Source: Greenboy Games
Nintendo’s Game Boy handheld system is such an iconic element of pop and geek culture that it’s become the default name for any handheld video game console, Nintendo-made or not. Since its debut in 1989, it has completely shifted the general public’s attitude towards handheld gaming. Though it wasn’t the first handheld gaming console or even the first one to use cartridges, the Game Boy set itself apart from other consoles with its affordable price and battery life, lasting up to 40 hours.
While other handheld systems and their games, like the Neo Geo, remain a topic that only a small, niche group of fans continue to feel passionate about, the Game Boy seems to have a larger hold on Nintendo fans. From publishers like Limited Run Games re-publishing the original Game Boy Color version of Shantae, to newer indie developers creating entirely new Game Boy games from the ground up, it looks like the Game Boy is here to stay.
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The hot new toy on the block
Nintendo’s first foray into cartridge-based handheld gaming continues to remain in the collective consciousness, even being considered the favorite toy from the 1990s in countries like Nicaragua, Bulgaria, France, Algeria, Senegal, and Egpyt, according to research conducted by The Toy Zone. While it couldn’t topple the giant that was Beanie Babies in the US, it’s clear that the Game Boy was a staple piece from the 1990s that people won’t forget.
Bringing dead pixels back to life
The surge in video game popularity isnt just limited to newer consoles like the Nintendo Switch, however. Retro games are sore in price, with reports of an increase of over 70% in GameCube game prices and 36% for Game Boy Color titles.
Retro video game store operators haven’t seen this level of interest ever, chalking the sudden increase in interest up to more people losing the jobs and looking for a way to “flip” their current assets, as well as people working from home and having more time for hobbies. Hobbyists may feel nostalgic for their childhood days, and engage in the online shopping binges that many of us have fallen victim to since the beginning of the pandemic.
It’s clear that video games from all generations are on the rise, with their increasing popularity being bolstered by the pandemic. As more people try to find ways to interact with others while isolating, and others find comfort in familiar pixelated and polygonal characters, the popularity of both modern and retro games will continue to increase.
How did we get here?
“Initially my creations were aimed at PC and Android because of the current trend,” they admit. “Although for some reason, I never felt satisfied with these platforms.” Their “professional” career, however, didn’t truly start until 2015, when they were finally able to start making a living from it.
The pandemic seemed to contribute to Dana’s career in a positive way. “In the decade of 2010 to 2020, very few people were interested in buying games for older systems, and I also remember that there were very few developers for classic systems that were still making games out of passion, so it was very difficult to make a living from it. The trend changed in 2020, when we noticed a significant increase in the interest in this type of game,” they recall, “I remember in the 2010-2020 decade, you could hardly sell 50 titles a year. we have already confirmed 3,000 titles (always physical, with its box, manual, extras, pocket guide, code wheel, etc.), and there is still a lot of 2022 left.”
Game Boy development comes with its own unique challenges, especially since parts are no longer being produced from official Nintendo manufacturers. “In 2015, finding the materials to make the physical launches was quite a challenge. With the current growing trend, specialized companies have come out to serve the creator so that they can make their own physical releases, just as there are more factories creating vinyl records and cassettes tapes,” explains Dana. Thankfully, additional companies and publishers have extended a helping hand in the sourcing and provision of the materials needed to publish Game Boy games physically, acting as a beacon in the dark.
Where do we go from here?
With publishers like Limited Run Games lending assistance in the production of physical titles, and new companies specializing in the production of components necessary to make physical titles a reality, it’s safe to say that Game Boy production, and the production of retro games in general, will get easier with time.
Coding and game development are becoming more mainstream in general, with numerous workshops being created for both children and adults to build their skills in tech. It’s a future that sees more people being open to game creation, becoming more inclusive as tools and materials become more streamlined and accessible.
I’m a big (Game) Boy now
It seems the Game Boy is here to stay, even after over 30 years. As the Nintendo Switch continues its life, some of us still wonder whether we’ll be able to experience original Game Boy titles on the system. If Nintendo can bring these titles to the Nintendo 3DS, there’s no doubt that it’s possible for the Switch as well. After all, an entire generation missed out on the iconic system that people like Dana are so passionate about. Who knows, if Nintendo brings a dedicated Game Boy emulator to Nintendo Switch Online, maybe they could work with modern retro developers like Greenboy Games to bring fresh new content to the service.
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