Topic: I think Nintendo should revive the Game Boy line...

@GuSilverFlame Sure, there are many many ways to preserve, mod and even enhance older consoles and games Take the first Xbox for example, you can turn this badboy into a HD multi media center with almost limitless capacity, network access, support for pretty much any media type. Or you could turn it into a proper arcade mashine
Got a dreamcast but no DSL modem ? Build your own !
All of this might sound easy, but if youre not really into it, youre better off just leaving everything as it is and except the fact that these old cartridges are going to die eventually
These ways are not really accessable to anyone and therefore, are not a valid argument if you ask me Youll need the proper tools, the proper knowledge etc. And that could come in more expansive than buying the VC rerelease. Being able to preserfe youre games / consoles on your own has major benefits in the long run though, not only does it save money, but you always have the most authentic gaming experience, something i really cherish when it comes to old games.
I cant even understand why i was once a dedicated emulator user There is nothing that could beat an original console, with all its ups and downs.
Speaking of VC and emulation, another good example:
Ever tried to properly emulate N64 games ? Or tried to get your hands on a working 1st party controller ? Or even find a well made rebuild controller ? The N64 is a bit** to preserve, in any way, shape and form. And the Wiis N64 VC titles were a godsent.

@Einherjar true, maybe I'm just good with this kind of stuff(repairing old GBC catridges and such) didn't think enough before posting it might be from hard to disastrous to even change the catridge's batteries for some people. especially the way I used to do with only my sister's hairclips(they're perfect screwdrivers), some cotton swabs to clean inside and my hands, no right tools...

like this?
http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/media/gameboyenhanced/gben...

anyways, its true nintendo did once say that the ds, gba, and gcn were it's three pillars, and im sure had the ds flopped they would have made some kind of gameboy enhanced or something afterwards. i still say im playing gameboy when playing ds or 3ds sometimes. 3ds maybe could've been called 3d gameboy to avoid ds name confusion, but that doesn't seem to be a problem now. wii u should've had a gameboy mode, that let you play certain games and features on the tablet wherever you are.

DREAMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want 10!!!!!!

TBH the DS line is more or less a continuation of the Gameboy line (just look at the design of the SP), with it's own innovations thrown in. Also I don't really see why Nintendo would ever want to go back to the Gameboy line when the DS has a lot going for it already. The dual screens and use of the stylus has really opened up new doors.

My expectation is that in another 3 or maybe 4 years Nintendo will wrap things up with the 3DS and either continue the DS line or drop something completely new. If they were to continue the DS line I would have the following expectations:

HD (HD on a handheld will be an easy reality by 2016)
Two analog sticks on the system (this should have came with the 3DS in the first place IMO)
Better internet browsing capabilities

Honestly, I think Nintendo IS going to do something drastic next generation, as is everyone. The Gameboy line is dead though for the simple fact that it has BOY in the name, and I think Nintendo has grown past the point where it can afford to potentially repel female gamers with a system that sounds like it wasn't made for them, and no, a Gamegirl isn't the answer either.

The next system will have a unique name. I like to call it the Nintendo Tablet or NPad.
It will come with a large HD widescreen (around 12"?),
which is tall enough to display both screens from a DS or 3DS for backwards compatibility.
It won't have 3D, but it will be a multi-touch screen, possibly with haptic feedback and a button underneath the screen to enable hovering cursors.
It will likely be significantly more powerful than the Wii U, or at the very least have a lot more RAM.
The controls will either slide out, or come with some kind of protective cover. It will have every control method the Wii U gamepad has.
While it won't have a virtual console for N64 or Gamecube, the noteworthy titles from those systems will be remastered for it specifically.
The virtual console WILL have support for NES, SNES, Gameboy, GBC, GBA, DS, and 3DS titles.
You'll also be able to download Wii titles, which will require Wii controllers and accessories according to the game, plus a sensor bar.
It will have the ability to play any game on a television in addition to it's own screen.
You'll also be able to download Wii U titles, which may require a television depending on the game.
The launch lineup will be devoid of any 3D titles outside of a 3D Mario game, but will have retro throwbacks like A Link Between Worlds.
It will be the second to last system Nintendo ever makes, including handhelds and consoles. It's intended as a hybrid between both.

The advantage here is that while Nintendo may have to sell at a loss, they can have every 1st party developer on the same system cranking out games instead of trying to divide everyone's attention between portable and home console. Since portables have always been the higher selling systems, it only makes sense that the one with all the backwards compatibility is a portable with the ability to connect to a television. Since the hardware is more powerful, a larger system may be necessary, and having a larger screen means it could play DS and 3DS games no problem.

After this, everyone will be focusing on VR, Sony and Microsoft included providing PCs don't beat them to it and kill off consoles entirely. Following that, there isn't really a natural step forward with technology that we have, so we'll have to wait and see.

I've been thinking for a while now how cool it would be if Nintendo revived the Gameboy as a special 25th (?) anniversary event. Have the "launch" line up be remakes of several GB/GBC/GBA classics and alongside it, have the GBA library finally make it's debut on the VC service. It's the only excuse I'd accept for the delay with getting GBA titles lol.

EDIT: But as an actual successor, I really think it's either going to be another DS or they're going to move on to phones or tablets.

The only acceptable "revival" for this would be a budget console with multiple built-in games.

But them again, "we have the virtual console for that".

Erm .... the 3DS is the most recent of the Gameboy line. Think about it. The first DS had a Gameboy cartridge slot, and could play pretty much every Gameboy game. Then as people moved to upgrade to the newest portable they phased it out, knowing they could reduce the cost and improve the quality by removing the extra hardware, but in their minds they still held onto the fact that people would like to continue to play these older classics. So when they were able .... they added the virtual console and started porting these classics to the newer hardware.

The 3DS is just the modern Gameboy.

Someone may have already said this, but it sounds like what you're looking for is Nintendo's version of a Vita. And, as I think we all know, the Vita is doing terrible. If Nintendo did that, just maybe the same thing would happen, and if Nintendo's handhelds fail, then Nintendo would be just about finished.

The reason the Vita is failing is because of a lack of games. The hardware is excellent for a handheld, in fact it's far superior to the 3DS.

If there's something the Vita is failing because of, it's not for a lack of games — and this is coming from a non-Vita owner. In fact I'd have one if I could afford one! ...but claiming it has no games needs to stop.

Vita actually has plenty of games, it's pretty much just insane memory card prices and lack of marketing.

Just adding my own spin, I agree with everything you've said.
The biggest point of departure between the DS line and its precursor, was the eponymous dual-screen design. Call it a comforting step back; with the 2DS returning to a more "slab-like" form, and retaining many of the forward evolutions as you've outlined.

Technically, the 2DS is really just one design variation. Since the Gameboy Advanced, Nintendo has been a bit more daring with such variations in design. FYI, Gameboy Advanced was my favorite of the original Gameboy line.

now that you bring up the 2ds, it makes me think of this

finally makes a version of the 3ds where the top screen can't wobble and give you troubles viewing 3d
isn't a 3d screen anyways

To be fair, the primary concept of the 2DS was to make the unit less expensive, and that means fewer moving parts and processors.

I don't want to see the game boy line come back
Game boy always kind of sucked eve when it worked to me and would be seppuku against psp line and mobile gaming. Psp did actually sell pretty good, approximately 80 million
Ds has a big cushion in branding and uniqueness - stands out. I think even the 3ds Is in trouble though - sales forecast 13.5 instead of 18, which though a lot, shows a possible problem - sales have been too steady, and will probably go down eventually. It would have been better seeing a mountain shaped line on a graph.
But idk, I am NOT an expert. Just doing my best to research, I want to be in business one day - critical life skill.

The sales data clearly shows the DS family (including 3DS) outselling all of the game boys. So why do we need the Game Boy again?

Just buy a PS Vita and slap a Nintendo logo sticker on it.