Game Boy Hardware and Accessories
When it was released in 1989, the original Game Boy was already running on a common chip, and the green, 4-colour screen was behind what was possible at the time.
However, the Game Boy overcame its shortcomings and remained the unchallenged portable game system of choice for over a decade. During this time, it underwent numerous hardware improvements and received a number of important accessories, such as the Link Cable and Game Boy Camera.
The Game Boy line used various serial codes on its hardware. The original Game Boy used DMG (Dot Matrix Game), and the Game Boy Pocket and Light used MGB (Mini Game Boy).
Game Boy
The original model Game Boy was the first successful portable videogame system. The price was kept low thanks to the 4-colour green-tinted screen and the basic chipset. The system was usually packaged with Tetris or Super Mario Land, two of the highest-profile games on the handheld.
The Game Boy took four AA batteries, or an optional Rechargable Battery Pack was available. Sound was played through a small speaker on the bottom-right of the system or through the headphone jack. A set of headphones were packaged with each Game Boy.
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| DMG-01 | Game Boy |
| DMG-02 | Stereo Headphones |
| DMG-05 | Battery Case |
| DMG-06 | Soft Case |
| DMG-08 | Cleaning Kit |
Game Boy Pocket
A remodelled Game Boy, released in 1996.
The Game Boy Pocket was smaller and slimmer than the original model, and featured a sharper screen than the original model. Power consumption was also reduced, requiring just two AAA batteries for 8 hours of continuous play.
The Game Boy Pocket was originally released in 5 colours (gray, red, yellow, green, black), with a further 4 made available before the end of 1997 (silver, gold, pink, clear purple). A number of limited edition colours were also available in different regions.
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| MGB-001 | Game Boy Pocket |
| MGB-002 | Battery Pack |
| MGB-003 | Charger |
| MGB-005 | AC Adapter |
Game Boy Light
A remodelled version of the Game Boy Pocket, released only in Japan in 1998, and featuring a backlit screen.
The system was powered by 2 AA batteries, providing 20 hours of play with the backlight off or around 12 hours with the backlight on.
The Game Boy Light was available in Gold or Silver, or in a number of limited edition colours.
Because the Game Boy Light was launched close to the release of the Game Boy Color, it had a short lifespan. As a result, it has become something of a collector's item.
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| MGB-101 | Game Boy Light |
Rechargable Battery Pack
The Game Boy Rechargable Battery Pack allowed the player to either charge up the battery using a power socket, or to use the Game Boy while it was connected to the power socket.
A similar Battery Pack and AC Adapter were made available for the Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Light, which were also compatible with the Game Boy Color.
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| DMG-03 | Rechargable Battery Pack |
Game Link Cable
The Game Link Cable allowed for multiplayer gaming by connecting two Game Boys, each containing a copy of the same game.
Many of the games in the Game Boy library made use of the Game Link Cable, with Tetris and the Pokémon games being the most famous.
When the Game Boy Pocket was released, it had a different connector for the Game Link Cable, so a number of adapters and universal cables were released to allow different models to play against one another.
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| DMG-04 | Game Link Cable |
| MGB-008 | Game Link Cable (Pocket) |
| DMG-14 | Universal Game Link Adapter |
| MGB-004 | Game Link Cable Adapter |
| MGB-010 | Universal Game Link Cable |
Four-Player Adapter
The Four-Player Adapter allowed up to four Game Boys to connect with each other to play games with 4-Player modes available.
In order to do this, each player would need a Game Boy, a Link Cable and a copy of the game. As a result of the expense required, very few games made use of the Four-Player Adapter.
Compatible Games
- F-1 Race
- Wave Race
- Top Rank Tennis
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| DMG-07 | Four-Player Adapter |
Game Boy Camera
Released in 1998, the Game Boy Camera was a Game Boy cartridge with a camera on the top. The Game Boy Camera software allowed the player to take 4-colour photos using the Game Boy, edit, trade and print them, and even use the player's face in several built-in games.
Despite its simplicity, the Game Boy Camera was extremely popular, being one of the first massmarket digital cameras available, and for a low price. In 1999 it received the Guinness World Record for smallest digital camera (a record it no longer holds).
Components
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| MGB-006 | Game Boy Camera |
Game Boy Printer
A printer, released alongside the Game Boy Camera, that allowed images to be printed onto adhesive thermal paper. As well as photos from the Game Boy Camera, the printer was made compatible with a number of other games.
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| MGB-007 | Game Boy Printer |
| MGB-009 | Game Boy Printer Paper |
Compatible Games
- Game Boy Camera
- Pokémon: Yellow Version
- Pokémon: Gold & Silver Version
- Pokémon: Crystal Version
- Pokémon Pinball
- Pokémon Trading Card Game
- Pokémon Card GB2: Team GR is Here!
- Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
- Donkey Kong Country
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
- Mickey's Racing Adventure
- Mickey's Speedway USA
- The Little Mermaid 2: Pinball Frenzy
Game Boy Game Paks (Cartridges)
| Serial | Hardware |
|---|---|
| DMG-09 | Game Boy Game Pak |
| DMG-13 | Game Boy Rumble Game Pak |
| DMG-20 | Game Boy Tilt Sensor Game Pak |
