We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Easy Tech Junkie

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electronics

What is a Game Boy?

By J. Beam
Updated May 16, 2024
Our promise to you
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At EasyTechJunkie, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

The Game Boy® is a handheld video game console that is credited as the longest running video game system of all time. Developed by Gunpei Yokoi of Nintendo Japan, the console was released in the U.S. in 1991. Upon its release, it was bundled with the game Tetris and from the moment it hit shelves, it's been a best seller. The console evolved over the years both in technology and design, but continued to be the number one selling handheld video game system until it was discontinued in 2008.

The very first Game Boy® contained a mere 8-bit 4.19 MHz CPU with a 4-color display screen in grayscale and a resolution of 160x144 pixels. When the system proved an instant success, Nintendo wasted no time revamping the console, and the 10-year span between the original release and the release of the Game Boy® Advance delivered the Game Boy® Pocket and the Game Boy® Color. The original model was discontinued in 2003, but by this point, the Advance had a 32-bit 16.78MHz CPU, a color display and 240x160 pixels.

The console remained a top seller during its 10 years, and it was ready to make a leap into new areas. The Game Boy® Advance received some design criticism, especially regarding the back lighting, and Nintendo addressed this common complaint with the release of the Advance SP in 2003. This model was redesigned twice, with the SP and the 2005 release of the Game Boy® Micro. The flip screen of the SP model was a big hit, and it outsold even the Micro.

Even as the Game Boy® evolved, Nintendo successfully addressed consumer needs by allowing each and every system to support previous game titles. Super Mario Land and Pokemon Red and Blue were the system's best selling game titles with sales of 14 million and 11 million respectively. The company released the Nintendo DS™, another handheld game system that supported previous titles, in 2004. The Nintendo DS™ is a dual screen game system with touch button and stylus controls, and it can display 3-D graphics. This system has also been upgraded, with the Nintendo 3DS™ released in 2011.

EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Markerrag — On Jan 26, 2014

Ah, the good old early days of the Game Boy! I well remember how this one showed up and was simply unbeatable. Both the Atari Lynx and Sega Game Gear featured better graphics and full color, but the Game Boy had two things they didn't -- licenses to Nintendo characters such as Mario and extreme battery life.

You could sink 6 AA batteries into a Lynx and watch that system completely drain them in about two hours. The Game Boy, however, used 4 AA batteries and could run on them for 15 to 30 hours (according to Nintendo's specs). The Game Boy, in other words, was cheap to operate while its competitors were not.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.