Frequently Asked Questions About Backlit Game Boys
First released in 1989, the Nintendo Game Boy was one of the first major handheld devices to offer console-quality gaming on the go. Most Game Boy models until the Game Boy Advance SP required extra accessories or third-party modifications to have backlit screens. However, you can find a variety of backlit Game Boys for sale on eBay.
Is it "Game Boy" or "Gameboy"?
Most people refer to Nintendo's portable systems without using a space, like the Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Color. According to Nintendo themselves, it should be "Game Boy." That being said, most people will know what you mean if you're talking about aGameboy Advance SP or Gameboy SP instead of a Game Boy. After all, it's the games that are important.
What should you look for in a backlit Game Boy?
It depends largely on what you're looking for in your Game Boy in general. The Game Boy Color can play original Game Boy games along with GBC-exclusive titles. Similarly, the Game Boy Advance can play all of those titles along with GBA-exclusive ones.
However, because of its different screen resolution, those games will be stretched to fit the GBA's screen. You can press L and R to modify the display size. Also, the Game Boy Advance SP lacks a traditional headphone jack, so you may need an adapter.
Note, too, that only a few Game Boy models were officially backlit. This means that most backlit Game Boy Color and Game Boy models are aftermarket mods, so prices may vary. There was no official backlit GBC.
Which backlit models did Nintendo officially release?
Nintendo only released several backlit models during the heydey of the Game Boy brand.
- Game Boy Light: TheGame Boy Light was released in 1998 exclusively in Japan. It was the same size as the Game Boy Pocket and functioned like an original Game Boy, just with a backlight.
- Game Boy Advance SP: The GBA SP modified the original GBA's design to put it into a clamshell case. It was the first widely available backlit Game Boy, with a light in front of the LCD screen, still within the chassis. Some later versions (labeled the AGS-101) placed the light behind the screen itself.
- Game Boy Micro: The Game Boy Micro is a miniature redesigned version of the Game Boy Advance. It will only play Game Boy Advance games. The system has a full backlight screen with the ability to adjust between five different levels of brightness.
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