Everything You Need to Know About Game Boy!
Posted by Steven Collier on Jan. 4th, 2016
At DKOldies, we get a TON Of questions about Nintendo's many handheld systems and which ones are right for you. So to clear a few of these matters up, we've compiled this comprehensive list of what makes every single Game Boy system unique.
Game Boy
Basic Colors
Original (Off-White), Black, Red, Green, Yellow, Clear
Screen
Monochrome (Frontlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy
Features
Nintendo's original portable gaming system! This is the one that started it all.
Game Boy Pocket
Basic Colors
Gold,
Silver, Black, Green, Blue, Pink, Red, Yellow, Clear, Clear (Green)
Screen
Monochrome (Frontlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy
Features
The Game Boy Pocket is almost identical to the original Game Boy, but comes in a smaller, lighter package.
Super Game Boy
The Super Game Boy is a special adapter that plugs into any Super Nintendo System, enabling any original Game Boy games to be played on a TV. Some games like Metroid II were also able to be played in color on the Super Game Boy.
Game Boy Color
Basic Colors
Purple, Teal, Neon Green, Pink, Yellow, Clear, Clear (Purple)
Screen
Color (Frontlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy, Game Boy Color
Features
The Game Boy Color was Nintendo's first handheld system that featured a color display screen.
Game Boy Advance
Basic Colors
Purple, Clear, Clear (Pink), White, Black, Silver
Screen:
Color (Frontlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
Features
The Game Boy Advance was a drastic upgrade from previous Game Boy hardware. With more processing power than a Super Nintendo, the GBA featured a wider, full color display screen.
Game Boy Advance SP(Frontlight & Backlight)
Basic Colors
Cobalt, Platinum, Onyx, Red
Screen
Color (Frontlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
Features
The Game Boy Advance SP was a redesigned Game Boy Advance. It's new clamshell design protected its screen, while making its appearance closer to that of the original Game Boy.
(Backlight)
Basic Colors
Blue, Graphite, Pink
Screen
Color (Backlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
Features
This updated version of the SP was the first Nintendo handheld system to feature a backlit screen. They came in different colors from the frontlit GBA SPs, but are otherwise identical.
Game Boy Micro
Basic Colors
Silver, Black
Screen
Color (Backlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy Advanvce
Features
This is the smallest handheld system that Nintendo ever produced. The Game Boy Micro also supported a vast array of interchangeable faceplates that allowed you to customize its appearance.
Nintendo DS
Basic Colors
Silver
Screen
2x Color (Backlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Features
The Nintendo DS was the first Nintendo handheld to support 3D graphics, and included a functional touchscreen.
Nintendo DS Lite
Basic Colors
Crimson, Metallic Rose, Coral Pink
Screen
2x Color (Backlight)
Plays These Games
Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Features
The DS Lite was a slimmed down version of the original, bulkier DS system.
Nintendo DSi
Basic Colors
Black
Screen
2x Color (Backlight)
Plays These Games
Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Features
The DSi featured two digital cameras, digital storage space, a limited amount of online connectivity to Nintendo websites.
Nintendo DSi XL
Basic Colors
Bronze, Burgundy, Blue, Metallic Rose
Screen
2x Color (Backlight)
Plays These Games
Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Features
The DSi XL featured larger display screens than the normal Nintendo DSi.