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'{{short description|Handheld game console by Nintendoooooooooo}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use American English|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox information appliance | name = Game Boy Color | logo = File:Game Boy Color logo.svg | image = File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Color-FL.jpg | caption = The ''Atomic Purple'' version | aka = GBC / CGB-001 | developer = [[Nintendo Research & Engineering]] | manufacturer = [[Nintendo]] | family = [[Game Boy]]<ref name="HG asks">{{cite interview|last=Ishihara|last2=Morimoto|interviewer=Satoru Iwata|title=Pokémon HeartGold Version & Pokémon SoulSilver Version|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon/0/0/|type=Interview: Transcript|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=September 25, 2022|archive-date=November 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124004538/https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon/0/0/|url-status=live}}</ref> | type = [[Handheld game console]] | generation = [[Fifth generation of video game consoles|Fifth]] | release date = {{Video game release|JP|October 21, 1998|NA|November 18, 1998|EU|November 23, 1998|AU|November 27, 1998}} | discontinued= Yes; date undisclosed | retail availability = | lifespan = | price = {{USD|79.95|1998|round=-1}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Introducing Game Boy Color |magazine=Nintendo Power |page=85 |publisher=Nintendo |date=November 1998}}</ref> | units shipped = 118.69 million {{Small|(including the Game Boy)}} | media = [[Game Boy Game Pak]]<br/>[[Game Boy Color Game Pak]] | cpu = [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] LR35902 core @ 4.19/8.38{{Spaces}}MHz | memory = 32&nbsp;KB [[Random-access memory|RAM]]<br />16&nbsp;KB [[Video RAM (dual-ported DRAM)|VRAM]] | display = [[thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display|TFT LCD]] 160 x 144 pixels, 44x40 [[Millimetre|mm]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Product-information/Technical-data/Technical-data-619585.html|title=Technical data|website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|access-date=May 24, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207100304/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Product-information/Technical-data/Technical-data-619585.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | service = Mobile System GB<ref>{{cite web|title=モバイルシステムＧＢ|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n07/|website=Nintendo|access-date=September 23, 2015|language=ja|archive-date=November 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128014959/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n07/|url-status=live}}</ref> | topgame = [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']], approximately 23 million units | compatibility = Game Boy | predecessor = Game Boy<ref name="3ds asks">{{cite interview|last=Umezu|last2=Sugino|last3=Konno|interviewer=Satoru Iwata|title=Nintendo 3DS (Volume 2 – Nintendo 3DS Hardware Concept)|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/1/0|type=Interview: Transcript|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=March 7, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329190132/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/how-nintendo-3ds-made/1/0|archivedate=March 29, 2012}}</ref> | successor = [[Game Boy Advance]]<ref name="3ds asks"/> }} The '''Game Boy Color''' (commonly abbreviated as '''GBC''') is an 8-bit [[handheld game console]], manufactured by [[Nintendo]], which was released in Japan on October 21, 1998<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/hardware/color/|title=Game Boy Color hardware|website=www.nintendo.co.jp|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525051241/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/hardware/color/|url-status=live}}</ref> and to international markets that November. It is the successor to the [[Game Boy]] and is part of its product line. Critics like IGN consider it more akin to a hardware revision than a next generation product.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahs |first=Travis |date=2009-07-27 |title=IGN Presents the History of Game Boy |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/27/ign-presents-the-history-of-game-boy |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The handheld features a [[RGB color model|color screen]] rather than [[monochrome monitor|monochrome]], but it is not [[Backlight|backlit]]. It is slightly thicker and taller and features a slightly smaller screen than the [[Game Boy Pocket]], its immediate predecessor. As with the original Game Boy, it has a custom [[8-bit]] [[Processor (computing)|processor]] made by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] that is considered a hybrid between the [[Intel 8080]] and the [[Zilog Z80]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://realboyemulator.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/the-nintendo-game-boy-1/|title=The Nintendo® Game Boy™, Part 1: The Intel 8080 and the Zilog Z80.|date=January 2, 2013|publisher=RealBoy|access-date=August 29, 2017|archive-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510190547/https://realboyemulator.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/the-nintendo-game-boy-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[American English]] [[American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or|spelling]] of the system's name, ''Game Boy Color'', remains consistent throughout the world. The GBC is part of the [[fifth generation of video game consoles]]. The Game Boy and the Game Boy Color combined have sold 118.69 million units worldwide making them the fourth [[List of best-selling game consoles|best-selling system of all time]].<ref name="consolidatedsales">{{cite web|date=April 26, 2016|title=Consolidated Sales Transition by Region|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1603.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011145332/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/library/historical_data/pdf/consolidated_sales_e1603.pdf|archive-date=October 11, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2016|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref name="bweek">{{cite web|url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/game_consoles/source/7.htm |title=A Brief History of Game Console Warfare: Game Boy |access-date=March 28, 2008 |work=[[BusinessWeek]] |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509094404/http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/game_consoles/source/7.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2007 }}</ref> Its best-selling games are [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']], which shipped 23 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm |title=Japan Platinum Game Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |access-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213230402/http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm |archive-date=December 13, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |access-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }}</ref> == History == Development for the Game Boy Color began in 1996,<ref name=IGN>{{Cite web |last=Fahs |first=Travis |date=2009-07-27 |title=IGN Presents the History of Game Boy |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/27/ign-presents-the-history-of-game-boy |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083411/http://retro.ign.com/articles/100/1007864p3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> when Nintendo received requests from game developers for a more sophisticated handheld platform, who said that even the latest iteration of the original system, the [[Game Boy Pocket]], had insufficient hardware.{{citation needed|date= September 2013}} Nintendo developed the console concurrently with [[Project Atlantis]]. The resultant product was [[Backward compatibility|backward compatible]] with all existing Game Boy software, a first for a handheld system, allowing each new Game Boy product launch to begin with a significantly larger game library than any of its competitors. [[Nintendo]] formally announced the release of the Game Boy Color on 10 March 1998.<ref name=Nintendo>{{cite web|website=Nintendo|title=Nintendo Announces Full Color Game Boy|date=10 March 1998|url=http://www.nintendo.com/corp/press/030998.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980530162411/http://www.nintendo.com/corp/press/030998.html |archive-date=May 30, 1998 }}</ref> All remaining new units were sold by March 31, 2003.<ref name="consolidatedsales"/> == Hardware == === Technical specifications === The technical specifications for the console are as follows:<ref name="technical specification">{{cite web|url=http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/nintendogameboycolor/|title=Nintendo Game Boy Color Console Information – Console Database|access-date=February 19, 2011|publisher=ConsoleDatabase.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702131325/http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/nintendogameboycolor/|archive-date=July 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !Size | Approximately {{convert|78 x 133.5 x 27.4|mm|abbr=on}} (WxHxD) |- !Weight | 138g |- !Screen | 2.3&nbsp;inch reflective [[thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display|thin-film transistor]] (TFT) color [[liquid-crystal display]] (LCD) {{ubl | Maximum sprites: 40 total, 10 per line, 4 colors per sprite (one of which being transparent) | Sprite size: 8×8 or 8×16 | Tiles on screen: 512 (360~399 visible, the rest are drawn off screen as a scrolling buffer) }} |- ![[Display size]] | {{convert|44|by|40|mm|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Technical data |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Product-information/Technical-data/Technical-data-619585.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207100304/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Product-information/Technical-data/Technical-data-619585.html |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |access-date=February 4, 2018 |website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- ![[Frame rate|Framerate]] | 59.727500569606 [[Hertz|Hz]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tasvideos.org/PlatformFramerates.html|title=TASVideos / Platform Framerates|website=tasvideos.org|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229184750/http://tasvideos.org/PlatformFramerates.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- !Power | Internal: 2× AA batteries<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Adding Color to Game Boy|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=106 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=May 1998|page=26}}</ref><br />External: 3V&nbsp;DC 0.6W (2.35mm × 0.75mm)<br />Red [[LED]] indicator |- !Battery life | Up to 10 hours of gameplay. |- !CPU | 4.194304/8.388608&nbsp;MHz [[Sharp Corporation]] LR35902 (custom hybrid between the [[Intel 8080]] and the [[Zilog Z80]]) |- !Memory | 32&nbsp;KB [[Random-access memory|RAM]]; 16&nbsp;KB [[Video RAM (dual-ported DRAM)|VRAM]] |- ![[Display resolution|Resolution]] | 160 (w) × 144 (h) [[pixel]]s (10:9 [[aspect ratio (image)|aspect ratio]]; same aspect ratio and resolution as the original [[Game Boy]]) |- !Color&nbsp;support | 32,768 colors, 56 simultaneously. |- !Sound | 2 square wave channels, 1 wave channel, 1 noise channel, mono speaker, stereo 3.5mm headphone jack |- !Input | {{ubl | Eight-way [[D-pad|control pad]] | Four action buttons (A, B, Start, Select) | Volume [[potentiometer]] | Power switch | Serial I/O ("Link cable"): 512&nbsp;kbit/s with up to 4 connections in serial | Infra-red I/O: less than 2&nbsp;m distance at 45° | Cartridge I/O }} |} Game Paks manufactured by Nintendo have the following specifications: * '''ROM:''' 8&nbsp;MB maximum * '''Cartridge RAM:''' 128&nbsp;KB maximum Without additional mapper hardware, the maximum ROM size is 32 KB (256 kbit). [[File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Color-Motherboard-Bottom.jpg|thumb|right|The Game Boy Color motherboard]] The processor, which is a hybrid [[Intel 8080]] and [[Zilog Z80]] workalike made by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] with a few extra (bit manipulation) instructions, has a clock speed of approximately 8&nbsp;MHz, twice as fast as that of the original Game Boy.{{efn|The Game Boy Color CPU is sometimes considered as running with a clockspeed of approximately 2&nbsp;MHz, because all of its instruction timings are divisible by 4.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gbdev.io/pandocs/CPU_Instruction_Set.html | title=CPU Instruction Set - Pan Docs | access-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-date=August 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817012757/https://gbdev.io/pandocs/CPU_Instruction_Set.html | url-status=live }}</ref>}} The Game Boy Color has three times as much memory as the original (32 KB system RAM, 16 KB video RAM). The screen resolution is the same as the original Game Boy at 160×144 pixels. The Game Boy Color features an [[infrared]] communications port for wireless linking. The feature is only supported in a small number of games, so the infrared port was dropped from the [[Game Boy Advance]] line, to be later reintroduced with the [[Nintendo 3DS]], though wireless linking would return in the [[Nintendo DS]] line using [[Wi-Fi]]. The console is capable of displaying up to 56 different colors simultaneously on screen from its [[Palette (computing)|palette]] of 32,768 (8×4 color background palettes, 8x3+transparent sprite palettes), and can add basic four-, seven- or ten-color shading to games that had been developed for the original 4-shades-of-grey Game Boy. In the 7-color modes, the sprites and backgrounds are given separate color schemes, and in the 10-color modes the sprites are further split into two differently-colored groups; however, as flat black (or white) was a shared fourth color in all but one (7-color) palette, the overall effect is that of 4, 6, or 8 colors. This method of upgrading the color count results in graphic artifacts in certain games; for example, a sprite that is supposed to meld into the background is sometimes colored separately, making it easily noticeable. Manipulation of palette registers during display allows for a rarely used high color mode, capable of displaying more than 2,000 colors on the screen simultaneously.<ref name="aloneinthedark">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/05/first-alone-in-the-dark-screenshots-for-game-boy-color|title=First Alone in the Dark Screenshots for Game Boy Color|date=August 4, 2000|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=March 24, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403134639/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/05/first-alone-in-the-dark-screenshots-for-game-boy-color|url-status=live}}</ref> === Color palettes === {| class="wikitable" style="float:right;" |+ Alternate color palettes |- ! rowspan="2" | Directional pad ! colspan="3" | Action button |- ! None (default) ! A ! B |- | Up | Brown | Red | Dark brown |- | Down | Pale yellow | Orange | Yellow |- | Left | Blue | Dark blue | Gray |- | Right | Green | Dark green | Reverse |} For dozens of select Game Boy games, the Game Boy Color has an enhanced palette built-in featuring up to 16 colors—four colors for each of the Game Boy's four layers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?19247-Disassembling-the-GBC-Boot-ROM&p=128734#post128734|title=Disassembling the GBC Boot ROM|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203193413/http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?19247-Disassembling-the-GBC-Boot-ROM&p=128734#post128734|url-status=live}}</ref> If the system does not have a palette stored for a game, it defaults to the "Dark green" palette. However, at power-up, one of 12 built-in color palettes is selectable by pressing a directional button and optionally A or B while the Game Boy logo is present on the screen. These palettes each contain up to ten colors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboyadvance/colorchange.jsp |title=Changing the Color Palette on Game Boy Advance Systems |work=Customer Service |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=January 4, 2009 |archive-date=January 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113001631/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboyadvance/colorchange.jsp |url-status=live }}</ref> In most games, the four shades displayed on the original Game Boy translate to different subsets of this 10-color palette, such as by displaying movable [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] in one subset and backgrounds in another. The grayscale (Left + B) palette produces an appearance similar to that experienced on the original [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Pocket]], or [[Game Boy Light]]. [[File:GBC keypad palettes.png|thumb|Illustrated color-samples of the palettes for the different key combinations. Any color crossed out will be present in palette RAM, but rendered as transparent.]] Games with special palettes include: * ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' * ''[[Golf (Game Boy)|Golf]]'' * ''[[Kirby's Dream Land]]'' * ''[[Kirby's Dream Land 2]]'' * ''[[Kirby's Pinball Land]]'' * ''[[Metroid II: Return of Samus]]'' * [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']] * ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]'' (Japanese version) * ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' * ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' * ''[[Tetris (Game Boy)|Tetris]]'' * ''[[Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3]]'' {| class="wikitable" style="color: black; text-align: center;" align="right" |+ Game Boy Color color palette reference |- | style="color: white; background: #000000; width: 104px;" | 0x00 | style="color: black; background: #848484; width: 104px;" | 0x10 |- | style="color: white; background: #080808; width: 104px;" | 0x01 | style="color: black; background: #8c8c8c; width: 104px;" | 0x11 |- | style="color: white; background: #101010; width: 104px;" | 0x02 | style="color: black; background: #949494; width: 104px;" | 0x12 |- | style="color: white; background: #181818; width: 104px;" | 0x03 | style="color: black; background: #9c9c9c; width: 104px;" | 0x13 |- | style="color: white; background: #212121; width: 104px;" | 0x04 | style="color: black; background: #a5a5a5; width: 104px;" | 0x14 |- | style="color: white; background: #292929; width: 104px;" | 0x05 | style="color: black; background: #adadad; width: 104px;" | 0x15 |- | style="color: white; background: #313131; width: 104px;" | 0x06 | style="color: black; background: #b5b5b5; width: 104px;" | 0x16 |- | style="color: white; background: #393939; width: 104px;" | 0x07 | style="color: black; background: #bdbdbd; width: 104px;" | 0x17 |- | style="color: white; background: #424242; width: 104px;" | 0x08 | style="color: black; background: #c6c6c6; width: 104px;" | 0x18 |- | style="color: white; background: #4a4a4a; width: 104px;" | 0x09 | style="color: black; background: #cecece; width: 104px;" | 0x19 |- | style="color: white; background: #525252; width: 104px;" | 0x0A | style="color: black; background: #d6d6d6; width: 104px;" | 0x1A |- | style="color: white; background: #5a5a5a; width: 104px;" | 0x0B | style="color: black; background: #dedede; width: 104px;" | 0x1B |- | style="color: white; background: #636363; width: 104px;" | 0x0C | style="color: black; background: #e7e7e7; width: 104px;" | 0x1C |- | style="color: white; background: #6b6b6b; width: 104px;" | 0x0D | style="color: black; background: #efefef; width: 104px;" | 0x1D |- | style="color: white; background: #737373; width: 104px;" | 0x0E | style="color: black; background: #f7f7f7; width: 104px;" | 0x1E |- | style="color: white; background: #7b7b7b; width: 104px;" | 0x0F | style="color: black; background: #ffffff; width: 104px;" | 0x1F |} A few games used a scan-line color switch technique to increase the number of colors available on-screen to more than 2,000. This is referred to as "Hi-Color mode", and was used by licensed developers including 7th Sense. Some examples of games using this technique are ''The Fish Files'', ''The New Addams Family Series'', and ''Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare''.<ref name="aloneinthedark"/> ''[[Cannon Fodder (video game)|Cannon Fodder]]'' uses this technique to render [[full motion video]] segments in the introduction sequence, ending, and main menu screen.<ref name="Albatross">{{cite web|url=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/nintendo/gameboy/game-boy-games-that-pushed-the-limits-of-graphics-sound|title=Game Boy Games That Pushed The Limits of Graphics & Sound|last=Albatross|first=Zen|work=Racketboy|date=November 18, 2011|access-date=March 24, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154202/http://www.racketboy.com/retro/nintendo/gameboy/game-boy-games-that-pushed-the-limits-of-graphics-sound|url-status=live}}</ref> === Cartridges === [[File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Color-Cartridge.jpg|thumb|right|The clear cartridge for exclusive Game Boy Color games]] [[File:Nintendo-Game-Boy-Cartridge-Black.jpg|thumb|right|The black cartridge is for Game Boy games that take advantage of the Game Boy Color's increased palette, but not the increased memory or processor speed. These games can be played on the original Game Boy in grayscale.]] Game Boy Color exclusive games are housed in clear-colored [[Game Pak]] cartridges.<ref name="NOA GP support">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboy/trouble_game.jsp |title=Game Pak Troubleshooting - All Game Boy Systems |publisher=Nintendo of America customer support |access-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055842/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/gameboy/trouble_game.jsp |url-status=live }}</ref> They are shaped differently than original Game Boy Game Paks. Notably, these cartridges lack a notch that prevented the original Game Paks from being removed while the original Game Boy was powered on due to a plastic piece attached to the power switch, which would slide over the notch, locking a cartridge inside the system during gameplay (although some special cartridges like ''[[Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vgfacts.com/forums/thread-2699.html|title=Kirby Tilt & Tumble - Cartridge|website=www.vgfacts.com|language=en|access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801164302/https://www.vgfacts.com/forums/thread-2699.html|url-status=live}}</ref> do include this notch). The lack of this notch keeps original Game Boy systems loaded with Game Boy Color cartridges from powering on. Similarly, Game Boy Pocket, Super Game Boy, Super Game Boy 2, and Game Boy Light will power on when loaded with a Game Boy Color cartridge but will refuse to load the game and will display a warning message stating that a Game Boy Color system is required. This same warning message can be viewed on an original Game Boy as well if the piece that slides into the notch is cut out (or by having the entire piece removed) from the Game Boy. Some Game Boy cartridges such as ''[[Chee-Chai Alien]]''<ref>{{cite web |author1=Great Hierophant |title=Compatibility Issues within the Game Boy Line |url=https://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com/2018/03/compatibility-issues-within-game-boy.html |website=Nerdly Pleasures |access-date=28 January 2024 |date=18 March 2018}}</ref><ref>[http://valken.obihimo.com/351-/367-Dobu-little-Ailian/liite.htm ''Chee-Chai Alien'' box back cover]</ref> and ''[[Pocket Music]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gameboy Genius » Blog Archive » Pocket Music GBC version GBA fix|url=http://blog.gg8.se/wordpress/2013/12/17/pocket-music-gbc-version-gba-fix/|access-date=June 28, 2018|website=blog.gg8.se|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518113116/http://blog.gg8.se/wordpress/2013/12/17/pocket-music-gbc-version-gba-fix/|url-status=live}}</ref> cannot be played on Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP systems. When inserted and powered on, these systems will exhibit a similar error message and will not load the game. Black cartridges are backward compatible, playable on the original Game Boy. === Model colors === The logo for Game Boy Color spells out the word "COLOR" in the five original colors in which the unit was manufactured: Berry (C), Grape (O), Kiwi (L), Dandelion (O), and Teal (R). Another color released at the same time was "Atomic Purple", made of a translucent purple plastic similar to the color available for the [[Nintendo 64 controller]]. Other colors were sold as limited editions or in specific countries. == Games == {{Main|List of Game Boy Color games|List of Game Boy games}} {{See also|List of cancelled Game Boy Color games}} Due to its backward compatibility with Game Boy games, the Game Boy Color's launch period had a large playable library. The system amassed a library of 576 Game Boy Color games over a four-year period. While the majority of the games are Game Boy Color exclusive, approximately 30% of the games released are compatible with the original Game Boy. Most Game Boy Color games released after 1999 are not compatible with the original Game Boy. ''[[Tetris (Game Boy)|Tetris]]'' for the original Game Boy is the best-selling game compatible with Game Boy Color, and [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']] are the best-selling games developed primarily for it. The best-selling Game Boy Color exclusive game is ''[[Pokémon Crystal]]''. The last Game Boy Color game ever released is the Japanese exclusive ''Doraemon no Study Boy: Kanji Yomikaki Master'', on July 18, 2003. The last game released in North America is ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', released on November 15, 2002. In Europe the last game released for the system is ''[[Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite!]]'', on January 10, 2003. Beyond officially released games for the platform, there is an active online community creating new games for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color through the use of tools like GB Studio.<ref>{{Cite web|title= GB Studio|url=https://www.gbstudio.dev/|access-date=15 February 2024 }}</ref> One such example is Dragonhym (originally Dragonborne) which was available for release on a physical cartridge which will be playable on the Game Boy Color.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Dragonhym (GBC) - Standard Edition|url=https://incube8games.com/en-eu/products/dragonyhm-gbc|access-date=15 February 2024 }}</ref> == Reception == === Sales === The [[Game Boy]] and Game Boy Color were both commercially successful, selling a combined 32.47 million units in Japan, 44.06 million in the [[Americas]], and 42.16 million in other regions.<ref name="consolidatedsales"/><ref name="bweek"/> At the time of its discontinuation in 2003, the combined sales of the [[Game Boy]] were the [[List of best-selling game consoles|best-selling game console of all time]]. Surpassed in sales by the [[Nintendo DS]], [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] the trio are now the fourth-best-selling console, the third-best-selling console and the second-best-selling handheld of all time. Sales of the console were in part driven by the success of ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Crystal]]'', with combined sales of 29.5 million units, making them one of the [[List of best-selling video games|best selling-video games of all time]]. Sales of the Game Boy Color were strong at launch. [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] reported a sale of one million units from launch to December 1998,<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine|magazine=Gaming Intelligence|date=February 1999|title=Game Boy Color Sales Exceed 1 Million During Holidays |page=4|url=https://archive.org/details/gaming-intelligence-february-1999}}</ref> and two million by July 1999.<ref name=GDM>{{cite magazine |date=July 1999|last=Dunne|first=Alex |title=Industry Watch|pages=10|magazine=Game Developer Magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/GDM_July_1999}}</ref> Retail chains in the [[United States]] reported unexpectedly high demand for the console, with executives of [[FuncoLand]] reporting "very pleasant and unpredicted" sales and [[EB Games|Electronics Boutique]] stating "the entire Game Boy Color line just exploded, including accessories" upon release.<ref name=GW>{{cite magazine|magazine=Game Week|last=Trainman|first=Steve |title=Retailers Coming to E3 with High Expectations|date=12 May 1999|volume=5|issue=17|url=https://archive.org/details/game-week-may-12-1999}}</ref> Faced with high worldwide demand and competitive retail pricing, retailers such as [[CompUSA]] sold out of Game Boy Color stock in the weeks before the 1998 Christmas season.<ref name=GI/> === Critical reception === Reception of the Game Boy Color was positive, with critics praising the addition of color and improved clarity of the display. Affiliated publications such as ''Total Game Boy'' praised the handheld for its "bright, colorful picture that can be viewed in direct light", [[backward compatibility]] features preserving the "vast catalogue of original [[Game Boy]] games", and improved technical performance.<ref name=TGB>{{cite magazine|title=Introducing The Game Boy Color|magazine=Total Game Boy|issue=1|date=1998 |url=https://archive.org/details/Total_Game_Boy_Issue_01/page/n3/mode/2up?q=%22game+boy+color%22}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' praised the Game Boy Color for making the [[Game Boy]] library of games "look better than ever - everything is crystal clear, bright and in colour".<ref name=CVG>{{cite magazine|title=Portable Colour Gaming Is Here!|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=205|date=December 1998 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_205_1998-12_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n7/mode/2up?q=%22game+boy+color%22}}</ref> Writing for ''[[GameSpot]]'', Chris Johnston stated that the display was "crystal clear" and free of motion blur, stating that ''[[Tetris|Tetris DX]]'' was the "killer app" of the launch titles on the platform.<ref name=GS>{{cite web|title=Hands On: Game Boy Color|last=Johnston|first=Chris |date=1998|website=GameSpot|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-on-game-boy-color/1100-2465339/|access-date=November 13, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607230501/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-on-game-boy-color/1100-2465339/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Milder reviews included those by ''Arcade'', who conceded that the colors were "very impressive" but "not as eyeball-popping as you might have hoped for [...] it's mostly seaweed greens, rusty browns, timid yellows and the like". They concluded that "nothing about [the Game Boy Color] is very radical" but also said the device was "Game Boy as it always should have been".<ref name=Arcade>{{cite magazine|magazine=Arcade |title=The Color Purple|issue=1|pages=60–61|date=December 1998 |url=https://archive.org/details/Arcade_Issue_01_1998-12_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n61}}</ref> === Legacy === Commentary on the legacy of the Game Boy Color has been shaped by the perception that the handheld was as an incremental and transitional upgrade of the [[Game Boy]] rather than a completely new handheld release.<ref name=IGN/><ref name=RG2/> In a history of [[Nintendo]], author Jeff Ryan noted the Game Boy Color had a reputation as a "legacy machine" that found success mostly due to its [[backward compatibility]], as "few wanted to lose all the ''[[Dr. Mario]]'' and ''[[Pokémon]]'' cartridges they had amassed over the years."<ref name=SM>{{cite book |last=Ryan |first=Jeff |title=Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America |date=September 25, 2012 |publisher=Penguin Random House |isbn=978-1591845638 |pages=208}}</ref> Quoted in ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', [[Blitz Games Studios]] developer Bob Pape acknowledged that although "[[backward compatibility|backwards compatibility]] more or less defined (the) Game Boy Color", the handheld "ticked all the right boxes with regards to size, battery life, reliability and most importantly backwards compatibility".<ref name=RG2>{{cite magazine |magazine=Retro Gamer |issue=187 |date=December 2018 |pages=50–55 |last=Carroll |first=Martyn |url=https://archive.org/details/retrogamer187 |title=Game Boy Color}}{{deadlink|date=March 2024}}</ref> Positive assessment on the legacy of the Game Boy Color has also focused upon the merits of its game library, particularly for its third-party and import titles. Travis Fahs for ''[[IGN]]'' noted whilst "the Game Boy Color's life was relatively brief", it "built up a small library of excellent games", including ''[[Wario Land 3]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver]]'', and a "unique" and "previously unheard of" line of successful third-party games, including ''[[Dragon Warrior Monsters]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid (2000 video game)|Metal Gear Solid]]'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories]]''.<ref name=IGN/> Ashley Day of ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' noted that the handheld had an "overlooked" status, stating "the Game Boy Color (has) an unfair reputation as the one [[Nintendo]] handheld with few worthwhile titles, but this simply isn't the case...returning to the Game Boy Color now reveals a wealth of great games that you never knew existed, especially those available on import."<ref name=RG>{{cite magazine |last=Day |first=Ashley |title=Game Boy Color |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=24 |pages=41–43 |date=May 2006}}</ref> == See also == * [[List of Game Boy accessories]] == Notes == {{notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{Commons category|Game Boy Color}} * {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001012024759/http://gameboy.com/|date=October 12 2000|title=Official website}} * {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214000944/http://www.nintendo.com/systems/gbc/gbc_overview.jsp|date=October 12 2000|title=Game Boy Color (Nintendo.com)}} * {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212061705/http://www.nintendo.com/doc/cgb_games.pdf|date=February 12 2004|title=List of Game Boy Color games}} * {{curlie|Games/Video_Games/Console_Platforms/Nintendo/Game_Boy_Color}} {{Game Boy line}} {{Nintendo hardware|Game Boy Color}} {{Fifth generation game consoles}} {{Handheld game consoles}} {{Portal bar|Video games|Electronics|1990s}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Game Boy Color}} [[Category:1990s toys]] [[Category:2000s toys]] [[Category:Backward-compatible video game consoles]] [[Category:Discontinued handheld game consoles]] [[Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles]] [[Category:Game Boy consoles]] [[Category:Handheld game consoles]] [[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2003]] [[Category:Products introduced in 1998]] [[Category:Regionless game consoles]] [[Category:Z80-based video game consoles]] [[de:Game Boy#Game Boy Color]]'