Table of Contents
Nintendo Game Boy
This page does not cover the Game Boy Color. For this console, see Nintendo Game Boy Color.
Releasing in September 1989 for the USA, the Game Boy was a wildly successful system for years. Containing only 64 KiB of RAM, a 160×144 monochrome screen, and 2-bit color, it's primary genius was in it's long battery life and easily digested games. Both of these features allowed the Game Boy to overcome it's weak capability. Despite this specification-based inferiority compared to it's competitors, it's success spawned a whole series of consoles that lasted until 2010. For these, see Game Boy Color (as seen above) and Game Boy Advance.
Operating Systems (Sharp LR35902)
AMADO OS
you can edit the files on the RAM filesystem
A Japanese-originated operating system that is undergoing recent development. Appears to have a modicum of features, including a GUI, CPU access, and more. It’s even available on a physical cartridge.
http://yuma.ohgami.jp/ (creator page)
https://github.com/cupnes/sh_gbos
https://yohgami.booth.pm/items/2636771 (ROM download)
https://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/wakiba/find/1308961.html (physical proof)
CollapseOS
Regarding the gameboy: it will be tricky
Mere postulation, but it’s possible.
Contiki
Compatible on the Game Boy, but has superior function on the Game Boy Color. For this, see Nintendo Game Boy Color.
GBOS
approximating an operating system
Homebrewed basic OS project with some basic functionality.
RIOS (Riverside-Irvine Operating System)
a task scheduler written entirely in C
Extremely basic OS meant more for learning purposes than anything.
WorkBoy and addon
Thought as lost for years, but combined with a recently leaked ROM, the WorkBoy’s quite detailed PDA abilities have finally been unearthed. If the keyboard is required to make it work, this will need to be emulated or imitated… which is in the making! Someone on reddit is both making a replica of the WorkBoy keyboard, and may create a patched version of the ROM which can interface with any keyboard. Of course, this would require a flash cart + these adapters for PS2/USB keyboard to GBC/GBA (not DMG), which we had no idea even existed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZcrPM-jDqY
https://shop.insidegadgets.com/product/gameboy-usb-keyboard-adapter/ (USB keyboard adapter)
https://catskullelectronics.com/collections/game-boy/products/gameboy-color-ps-2-keyboard-cable?variant=29399525359694 (PS/2 keyboard adapter)
https://old.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/comments/qp2j3x/workboy_bottom_shell_progress/ (workboy keyboard replacement progress)
https://old.reddit.com/r/everdrive/comments/nxvun4/added_keyboard_support_to_the_everdrive_gb_os/h1hh5og/ (hinting towards a ROM hack)
Work Master OS
Compatible on the Game Boy, but has superior function on the Game Boy Color. For this, see Nintendo Game Boy Color.
Internet
GB KISS & Link Modem
Compatible on the Game Boy, but has superior function on the Game Boy Color. For this, see Nintendo Game Boy Color.
Other
BetterPaintBoy 1.03
which one should i download?[…]The latest version (1.03)
A simple painting program for the original Game Boy, in case you had the creative urge to make things in greenscale.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/comments/7rjh9n/home_brew_made_a_paint_for_dmg_link_to_the_rom/
Game Boy Book Reader
New Text Import Functions HTML, RTF, PDF.
A quite comprehensive reading program for the Game Boy, which converts files over from txt. The example screenshot implies the ability to insert images, which is very cool if true. Also has a version available for the Game Boy Advance. Capable of processing a multitude of languages, too!
InfoGenius: Personal Organizer & Phone Book
One of several “utiity” cartridges released by InfoGenius. This one, unsurprisingly, is about organizing your schedule and keeping track of your contacts.
InfoGenius: Spell Checker And Calculator
Yet another “utility” cartridge from InfoGenius. This one is about checking your spelling (like those little Webster things) and doing lightweight math.
Little Sound DJ
Download the Little Sound Dj ROM image and manual. Other files can be found in the download area.
A well loved music creator for the original Game Boy, used by a large realm of artists for many purposes.
Miscellaneous homebrew applications
Pulling from the same site as the NES, the Game Boy has a few interesting homebrew applications available for it. Highlights include “GB Runtime”, “StopWatch”, and “GB SFX Generator”.
https://www.nesworld.com/article.php?system=gb&data=gbhomebrew
Peripherals
Game Boy Camera
The GBC is featured in the 1999 edition of Guinness World Records for being the world's smallest digital camera
A classic that many will know. Does what it says on the box; it's a camera for the Game Boy! Stands out as being one of the first mass-produced consumer-level digital cameras. While it's main purpose is for taking photos, there are also a few little games on the cartridge.
Game Boy Printer
the thermal paper rolls can be successfully substituted with a 38mm x 4m alternative
Often seen as the companion to the Game Boy Camera, the Printer is anything but. Featuring connectivity and functionality with a wide variety of games, the Game Boy Printer quite simply, prints. The one problem with it nowadays, is the relative rarity of the thermal paper used in the device. Resolving this either requires finding old stock of paper (which is known to degrade over time), cutting up modern thermal paper to fit the size, or finding similarly sized paper typically used for calculators.
Version & Revision Guide
For general information, see the Game Console Revisions Overview.
Versions
There are three versions of this console, arranged chronologically.
Game Boy (1989-1999)
LOWEST PRICE
The classic version of the Game Boy. Featuring the iconic bulky “brick” design, the “greenscale” LCD, and an EXT. port exclusive to this version of the Game Boy, this system has a large variety of mods available for it and can be found quite easily in many markets. Major problems found on this version include screen ghosting, more batteries required, and a more general lower screen quality which certain screen mods can make more prominent.
Game Boy Pocket (1996-2000?)
RECOMMENDED OVERALL
The other Game Boy revision to release worldwide. Identified easily by it's larger screen, lack of “greenscale”, sleeker design with non-angled start/select buttons, and the “Game Boy Pocket” text found on the bezel. Major improvements made with this version include the reduced screen ghosting, new EXT. port which is forward compatible with later GB/GBC/GBA link cables, a larger screen, true black and white color over “Greenscale”, reduced batteries required for play, and generally improved screen visibility. This model originally did not come with a power LED, but a revision reintroduced this feature. It is also worth noting that the AC adapter for the Pocket is different than the one for the original Game Boy.
Game Boy Light (1998-2003?)
Released only in Japan. Very similar to the Game Boy Pocket, outside of it's one major feature change, which is the inclusion of a backlit screen. Despite this change, the Light apparently has a much worse general screen quality, making this supposed improvement a bit of a misnomer. Considering it's comparative rarity worldwide, a superior option for a backlit Game Boy would come from modding a Pocket or GBC.
Revisions
A variety of motherboard revisions exist for both worldwide versions of the Game Boy. While they do not impact general usage (except the inclusion of a power LED on later Pocket revisions), they will greatly impact system modding and have been included for posterity.
https://gbhwdb.gekkio.fi/consoles/dmg/ (also used to source prod. dates)
https://gbhwdb.gekkio.fi/consoles/mgb/ (also used to source prod. dates)
https://gbhwdb.gekkio.fi/consoles/mgl/
BEST RELIABILITY couldn't be assigned.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy