
The GameBoy
Game Boy Memories: Hours of Fun and Iconic Games
In all its green tinted monochrome glory, what was it about the Game Boy that took up so much of my time? Really, it was the gameplay, and Nintendo hooked me right in. Sure, there was Tetris, but the library of titles went far beyond that iconic puzzle game. Be honest, though—how many hours did you spend on Tetris? Constant battery replacements kept this handheld wonder going, cementing its place in retro gaming history. I still don’t have a Game Boy in my collection, but one day, I will. I shutter to think that it was only several years ago when I gave this beauty away.
Interesting Facts:
- The Game Boy is an 8-bit, fourth generation, handheld game console developed by Nintendo, launched in the Japanese home market on April 21, 1989, followed by North America and Europe later that year.
- Also known as DMG-01
Hardware
- Used a custom 8-bit Sharp LR35902 core running at 4.19 MHz
- 8 KB of RAM and 16 KB of video RAM
- 2.6 inch, green-tinted LCD screen with 160 x 144 pixel resolution
- Powered by 4 AA batteries providing 10-12 hours of gameplay
- Included a link cable port for multiplayer gaming
Game Library
- Over 1000 games released across all regions
- Notable launch titles included Tetris, Super Mario Land, Alleyway
- Popular franchises included Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, Pokémon
- Game Paks used ROM cartridges with memory sizes up to 8 Mb
Design
- Compact, durable design with a red body and purple/black buttons
- Included stereo sound, but only a mono speaker
- No backlight, requiring external lighting to see screen
- Dimensions of 5.8″ x 3.5″ x 1.3″, weighing 7.8 oz
Successors
- Game Boy Pocket (1996) – Smaller, lighter model with better screen
- Game Boy Light (1998) – Added electroluminescent backlight in Japan only
- Game Boy Color (1998) – Introduced color graphics, more processing power
Legacy
- Launched the Game Boy line which sold over 118 million units worldwide
- Helped popularize handheld gaming and franchises like Pokémon, Tetris
- Discontinued in 2003 after over a decade on the market
- Considered one of the most successful and influential handhelds of all time

Restoring and Upgrading Nintendo’s Original Game Boy
In the fall of 1990, Europe was once again late to the party. Nintendo’s ground-breaking handheld gaming system, the Game Boy, had been released in Japan and the U.S. in 1989. In Europe, however, gamers were still waiting.
I was six years old at the time and somewhat familiar with video games. My father owned an Atari 2600 and I had dabbled in handheld LCD games like those Tiger Electronics had made infamous. The Nintendo Entertainment System had been on the market since 1986, and some of my friends swore it was the greatest thing they’d ever seen.
When my parents asked what I wanted for my seventh birthday, I faced a dilemma. My parents usually limited my TV time to one hour per day. I had a sneaking suspicion that I would be able to spend a lot more time with a portable gaming system. So, I requested a Game Boy for my birthday.
The Game Boy was my first video game system. It introduced me to Mario and Link, to “Final Fantasy” and “Tetris”. It holds a special place in my heart. It ignited a lifelong passion for gaming.
Did You Know?
The Sega Master System was called the 'Mark III' in Japan!"
