Whether strolling through a mall, traveling on a plane, or commuting to work on the bus, the sight of an adult or child playing a gameboy is nothing but a common sight.  Here’s a brief history of the most cherished and successful video game systems that have ever graced our palms – The Nintendo Gameboy.

Version:          Original Gameboy
Released:        1988
Screen:           4 color grayscale LCD
Format:          Cartridge
Features:        D-pad, A,B, Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control knob
                     Power slide switch on top of unit
                     Link Port
Power:           4 AA Batteries or AC Adapter
Details:          Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     8-Bit CPU

Version:         Gameboy Pocket
Released:       1996
Screen:          4 color grayscale LCD
Format:         Cartridge
Features:        D-pad, A,B, Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control knob
                     Power slide switch on top of unit
                     Link Port
Power:           2 AAA Batteries or AC Adapter
Details:          Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     8-Bit CPU
Other:            Multiple system colors released

Version:          Gameboy Color
Released:        1998
Screen:           56 color  LCD
Format:          Cartridge
Features:        D-pad, A,B, Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control knob
                     Power slide switch on side of unit
                     Link Port
                     IR Port
Power:           2 AA Batteries or AC Adapter
Details:          Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     8-Bit CPU
Colors:           Multiple system colours released along with Limited Edition models such as Pokemon Pikachu edition

Version:         Gameboy Advance
Released:       2001
Screen:          511 color reflective TFT LCD
Format:         Cartridge
Size:              3.2” x 5.69” x .97”
Weight:          5 Ounces
Features:        D-pad, A,B,L,R Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control slider
                     Power slide switch on bottom of unit
                     Link Port
Power:           2 AA Batteries or AC Adapter
Battery Life:    15 hours
Details:          Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     32-Bit CPU
Other:           Multiple system colors released
                     Wider screen
                     Compatible with all GB and GBC games
 

Version:         Gameboy Advance SP
Released:       2003
Screen:          511 color reflective TFT LCD
Format:         Cartridge
Size:              3.3” x 3.23” x .96” (closed)
Weight:          5 ounces
Features:        D-pad, A,B,L,R Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control slider
                     Power slide switch on bottom of unit
                     Link Port
Power:           Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery or AC Adapter
Battery Life:    10 hours with light, 18 with light off
Details:          Cartridge port on bottom rear of system
                     32-Bit CPU
                     Folding case
                     Brighter LCD than GBA
                     Front Lit
Other:            Multiple system colors released Onyx, Flame, Platinum, Cobalt, Atomic Purple, Graphite, Pearl Blue and Pink along with limited edition units such as Nintendo Classic design
Compatible with all GB and GBC games

Version:         Gameboy Micro
Released:       2005
Screen:          511 color reflective TFT LCD
Format:         Cartridge
Size:              2” x 4” x .7”
Weight:          2.8 ounces
Features:        D-pad, A,B,L,R Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control slider
                     Power slide switch on bottom of unit
                     Link Port
Power:           Rechargeable Li-Ion batter or AC Adapter
Battery life:     6-10 hours
Details:          Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     32-Bit CPU
Other:            Interchangeable faceplates
                     Much smaller than all GB systems released
                     Smaller and brighter screen
                     Compatible with all GBA games

Version:         Nintendo DS (Dual Screen)
Released:       2004
Screen:          Top – backlit TFT 260K color display
                     Bottom – transparent analog touch screen
Format:          Cartridge
Size:              5.85” x 3.33” x  1.13 “ (closed)
Weight:          9.7 ounces
Features:        D-pad, A,B,X,Y,L,R Select, Start, buttons
                     Headphone Jack
                     Volume Control slider
                     Power slide switch on side of unit
                     IEEE 802.11 wireless
Power:           Rechargeable Li-Ion batter or AC Adapter
Battery life:     6-10 hours
Details:          Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     GBA port on bottom rear of system
                     Two CPU ARM processors
Other:            Multiple colors released including Silver, Black, Blue and Limited Edition systems such as Mario Kart Red unit.     

   
Version:          Nintendo DS Lite (Dual Screen)
Released:        2006
Screen:           Top – backlit TFT 260K color display
                      Bottom – transparent analog touch screen
Format:           Cartridge
Size:               5.2” x 2.9” x .85” (closed)
Weight:           7.7 ounces
Features:         D-pad, A,B,X,Y,L,R Select, Start, buttons
                      Headphone Jack
                      Volume Control slider
                      Power spring-slide switch on side of unit
                      IEEE 802.11 wireless
Power:            Rechargeable Li-Ion batter or AC Adapter
Battery life:      5-19 hours
Details:           Cartridge port on top rear of system
                     GBA port on bottom rear of system
Other:            Multiple colors – Polar White, Onyx, and Coral Pink.