The editor mentioned before that Nintendo launched a new handheld console "GAMEBOY ADVANCE" (referred to as GBA) in 2001 that both adults and children loved. But what I want to mention today is the ancestor of GBA, pushing the time back even further to April 21, 1989. There was a super powerful handheld console that conquered players of all ages and genders all over the world. It was the common childhood memory of many people, "GAMEBOY" (GB for short).
In that era, everyone was still used to having a TV to play console games, and having to compete with family members before they could play. The desire in the hearts of many players was: "If there is a game that can be exclusive to oneself, and can be played at any time What a great gaming environment to play in!" At that time, it was a big burden to buy an extra TV.
Therefore, a portable game console seems to be the only solution to the aforementioned needs. Although Nintendo launched the "GAME & WATCH" electronic game product in 1980, it was obvious that it was not very economical. s Choice. What everyone hopes to see is a portable hardware that can play games by swapping cartridges like Nintendo's own FC red and white console.
Ever since, the classic handheld console "GAMEBOY" created by the late famous game hardware and toy developer Mr. Gunpei Yokoi was born. The official price is 12,500 yen . It was launched on the same day as the console. The games include "Super Mario Land", "Baseball", "Arkanoid" and "Mahjong".
"Super Mario Land", which was released on the same day as the GAMEBOY console, has many elements that are different from the FC red and white consoles, such as shooting levels on submarines and airplanes, as well as Chinese zombies and moai Like waiting for an enemy character.
You can play battle lines anytime and anywhere. Multiplayer gameplay is more fun.
In fact, when the GAMEBOY console was launched, some people at Nintendo were not very optimistic about the sales. The reason was that the sound and light effects of the colorful pictures were too attractive at the time (Nintendo launched " Super Famicom" Super Nintendo console), but GAMEBOY is just a black and white monochrome handheld game console, and it is really difficult to compete with home consoles.
However, a line in the promotional advertisement at the time was very appropriate: "With you, I can go anywhere" (君とならどこでも). The convenience that the GAMEBOY console brought to players really exceeded everyone's expectations. In that era before smartphones, if you were waiting for a bus outdoors or trying to kill time while hiding from the rain, there seemed to be nothing else to do except reading a book and listening to music on your Walkman. The emergence of GAMEBOY was really the best way to kill time. Best choice.
Tetris was a multi-party war at that time. The story behind it is quite complicated. Those who are interested can refer to relevant books. Nintendo was the winner at the time (the most pitiful one was SEGA). It officially obtained the copyright and launched it on the GAMEBOY console. , loved and praised by many players, and the gameplay is also very fresh. The film ultimately sold 4.23 million units, which also boosted console sales. The
GAMEBOY console itself had a very good design at the time, which was the battle line. Through a line, you could connect your own console with your friend's console to play the same game together. At first, it was hard to see where the fun of playing together was, but when "Tetris" appeared later, everyone discovered its charm. Originally you could only play the game on your own with the blocks, but with the addition of battle elements, you can throw the eliminated blocks to your opponent, and the game rhythm becomes tense and exciting, giving you a whole new feeling.
, not to mention the " Pokémon " (old translation: Pokémon) that appeared later. Not only can you have Pokémon battles through the battle line, you can also exchange each other's Pokémon and collect all the Pokémon. The unique gameplay of the Pokémon Pokédex has simply swept the hearts of many children, and it can also be called a classic.
"Pokémon", which is still killing people all over the world, was first launched on the GAMEBOY console. Through GAMEBOY's unique battle line, children at that time could have a Pokémon duel anytime, anywhere, and compete with each other. Exchange Pokémon that each other doesn't have.
Although the hardware specifications are not high, there are many games that help Nintendo successfully establish itself as a handheld console.
Looking back, looking back at the GAMEBOY console from the current perspective, I will feel that it is actually quite big. Some players will jokingly call it a brick, and the graphics are not that good. It had top-level specifications, a monochrome LCD screen, and no backlight. It required 4 AA batteries at a time (it was really painful to have to buy batteries frequently at the time), but it was already quite luxurious and dreamy at the time. You can put it in your schoolbag and take it out to play secretly when you have nothing to do after class. Bring a flashlight and hide under the quilt to play secretly without fear of being discovered. This has relieved the depression of many players who are lonely and sleepless at night. soul.
GAMEBOY's later products, from left to right, are: GAMEBOY pocket, which is lightweight and cheap; GAMEBOY LIGHT, which has a unique backlight function; and GAMEBOY COLOR, which is equipped with a color screen and has stronger functions.
An interesting story about GAMEBOY: During the Persian Gulf War, American soldiers liked to take GAMEBOY to play in the battlefield to pass the time. One dormitory encountered an enemy air raid, and the GAMEBOY console was affected by the explosion. When the ruins were excavated afterwards, I found that this GAMEBOY console can still move. This shows its sturdiness and durability. (This machine is currently on display at Nintendo's New York Direct Store)
GAMEBOY Compared with other similar products, such as SEGA's GAME GEAR, or NEC's PC-Engine GT, although it does not have particularly powerful hardware specifications , but fortunately there are many third-party manufacturers that have launched many interesting games and transplanted works on it, such as "SaGa" and "Legend of Mana" by SQUARE, "Super Robot Wars" (first generation) by Banpresto, or It's "Mega Man World" and "Makai Village Gaiden" by Capcom, etc... They were all very interesting games at the time.
Nintendo has also launched many interesting peripheral products for GAMEBOY, (from left to right) such as "Super GAMEBOY" that can play GAMEBOY games on Super Nintendo, as well as exclusive cameras and photo printers that can be used on GAMEBOY.
is the beginning of a classic handheld console. GAMEBOY sold 118.69 million units and successfully laid the foundation for Nintendo in the field of handheld consoles, which later became GBA, even NDS, 3DS, and even the current Switch opens a bright road. Although the GAMEBOY product line has also disappeared, its status in the history of gaming is absolutely unshakable!
