The Game Boy (Also Known as Game Boy Classic or GB):
The enormous success of the first Game Boy sent shockwaves throughout the home video game industry that secured the handheld as a standard. Never before had a system combined high-quality cartridge-based games with, for its time, high tech Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) graphics delivered in glorious black & green. GB was also the first handheld system to feature multi-link gaming via a port that connects multiple systems for multiplayer battles.
Game Boy Pocket (Also Known as GBP)
Seven years after the Game Boy Classic innovated handheld gaming Nintendo introduced a more compact version of the popular system with the Game Boy Pocket. This smaller unit maintained all of the features that made us fall in love with the original but the display was switched to a more pleasant black & white. The Pocket is also the first to use a smaller multilink port that became the standard for all future Game Boy models up until the Game Boy Micro.
Game Boy Color (Also Known as GBC)
To keep up with the evolution of the gaming world Nintendo released one of the most influential of the GB family with the Game Boy Color. This model features a faster processor and is the first backwards compatible gaming system, allowing the ability to play games designed for the GB Classic in limited color. The GBC is also the first handheld to allow information to wirelessly transfer between two systems via an infrared port. Full Game Boy Color Profile.
Game Boy Advance (Also Known as the GBA)
Twelve years after Nintendo set the gaming world afire with the original GB Classic, they did it again with the Game Boy Advance, putting the graphics capabilities of a console system into a handheld. The games are slightly better quality than that of the Super Nintendo Console and like the GBC it is backwards compatible. The superior power of this system has also allowed many classic console titles to find new life on the GBA as many have been ported to this system.
Game Boy Advance SP (Also Known as GBA SP)
In response to consumers complaints over the inadequacies of the original GBA screen Nintendo released the GBA SP. It has the same capabilities as the GBA and most of the features, but it is collapsible, protecting the screen when not in use. The screen is also backlit, allowing the ability to play in any lighting situation. Although less comfortable than the GBA this has become the most popular of the current generation of Game Boys.
Game Boy Micro (Also Know as GB Micro)
Today smaller and sleeker portables are more popular than ever, so it was only natural that Nintendo supply this demand with the Game Boy Micro. Smaller than an I-Pod the Micro is the tiniest cartridge based gaming system ever made. The Micro serves not only as a gaming system but also as an accessory to your outfit with its interchangable face plates. This unit plays all GBA games, but unlike its predecessors it is not backwards compatible.
