You're Nintendo. What do you do with the Game Boy line?

[Chad Bonin]

The Gameboy Advance hardware is on it's way out. Barring the repackage of the micro, the system line hasn't seen any new hardware advancements since the release of the micro and the upgraded SP. In a visceral battle, the Nintendo DS has officially stabbed it's father in the back, drank its blood, and became the de facto game system... not just handheld, but that thing that "everyone must have, including my mom and all of japan".

Yet, for almost two decades, the name "Game Boy" was iconic. Legendary. Able to fend off more powerful adversaries via fun and gaming.

What do you do?

I'm sure someone's gonna say "Rename it Game Boy DS". That's a perfectly valid possibility, but Nintendo likes to keep things to three letters or less nowadays, hence "Wii" and "DS".

Make it the Game Boy Total. The epitome of Game Boy, it offers everything you'd want from Nintendo, but all in one tiny package. A screen larger than the SP, LCD for technology. Four face buttons, D-Pad, and two triggers on a slider (like that Chocolat phone), Start, Select, and Home on the face. USB port for charging and system updates, along with media transfer. 8 gig flash storage. Wi-Fi.

No cartridge slot.

Yeh, yeah, you're freakin' out. The Virtual Console and XBox Live! Arcade, along with iTunes, have proven that digital distribution is a very viable service. Nintendo's even got an established "Points" System.

At your avail are the history of GB/C/Advance games. Nintendo would likely keep the games distinct from Virtual Console.

Also, original games.

Also, media playback as seen from the Media Playback/Play-Yan. Slide it up so all you can see is the screen, and use the L, R, Start, Select, and Home to fast forward and stuff.

I'd buy it.

[BCVM22]

Let it pass on peacefully and take its place on the big used system shelf in the sky. The world doesn't need another Game Boy. They didn't call the N64 the "Ultra NES," did they? The original Game Boy wasn't called the Game and Watch II, was it? The likelihood that a unit like the one you formulated could be made at a price point that wouldn't be prohibitive is low. Price discussions would likely start at $200 and go up from there. The DS is Nintendo's handheld pillar now.

Alas, Game Boy, be he a classic, a Pocket, a Color or an Advance. I knew them all.

P.S. - Yes, I'm aware the N64 was called the Ultra 64 at one point. Doesn't count - it says NINTENDO 64 on the box.

[mammy2shoesfan]

Let the name rest for a few years. Release a classics line of GB/GBA so the don't lose rights to the name. Then when ever N needs a boost in sales release a new GB.

[Dogbert]

With DS going as strong as it is, I don't see the need for another handheld from Nintendo for awhile. They took a risk releasing the DS only three and a half years into GBA's life. It paid off, but seeing as how they are still having a hard time keeping the DS in stock, I don't think they want to take another risk so soon.

Despite the fact DS isn't a Game Boy by name, it is in spirit. I'd like to see the Game Boy name make a come back for the next handheld (which I predict we'll see in 2009 or 2010), but Nintendo might not go for it. Game Boy goes against their current efforts to include adults and girls in their market share. If they use Game Boy as part of the next handheld's name, so be it. But I'll be happy either way knowing the Game Boy legend was successful and carried on in spirit if not by name.

[Ykwia]

That you will never see because the DS is an unbeatable handheld that beats out Sony's PSP, It has a touch screen and two screens which developers can take advantage for unique games that everyone likes, Paired with the Wii makes a combo meal of death.

[Invidente 7]

That you will never see because the DS is an unbeatable handheld that beats out Sony's PSP, It has a touch screen and two screens which developers can take advantage for unique games that everyone likes, Paired with the Wii makes a combo meal of death.
Sooner or later it will all colapse under Sony's awesome technical might, it's just a matter of time :p :cool:

[Eddy]

What's in a name? While the Game Boy line may be finished, the DS and all future Nintendo handhelds will no doubt keep the fat, heavy bundle of joy in spirit. I can rest easy if we've seen the last of Game Boy handhelds knowing that it most certainly has left its mark in gaming history.

[SirLemming]

Unlike the Wii, the DS is obviously GBA's replacement. With such a major graphics/audio/space advantage, why would developers still want to work with the GBA? When it first started out we all wanted them to make really good use of the touch screen and dual-screen format, but at this point I really don't care -- they might as well just be extra buttons that can be used or not used, either making things slightly more convenient (like in New Super Mario Bros.) or actually significantly impacting the gameplay (like in Dig Dug DS and WarioWare Touched).

So I'm fine if they let the Game Boy line die out. Let's not kid ourselves here. Continuing any franchise on the GBA instead of the DS is a recipe for disappointment.

[sdp]

it'll be interesting to see what Nintendo does, we will see a new succesor eventually, will it be "DS 2" with better graphics? doubt it, we will either see another evolution of touch gaming or maybe they'll resurect the gameboy line with a new gameboy to change things a bit only later to "revive" the DS line keeping handheld gaming fresh?

It'll be interesting too, if the DS handles 64 ports, the next Nintendo handheld should be able to handle gamecube type ports ala PSP getting PS2 ports which is interesting since it wouldn't be that much less powerful than the Wii who would still have life left by the time this new handheld came out.


To go more on topic though, if i was nintendo:

I always imagined after the NIntendo DS Lite, they could get rid of the "Nintendo" replacing it with the new "game boy DS" that would be backwards compatible withall gameboy software, but now i doubt it, nintendo won't care about supporting those old games they don't make money of off anymore especially with the success they have with the DS. But counting the WIi VC is working I do see Nintendo making a GB VC for the DS.

[Conan-san]

Concider the DS to be the next gameboy and be done with it...

oh...wait a moment!

[Mynd Hed]

Make it the Game Boy Total. The epitome of Game Boy, it offers everything you'd want from Nintendo, but all in one tiny package. A screen larger than the SP, LCD for technology. Four face buttons, D-Pad, and two triggers on a slider (like that Chocolat phone), Start, Select, and Home on the face. USB port for charging and system updates, along with media transfer. 8 gig flash storage. Wi-Fi.

No cartridge slot.

Yeh, yeah, you're freakin' out. The Virtual Console and XBox Live! Arcade, along with iTunes, have proven that digital distribution is a very viable service. Nintendo's even got an established "Points" System.

At your avail are the history of GB/C/Advance games. Nintendo would likely keep the games distinct from Virtual Console.

Also, original games.

Also, media playback as seen from the Media Playback/Play-Yan. Slide it up so all you can see is the screen, and use the L, R, Start, Select, and Home to fast forward and stuff.

I'd buy it.

Yeah! They could call it the "Nintendo PSP" and even though it would be more expensive than the typical handheld, it would do so much cool stuff that....

Oh, wait. Never mind.

(-:

[Obi]

The Game Boy was sacraficed on the altar of the DS, and it worked. Until the industry needs another shakeup in the handheld market, the DS and its subsequent offspring should remain Nintendo's portables.

I'd love to see Game Boy games on the VC though.

[Zach]

While I understand that Nintendo should let the Game Boy brand die, I still prefer the concept of the Game Boy over the DS. While I really enjoy the touch screen and such, I don't think that the DS has really changed gaming as we know it, and I want the traditional handheld experience back. I don't want a PSP. I want a new Game Boy.

[Marvin Tikvah]

Briefly retire the name until the DS has finished its lifeline and the world needs another handheld. Which at this point, seems like a long time...

[Lord Dalek]

Figure out an adaptor to allow playing of GB titles on the DS.

That'll do it in.

[Pacman729]

I thought Nintendo said that the Nintendo DS is not a replacment for the Game Boy, and that Nintendo is rereleseing the next Game Boy?

Not sure, if Nintendo really means it, though.

[Wussycat]

They should release GB games on Virtual Console. They should be in the original black and white instead of the ugly green and red you see on GBC and GBA.

[Obi]

I thought Nintendo said that the Nintendo DS is not a replacment for the Game Boy, and that Nintendo is rereleseing the next Game Boy?

Not sure, if Nintendo really means it, though.

They never said they were releasing a new Game Boy. All the talk about the "Third Pillar" and the DS not being a replacement to the Game Boy was just that, talk. It was meant to cover their butts if the DS flopped.

But clearly, the DS hasn't flopped, and it's on track to dominate over the GBA. It's an unstoppable juggernaut in Japan and doing great in the Americas and especially Europe where many people thought the PSP would win.

[GWOtaku]

As long as the system after the DS can play GBA games, I'm fine with whatever happens.

[Ykwia]

Sooner or later it will all colapse under Sony's awesome technical might, it's just a matter of time :p :cool:
Technical Might?, The PS3's controller doesn't even have rumble.

[TheMecca]

Technical Might?, The PS3's controller doesn't even have rumble.
Judging by rhe :cool: and :p , I suppose that was a joke.

[Noukon]

I would honestly love to see GB/GBC (and GBA?) games offered up as Virtual Console downloads -- that could be transmitted to your DS for play.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

I would love to see an adaptor to play GB/C games on the DS but that thing would stick out waaaay too much.

I would really like to see Nintendo release a classic ready Gameboy and with it re-release some of their top GB/GBC games. More or less a major upgrade to the Gameboy color. I would be as bold as to wish they would allow for Super Gameboy color compatibility as well. Then that could be the last Gameboy. And hopefully it would sell enough to stick around and not just be a novelty item.

The specs for this I have in mind would be a very small Gameboy with a back lit screen and maybe a few other nifty features to get the meat out of those classic games like previous Gameboy's haven't truely been able to do. I want the full Gameboy package. The system they should have given us before GBA was released. I suppose they could make it GBA compatible as well but then the catridge would stick out like they do on the GBA and that's what I want to avoid. Though I really would love to have a system that could play any Gameboy format to it's fullest with a bright well lit screen and a rechargable battery. Then I could get full use out of my GB/GBC/GBA collections. I don't really like play GBA on DS honestly and I'd rather play GBC on a GBC than a GBA due to the cartridge sticking out.

On the other hand a download service for the DS (or more likely, the next Nintendo handheld) would suffice just about as well but I wouldn't get use out of my old carts (which was what I wanted most of all). The download service especially should allow Super Gameboy (even with a border I'd assume). Especialy if it's still got a touch screen because that would lend itself well to the design a border option. (on that note, where's my Mario Part DS? That should have been a given).

Shoot I'd settle for just having GB games on the VC but they'd be better suited for on the go play obviously.

Actually after going over all of that perhaps the best choice would be to have a DS Gameboy adapter that functioned like a Super Gameboy (with the border design ability) or more recently the Gameboy Adapter. It could play SGB, GB and GBC format. Unfortunatley it would inevitably stick out of the system quite a ways.

I think out of all these ideas I like the idea of a classic Gameboy built to play all those old games as well as possible best. They could probably make that for a reasonable price. It's more or less a GBC with a backlight and a battery pack. Since the GBA is covered by the DS and the Micro I think this would be the best choice to extend the GB brand at this very moment. Later a future Nintendo handheld with full internet capability like Wii could have a VC of it's own.

[Lord Dalek]

Actually after going over all of that perhaps the best choice would be to have a DS Gameboy adapter that functioned like a Super Gameboy (with the border design ability) or more recently the Gameboy Adapter. It could play SGB, GB and GBC format. Unfortunatley it would inevitably stick out of the system quite a ways.Considering how far GBA carts stick out on the SP, it couldn't hurt.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

You mean GB/C carts right? GBA fits in the SP perfectly (as the SP was designed to do that).

Or did you mean the DS Lite? Because yeah... that's pretty lame.

[sdp]

I was always mad the DS didn't play older GB games, and thought(still do) their third pillar strategy was mostly a way in case the DS failed they could intruduce a new GB to compete with the PSP, now i think it could have worked as I mention it here:

http://forums.toonzone.net/showpost.php?p=2444841&postcount=3

That is not all, I bought the Gameboy Micro and man could Nintendo have marketed this thing much better, it is tiny. I can take it anywere. I know the DS Lite and SP are small but the Micro is so small i take it everywhere, playing gba games on it is great, the face plates also do give it more of an appeal. If Nintendo had launched it at a lower price and marketed the size more effectively the three pillar system may have worked.



Until a few months ago I thought the next thing to do was release the Gameboy DS, just a DS that could play older games. But then I noticed not many people can find the old games so even though I have a classics GB collection that wouldn't be too marketable so Nintendo will never do it.

Then I thought a DS Virtual Console would work perfectly, the DS can very easily handle any GB/GBC game in its own memory, it could work various ways downloading it directly or from your wii, that you bought there. I loved playing NES games on my GBA from Animal Crossing, heck maybe even have some NES games downloadable to the DS, all of this is possible.

however i thought of another good idea, also entirely possible also from this post I made:
http://forums.toonzone.net/showpost.php?p=2444841&postcount=3

What made me get a GBM? this awesome Mini Game Gear/Sega Master SYstem that includes 20 games, its is very small (a little bigger than a GBM) it is made by Coleco. You can't buy more games for it but the 20 games it has are great, there are some misses but not too bad, it also includes cables so you can play it on your TV, i was able to get it for 20$ new at target.com but it is 50 at actual stores, its a little pricey at 50 but for 20 you can't go wrong.

Nintendo could release Game Boys wether shaped like the original or sideways like the micro, release them for a budget price with pre-programmed games. now that might not be great news for some people but i think it'd work, it would also not compete with the DS it'd compete with those crappy Game and Watch type Tiger electronics that are popular since they've existed for decades and you still see them.


or of course they could re-release them in compilation packs for the DS, point is those classic games need to be played.

[SAMaine]

The DS name sells more than the Game Boy name, the next handheld will be the Nintendo DS Advance

[Zach]

The DS name sells more than the Game Boy name, the next handheld will be the Nintendo DS Advance

Considering that the Game Boy brand is the most successful line of consoles ever...

[Lord Dalek]

Or did you mean the DS Lite? Because yeah... that's pretty lame.Yeah I meant the Lite. But the fact remains that outside of the original GB, GB carts are always going to stick out awkwardly in a portable.

[peacebyanymeans]

Considering that the Game Boy brand is the most successful line of consoles ever...
Yeaaahhhh... but the DS has sold waaaayyy more in the few years it's been out than the Gameboy did in it's first years.

The DS brand will last 15 years before being replaced by a different brand. And so on, and so on, and so on, and so... :p