Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9766 in Video Games
• Color: Grape
• Brand: Nintendo
• Released on: 1999-03-26
• Platform: Game Boy Color

Amazon.com
The Game Boy is that small, colorful handheld video game system clutched by folks playing it everywhere. Popular among a wide age group, including a good number of airport-lounging power executives, the Game Boy has a true hardcore fan base comprised of millions (and millions) of kids around the globe.

Nintendo's Game Boy debuted in the late '80s and has since sold more than 60 million units worldwide, far outpacing other hand-held game systems. With a catalog of more than 1,000 games and dozens of add-on peripherals, Game Boy is a monster of a hand-held game system, and a remarkably affordable one at that.

Early March 1998 brought the release of the Game Boy Color system, an upgraded version of the original black-and-white system. It is equipped with an 8-bit CPU, doubling the original Game Boy's computing power. The small LCD screen can display up to 56 colors simultaneously (out of a 32,000-color palette), delivered via boosted video-processing memory that provides remarkably sharp and vibrant graphics.

The hundreds of available games vary from tremendously compelling to instantly forgettable. Quality or not, the entire library of games designed for the original system is playable on Game Boy Color, but buyers should note that not all Game Boy Color games will work on the original Game Boy system.

The Game Boy Color system is available in an exotic array of colors and special editions. Accessories and add-on peripherals abound, enhancing the playing experience with vibrating feedback to in-game bumps and crashes, extra battery power, and even a clever camera package that allows players to capture, tweak, and print images. --Eric Twelker

Customer Reviews

Good value overall, but expect to squint
I had the original GameBoy when it came out 10 years ago, and I liked it a lot. The new color version is definitely a long-needed upgrade, but unfortunately Nintendo did this one on the cheap and skimped on the most important aspect of the system - the color screen. Not only is the screen tiny, but the colors are rarely as vibrant as they look on the advertisements. The screen can be very difficult to see under most lighting conditions. (I have actually found florescent lighting to be best.) That flaw aside, the games make this system... and there are hundreds of them, and many of them are very good. Even though I practically am blind after playing for more than a few minutes, I use my GameBoy color more than any other game system. It's easy to take with you, and even if you are over 12 (like me) there are games that you will enjoy during the daily bus commute or whatever.

Hey, it's blue!
I bought a Gameboy to entertain my children and me when we are traveling. I'm not sure why reviews of the "dandelion" Gameboy are different from the "teal" Gameboy, but I bought the teal. First, my 7-year-old loves this game! I bought Super Mario Deluxe to go with this and she had never seen it before. I enjoy this game, too. The small size of the Gameboy is amazing. This is the 8-bit gaming that used to require a TV and a large plastic box. Now, the Gameboy Color will easily fit in your pocket. And, the picture quality is comparable to what you used to see on TV. However, it's not all a paradise. In low light conditions, the screen is invisible without a supplemental light. I read about this in other reviews and I bought the worm light to go with it. These work and come in matching colors, but there is a definite drawback. They don't illuminate the whole screen and there is a definite glare on the screen. You must move the Gameboy around to create the best light condition at the spot on the screen you want to see. There are other lights available and I would like to try them to see if there is an improvement in quality. Still, this is a fun game. This console is relatively cheap and very portable. This will be perfect on long, boring plane and car trips. So, I recommend you buy this console. It doesn't come with any games, so be sure to buy a game at the same time. It does come with batteries, though. And, you will need a light to see the screen unless you only want to play outside on sunny days.

You may want to look for a 3rd time...
Okay so the Game Boy is based on 10-year old hardware, has tiny sound, no light, blah blah blah.... now just wait a minute! There's a very good reason for all of that. First off, the 10-year old hardware: It works. Just look at how many games there are for this puppy. Plenty to choose from. Now the sound: that will be improved upon on the next rendition named "Game Boy ADVANCE" which will sport Dolby Surround sound (if used in games) and in STEREO BABY! Oh and most peoples biggest gripe is the lack of a backlight for the screen. The reason for this is cuz it sucks too much battery life from the system. Know this: GBA uses 2 AA batteries and lasts for 20 hours. Sega GameGear uses 8 AA batteries and lasted only 6 hours! Remember how big and clunky the Sega GameGear was? Try fitting THAT in your pocket! Oh and what if the light burns out? Might as well buy a new one cuz it's gonna cost just as much as having the light repaired. Just get a cheap NYKO Wormlight. It's well worth the purchase and it works 100% better than those other lame light/magnifiers I've played with. The GAMES make the SYSTEM, and you'll be happy to know that there are TONS of grade A+ games to choose from. You won't be disappointed. Just be sure to read some good reviews of games before you buy them. .... Just be sure to save some cash for Nintendo's next portable, the Game Boy ADVANCE. It will own you.