Game Boy is a line of handheld video game systems with interchangeable cartridges manufactured by Nintendo, one of the most outstanding names in electronic games. From its initial launch in 1989 the Game Boy family of products has upheld the top place as the most successful in portable gaming. This was achieved through the high quality games and content created for the system, so clever that a lot of its technological developments set trends that have become staples inside the gaming world.
The Game Boy (also known as Game Boy Classic or GB):
The massive hit of the original Game Boy sent shockwaves throughout the home video game business that secured the handheld as a benchmark. Never before had a system joined high quality cartridge based games plus, for its generation, high tech Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) graphics delivered in glorious black & green. GB was also the first handheld games unit to feature multi-link gaming through a port that connects several systems for multiplayer battles. The beginning of multiplayer games and I guess the first thought that Online Gameboy games could be in the future.
Since the dawn of home video game systems mankind has longed for portable gaming. Our first options were the lame single game toys with unchanging backgrounds and 4 blinking graphics representing movement. Even the upcoming king of handhelds made an attempt called the Nintendo Game & Watch, but these could in no way replace the console systems that fixed us to our TVs at home. That was until August of 1989 when Nintendo changed our world forever with the Game Boy (GB).
Nintendo, before then, established themselves as a quality name in the gaming world with the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) so when they announced their first cartridge based handheld system it took the business by storm. For the first time gamers were truly free from the bonds that tied them to their living rooms. Though its graphics quality was still a tad restricted when in comparison to consoles, the games were still just as enjoyable. Even better you were able to take them on the move.
Design:
The original design is the most identified in the Game Boy group. The display uses up the top half with the lower section devoted to the speakers and controls. These controls copy the Nintendo Entertainment System with a directional pad, A-B Buttons plus start and reset. While not as comfortable on the hands as the Game Boy Advance (GBA), the GB classic has the next most comfortable design.
Size:
The biggest model in the Game Boy family, this unit measures approximately 5.8" in height, 3.5" wide, 1.3" thick and weighs about 14 ounces. The unit is large and thick enough to grip as oppose to cradling, as well as the controls are spaced out comfortably.
Screen:
By today’s standards the original display is fairly primitive, with a green & black reflective Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) of 160 x 144 pixels measuring 2.6” diagonally. Nonetheless, at the time this was leaps and bounds ahead of everything previously found. The lack of colour might have restricted the visuals, although it freed up the memory allowing for more extensive games.
Headphone Jack / Battery:
Unlike the GBA SP earphones attach to the original GB with a normal 1/8" jack. While there is only a single mono speaker on the body of the GB, earphones let people to hear the game in full stereo. Accepts four AA disposable batteries to allow up to 35 hours of game play.
Games:
The GB classic has more original game titles than any other handheld to date. Even though the GBA does have more individual games which continue to grow, a great portion of these are simply ports from pre-existing systems. The titles for the GB for the most part had been all original. Since it was the first of its type and the later Game Boy versions employed more advance processors, the original GB can just play games made specifically for that system as a consequence is not forward compatible.
Linking:
The GB was the first cartridge based handheld system that allowed more than four players to connect simultaneously through a link port and cables. With the a compatible games up to sixteen gamers can link together at the same time.
Colours:
The GB was manufactured in the following colours: first only Grey then later Black, Green, Red, Yellow, Clear
Price:
Long out of manufacture this system is only obtainable used, selling for around $20 to $30.
This is the original Gameboy online television advert.
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