GameBoy Series

The Ultimate Video Game Console Archive

GameBoy Series

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Original GameBoy: Released in 1989

GameBoy Pocket: Released in 1996

GameBoy Light: Released in Japan Only in 1997

When creating the GameBoy, Nintendo wanted it to have three things: Affordability, a long battery life, and a very light and small exterior. Quite unlike it's competitors, Nintendo considered battery life much more important than a color screen. The GameBoy had an 8-bit processor and launched bundled with a revolutionary game: Tetris. The game was a huge hit and became a pop culture icon worldwide. Not only did gamers play Tetris, adults played the game, too. Even the arrival of more powerful portable systems failed to take down the mighty GameBoy. After becoming one of the most successful video game systems ever, Nintendo proved graphics weren't everything.

Worldwide Name: GameBoy (GB)

Market Share in Beginning of Lifespan: 90%

Market Share in Middle of Lifespan: 90%

Market Share in End of Lifespan: 90%

Best-Selling Game: Tetris (30 million copies)

An 8-Bit System

Price at Launch: $100.00

Number of Units Sold: 70 million

Slogans:

Now you're playing with power. Portable power!

Released Worldwide in: 1989

Discontinued in: 1998

Popularity Compared to Competitors:

In Japan:

1st-Nintendo GameBoy

2nd-Sega GameGear

3rd-Atari Lynx

In America:

1st-Nintendo GameBoy

2nd-Sega GameGear

3rd-Atari Lynx

In Europe:

1st-Nintendo GameBoy

2nd-Sega GameGear

3rd-Atari Lynx

Graphics Comparison:

1st-Sega GameGear

2nd-Atari Lynx

3rd-Nintendo GameBoy