1998
NINTENDO

GAME BOY COLOR

PORTABLE
GAME BOY COLOR

📜 History & Legacy

The Game Boy Color (GBC), released by Nintendo in 1998, was a significant upgrade to the original Game Boy, introducing color graphics to the handheld gaming market. While retaining compatibility with the vast library of black-and-white Game Boy games, the GBC boasted a faster processor and twice the memory, enabling developers to create more visually appealing and complex games. Its vibrant color palette and improved capabilities revitalized the handheld gaming scene and solidified Nintendo's dominance in the portable market. The Game Boy Color was a pivotal device, bridging the gap between the monochrome era and the more advanced handhelds that would follow.

The Game Boy Color's impact extended beyond its technical specifications. Its affordability and extensive software library made it accessible to a wide audience, including younger gamers. The console's popularity was further fueled by the release of iconic titles like Pokémon Gold and Silver, which became system-sellers and cultural phenomena. The GBC also fostered a thriving community of developers and modders, who pushed the console's capabilities to their limits and created a wealth of homebrew games and accessories. The Game Boy Color is remembered as a beloved and influential handheld console that left an enduring mark on the gaming industry.

⚙️ Specifications

  • ❖ CPU: Custom 8-bit Sharp LR35902 processor at 8 MHz (twice the clock speed of the original Game Boy)
  • ❖ GPU: Custom GPU capable of displaying 32,768 colors, with up to 56 colors on screen simultaneously
  • ❖ RAM: 32 KB of internal RAM
  • ❖ Storage: Game cartridges
  • ❖ Media: Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges
  • ❖ Display: 2.45-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 160 x 144 pixels
  • ❖ Sound: Built-in speaker, stereo headphone jack
  • ❖ Power: 2 AA batteries (approximately 20-30 hours of battery life)
  • ❖ Dimensions: 75.8 mm x 128 mm x 27.6 mm
  • ❖ Weight: 138 g

🎮 Top 10 Games

  • ★ Pokémon Gold and Silver
  • ★ The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
  • ★ Pokémon Crystal
  • ★ Metal Gear Solid
  • ★ Dragon Warrior Monsters
  • ★ Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
  • ★ Wario Land II
  • ★ The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
  • ★ The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
  • ★ Tetris DX

🎥 Video Review

💡 Curiosities

  • ? Curiosity 1: The Game Boy Color was initially codenamed 'Game Boy Camera 2' during its development.
  • ? Curiosity 2: It can display up to 56 different colors on the screen at once from its palette of 32,768 colors.
  • ? Curiosity 3: The GBC has an infrared communication port for wireless multiplayer gaming, although it was rarely used.
  • ? Curiosity 4: It is backward compatible with almost all original Game Boy games.
  • ? Curiosity 5: Several special edition Game Boy Color consoles were released, including a Pokémon Center New York edition and a Coca-Cola edition.
  • ? Curiosity 6: The 'Colorization' feature allowed some original Game Boy games to be played with enhanced color palettes.
  • ? Curiosity 7: The processor is a custom version of the Z80 processor.
  • ? Curiosity 8: The Game Boy Color was the first handheld console to feature a built-in infrared port.
  • ? Curiosity 9: Some cartridges had built in rumble features, like Pokémon Pinball.
  • ? Curiosity 10: The Game Boy Color's success helped pave the way for the Game Boy Advance.