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{{rewrite-expand}}
{{rewrite-expand|add more information on accessories and their relevance to ''Super Mario''}}
{{redirect|GBC|the Game Boy Camera|[[Game Boy Camera]]}}
{{redirect|GBC|the Game Boy Camera|[[Game Boy Camera]]}}
{{System-Infobox
{{system infobox
|Image=[[File:GBC Atomic Purple.png|200px]]
|image=[[File:GBC Atomic Purple.png|200px]]
|generation=Fifth
|generation=Fifth
|Rel={{released|Japan|October 21, 1998|USA|November 18, 1998|Europe|November 23, 1998|Australia|November 27, 1998|South Korea|2000<ref>https://archive.vn/CJqGo</ref>}}
|release={{release|Japan|October 21, 1998|USA|November 18, 1998|Europe|November 23, 1998|Australia|November 27, 1998|South Korea|December 20, 2000<ref>https://www.gamemeca.com/view.php?gid=5892</ref>}}
|Dis={{released|Japan|September 25, 2003|USA|2003}}
|discontinued={{release|Japan|September 25, 2003|USA|2003}}
|Pre=[[Game Boy]]<br>[[Virtual Boy]]
|predecessor=[[Game Boy]]<br>[[Virtual Boy]]
|Suc=[[Game Boy Advance]]
|successor=[[Game Boy Advance]]
}}
}}
{{quote2|Get into it.|The Game Boy Color slogan}}
{{quote2|Get into it.|The Game Boy Color slogan}}


[[File:GBC Logo.png|150px|left]]
[[File:GBC Logo.png|150px|left]]
The '''[[nwiki:Game Boy Color|Game Boy Color]]''' is the fourth model to the [[Game Boy]] and, in some ways, the handheld counterpart of the [[Nintendo 64]]. It is similar to its predecessors, the most notable differences being that it is lighter, it is capable of displaying multiple colors, and the processing power is twice as fast. It is the final handheld to feature 8-bit graphics.
The '''{{wp|Game Boy Color}}''' (also abbreviated as '''GBC''') is the fourth model to the [[Game Boy]] and, in some ways, the handheld counterpart of the [[Nintendo 64]]. It is similar to its predecessors, the most notable differences being that it is lighter, it is capable of displaying multiple colors, and the processing power is twice as fast. It is the final handheld to feature 8-bit graphics.


Some games made for the original Game Boy display more colors if played on a Game Boy Color. Other games were made exclusively for the Game Boy Color. The older versions could not play these, but the [[Game Boy Advance]], the [[Game Boy Advance#Game Boy Advance SP|Game Boy Advance SP]], and the [[Game Boy Player]] could. It also had the shortest lifetime of a Nintendo handheld, as it was discontinued in 2003, and the last game was released later the same year.
Some games made for the original Game Boy display more colors if played on a Game Boy Color. Other games were made exclusively for the Game Boy Color. The older versions could not play these, but the [[Game Boy Advance]], the [[nwiki:Game Boy Advance SP|Game Boy Advance SP]], and the [[Game Boy Player]] could. It also had the shortest lifetime of a Nintendo handheld, as it was discontinued in 2003, and the last game was released later the same year.


The Game Boy Color has identical controls to that of the original Game Boy and the NES controller. These are {{Button|gbc|A}}, {{Button|gbc|B}}, {{Button|gbc|start}}, and {{Button|gbc|select}} buttons and the {{Button|gbc|Pad}}. There are no compatibility issues with games made for the original Game Boy being run on a Game Boy Color. All games, accessories that are programmed for a particular game (such as a Game Link Cable), and non-standard features (such as the camera protruding out of a [[Game Boy Camera]] cartridge) will work on a Game Boy Color. Playing games that did not have any color can now be played in color using a color palette by using a combination of {{Button|gbc|Pad}} and {{Button|gbc|a}}, {{Button|gbc|b}}, or no additional button being pressed to select presets, similar to the [[Super Game Boy]] how someone can change the colors into the typical monochrome display.
The Game Boy Color has identical controls to that of the original Game Boy and the NES controller. These are {{Button|gbc|A}}, {{Button|gbc|B}}, {{Button|gbc|start}}, and {{Button|gbc|select}} buttons and the {{Button|gbc|Pad}}. There are no compatibility issues with games made for the original Game Boy being run on a Game Boy Color. All games, accessories that are programmed for a particular game (such as a Game Link Cable), and non-standard features (such as the camera protruding out of a [[Game Boy Camera]] cartridge) will work on a Game Boy Color. Playing games that did not have any color can now be played in color using a color palette by using a combination of {{Button|gbc|Pad}} and {{Button|gbc|a}}, {{Button|gbc|b}}, or no additional button being pressed to select presets, similar to the [[Super Game Boy]] how someone can change the colors into the typical monochrome display.
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A device known as the [[Game Boy Horror]], modeled after the Game Boy Color, appears in ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]''.
A device known as the [[Game Boy Horror]], modeled after the Game Boy Color, appears in ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]''.


Some Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are currently available through the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS|Virtual Console]] service.
Some Game Boy and Game Boy Color games were once available through the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS|Virtual Console]] service until the Nintendo 3DS eShop's closure on March 27, 2023.


==Hardware specifications==
==Hardware specifications==
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==Accessories==
==Accessories==
{{stub|section=yes}}
All [[Official Nintendo Seal|official]] accessories compatible with the [[Game Boy]] are compatible with the Game Boy Color.
All [[Official Nintendo Seal|official]] accessories compatible with the [[Game Boy]] are compatible with the Game Boy Color.


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===Game Boy Printer===
===Game Boy Printer===
[[File:GameBoyPrinter.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:GameBoyPrinter.jpg|thumb]]
The Game Boy Printer that was used to print pictures from the player's Game Boy. This accessory gained some extended support when the Game Boy Color was released, such as being used in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'' in [[Toy Box]] mode viewing albums.
The Game Boy Printer that was used to print pictures from the player's Game Boy. This accessory gained some extended support when the Game Boy Color was released, such as being used in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]]'' in [[Super Mario Bros. Deluxe#Toy Box|Toy Box]] mode viewing albums.
{{br}}
{{br}}


===Mobile Adapter GB===
===Mobile Adapter GB===
Only available in Japan, the '''[[bulbapedia:Mobile Game Boy Adapter|Mobile Adapter GB]]''' allowed certain games to connect to some Japanese mobile phones. The only strictly ''Mario'' games to utilize it were ''[[Mobile Golf]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', however the operation software that came with it (''[[Mobile Trainer]]'') features references to the ''Mario'' franchise. This peripheral was referred to as the '''Mobile Game Boy Adapter''' [https://archive.is/o56o4 in a translated Iwata Asks interview].
Only available in Japan, the '''{{wp|Game Boy accessories#Mobile Adapter GB|Mobile Adapter GB}}''' allowed certain games to connect to some Japanese mobile phones. The only strictly ''Super Mario'' games to utilize it were ''[[Mobile Golf]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]''; however, the operation software that came with it (''[[Mobile Trainer]]'') features references to the ''Super Mario'' franchise. This peripheral was referred to as the '''Mobile Game Boy Adapter''' [https://archive.is/o56o4 in a translated Iwata Asks interview]. The device was released exclusively to Japan on January 27, 2001 and was not a commercial success.  


A part of the service was the '''Mobile System GB''', which allowed players to log on to the internet to access a network for wireless play across the nation via Nintendo servers. Using this server, ''Mobile Golf'' could be played online wirelessly, a precursor to the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] and [[Nintendo Network]]. Just as the device was not successful, the Mobile System GB was not successful and closed down on December 14, 2002.
{{NIWA|title=Mobile Adapter GB|NWiki=Mobile Game Boy Adapter|Bulbapedia=Mobile Game Boy Adapter}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
GBC Mobile Adapter GB Panasonic.png|A version compatible with a {{wp|Panasonic}} mobile phone
GBC Mobile Adapter GB Panasonic.png|A version compatible with a {{wp|Panasonic}} mobile phone
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====Special editions====
====Special editions====
<gallery>
<gallery>
GBC Mario Atomic Purple.jpg|Mario themed Atomic Purple Game Boy Color, only available in Japan
GBC Mario Atomic Purple.jpg|Mario-themed Atomic Purple Game Boy Color (Japan only)
GBC Mario Clear.jpg|Mario themed {{Conjectural|Clear}} Game Boy Color, only available in Japan
GBC Mario Clear.jpg|Mario-themed {{Conjectural|Clear}} Game Boy Color (Japan only)
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Game gallery===
===Game gallery===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Donkey Kong Country GBC US box art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Country#Game Boy Color|Donkey Kong Country]]''
Donkey Kong Country GBC US box art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Color)|Donkey Kong Country]]''
Dinky and Dixie Kong GBC cover art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Land III|Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong]]''
Dinky and Dixie Kong GBC cover art.jpg|''[[Donkey Kong Land III|Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong]]''
Game Watch Gallery 2 NA boxart.png|''[[Game & Watch Gallery 2]]''
Game Watch Gallery 2 NA boxart.png|''[[Game & Watch Gallery 2]]''
Gameandwatch3.jpg|''[[Game & Watch Gallery 3]]''
Gameandwatch3.jpg|''[[Game & Watch Gallery 3]]''
Mario Family cover.png|''[[Mario Family]]''
Mario Family cover.png|''[[Mario Family]]''
MGGBC Cover.png|''[[Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)|Mario Golf]]''
MarioGolfGBCBoxArtCover.jpg|''[[Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)|Mario Golf]]''
MarioTennisGBC.jpg|''[[Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)|Mario Tennis]]''
MarioTennisGBC.jpg|''[[Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)|Mario Tennis]]''
MobileGolfBoxart.gif|''[[Mobile Golf]]''
MobileGolfBoxart.gif|''[[Mobile Golf]]''
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*In many English-speaking countries (e.g. Great Britain), the correct spelling for "color" is "colour". Despite this, the name of the console was never changed outside of America to reflect this difference.
*In many English-speaking countries (e.g. Great Britain), the correct spelling for "color" is "colour". Despite this, the name of the console was never changed outside of America to reflect this difference.
*The Chronicle in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' does not treat the Game Boy Color as separate from the original Game Boy.
*The Chronicle in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' does not treat the Game Boy Color as separate from the original Game Boy.
*This is one of the systems to appear on the {{wp|Nintendo Gateway System}}.


==References==
==References==
{{NIWA|Bulbapedia=1|DragonQuest=Game Boy|HardDrop=1|NWiki=1|StarfyWiki=Terminology#G|StrategyWiki=Category:Game Boy Color|WarsWiki=1|WiKirby=1|ZeldaWiki=1}}
{{NIWA|Bulbapedia=1|HardDrop=1|NWiki=1|StarfyWiki=Terminology#G|StrategyWiki=Category:Game Boy Color|WarsWiki=1|WiKirby=1|ZeldaWiki=1}}
{{Wikipedia}}
<references/>
<references/>


{{GBC}}
{{Consoles}}
{{Consoles}}
{{GBC}}
[[de:Game Boy Color]]
[[de:Game Boy Color]]
[[it:Game Boy Color]]
[[it:Game Boy Color]]
[[Category:Video game systems]]
[[Category:Systems]]

Revision as of 22:20, March 11, 2024

It has been requested that this article be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: add more information on accessories and their relevance to Super Mario

"GBC" redirects here. For information about the Game Boy Camera, see Game Boy Camera.
Game Boy Color
Atomic Purple Game Boy Color
Generation Fifth generation
Release date Japan October 21, 1998
USA November 18, 1998
Europe November 23, 1998
Australia November 27, 1998
South Korea December 20, 2000[1]
Discontinued Japan September 25, 2003
USA 2003
Predecessor Game Boy
Virtual Boy
Successor Game Boy Advance
“Get into it.”
—The Game Boy Color slogan
The logo for Game Boy Color

The Game Boy Color (also abbreviated as GBC) is the fourth model to the Game Boy and, in some ways, the handheld counterpart of the Nintendo 64. It is similar to its predecessors, the most notable differences being that it is lighter, it is capable of displaying multiple colors, and the processing power is twice as fast. It is the final handheld to feature 8-bit graphics.

Some games made for the original Game Boy display more colors if played on a Game Boy Color. Other games were made exclusively for the Game Boy Color. The older versions could not play these, but the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP, and the Game Boy Player could. It also had the shortest lifetime of a Nintendo handheld, as it was discontinued in 2003, and the last game was released later the same year.

The Game Boy Color has identical controls to that of the original Game Boy and the NES controller. These are A Button, B Button, Start Button, and Select Button buttons and the +Control Pad. There are no compatibility issues with games made for the original Game Boy being run on a Game Boy Color. All games, accessories that are programmed for a particular game (such as a Game Link Cable), and non-standard features (such as the camera protruding out of a Game Boy Camera cartridge) will work on a Game Boy Color. Playing games that did not have any color can now be played in color using a color palette by using a combination of +Control Pad and A Button, B Button, or no additional button being pressed to select presets, similar to the Super Game Boy how someone can change the colors into the typical monochrome display.

A device known as the Game Boy Horror, modeled after the Game Boy Color, appears in Luigi's Mansion.

Some Game Boy and Game Boy Color games were once available through the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service until the Nintendo 3DS eShop's closure on March 27, 2023.

Hardware specifications

  • CPU: Zilog Z80 (customized)
  • CPU Speed: 8 Mhz
  • RAM: 16 kB
  • Resolution: 160x144 pixels (Same as Game Boy)
  • Colors: 32,768 (15-bit RGB)
  • Maximum number of colors on screen: 56
  • Maximum sprite size: 8x16 or 16x8 pixels
  • Maximum number of sprites on screen: 40 sprites, 10 per scanline (Same as Game Boy)
  • Maximum number of colors on sprite: 4 (Same as NES)[2][3]
  • Minimum/Maximum cartridge size: 256 kb - 64 mb[4]
  • Sound: 4 channels

Compatibility modes

All older cartridges are compatible with the Game Boy Color, but not always the other way around. Here is a chart to explain.

Example cartridge Usual color Game Boy mode Super Game Boy mode Game Boy Color mode
Original Game Boy cartridge North American Cartridge Gray Check mark.svg Varies from game to game X mark.svg
Game Boy Color cartridge (black) European Cartridge Black Check mark.svg Varies from game to game Check mark.svg
Game Boy Color cartridge (clear) North American Super Mario Bros. Deluxe cartridge Clear X mark.svg X mark.svg Check mark.svg

Accessories

All official accessories compatible with the Game Boy are compatible with the Game Boy Color.

Game Link Cable

GBC Link Cable

The same link cable the Game Boy and its variations use can be used on Game Boy Color.

Game Boy Printer

GameBoyPrinter.jpg

The Game Boy Printer that was used to print pictures from the player's Game Boy. This accessory gained some extended support when the Game Boy Color was released, such as being used in Super Mario Bros. Deluxe in Toy Box mode viewing albums.

Mobile Adapter GB

Only available in Japan, the Mobile Adapter GB allowed certain games to connect to some Japanese mobile phones. The only strictly Super Mario games to utilize it were Mobile Golf and Mario Kart: Super Circuit; however, the operation software that came with it (Mobile Trainer) features references to the Super Mario franchise. This peripheral was referred to as the Mobile Game Boy Adapter in a translated Iwata Asks interview. The device was released exclusively to Japan on January 27, 2001 and was not a commercial success.

A part of the service was the Mobile System GB, which allowed players to log on to the internet to access a network for wireless play across the nation via Nintendo servers. Using this server, Mobile Golf could be played online wirelessly, a precursor to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and Nintendo Network. Just as the device was not successful, the Mobile System GB was not successful and closed down on December 14, 2002.

Mobile Adapter GB coverage on other NIWA wikis:
  • A version compatible with a Panasonic mobile phone

    A version compatible with a Panasonic mobile phone

  • A version compatible with a Kyocera mobile phone

    A version compatible with a Kyocera mobile phone

IR communication

SMBDX IR Mode.png

There is an infrared LED, indicated by the black rectangle on top of the unit, that a Game Boy Color can use. This was the primary method in which Mystery Gift worked in the Generation II Pokémon games, but Super Mario Bros. Deluxe can make use of this feature by sending high scores and other data to other copies. This feature is exclusive to the Game Boy Color and is not present in later Game Boy devices.

BIOS colors

These colors will also work on a Game Boy Advance, a Game Boy Advance SP and a Game Boy Player when a Game Boy game is inserted.

+Control Pad up +Control Pad down +Control Pad left +Control Pad right
No input Boot screen Brown
Brown 		Boot screen Pale Yellow
Pale Yellow[5]/Pastel Mix[6] 		Boot screen Blue
Blue 		Boot screen Green
Green
A Button Boot screen Red
Red 		Boot screen Orange
Orange 		Boot screen Dark Blue
Dark Blue 		Boot screen Dark Green
Dark Green
B Button Boot screen Dark Brown
Dark Brown 		Boot screen Yellow
Yellow 		Boot screen Gray
Original Gray 		Boot screen Reverse
Reverse

It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this article. Remove this notice only after the additional image(s) have been added. Reason: Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins are not the only games to have this functionality

SML B&W Title Screen.png
On Game Boy
The Super Mario Land title screen in one of the system color palettes for Game Boy Color.
On Game Boy Color and later handhelds
Bonus game
On Game Boy
bonus room
On Game Boy Color and later handhelds

The Game Boy Color will display a unique hardware-coded palette of colors for some titles using an internal list of original Game Boy games. Two such instances are Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins.

Gallery

System gallery

  • Boot screen

    Boot screen

Standard colors

  • Berry

    Berry

  • Grape

    Grape

  • Kiwi

    Kiwi

  • Dandelion

    Dandelion

  • Teal

    Teal

  • Clear (Japan only)

    Clear (Japan only)

Special editions

  • Mario-themed Atomic Purple Game Boy Color (Japan only)

    Mario-themed Atomic Purple Game Boy Color (Japan only)

  • Mario-themed Clear Game Boy Color (Japan only)

    Mario-themed Clear Game Boy Color (Japan only)

Game gallery

Trivia

  • The Game Boy Color, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Wii U were all released on the same day of their respective years in the Americas.
  • This is Nintendo of Australia's first portable console.
  • Each letter from the word "COLOR" in the logo is displayed in one of the system's five launch colors.
  • In many English-speaking countries (e.g. Great Britain), the correct spelling for "color" is "colour". Despite this, the name of the console was never changed outside of America to reflect this difference.
  • The Chronicle in Super Smash Bros. Brawl does not treat the Game Boy Color as separate from the original Game Boy.

References

Game Boy Color coverage on other NIWA wikis:
  1. ^ https://www.gamemeca.com/view.php?gid=5892
  2. ^ http://nesdev.com/NESTechFAQ.htm#chrgfx
  3. ^ http://www.consoledatabase.com/consoleinfo/nintendogameboycolor/
  4. ^ http://www.chrisantonellis.com/files/gameboy/gb-programming-manual.pdf
  5. ^ GBC Manual
  6. ^ GBA Manual
[Edit]
Game Boy Color games
Super Mario franchise Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (1999) • Mario Golf (1999) • Mario Tennis (2000) • Mobile Golf (2001) • Mario Family (2001)
Donkey Kong franchise Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong (2000) • Donkey Kong Country (2000)
Wario franchise Wario Land II* (1998) • Wario Land 3 (2000)
Other Game & Watch Gallery 2* (1998) • The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX* (1998) • Game & Watch Gallery 3* (1999)
* Backwards compatible with the Game Boy

Template:Consoles

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