The Hardware

With so many revisions, tweaks, and re-releases, it's extremely difficult to keep tabs on all of the Game Boy hardware released over the last decade. Here's a recap of the most significant:

Game Boy - Though superceded by the Game Boy Pocket (and despite the blurry screen), the original model continues to sell in huge quantities at ludicrously low prices.

Game Boy Pocket - Lighter and leaner, with a larger, crisper screen, the Pocket version remains true to Game Boy's roots. To make it more of a fashion accessory, Nintendo marketed the machine in a variety of colours. Not surprisingly, it worked.

Game Boy Light - This chunkier version of the Game Boy Pocket boasts a back light to enhance the screen display (which can be turned off in order to conserve precious battery power). Ideal for bedtime Zelda sessions.

Virtual Boy - An unmitigated disaster by Nintendo standards, this 3D Game Boy would cause eye strain and headaches after prolonged use. Like many 'Virtual Reality' gimmicks, it was abandoned faster than you can say 'Betamax'.

Super Game Boy - A clever innovation designed to play Game Boy software on the SNES, the selling point was the ability to play games in colour (albeit using pre-set schemes to replace the four shades of grey). An inspired way to promote two game systems.

Game Boy Color - The head of the Game Boy family looks set to further capitalize on the world's insatiable appetite for portable gaming. With a 56-colour display, faster processor, more RAM, an infa-red link, and sound input functions, it is also backwards-compatible with all existing Game Boy titles.