Rumours abound that Game Boy games are finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online and we’ve been busy daydreaming about all the classic games we might be able to play again — and all the ones we won’t too. The record-shattering dominance of Nintendo’s legendary Game Boy line of handhelds allowed developers' imaginations to run riot, concocting strange new ideas… and equally odd cartridges to go with them.
Here is a small selection of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games that at the very least would lose something essential or special if they were ported to Switch, and a couple that would be literally unemulatable...
Game Boy Camera (GB)
Released at a time when high-end consumer digital cameras might offer floppy discs as a storage medium it’s easy to see why this swivel-headed and affordable alternative made such an impact — for a lot of us this was as close as we could hope to get to digital photography.
Even though it’s been left in the technological dust by almost every single camera phone ever created, it remains a worthwhile tool precisely because Nintendo’s camera, like the Game Boy itself, always cared more about creativity than raw power. Every oddball menu and fun feature encourages players to put Pikachu stickers next to a family pet, animate a roped-in relative, or become the star of a mini-game — this focus on enjoyment is what makes the cart so special, always remembering it's a Game Boy Camera, not a camera on the Game Boy.
Robopon: Sun Version (GBC)
This Pokémon-like adventure may have stood alone on its US release (preventing players from Catching ‘Em All the way Japanese fans could), but it still came on the same oddly shaped and feature packed cartridge as its better supported import original.
Built straight into the cart was a small IR receiver, allowing users to zap the game with a TV remote to boost their Robopon’s stats, as well as a battery-powered internal clock and speaker. The game used the latter two to keep track of time and beep away when something special was happening in the game or a lengthy task had been completed by an NPC — even when the Game Boy was turned off. Even when the Game Boy itself had no batteries inside it.
This feature made the game feel alive in a way few others do, as if the world within was something that carried on even when nobody was watching.
Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi Osutchi to Mesutchi (GB)
An evolved and pleasantly blue version of Robopon’s augmented cart allowed this Japan-only Tamagotchi title to keep up with the ever-increasing complexity of the handheld toys it was based on.
Stretched to about a regular cart-and-a-half high, the physical extras here included another easily accessed battery and speaker set with one blessed new feature — an on/off switch for the sound. Now if someone wanted to receive constant alerts when their weird virtual pet was hungry or needed its effluence sluiced away, they could choose to, rather than being woken up by a demanding alien child in the middle of the night whether they wanted to or not.
Pocket Family GB 2 (GBC)
This is another variant of the battery/speaker combo used in the two games mentioned above (as well as this game’s prequel), and contained within a unique clear shell due to its Color-exclusive compatibility.
The main character here is a kindly robot trying to care for up to four families at once; weeding the grass, dishing out presents, and generally making sure everyone's happy and comfortable. Unlike many games of this type, the aim isn’t to preserve the status quo against ever-mounting odds but rather to watch these families grow up and grow old, with one real day equally a year in the game.
This time the beepy (and unsilenceable) speaker notifies players of unplanned special in-game events, enriching extra family scenes that can pop up at any time of the day or night. Pocket Family GB 2 also supports the Game Boy Printer, because a good Game Boy game can never have too many optional gadgets.
Monster Maker: Barcode Saga (GB)
The cart itself is deceptively ordinary but we’re including this one because anyone who wanted to even get as far as the title screen would need to cover the top of their Game Boy with Namco[t]’s enormous Barcode Boy, a chunky e-Reader-alike that enabled users to swipe special cards through it to gain monsters and items, behaving very much like an upmarket and more polished version of the Barcode Battler that readers of a certain age may remember using when they were younger.
As with all the very best oddball ideas, there was little support for this game/accessory/card hybrid at the time and it now tends to be something people sigh wistfully at online rather than play for themselves.
Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand (GBA)
This Kojima-produced GBA title is perhaps one of the most famous enhanced Nintendo carts of all, using as it does a light sensor to allow Django’s weapons to absorb sunlight and help him fight back against the vampires plaguing his world.
While the game does provide a few virtual aids, it does expect its stealth-loving players to actually go outside in the daytime as much as possible, a brave and memorable decision that just can’t be replicated accurately without using a similar light-sensing accessory (or plain cheating).
Nintendo Power GB Memory Cartridge
Okay, bit of a curveball here, admittedly, but it definitely won't be coming to Nintendo Switch Online, will it?!
Much like its slightly better known Super Famicom relation, this was an official blank cart users could fill with multiple games at participating (Japanese) retailers for a lower than usual price. We can of course replicate the games — even the exclusive ones (the Game Boy Color version of Balloon Fight is a wonderful thing, and available on the Japanese 3DS eShop) — but the convenience of these days being able to download whatever, whenever, doesn’t quite replace the sensation of having one unique cart to take to the store and carefully choose to copy a new forever game on (and get a matching label sticker to go with it too).
It's like how getting a burger and chips delivered to your door via an app isn’t the same as piling into a fast food restaurant with friends, even if it is a lot quicker and easier to do.
It’s not all doom and gloom: With rumble feedback and gyro controls present in every Switch as standard there are more than a few extra-special carts that could make an authentic comeback — Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble, WarioWare: Twisted!, and Pokémon Pinball spring to mind.
Which ones are you waiting for? And do you think any of the above could be tweaked to work on Switch? Let us know in the comments below.
Further reading:
Comments (60)
I also do not expect to see any main-series Pokemon game, if game boy games are indeed added.
If this is real, I'd love to see Kirby Tilt n Tumble playable on modern hardware. It's the one GB kirby game I've never played.
Also, why are so many new articles treating Game Boy on switch like some confirmed fact? Over 3 articles on what is now still a rumour.
I feel like the GB Camera could work, since there's a camera on the Switch, but the rest of the games need some proper reverse engineering to get them to work, like for the next three, you need notifications on the Switch, and the infared at the end of Robopon? Yea, that's gonna be hard to replicate. For Barcode Saga, it would need a version of the GB Barcode thingy, and for Boktai, it would probably need some hacks to change the light sensor on a whim.
And you probably need a printer support update for the GB Printer games. That's gonna be outlandish.
I don't expect to see more than 25% of the GB or GBA library, since that's about what we got with SNES and NES.
You know the 4K rumors... what happened with the "Switch 4K?"...
I hope you are right this time..
@reporterdavid I hope so too, because with all of this, I've just been thinking "Man, we really haven't learned anything from the whole 'Switch Pro' fiasco". I hope I'm proven wrong and people aren't just getting hyped over nothing again.
People seem excited for this but i kind of feel like they are missing something. Gamrboy games are made for a screw just a few inchs wide. When most people have 55" TVS or bigger..thats going to look horrific.
Gameboy games we probably won't see on Nintendo switch online? Any at all! As well as N64, GameCube or anything else. Damn rumor mill getting peoples hopes up!
Does anyone else miss VC where you could actually own the games instead of paying to rent them from an APP?
It's all good though. I have a modded Mini Nes with every noteworthy game loaded to it anyway so thanks for nothing Nintendo. I ain't waiting until I'm almost dead to get 5 good games in 3 years time.
Imports, liscenced games, waggle games like twisted or Topsy turvey, games with a rating of 8 or greater....
I just want that rumored castlevania GBA collection
@Eel Why would you not expect the most popular GBC games?
RIP boktai.
You where to good for this world
@ValZ switch doesn't have a camera though unless if you are counting the ir sensor
This is the first I am hearing about the Power GB cartridge, which is such a cool concept.
If the Switch successor's cartridges would contain a writeable partition for software updates and/or DLC (especially so that the latter is tied to the cartridge itself as opposed to one's NNID), then I wouldn't have any complaints about either.
What's going to be real funny is when neither gets added.and I'll sit back and laugh at the people who believe fake leakers and rumors just saying lol don't believe everything you read
I don’t expect to see any Gameboy games on NSO.
@thejuice027 Because you can buy Let's Go Eevee or Let's Go Pikachu for full price already, and they could always sell some version or remake of Gold/Silver/Crystal separately in the future.
(also there's the fact Pokemon games like to have their own features and restrictions that require extra work compared to regular GB games)
this list of Game Boy games that would not be released on a hypothetical Switch service is very long. here's some games to bet against:
any licensed titles, GB Mega Man, anything from Squaresoft/SquareEnix, anything from Konami, anything from Atlus, any special cartridge titles (rumble, motion control, etc), mainline Pokemon games...
No Pokemon Games, not because Nintendo is greedy, but because trading Pokemon becomes problematic within the confines of the Nintendo Online service.
After all the "pro" rumors ill just relax and see what they will do. At this point im kinda dissapointed. Nintendo giving us the silent treathment. Man do i miss Iwata.
@earthinheritor Super sharp, chunky pixels look very good, though. I just hope that they have proper integer scaling (if the GB games are even coming).
Luckily, on handheld mode, Game Boy's resolution of 160×144 can be integer scaled to 800×720, looking very sharp on the Switch's 720p screen.
I really enjoyed the Terminator 2 game.
It was done in the style of the Ocean film tie-ins (like RoboCop and Batman), so was a great mix of side scrolling action and puzzle games. Dead easy though. Doubt that would get a release on here.
Same for Gauntlet 2 - was fun playing portable Gauntlet.
R-Type was good on the Gameboy as it was actually easy! But that is certainly not needed on the Switch.
...and the speculation continues.
@Crono1973 I know, right? It's like people just forgot about the last time we all got incredibly hyped up about baseless rumours.
I just hope that Super Game Boy games are emulated correctly with the SNES in mind. I loved to play them on the tv with their exclusive SGB borders, advanced color palettes, enhanced stereo sound effects, and simultaneous multiplayer! Some of them (Donkey Kong, Kirby's Block Ball, Pokémon Trading Card Game, Samurai Shodown, even Donkey Kong Land 1&2) are among the best 8-bit games I ever played. I think you too, should play the best version of these Super Game Boy games, and if Nintendo is re-releasing them original monochrome Game Boy mode should only be an option.
We also won't see many licensed games. Or any really.
Some games are compatible with gameboy printer. We need a gameboy printer for Switch
Guys I think my childhood Game Boy library is a good model for the Switch.
I had Kid Dracula, as well as Yogi Bear's Gold Rush.
@dimi They just disabled the Print menu in the VC Pokemon games. We couldn't even at least hear the printer music.
As much as I want GB and GBC games on NSO, I would prefer a GB Mini.
Can't see them adding the wind waker as that would harm sales of the remake
@Eel I disagree because most of the work has already been done. When they rereleased them for 3DS just before the Switch came out.
Ah yes, Boktai. I was first exposed to it via crossover material in the Mega Man Battle Network series (starting with the fourth duo maybe?) and had no idea it was actually a real life game.
@acNewUpdates NL said they had a very reliable source that the GB & GBC games were coming soon. That is why they are publishing articles with confidence. Only time will tell.
I remember when there were reliable sources that detailed Metroid Prime Trilogy coming to switch, a Switch Pro coming out last year (and the year before that), Persona 5 coming to switch, Retro Studios making Star Fox Grand Prix..... the list goes on. We'll see though. I believe if this is real, expect as much as they do with the other ones, the decent lineup at launch with obvious games missing, 3 games added every month or so until they inexplicably stop and then only come out periodically and the quality of the games vary incredibly.
@thejuice027 Switch emulation is different though, it combines all games into one title. That would break support with stuff like Pokémon home or local trading.
@SKTTR Hopefully we ge to switch between Super Game Boy and Game BOy Color.
I remembe reading something about emulating the Boktai Solar Sensor wi the Weather Channel... bu that was two generations ago.
Plus pretty much all the games on your most wanted list as well.
Rumbles not standard in every switch..or is switch lite a joke to you?
Also why keep posting articles about something that's just a rumour?
that's for sure
@KoopaTheGamer I was going to say the same. Final Fantasy Adventure, Final Fantasy Legend, and Castlevania Belmont's Revenge all look awesome docked or undocked.
@thejuice027 If The Pokemon Company says no, Nintendo can't do it though, and with how they did everyone dirty with Sword and Shield and the DLC, it is very likely we are not getting them if GB/GBC games go to the service since they like money far too much.
The old GB/GBC Pokémon games will probably come to Switch, not as part of NSO but as $/€10 standalone titles on the eShop with Pokémon Home support.
@braincandy101 Look at how many GBA games there are alone, we're not even going to get to 10%.
Wouldn't it be possible for the Switch's infrared sensor to be used as a subsitute for a low quality B&W camera? Can any techies here confirm or deny?
no boktai subscription cancelled
I mean, A Switch Camera would be awesome. They have Labo, so they can make a cardboard camera casing, they have the Pokemon Printer. They create software that's unique and it would sell itself.
Arle no Bouken: Mahou no Jewel is in legal hell, last I heard. It's a mon-catching game for GBC trying to cash in on the Pokemon hype, but is a part of the Madou Monogatari/Puyo Puyo series. The thing is that the Madou games are with D4 Enterprises and Sega owns "anything with the word Puyo in the title", and Arle no Bouken is neither of those.
Soon as I saw the article I immediately thought of Boktai. I used to love that game. Never beat it though.
All I ask is Trip World. That game’s $300 online, and the Japanese 3DS eShop that currently houses it is going under soon.
Tetris. Didn't come to NES, not going to come to GB.
@Jokerwolf Did they say no?
I thought this IR sensor was a camera, due to Nintendo Labo. Sorry. My opinion on the GB Camera now should either be Bluetooth camera extensions, or a camera peripheral for the Switch itself.
@thejuice027 They don't have to I am going to garauntee none of them will be on there just because The Pokemon Company is greedy as all hell and they want money.
@Jokerwolf You make absolutely no sense. If they want money they will continue to make products to sell. I believe they will definitely come to switch if I’m using your logic.
@thejuice027 I simply said because they want money they will not come to the online service without a cost increase, or they will release it stand alone because they are greedy, it just sucks that we will have to pay more money in the end. Nintendo doesn't have final say on Pokemon games anymore.
@Jokerwolf Releasing games as a stand alone does not make a company greedy. We should pay for the hard work they put in. As a software engineer myself, I wouldn't want my games to be absolutely free either. They have that choice, to put it on the "online service" or to release it as a stand alone, either way, I still think we will see them come to light.
@Tandy255 me too, but a new gameboy revision is the one console that don't have to be so mini!
the right joycon has an ir sensor, plus the switch literally has a camera thats sole purpose is detecting light. if games with gyro controls and rumble would be possible, why wouldnt games with light sensors??
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