Handheld Guide · NexWave Games
Which Game Boy can play Game Boy Color games?
You see a nice Game Boy Color game in the store and you think I have a Game Boy somewhere? Then it turns out that Nintendo has released many models and cartridges over the years. With one look at the handheld and the game, you avoid finding out at home that they don't match.
What models play a Color game?
A Game Boy Color plays original Game Boy games and Game Boy Color games. A Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP can also handle the older Game Boy and Color cartridges alongside their own GBA games. That makes an Advance SP attractive if you want to play a collection from several generations. However, check the condition of the cartridge opening and screen with a used copy.
The original Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket cannot play games created exclusively for Game Boy Color. Some Color editions were intended for both the old Game Boy and the Color: they have their own label on packaging or cartridge. Nintendo makes this distinction explicit in his overview of cartridges.
Micro and DS Lite are exceptions
The Game Boy Micro is small and pleasant to take, but only plays Game Boy Advance cartridges. The word Game Boy in the name does not mean that a Color game works. The Nintendo DS and DS Lite also have a GBA slot, but also support original Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridges. Choosing a DS Lite to play Color games is therefore an expensive mistake.
Not just look at the color of the plastic. In some games the housing is striking, but a sticker may be damaged or replaced. Find the exact game title and platform listing on the cartridge. A photo of the back and the lower edge can also help to show a seller what type he really offers.
Three questions before buying a cartridge
What model is on your handheld? Is the game an original Game Boy game, a Color-only game or a Game Boy Advance game? And do you want to play alone or also use a cable accessory? Especially that last question is useful, because cables and accessories are not automatically interchangeable between all generations.
Ask if the game has been tested on an appropriate system. A photo of the title screen is useful, but does not yet say that an old battery or storage function does it perfectly. For games in which you build a long progress, a trial save is wise. Check the buttons, sound and cartridge opening at the handheld.
The quick choice
If you have only Color games, then a Game Boy Color is a logical choice. If you also want to play Advance games, watch a Game Boy Advance or Advance SP. For a collection consisting only of GBA games, a Micro or DS Lite can fit, but both leave your Color cartridges behind. Start with the cartridge you want to play; then choose the console.