Whether strolling through a mall, traveling on a plane, or commuting to work on the bus, the sight of an adult or child playing a gameboy is nothing but a common sight. Here’s a brief history of the most cherished and successful video game systems that have ever graced our palms – The Nintendo Gameboy.
Version: Original Gameboy
Released: 1988
Screen: 4 color grayscale LCD
Format: Cartridge
Features: D-pad, A,B, Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control knob
Power slide switch on top of unit
Link Port
Power: 4 AA Batteries or AC Adapter
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
8-Bit CPU
Version: Gameboy Pocket
Released: 1996
Screen: 4 color grayscale LCD
Format: Cartridge
Features: D-pad, A,B, Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control knob
Power slide switch on top of unit
Link Port
Power: 2 AAA Batteries or AC Adapter
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
8-Bit CPU
Other: Multiple system colors released
Version: Gameboy Color
Released: 1998
Screen: 56 color LCD
Format: Cartridge
Features: D-pad, A,B, Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control knob
Power slide switch on side of unit
Link Port
IR Port
Power: 2 AA Batteries or AC Adapter
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
8-Bit CPU
Colors: Multiple system colours released along with Limited Edition models such as Pokemon Pikachu edition
Version: Gameboy Advance
Released: 2001
Screen: 511 color reflective TFT LCD
Format: Cartridge
Size: 3.2” x 5.69” x .97”
Weight: 5 Ounces
Features: D-pad, A,B,L,R Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control slider
Power slide switch on bottom of unit
Link Port
Power: 2 AA Batteries or AC Adapter
Battery Life: 15 hours
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
32-Bit CPU
Other: Multiple system colors released
Wider screen
Compatible with all GB and GBC games
Version: Gameboy Advance SP
Released: 2003
Screen: 511 color reflective TFT LCD
Format: Cartridge
Size: 3.3” x 3.23” x .96” (closed)
Weight: 5 ounces
Features: D-pad, A,B,L,R Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control slider
Power slide switch on bottom of unit
Link Port
Power: Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery or AC Adapter
Battery Life: 10 hours with light, 18 with light off
Details: Cartridge port on bottom rear of system
32-Bit CPU
Folding case
Brighter LCD than GBA
Front Lit
Other: Multiple system colors released Onyx, Flame, Platinum, Cobalt, Atomic Purple, Graphite, Pearl Blue and Pink along with limited edition units such as Nintendo Classic design
Compatible with all GB and GBC games
Version: Gameboy Micro
Released: 2005
Screen: 511 color reflective TFT LCD
Format: Cartridge
Size: 2” x 4” x .7”
Weight: 2.8 ounces
Features: D-pad, A,B,L,R Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control slider
Power slide switch on bottom of unit
Link Port
Power: Rechargeable Li-Ion batter or AC Adapter
Battery life: 6-10 hours
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
32-Bit CPU
Other: Interchangeable faceplates
Much smaller than all GB systems released
Smaller and brighter screen
Compatible with all GBA games
Version: Nintendo DS (Dual Screen)
Released: 2004
Screen: Top – backlit TFT 260K color display
Bottom – transparent analog touch screen
Format: Cartridge
Size: 5.85” x 3.33” x 1.13 “ (closed)
Weight: 9.7 ounces
Features: D-pad, A,B,X,Y,L,R Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control slider
Power slide switch on side of unit
IEEE 802.11 wireless
Power: Rechargeable Li-Ion batter or AC Adapter
Battery life: 6-10 hours
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
GBA port on bottom rear of system
Two CPU ARM processors
Other: Multiple colors released including Silver, Black, Blue and Limited Edition systems such as Mario Kart Red unit.
Version: Nintendo DS Lite (Dual Screen)
Released: 2006
Screen: Top – backlit TFT 260K color display
Bottom – transparent analog touch screen
Format: Cartridge
Size: 5.2” x 2.9” x .85” (closed)
Weight: 7.7 ounces
Features: D-pad, A,B,X,Y,L,R Select, Start, buttons
Headphone Jack
Volume Control slider
Power spring-slide switch on side of unit
IEEE 802.11 wireless
Power: Rechargeable Li-Ion batter or AC Adapter
Battery life: 5-19 hours
Details: Cartridge port on top rear of system
GBA port on bottom rear of system
Other: Multiple colors – Polar White, Onyx, and Coral Pink.
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