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Topic: Why did the Game Boy Light(the Game Boy Pocket with a backlight) never come to the west?

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Heavyarms55

As a kid who grew up with Game Boy, GB Color and GBA, when the SP finally released with a backlight, I was ecstatic. Fast forward to 2013, when I came to Japan for the first time on study abroad in college, I learned that Japan had a backlit Game Boy way back in early 1998. I have to assume that it was because the Game Boy Color was planned for launch toward the end of that year. But I also have to question why the Color and Advance did not use or at least have versions that used the same sort of backlight.

Anyone know anything about this?

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Tyranexx

I found a topic on Reddit that I don't think fully answers your question, but is an interesting read IMO.

It basically seems to have to do with cost-cutting. Unsurprisingly someone has brought up the battery life of the Game Gear.

Edited on by Tyranexx

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TheTetrisGuy

Well, it's the Gameboy, in 1998. It had been out for 7 years at that time, and only hardcore Gameboy fans would want it. I guess history kinda repeated it's self this year with the New 2DS XL. I always wanted a Gameboy light because it's region free, but if I want backlit Gameboy games I'll just go to the 3DS.

Just a geek that likes video games, and spends to much time playing Smash Bros. and Fortnite.

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Heavyarms55

@TheTetrisGuy In Today's day yeah, there are better ways. But I would have wanted it then. A lot of kids still played Game Boy at that time.

Nintendo Switch FC: 4867-2891-2493
Switch username: Em
Discord: Heavyarms55#1475
Pokemon Go FC: 3838 2595 7596
PSN: Heavyarms55zx

KingMike

I didn't get a GBC until 2000, but yes, it was probably rare because it was released after the GBC was announced.
So it was a choice between light or color, two things people wanted out of the original Game Boy. And it's a guess that Nintendo assumed in the west many would rather wait for color than have a light.

KingMike

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