Sorry about yesterday! I work nights, and was so tired that I didn't even make it to Starbucks. I slept all day as well. Anyway, today is two for Thursday. So here's another one!
In 1997, Nintendo created the handheld market. Someone in the company must have had a crystal ball, because the Game Boy instantly became wildly successful. It's not like they hadn't experimented with it before, as evidenced by the Game & Watch units. However, they were able to recreate 8 bit technology on an LCD screen, which was a technological feat in itself.
Of course, the unit would have been nothing without games. Half the reason why it was so popular was because of one game, the grand daddy of puzzle games: Tetris. Not only did it create an entirely new genre, but it was addicting as hell. I still remember the television ads of people getting Tetrisized. The game was actually the brain child of a Russian scientist for exercise. With the game included into the unit, it got people into video games who would have never tried them otherwise.
I was fortunate to own one after it had been out for a few years. There are actually plenty of GB versions of NES games, like Bionic Commando and Metal Gear. While not as intricate as their counterparts, it was a good chance to try out your favorites.
There have been many incarnations of the Game Boy since then. The Pocket, the Color, the Advance, the SP, Super Game Boy, and Micro. Not to mention the special editions of each unit. Each brought something new, but the original brick unit was what set the bar for what handheld gaming could be.
I didn't get a handheld until the GBA SP came out. I had to go to a three week law enforcement course and there wasn't much to do after class other than go out to the bar next door. I figured getting the GBA would keep me out of the bar, which it did.
Yep, the handhelds are perfect for that. =D
I had a gameboy. I played a lot of Super Mario Land, Final Fantasy Legend, and a hue heaping of tetris. still have that music stuck in my head.
Yeah, I forgot to mention the music. It was so good! Have you listened to the remixes? Specifically the ones from the Super Smash Bros. Brawl OST. They are great.
I'm not sure, but I think I have heard some other interpretations of that stuff.
Let me put it this way. It has a permanent place on my iPod. =D
Sad to know what happened to the GameBoy inventor, Gunpei Yokoi, shortly after he also invented the Virtual Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and WonderSwan. He really did have some kind of crystal ball it seems, just one that didn't see the Virtual Boy's failure coming. But that's one for how many? Truly a great name in video games, and I actually liked Virtual Boy as a kid.
I wish freetetris.org had that famous Russian music. I'd play with sound if it did.
What happened? I assume he died? But yeah, as far as video game music goes, it's probably one of the most prolific and memorable songs of all time.
Traffic accident in 1997, after leaving Nintendo in 1996, following a 31-year employment with them according to Wikipedia (a recent Game Grumps episode reminded me of all this).
Man, that sucks. Hopefully they took care of his family at least.
I don't know, since he was working away from Big N for a year. Could just read Gunpei Yokoi Wiki article if curious.
I had a Gameboy Advance SP. That was my first game system actually. Unfortunately I lost it at my school a couple of years back. I learned my lesson to never take handhelds to school!
Oh, I have definitely been there as well. If I take my stuff somewhere, it doesn't leave my person.
I have an original Game Boy but I would more likely play the games on my GBA SP or my GameCube Game Boy Player. That screen on the original system is dim as heck.
Yep. You really had to have one of those third party lights in order to use it decently.
I thank the gaming gods for bringing bright screens to handhelds with the DS and onward.
The Game Boy Advance was the first Nintendo handheld to have backlight. =D