Everyone loves playing Game Boy games through the Wii’s Virtual Console or the GameCube’s Game Boy Player, but the controls are just never exactly right. Sure, the Game Boy didn’t exactly rep the most complex control system ever that was needing replication, but the look and feel of an authentic product certainly goes a long way.
If this is a problem you face, rest assured, since a Game Boy cartridge mod is now available. No hacking of the Game Boy its self is required. Instead, a modified cartridge runs the operation on the Game Boy which includes an antenna. This then transmits to a receiver, of which there are several to choose from. Firstly, there is the main unit which slots into either a Wii or a GameCube (as long as your Wii is the model with the GameCube controller ports) while another plugs in via USB – meaning it could be used for all sorts of devices ranging from a traditional computer to something like a Raspberry Pi. There’s even a variant for the SNES (which would be handy if you own a Super Game Boy) although you’ll need to provide your own SNES controller cable, which can be found for about $3 on eBay.
Prices are good too, ranging from $14-$23 depending on what you need (the cartridge and receivers are sold separately). There is currently a stock shortage, although more is expected by the 14th of January as of writing.
All of this is the work of an Australian named Alex Iannuzzi. This venture was originally a series of blogs on his website, insideGadgets, but it’s fantastic that he’s decided to sell the finished project. All I can hope is that no games of note where sacrificed for the cartridges – although it’s safe to assume repos were instead used. If you have the know-how, the blogs are detailed enough that you could potentially create your own. The code is fully explained, and schematics are provided.
While the currently available cartridge is compatible with the DMG Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color and the Game Boy Advance (as well as the SP), a GBA cartridge is in the works that would allow this product to work on a host of DS consoles too. This will have a reduced wireless range, however – being able to only transmit 3.96m as opposed to 7.92m.
If you would like to purchase a cartridge and adapter, you can currently backorder on Iannuzzi’s online store.
Growing up while the fifth generation of consoles reigned supreme meant that Brendan missed out on much of the 80’s and early 90’s of gaming the first time around. He either lacked the cognitive ability to play them, as naturally, he was a baby - or he simply didn’t exist yet. Undeterred, Brendan started a blog called Retro Game On in 2011. This followed his exploits as he collected and played everything he could get his hands on no matter what the release date. While RGO is mainly YouTube focused these days concentrating on video reviews and historical features, the itch to do some old fashion writing never went away. More recently, Brendan has been a staff writer for the gaming website, GameCloud, mostly focusing on the indie gaming scene in his locale of Perth, Australia.
