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Boy Gadgets: Hot or Not?

Financial In Market Game systems as far back as the Odyssey have had little gadgets to extend the depth/lenght of their lifespan, and the way we play games/use a console. Nintendos Game Boy is certainly no exception as it seems that since its release in 1989 more gadgets have been created for it than any other system on the market.

These can run the gambit from the usual handheld accessories, to the unusual ones like a little joystick that fits over the plus pad. Almost all of the truly arcane gadgets were unofficial and unlicensed products for the Game Boy.

Lets take a look at some of the accessories that have graced our beloved portable system.

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Official Nintendo Devices:

Super Game Boy

Released on June 23, 1994. This accessory allowed you to play Game Boy game paks on the Super Nintendo entertainment system. The Super Game Boy was essentially a cartridge with a slot to insert Game Boy carts into.

This accessory allowed the user to define colors for Game Boy games, pick one from several predetermined backgrounds and even making your own. Some games even took advantage of the expanded abilities of the Super NES, and had preset colors, and backgrounds. My personal favorite Super Game Boy game like this was Donkey Kong, released in 1994.

There was a period of time when these were very sought after. I tried to buy one that was used back in 1998, and they wanted $80. But luckily, after Nintendo announced the Game Boy Player (see below) I found one in my local Game Stop for like $4.99.

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Game Boy Camera

The Game Boy Camera was released on June 1, 1998 to great success. This device allowed users to capture images with their Game Boy. One reason for its tremendous success was due to it being an affordable black & white digital camera.

The unit looked somewhat like a regular Game Boy game pak, but had the digital camera lens mounted on top, which could swivel a full 180 degrees. You can also save up to 30 pictures on your Game Boy Camera, and there's even an image editing application included.

The Game Boy Camera also included two games: Ball, and Space Fever 2, with a music mixing application to round out the complete package. You could also print out your pictures using the Game Boy Printer(see below).

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Trivia: Which rock musician used a picture of himself taken on a Game Boy Camera as the cover of his album?

Answer: Neil Young, Silver and Gold Album

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Game Boy Printer

Released in conjunction with the Game Boy Camera, the Game Boy Printer allowed users to print their captured images. The printer was attached to the Game Boy through the Link cable port, and used rolls of adhesive paper that turned your pictures into stickers.

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e-Reader

This accessory used ordinary paper trading cards as a medium to upload content to the Game Boy Advance. The e-Reader was released on September 26, 2002. This new accessory had a cross pollination of support from Nintendo. Everything from the Pokemon Trading card game, to even Animal Crossing for the GameCube supported this new device. There was even a special "e-card" NES Classics collection available.

The e-Reader uses "Dot Code Technology" developed by Olympus Optical Co. Each card can contains as many as 2 of strips of "dots" that can be read by the device. The e-reader also has some internal memory where you can save one application.

The ideas behind the e-Reader were interesting and sound, but getting gamers to jump on the bandwagon was the problem. The most amazing -- and to me -- center piece was the Super Mario Advance 4 support. You could actually upload levels, items, and power suits. All contained on a tiny little playing cards. It is just sad to think that we will not see the potential that this device could have shown us.

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Game Boy Player

Rumors began to spread about Nintendo releasing another Super Game Boy, but this time, for the GameCube. With the absence of a cartridge slot, most people thought that this wouldnt happen. But thank goodness that they were wrong! Because the Player was a success, and shipped out on June 23, 2002.

The Game Boy Player was miles ahead of the Super Game Boy for a variety of reasons. For one -- unlike the Super Game Boy -- you can play Game Boy Advance games through it (Yes, I know this is a given). The Game Boy Player also has a external extension connector, just like any Game Boy Advance on the market for data transfer, or for playing games with friends. You can use the Gamecube controller, or you can use a Game Boy Advance as your controller. Plus it features more options to further customize your gaming experience.

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Wireless Adapter

The wireless adapter is set to premiere with Pokmon Fire Red/Leaf Green later this year. The Adapter allows players to chat, trade, or battle without the hassle of cords. However, this new add-on is not limited to just the Pok mon remakes. Games like Mario Golf: Advance Tour, and the Classic NES Series already support the adapter, and Nintendo plans to include compatibility with most future releases.

I had a chance to sit down and test drive the new Pokmon games at E3, and let me say that I walked away very impressed. For starters, the way you communicate with other users couldn't be made simpler. The entire experience goes way beyond just the usual multiplayer fare. If this is any indication of what is to come from Nintendo in the future, we are in for amazing journey!

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Next Page: Third Party Gadgets!

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