the accessory is used in conjunction with Pokémon Stadium , players can play Pokémon versions Red, Blue, and Yellow on the television screen via an emulator in a manner similar to the Super Game Boy; Pokémon Stadium 2 retains this feature, adding support for Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal as well.

The Nintendo Game Link Cable is used to link two or more systems in the Game Boy line of handhelds for multiplayer gaming. Games such as the Pokémon series use the Game Link Cable to transfer data between linked cartridges. Several different variations of Game Link Cables were produced as different Game Boy models had different link cable ports. Various adapters were also produced to interlink different Game Boy models. These variations and adapters are explained in the main article.

Game Boy Four Player Adapter

The Game Boy Four Player Adapter was designed to allow up to four players to play certain Game Boy games on the original Game Boy. The Game Boy Four Player Adapter consists of a small, gray hub with a single connector cable attached to connect to the first player's Game Boy. The second, third, and fourth players must each use their own Game Link Cables to connect their Game Boys to each of the three link cable ports on the main hub. Theoretically, using the proper Game Link Cables and adapters, this device is compatible with Game Boy consoles all the way up to the Game Boy Advance SP. However, the device is only compatible with a select few original Game Boy games, and will not work for Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance games on the aforementioned systems. Since Game Boy Micro is not backwards compatible with original Game Boy games, the Game Boy Four Player Adapter is incompatible with it.[ citation needed ]

Game Boy Battery Pack

The Game Boy Battery Pack sold for about $30 USD. The battery peripheral itself is roughly 3 in. long, 2 in. wide, and 0.5 in. thick. [7] One end sprouts a thin cable that ends by being plugged into the external power jack of the Game Boy, while the other end connects to a standard mains plug. The first version of it is gray with purple lettering, to match the colors used on the Game Boy. It also features a belt clip. The battery pack was good for several hours of gameplay per charge, providing an alternative to purchasing more AA batteries once their power had exhausted. The product used nickel-cadmium batteries, lasted about 4–5 hours per charge, and could be charged roughly 1000 times before a significant loss in effectiveness. A major drawback of the battery pack is its weight, as well as the way the plug stuck out prominently from the side of the Game Boy.[ citation needed ]

Handy Boy

The Handy Boy attached to a Game Boy 2015-07-31 12-51-56 game-boy-handy-boy.jpg
The Handy Boy attached to a Game Boy

The Joyplus Handy Boy is an official "all in one accessory" for the original Game Boy, manufactured by STD. It features two amplified external speakers that are positioned on each side of the screen. The Handy Boy adds a square magnifier which has simple light for illumination. These parts can fold together for travel. Additionally, a thumb joystick can be clipped onto the Game Boy with or without the speakers and magnifier.

Game Boy Color

Mobile Adapter GB

Mobile Adapter GB connecting a Game Boy Color and mobile phone Pokemon Crystal Mobile System GB.webp
Mobile Adapter GB connecting a Game Boy Color and mobile phone

The Mobile Adapter GB (モバイルアダプタGB, Mobairu Adaputa Jī Bī) [8] [9] device worked with the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Advance SP to connect to mobile phones for remote play. It was released in Japan in 2001 and was compatible with just over 20 games, including Mobile Golf , Pokémon Crystal , and Mario Kart: Super Circuit . [10] [11] [12] The system's capabilities were discontinued in December 2002. [13]

Jaguar/Singer Sewing Machines

Jaguar International released the "Nuyell" sewing machine (with a later deluxe model) in early 2000, with the Singer Corporation licensing and selling it as the "Izek" later that same year. [14] There also existed a deluxe model of the "Nuyell", notably including a Game Boy Pocket. The sewing machines allowed the user to connect using a Game Boy Color and the cartridges that came with the machine. This allowed the user to embroider various letters and shapes and was designed to be a control interface, not a game. Jaguar International later released a new model, the "Nuotto", with significantly more features. One add-on cartridge created for this model by Jaguar was Mario Family, which allowed users to embroider a variety of characters from the Mario series of games. [15] A similar game based on the Kirby franchise, Kirby Family, was developed but never released, though a ROM of the game surfaced in the 2020 Nintendo data leak. [16]

Magic Card

The magic card is an accessory that is used to change the color on a regular GB game on a GBC. [17]

Boom Box Boy

The Boom Box Boy, or the Game Boy FM Radio, is an accessory that plugs into the Link Cable port on the side of the unit. There are buttons to scan for radio stations or reset the scanning, volume control, [18] and a headphone jack. It could also be used with the Game Boy Pocket. [19]

Game Boy Advance/Game Boy Advance SP

GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable

The GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable is a link cable used to connect the GameCube and the Game Boy Advance. This provides an opportunity for added gameplay in certain GameCube and Game Boy advance games. Minigames can be downloaded to the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance may be used as an extra screen to supplement gameplay, or the Game Boy Advance can be used as an enhanced GameCube controller. One end of the link cable plugs into a GameCube controller port, and the other end plugs into the Game Boy Advance's link cable port. The cable is only compatible with the GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Player, and e-Reader. The cable does not work with the Game Boy Micro, as the Micro has a non-standard link cable port. However, the Game Boy Micro Game Link Cable and GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable can be modified and spliced together in order to support compatibility with the Game Boy Micro.

Game Boy Player

Released in June 2003 as the spiritual successor to the Super Game Boy, the Game Boy Player allows Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games to be played on a television screen via the GameCube. The add-on attaches to the GameCube's base through the "Hi Speed" port on the bottom and requires a boot disc to operate. On the front of the Game Boy Player is a link cable port, offering support for multiplayer gameplay, Game Boy Printer, and expanded e-Reader functionality. Essentially a Game Boy Advance designed to output to a television, the Game Boy Player uses the same colorization hardware and methods as the handheld system.[ citation needed ] Some Game Boy Advance games, such as Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga , have enhanced gameplay (such as force feedback) when played on the Game Boy Player, while the Game Boy Advance Video series is intentionally incompatible with the Game Boy Player due to concerns of piracy.

e-Reader

The e-Reader is a card reader add-on released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002. The add-on is plugged directly into the cartridge slot of the Game Boy Advance. Its main function is scanning e-Reader cards to play minigames and ported NES games, or to unlock special content for certain Game Boy Advance and GameCube games. There is only one version of the e-Reader outside Japan, but there are two Japanese versions. Japan's first version of the add-on came without a link cable port among other things. But the second version (e-Reader+ in Japan, simply "e-Reader" in Australia and North America) came with a few improvements, including a new link cable port allowing support for multiplayer gameplay and the GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable. These improvements add extra functionality that can be taken advantage of using link cables with games like Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.

Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter

The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter allows Game Boy Advance players to link wirelessly for multiplayer gameplay. It is compatible with the Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, and Game Boy Player, but it does not fit the Game Boy Micro's different style link cable port. As of July 2009, only about thirty Game Boy Advance games support this feature. One of the most notable uses of the adapter is found in Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald , where up to thirty-nine wireless adapter-connected players can convene in a virtual in-game lobby called the "Union Room." [20] When the Game Boy Advance is turned on without a game cartridge inside, the Game Boy Advance Wireless Search Engine will appear, where the device will use its wireless capabilities to search for another Game Boy Advance within range that is using the wireless adapter.

The Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter is functionally the same as the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter. The only difference between the two varieties is that the Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter is made to fit the Game Boy Micro's smaller link cable port, and will therefore not fit other Game Boy models or the e-Reader. However, the wireless adapter for the Game Boy Advance and the one for the Micro do communicate with each other, making wireless connectivity possible between the two systems. The Micro version of the wireless adapter is compatible with the same Game Boy Advance games as the GBA version of the adapter.

Game Boy Advance SP headphone adapter

The Game Boy Advance SP Headphone Adapter allows headphones with a 3.5mm phone connector to be used on the Game Boy Advance SP. The SP lacks a standard headphone jack, so it requires the use of special headphones or an adapter for headphone functionality. This adapter connects into the "Input 2" port of the SP. The Nintendo brand adapter was only available by directly ordering it from Nintendo, though many third-party companies offered their own version with their accessory packs.[ citation needed ] This accessory also works with the original DS, however, use in this way is unnecessary because the DS already has a headphone jack.

Play-Yan

The Play-Yan with an SD memory card Play-Yan.jpg
The Play-Yan with an SD memory card

The Play-Yan is an MP3 and MPEG-4 player add-on for the Game Boy Advance SP, Nintendo DS, DS Lite, and Game Boy Micro. Music and video files stored on an SD memory card can be loaded into a slot on the right side of the Play-Yan, which resembles a Game Boy Advance game cartridge. The Play-Yan is loaded directly into the Game Boy Advance game slot of a compatible system. The adapter has its own integrated headphone port but uses the parent console's power supply, controls, and display. The Play-Yan is advertised as offering sixteen hours of MP3 playback and four hours of MPEG-4 playback on a fully charged Game Boy Advance SP. [21] In addition to multimedia playback, the Play-Yan offers support for minigames which could be downloaded from Nintendo of Japan's website.

The device was never released in the United States, though since the Play-Yan (and its successor the Play-Yan Micro) are region-free, it can be imported to other regions and played on any Game Boy Advance.

To accompany the September 13, 2005 release of the Game Boy Micro in Japan, Nintendo released an updated version of the original Play-Yan called the Play-Yan Micro for 5,000 yen. The new version is compatible with all of the same systems, and it looks and works the same as the original, but there are a few noticeable differences. The Play-Yan Micro has the added functionality of MP4 and ASF playback, and it has an updated user interface and improved sound quality through its headphone port. Minigame support, however, was removed from the Play-Yan Micro. The Play-Yan Micro was only available through Nintendo of Japan's online store, and for an additional 1,000 yen, it came with a computer application on CD called "MediaStage Ver. 4.2 for Nintendo" for managing music and video files on a PC. [21]

WormCam

A camera accessory for the GBA. It can take color pictures and connect to a PC, has a "SpyCam" mode, and can store up to 20 images. [22]

Campho Advance

Released in July 2004, the Campho Advance was a camera accessory manufactured by Digital Act, used for making video phone calls. By plugging the Campho Advance into the cartridge slot and connecting it to a phone line, users could transfer 110,000 pixel video at five frames per second to another user during calls. The accessory received a very limited release, with only 10,000 units manufactured. [23]

Unreleased accessories

WorkBoy

The WorkBoy was a small device with a keyboard that would have connected to a Game Boy via its link cable port, allowing the handheld to be used like a personal digital assistant. The WorkBoy was designed by Source Research and Development and prototypes were produced by Fabtek. The unit was shown at the 1992 Consumer Electronics Show and had been planned for release in late 1992 but according to Frank Ballouz, Fabtek's president, the product was canceled after Nintendo lowered the price of the Game Boy to around what Fabtek was hoping to charge for their device. Only one prototype of the WorkBoy is confirmed to exist, which is currently in Ballouz's possession. In 2020, video game historian Liam Robertson used Ballouz's prototype and a ROM of the corresponding software found in the Nintendo data leak to publicly demonstrate the device's functionality. [24]

PediSedate

The PediSedate is a patented device that was aimed for use in hospitals to help children relax when they are about to be put under for surgery or a medical procedure. It is a pair of headphones that plugs into a Game Boy and has a cup that goes over the child's nose and releases the anesthetic gas. [25]

Page Boy

The Page Boy was a device that plugged into the Game Boy Color's cartridge port, with a port of its own on the back, capable of connecting the Game Boy Color to the internet via radio signals. Using a proprietary piece of Game Boy software, the Page Boy would allow users to perform searches, send messages to other users, and view news, weather, and previews for upcoming games. Following the cancellation of the WorkBoy, the device's primary engineer Eddie Gill pitched the Page Boy to Nintendo of America in 1999. Nintendo expressed interest and spent three years in research and development on the device. However, it was determined that it would not be cost-effective for users outside the United States to connect to the requisite wireless networks, limiting the accessory's potential scope, and development was cancelled in 2002. The Page Boy's existence was not publicly known about until 2022, when game historian Liam Robertson profiled it after learning of its existence from Gill while researching the WorkBoy. [26]

Unlicensed accessories

GBA Steering Wheel

A steering wheel for the GBA which uses the shoulder buttons to move. [27]

EZ Flash

The EZ Flash is a cartridge that provides a MicroSD slot such that a card loaded with GBA game ROM files can be inserted, allowing playback of multiple games, including cheat games or games that only use ROMs, not physical cartridges. The built-in firmware also allows other functions such as save states, cheat features, ROM and engine patching, as well as playback of GB, GBC, and NES games. [28]

Game Changer

The Game Changer was an accessory manufactured by Radica Games for the GBA SP. It is designed to connect to the SP's cartridge slot, and has three cartridge slots of its own around the sides, allowing users to insert three games and manually switch between them. [29]

Game Genie

This was the first cheat device for the Game Boy manufactured by Galoob. It is designed to nest snugly into the original Game Boy (though it will loosely fit into the Pocket and Color systems; it will fit into the Super Game Boy only after physical modification of the Game Genie.) The cartridge is inserted with the label facing inward. A compartment on the back holds the tiny code book containing codes for the system. Up to three lines of codes can be entered at a time. There is no backup, so codes have to be reentered upon each startup. Nintendo fought this accessory in Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America, Inc. , but the court ruled that the Game Genie did not create a derivative work.

GameShark

This is a series of cheat devices manufactured by Interact Accessories and is one of the most popular cheat devices for the Game Boy family. Many more codes can be used at once. This device features a list of games with their codes and featured backup. This means that once a code is entered, it could be stored in the devices memory so that upon startup, the user can just select the code instead of having to reenter it. A switch on top of the unit allows the player to turn the device off and on if a code causes interference during certain situations.

Model 1 - Gray: For cheat codes only

Model 2 - Black: Same as above, though the storage interface has some problems. Also has an option of cleaning the RAM of a game (i.e. erasing all of a game's data)

Model 3 - Clear: This model supports both Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. Codes can be uploaded to the Model 3 version from the website using a cable which connected to the parallel port of a computer to the Game Boy's link cable port. Another feature is the "Snapshot" feature which takes a data snapshot of a game. Players can then load the snapshot later on and continue where they left off. Only one snapshot can be stored at a time.

A later model was made exclusively for Game Boy Advance games, with no backwards compatibility. Originally made by Interact Accessories, the rights were later obtained by Mad Catz. Codes can be uploaded to it from the companion website via a USB cable to the unit itself.

CodeBreaker

Also known as the Monster Brain and Brain Boy, this cheat device was released by Pelican Accessories and can use GameShark codes, but is more user friendly.

Action Replay

When Datel started producing cheat devices for consoles, they made this for the Nintendo DS. It essentially has all the basic properties of the Game Shark for Game Boy Advance.

Action Replay MAX Duo

This is an upgraded version of the original Action Replay. It can be used as a cheat device for Game Boy Advance games. It also can be used to back up saved game data from Nintendo DS cards, or can put premade save files - or "powersaves" into the DS cards. Powersaves and codes can be downloaded from the Action Replay web site and uploaded to the device via a USB cable.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Advance</span> Handheld game console by Nintendo

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) is a 32-bit handheld game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo as the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North America on June 11, 2001, in the PAL region on June 22, 2001, and in mainland China as iQue Game Boy Advance on June 8, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Color</span> Handheld game console by Nintendo

The Game Boy Color is an 8-bit handheld game console, manufactured by Nintendo, which was released in Japan on October 21, 1998, and to international markets that November. It is the successor to the Game Boy and part of its product line. Compared to the original, the Game Boy Color features a color TFT screen rather than monochrome, a processor that operates twice as fast, and four times as much memory. It retains backward compatibility with games initially developed for its predecessor. However, reviewers considered these improvements insufficient to justify Nintendo releasing it as a separate product.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo e-Reader</span> Add-on for the Game Boy Advance

The Nintendo e-Reader, commonly abbreviated as e-Reader, is an add-on manufactured by Nintendo for its Game Boy Advance handheld video game console. It was released in Japan in December 2001, with a North American release following in September 2002. It has an LED scanner that reads "e-Reader cards", paper cards with specially encoded data printed on them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Player</span> GameCube accessory

The Game Boy Player is a GameCube peripheral developed by Nintendo which enables it to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges, allowing those games to be played on a television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo DS</span> Handheld game console

The Nintendo DS is a 32-bit foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tandem, a built-in microphone and support for wireless connectivity. Both screens are encompassed within a clamshell design similar to the Game Boy Advance SP. The Nintendo DS also features the ability for multiple DS consoles to directly interact with each other over Wi-Fi within a short range without the need to connect to an existing wireless network. Alternatively, they could interact online using the now-defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Its main competitor was Sony's PlayStation Portable during the seventh generation of video game consoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transfer Pak</span> Accessory for the Nintendo 64

The Transfer Pak is a removable accessory for the Nintendo 64 controller that fits into its expansion port. When connected, it allows for the transfer of data between supported Nintendo 64 (N64) games and Game Boy or Game Boy Color (GBC) games inserted into its cartridge slot. By using the Transfer Pak, players can unlock additional content in compatible games; the Pokémon Stadium games, with which the Transfer Pak was initially bundled for sale, also feature the ability to emulate specific Game Boy Pokémon titles for play on the N64.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable</span> Accessory for GameCube and Game Boy Advance

The GameCube Game Boy Advance cable (DOL-011) is a video game accessory manufactured by Nintendo which is used to connect the Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld console to the GameCube (GCN) home console. Depending on the games it is used with, the cable may facilitate transferring data between related games, unlocking additional content, or turning the GBA into a controller or second screen.

Game Boy Advance Video is a format for putting full color, full-motion videos onto Game Boy Advance ROM cartridges. These videos are playable using the Game Boy Advance system's screen and sound hardware. They were all published by Majesco Entertainment, except for the Pokémon Game Boy Advance Video cartridges, which were published by Nintendo. Most cartridges were developed by DC Studios, Inc., except for the few labelled "Movie Pak" which were developed by 4Kids Entertainment's subsidiary 4Kids Technology, Inc. The video cartridges are colored white for easy identification and are sold as Game Boy Advance Video Paks; these offer the same 240×160 resolution as standard Game Boy Advance games, except for the Shrek and Shark Tale pack, which is at 112p.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Play-Yan</span> Game Boy Advance SP media player

The Play-Yan is a media player designed for the Game Boy Advance SP and also compatible with the Game Boy Micro and Nintendo DS. It uses SD flash memory to play MP3 audio files and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video files. It can also play 13 bonus mini-games, all of which are available freely on the Nintendo website in Japan. Sales of the Play-Yan were discontinued on September 11, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Micro</span> Handheld game console by Nintendo

The Game Boy Micro is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on September 13, 2005 as a smaller, lighter redesign of the Game Boy Advance. The system is the last Game Boy handheld, alongside the AGS-101 model of the Game Boy Advance SP. Unlike its predecessors, the Game Boy Micro lacks backward compatibility for original Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

A video game accessory is a distinct piece of hardware that is required to use a video game console, or one that enriches the video game's play experience. Essentially, video game accessories are everything except the console itself, such as controllers, memory, power adapters (AC), and audio/visual cables. Most video game consoles come with the accessories required to play games out of the box : one A/V cable, one AC cable, and a controller. Memory is usually the most required accessory outside of these, as game data cannot be saved to compact discs. The companies that manufacture video game consoles also make these accessories for replacement purposes as well as improving the overall experience. There is an entire industry of companies that create accessories for consoles as well, called third-party companies. The prices are often lower than those made by the maker of the console (first-party). This is usually achieved by avoiding licensing or using cheaper materials. For the mobile systems like the PlayStation Portable and Game Boy iterations, there are many accessories to make them more usable in mobile environments, such as mobile chargers, lighting to improve visibility, and cases to both protect and help organize the collection of system peripherals to. Newer accessories include many home-made things like mod chips to bypass manufacturing protection or homemade software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter</span> Accessory for the Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter is a wireless adapter accessory for the Game Boy Advance, released by Nintendo in 2004. It provides an alternative to the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable but is only supported by a small number of games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter is also compatible with the Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Player, and e-Reader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy</span> Handheld game console by Nintendo

The Game Boy is a handheld game console developed by Nintendo, launched in 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Link Cable</span> Accessory for the Game Boy line

The Nintendo Game Link 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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo video game consoles</span>

The Japanese multinational consumer electronics company Nintendo has developed seven home video game consoles and multiple portable consoles for use with external media, as well as dedicated consoles and other hardware for their consoles. As of September 30, 2021, in addition to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has sold over 863.07 million hardware units.

GameCube accessories include first-party releases from Nintendo, and third-party devices, since the GameCube's launch in 2001.

A Wireless game adapter is a device that, once connected to a video game console or handheld, enables internet and\or multiplayer access.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game backup device</span> Device for backing up ROM information from a video game cartridge

A game backup device, informally called a copier, is a device for backing up ROM data from a video game cartridge to a computer file called a ROM image and playing them back on the official hardware. Recently flash cartridges, especially on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS platforms, only support the latter function; they cannot be used for backing up ROM data. Game backup devices also make it possible to develop homebrew software on video game systems. Game backup devices differ from modchips in that modchips are used in conjunction with systems that use generally available media such as CDs and DVDs, whereas game backup devices are used with systems that use cartridges.

References

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  2. ↑ Hart, Spencer (24 April 2014). "15 Things You Didn't Know About the Game Boy". Gizmodo UK. Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Stuart, Keith (21 April 2014). "Nintendo Game Boy – 25 facts for its 25th anniversary". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Guinness world records 2009: Gamer's edition. Guinness World Records Ltd. 2009. p. 164. ISBN   978-1-904994-47-3. Archived from the original on 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  5. ↑ "GDC: Miyamoto Unveils Camera Connection". IGN. March 18, 1999. Archived from the original on June 10, 2001. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  6. ↑ Schneider, Peer (August 27, 1999). "Mario Artist: Talent Studio (Import)". IGN. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  7. ↑ Owner's Manual, p. 4. "(2) External power supply jack — You can connect a Rechargeable Battery Pack (sold separately) for longer play."
  8. ↑ "Annual Report 2006" (PDF). Nintendo. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-05-27. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  9. ↑ "「モバイルアダプタＧＢ」をゲットしよう". Nintendo. Archived from the original on 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  10. ↑ "Game Boy Advance Mobile Adapter Compatible? - News at GameSpot". Gamespot.com. 2001-01-12. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  11. ↑ "Pokémon Crystal/Mobile Adapter GB Announced". RPGamer. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  12. ↑ "Game Boy Mobile Adapter Delayed". RPGamer. 2001-01-27. Archived from the original on 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  13. ↑ Sledge, Ben (August 13, 2022). "Pokemon Crystal Had Long Distance Trading Years Before The Nintendo DS". TheGamer. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  14. ↑ Tanikawa, Miki (June 12, 2000). "Ubiquitous Game Boy Player Gets Wired for Some Unusual Uses : Going Beyond Just Fun and Games". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  15. ↑ Plunkett, Luke (May 11, 2011). "This Might be the Weirdest Game Boy Game Ever Made". Kotaku. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Grimm, Peter (September 10, 2020). "Never-Released Kirby Game Boy Color Game Leaked". Game Rant . Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  17. ↑ "GameBoy Magic Card - Why?". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2020-05-23. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  18. ↑ "Boom Box Boy – An Incredibly Useless Game Boy FM Radio Peripheral!". www.pughoofgaming.com. Nov 9, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Boom Box Boy - IGN". 5 Jun 2000.
  20. ↑ "Nintendo.com Games: Pokémon FireRed". Archived from the original on 2007-10-23.
  21. 1 2 "IGN: Nintendo Announces New Multimedia Player". 22 August 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  22. ↑ "Amazon.com: WormCam - Game Boy Advance: Video Games". Amazon. Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  23. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (July 7, 2004). "GBA Becomes Video Phone". IGN. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  24. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (December 27, 2020). "A Lost Game Boy Add-On Called the WorkBoy Has Been Found After 28 Years". IGN . Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  25. ↑ Hickey, Matt (April 21, 2009). "Games meet dentistry with the PediSedate". CNET. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  26. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (January 2, 2022). "The Page Boy Would Have Brought Messaging, an Early Form of Nintendo Directs, and More to Game Boy Color". IGN. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  27. ↑ "GameBoy Advance Steering Wheel - Why?". YouTube .
  28. ↑ "Every Gameboy Game on One Cart! | EZ Flash IV". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  29. ↑ "GBA SP Game Changer - Why?". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
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