top of page

Game Boy Classic

Hardware Guide

A large number of hardware is available around Nintendo's Game Boy Classic. Partly released by Nintendo itself, partly licensed and partly without license. On this page you will find a compilation of the original and licensed hardware known to me. If something is missing, I'm happy to read from you.

Game Boy Original Hardware

ORIGINAL HARDWARE

These items were released by Nintendo itself. Some items were only offered for sale in individual countries. Hardware developed by Nintendo exclusively for the Game Boy Classic usually bears the identifier "DMG-" followed by an ascending number. DMG is an acronym for "Dot Matrix Game" used internally by Nintendo. However, there are exceptions, such as the Game Boy AC Adapter, which bears the identifier GB-8. There is also hardware developed in the later years of the Game Boy Series, which is compatible with the Game Boy Classic but not exclusively developed for it. These items also do not follow the DMG naming convention.

Game Boy™ Console

The Game Boy is Nintendo's first portable console with interchangeable game cartridges. The console has a directional pad, two action buttons (A, B) and a Start and Select button. The display is a monochrome LCD screen in green with no backlight. The console is powered by 4 standard AA batteries.

Game Boy Classic (DMG-01)
DMG-01
Game Boy™ Stereo Headphones

The stereo headphones were included with the main console in some sets. In Japan, this was sold separately under the designation DMG-02. The headphones were connected to the headphone jack on the bottom of the Game Boy. Unlike the Game Boy's mono speaker, the headphones could play sound in stereo.

Game Boy Stereo Headset (DMG-02)
DMG-02
Game Boy™ Rechargeable Adapter

The rechargeable adapter is a rechargeable battery (there are 4 AA batteries inside) that powers the Game Boy for about 10 hours. In addition, the device can also be used as an AC adapter for the Game Boy.

 

The adapter is available in a standard  (battery on the left) and a slightly larger version (battery on the right) depending on the countries voltage it was released.

IMG_20221104_101533.jpg
DMG-03
Game Boy™ Link Cable

The Game Link cable could be used to connect two consoles for multiplayer gaming. This model is only compatible with the Game Boy Classic. To connect the Game Boy Classic with later models, use a Game Boy Link cable adapter (MGB-004) or the Universal Link cable (MGB-010) with adapter DMG-14.

DMG-04A

To reduce electromagnetic interference, Nintendo developed a revised version with a better shielded cable and sold it under the designation DMG-04A.

Game Boy Ineractive Play Cable (DMG-04)
DMG-04
Game Boy™ Battery Case

The battery case uses four replaceable C batteries for power. The battery compartment provides about 40 hours of additional power. Compared to the rechargeable battery (DMG-03), the battery case is significantly larger and heavier. The battery case was only released in Japan.

DMG-05

No photo available

You own this item and are willing to provide a photo? Great! Please send me a short message HERE.

Game Boy™ Soft Case

The Game Boy Soft Case is a simple storage bag made of a dirt-repellent material. The Game Boy and game cartridges could be stored in the case. 

DMG-06

No photo available

You own this item and are willing to provide a photo? Great! Please send me a short message HERE.

Game Boy™ 4-Player Adapter

With the four-player adapter, up to 4 players can join together to play a multi-player game. The unit has a built-in link cable and three connectors for additional link cables. Only a few games in 4-player mode were released for the Game Boy. The 4-Player Adapter has also been bundled with some games (e.g. F1 Race).

IMG_20221017_150257.jpg
DMG-07
Game Boy™ Cleaning Kit

The Game Boy Cleaning Kit is used to clean the contacts of the game cartridges. Dirty contacts were a common cause of games no longer working. The Cleaning Kit was shaped like a game cartridge and was inserted into the cartridge slot of the game cartridge. A plastic stick with cleaning pads on both sides freed the contacts from dirt.

Game Boy Cleaning Kit (DMG-08)
DMG-08
Game Boy™ Cartridge

The classic game cartridge for the Game Boy also had a hardware code, although hardly known. The designation DMG-09 is not apparent on the game cartridges but same games mention the DMG number on the cardboard box (like "Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3"). It is also declared on Nintendo's website (for reference click HERE)

Game Boy Classic Cartridge (DMG-09)
DMG-09
Game Boy™ Battery Pack II - AC Adapter

The AC adapter (the grey item on the photo)  is used to charge the Battery Pack II (DMG-11). Unlike the Battery Pack I, the AC adapter can be separated from the Battery Pack. This means that the charged Battery Pack can be transported without the unwieldy AC adapter. The item was only sold in Europe.

Game Boy Battery Pack II (DMG-10)
DMG-10
Game Boy™ Battery Pack II

The Rechargeable Battery Pack II (the white item on the photo) is the further development of the Battery Pack I (DMG-03). The design is slimmer and lighter in weight. Charging time and performance are the same.  The Battery Pack II was only sold in Europe.

Game Boy Battery Pack II (DMG-11)
DMG-11
Unknown

No information available. If you know what item is behind this code, please send me a message.

DMG-12
Game Boy™ Rumble Pack Cartridge

A Game Boy game cartridge equipped with a vibration motor to give feedback to the player. The motor in the game cartridge is powered by a AAA battery. The game cartridge is used in games such as "Pokemon Pinball" and "Perfect Dark".

Game Boy Pokemon Pinball (DMG-13)
DMG-13
Game Boy™ Universal Game-Link Adapter

With the Universal Game Link Adapter, the Game Boy Classic can be connected to later Game Boy models.

The adapter was never purchased separately. It was only available in combination with the Game Boy Color Game Link Cable (CGB-003).

Game Boy Universal Link Adapter (DMG-14)
DMG-14
Unknown

No information available. If you know what item is behind this code, please send me a message.

DMG-15
Unknown

No information available. If you know what item is behind this code, please send me a message.

DMG-16
Unknown

No information available. If you know what item is behind this code, please send me a message.

DMG-17
Unknown

No information available. If you know what item is behind this code, please send me a message.

DMG-18
Unknown

No information available. If you know what item is behind this code, please send me a message.

DMG-19
Game Boy™ Tilt Sensor Game Pack

A Game Boy game cartridge equipped with an accelerometer. The sensor detects the position of the Game Boy and the speed at which the console is moved. Although the Game Pack is only compatible with Game Boy Color, interestingly enough, the game cartridge has been given a DMG number (DMG-20). This is the last item that follows the DMG coding.

The game cartridge is used in the game "Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble".

Game Boy Tilt Sensor (DMG-20)
DMG-20
Game Boy™ AC Adapter

An AC adapter for the Game Boy Classic. This adapter was only sold in Japan. In the other countries, the Battery Pack was sold instead (DMG-03) as it offered an AC adapter built in.

Game Boy AC-Adapter (GB-08)
GB-8
Game Boy™ Game Link Cable Adapter

The adapter allows you to connect the Game Boy Classic to the Game Boy Pocket. To do this, the Game Link cable of the Game Boy Classic must be connected to the adapter, which is then plugged into the Game Boy Pocket.

Game Boy Classic to Game Boy Pocket Adapter (MGB-004)
MGB-004
Game Boy™ Camera

The Game Boy Camera (in Japan "Pocket Camera") was released together with the Game Boy Printer in 1998. The camera can take greyscale photos. These can then be edited with the camera's built-in software or transferred to compatible programmes/devices (e.g. Mario Artist). The pictures can be printed on thermal paper using the Game Boy Printer. The camera was available in different colors.

Game Boy Camera (MGB-006)
MGB-006
Game Boy™ Printer

The Game Boy Printer is a monochrome printer for the Game Boy series. Printing is done on self-adhesive thermal paper (MGB-009). The prints could thus be used as stickers. The device came on the market in 1998 together with the Game Boy camera (MGB-006). For the connection with the Game Boy a special Game Link-Cable was needed (MGB-010)

Game Boy Printer (MGB-007)
MGB-007
Game Boy™ Printer Paper

Self-adhesive thermal paper that came in different colours.  The printouts could be used as stickers due to the adhesive properties.

Game Boy Printer Paper (MGB-009)
MGB-009