Gameboy Classic

Nintendo filed a patent that suggests Gameboy Classic is on its way.

Above: We oldschoolers were so badass that when robots summoned us and gave us a Gameboy, we killed them as thanks.

A Gameboy Classic is extremely interesting to me, more than the NES and SNES Classic. All the NES/SNES Classics did was a nostalgia plastic shell of the old console, with some roms pre-loaded in Generation 1 fashion, who could play to modern TVs. The value of the Classic Mini was in the included games, old-school appearance, and the HDMI connection.

NES and SNES gaming had the problem of their games being way too expensive today and not connecting to HDMI television sets. Classic Lineup solved those problems.

The Gameboy won’t be connecting to a TV (or will it?). So the main value issue of the Classic Line up is not there.

Also, Gameboy games are not expensive outside a few. The retro scene around NES and SNES is intense and profitable, but Gameboy does not have such retro scene.

If I was sitting at Nintendo, and Reggie came to me and asked, “What is the value of the Gameboy Classic?” I would reply:

Modern Screen- Gameboy games are very fun, but a big reason why the games are not in higher demand is because no one wants to play on shitty handheld screens from 1989. It was only until DS Lite that Nintendo handhelds got a backlit screen (and that was 2007!). A 2018 screen would be god-like. Also, handheld tech has come down significantly in price. The original Gameboy sold in 1989 with Tetris and headphones for $89. Even for factoring inflation, you can get very nice handheld hardware for $90 today (2DS with a game retails as that today). Remember, no touch screens, wi-fi, and such are needed. I do wish blue-tooth would be put in, but oh well.

Wireless Link Line- Gameboy games are really fun to play in multiplayer such as Tetris. The wire line could be wireless which would increase its value.

Longer Battery Life- Given an option to play in 2 colors, I can imagine the battery life with 2018 technology of Gameboy to be measured in months, not days.

Kickass Games- People underestimate the Gameboy library. Here is what I think will be included:

Tetris– If this one isn’t included (due to licensing), Nintendo shouldn’t even bother with a Gameboy Classic. However, Nintendo finds a way to get what it wants. Nintendo originally got Tetris from the Soviet Union during the Cold War because its handheld line needed it, I doubt licensing issue with the Tetris Company will pose much of an obstacle.

Super Mario Land- You know this is coming.

Super Mario Land 2- Cool game. It is coming too.

Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land- Yes, let it come.

Zelda: Link’s Awakening- For gameboy, it is a great game. It will be included. You know it.

Metroid 2: Return of Samus- Sakamoto may try to block this, but fuck him. Play the only Sakamoto Free 2d Metroid.

Pokemon Red and Blue- Gameboy has Pokemon which NES/SNES Classics do not. Old Pokemon games have high price tags in retro scene are in high demand. Pokemon, alone, will sell Gameboy Classic.

Kirby Dream Land- First Kirby game will be there for sure.

Final Fantasy Adventure- Expect this one. It is the first Mana game as its sequel was on the SNES Classic.

Gargoyle Quest– I wouldn’t be surprised to see this gem appear on Gameboy Classic.

Mega Man IV- A Mega Man game will be on there. Hopefully, Nintendo will put on a good one. IV and V are the super high demand ones. I, II, III are considered generic and are not in high demand.

Zelda Oracle of Seasons and Ages: Both of these Zelda games could be there. I expect Gameboy Classic to cover Gameboy Color games too. I expect Link’s Awakening to be the DX version.

Donkey Kong– Miyamoto and Nintendo will want to push this. It is as if the arcade version of Donkey Kong evolved to greater heights. Very much worth seeing.

Dr. Mario- Put in for the multiplayer.

Super Mario Brothers DX– I can see them including this for the multiplayer. Look!

Faceball 2000- This game would work well in a four player multiplayer mode. Legit fun today.

Operation C- This is an original Contra game for the Gameboy!

Survival Kids- Konami’s survival game is unique on handhelds. It would give value to the library.

Final Fantasy Legend III- Gameboy needs a big RPG so why not this.

Mega Man V- Fuck it. Mega Man IV and V are too good to leave one out. Put them both on.

Kirby in Dreamland 2– Bring on the sequel!

Castlevania: The Adventure– We like Castlevania!

Qix Adventure- Developed and published by Nintendo. It was also one of the best selling Gameboy games. I hope Qix makes an appearance. It had an adventure mode where you went around an overworld map!

Solar Striker– A Gunpei shmup. Include it!

Donkey Kong Land- It had a GBC port.

Mole Mania- Developed and published by Nintendo. One of Miyamoto’s least known games. Why wouldn’t Nintendo include it?

F1 Race- For 4 player fun. It was racing before Mario Kart.

Defender/Joust- Published by Nintendo. It was a good adaption.

Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters- Never came out in Japan so I expect it to be included.

Shantae- Came out at the end of the Gameboy Color life-cycle. Capcom published it. Put it on the Gameboy Classic.

Those are just 30 games. I think Nintendo should load the Gameboy Classic up with games as their games are smaller than even NES games. I suspect Nintendo might, to spicen things up, put on games that were never released in some areas such as Balloon Kid or X. I hope Nintendo doesn’t do this because those games were Sakamoto games and, of course, suck just as Sakamoto sucks.

Would you buy a Gameboy Classic with that line-up, reader, with modern 2018 handheld technology? I certainly would! I’d be more excited to buy that than the NES or SNES classics. Even with a flashcart, a Gameboy is still just a Gameboy. With Gameboy Classic, we can get modern tech to our handheld console.