【GAME BOY COLOR】 Released on October 21, 1998! Long-awaited colorization begins, and a handheld game console driving game history at once appears! Game Boy Color history is here!

On October 21, 1998, “Game Boy Color” was released by Nintendo. For game lovers, isn't this day one of the unforgettable anniversaries? Speaking of Game Boys up to then, screens expressed in black and white shades were natural. Of course, even so it could be enjoyed sufficiently, but there should have been many people who thought “I want to try moving favorite characters in color!” The one that fulfilled such a wish was this Game Boy Color. What's more, it was not merely that screens became vivid in color. It was equipped even with delightful compatibility where software for conventional Game Boys could be played as is. Even if purchasing a new main unit, software gathered up to now does not go to waste. Consideration for such playing people is also likely a reason supported by many fans.

The interesting part of Game Boy Color was that color-compatible software was not the only thing that could be played with colors. Actually, functions capable of adding pseudo-color even to old monochrome-only software were prepared. By selecting preset color scheme patterns, atmospheres of familiar game screens could be changed. “Even with such color tones, this game can be enjoyed!” Some people might have felt a fresh feeling. Also, categories of “Game Boy Color Exclusive” and “Game Boy & Color Dual” appeared in software. Verifying whether it could be played on your own main unit while checking packages was also a scene unique to those days, wasn't it?

Speaking of Game Boy Color's greatest evolution, as expected it would be the liquid crystal screen. What was adopted was a reflective TFT color liquid crystal, advanced for those days. It held a performance capable of displaying up to 56 colors simultaneously out of approximately 32,000 colors. Compared with 4-gradation monochrome screens up to then, differences in expressive power are clear at a glance. Furthermore, screen afterimages were reduced, becoming easy to see even in action games where characters move quickly. Being accustomed to current high-definition game screens, you might feel it to be modest performance. However, becoming able to enjoy colorful adventures on a palm-sized game console was a major event for children in those days.

Actually, colorization of handheld game consoles itself was not first with Game Boy Color. In 1990, “Game Gear” and “PC Engine GT” appeared, already realizing color screens. However, in color handheld game consoles in those days, there was a worry that battery consumption was severe. Even using 6 AA batteries, playable time was only about 3 hours. However, Game Boy Color realized continuous use for about 20 hours with merely 2 AA alkaline batteries. Planning power savings by not mounting backlights, while there was a weakness that screens were hard to see in dark places, being able to play long without worrying about battery costs was a major charm.

Another thing we want to pay attention to is the infrared communication function standard-mounted on the main unit. Up to then, to exchange data between game consoles, methods using link cables were general. However, in Game Boy Color, using compatible software made it possible to exchange small data without connecting cables. In the experience of communicating facing game consoles with friends, there was an indescribable special feeling. Of course, not all communication was wirelessized, and link cables were active continuously. Wireless communication becoming familiar in earnest was the era of the later Nintendo DS.

Works appearing matching the release of the main unit included “Wario Land II: The Stolen Treasure” and “Tetris DX,” etc. Both are titles capable of being enjoyed on both conventional Game Boys and Game Boy Colors. And on April 23, 1999, “Top Gear Pocket” was released by Kemco. This is a racing game known as the first Game Boy Color-exclusive title. Through the appearance of works assuming color display, possibilities unique to new hardware expanded further.

Game Boy Color's charm cannot be fully told by mere performance improvements alone. While cherishing past software, it was a single machine adopting new video expressions and communication functions, making portability and long-time drive compatible. Even without gorgeous directions like latest game consoles, in the time intently staring at the small screen, irreplaceable fun is packed. For people who played in the past, and generations who do not know the actual item, how about touching that charm by all means once? In Game Boy Color, nostalgia that can be tasted precisely because it is now and unfading interest remain.