If there’s one thing that we love more than anything here at Retro Dodo, it’s GameBoy Accessories. We can’t get enough of them, in fact, it’s probably safe to say that we dream about them when we go to sleep.
Some people call it an addiction, but we’ve got it totally under control…
It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy playing GameBoy games from your collection on the go, when it comes to supercharging your chosen device, there are so many GameBoy accessories out there to make the most of all our favourite retro handhelds.
Anyway, you don’t need to listen to me rambling on any longer; let’s kick off with the first item on our list, the Hyperboy!
Table of Contents
1. Hyperboy (DMG)
In at Number 1 is the Hyperboy for the original DMG. This is a rare bit of kit when it comes to GameBoy accessories, and we were lucky to come across it when we did!
You might be wondering what the heck this thing is, which is good because otherwise, I wouldn’t have anything to talk to you about. This little device made by Konami basically turns your original GameBoy into an arcade machine.
We’re talking about recreating those nostalgic moments down at the arcade, blasting through the Neo Geo back catalogue and button-mashing to your heart’s content. The unit itself is pretty simple to work – just slot your DMG in and you’re good to go.
2. Smart Sound & Shake (GBC)
Have you ever felt that your GameBoy Color just isn’t beefy or bulky enough, or just doesn’t look as though it’s had a threesome with a Polygon and an old 80’s dance video?
Well, today is your lucky day, because you can get your hands on the Smart Sound & Shake and pimp up your GBC with the best retro technology that money can buy (that might be an overstatement).
This bit of kit essentially gives your GBC a rumble feature, and it also houses a power pack to prolong battery life.
It amplifies the speakers on the GBC to increase your sound level output and also comes with some cutting-edge earphones (remember this is the 90s).
One of the best bits about this piece of kit is the little front plate that you can add to the front of the console, turning your D-Pad into an analogue-stick and raising your A and B buttons up for extra-mashing capabilities.
3. HandyPak (GBP)
The GameBoy Pocket was the ‘Mark II’ of the original GameBoy. It featured an LED indicator to show battery level, was smaller, thinner, and as the name says, fit nicely in your pocket.
It had improved response time, a black and white screen, and also had some pretty neat GameBoy accessories of its own.
The HandyPak Pocket 2 is pretty much an amalgamation of all of the other accessories that we’ve covered on this list so far, with the inclusion of a magnifier to help you see what’s going on on that itty-bitty screen!
The magnifier has a light, there are plug-in speakers built into the screen cover, and it also converts the D-Pad into an analogue stick.
This makes your GBP feel a lot like a miniature DJ turntable crossed with a Geiger counter.
4. Game Genie (DMG & GBC)
Who else can remember ringing up the Nintendo hotline for cheats and advice about games?
I rang them at least three or four times about that blasted Ice Key in Banjo Kazooie and for loads of other stuff too.
I don’t think that it exists anymore, what with the internet being such a huge thing (who thought that would take off, eh?), but if you’re after cheat codes for your favourite GB and GBC games, then the Game Genie may well be one of the most important GameBoy accessories out there.
It works as an external sleeve for your game cart and plugs directly into the handheld itself. You can find all of the available cheats in a small mouse-sized booklet and key them straight in using the D-Pad and A button.
I suppose this is one of the earliest forms of hacking…
5. BoosterBoy (DMG)
You can finally fulfill your dreams of turning your GameBoy into Boba Fett’s ship with the next item on our list.
This thing is HUGE, but it certainly packs a punch. It’s essentially a Samus Aran-style power suit for your original DMG GameBoy.
The faceplate has the usual analogue stick and raised buttons that are all the rage with these mod packages, but the real exciting features are all the other bits and pieces that make up this monstrous plastic Minotaur.
The two balls on the top are external speakers, there’s a flap for storing headphone and getting to the power switch, a magnifying glass that can be pulled over the screen, and there’s a light that you can use to illuminate your favourite games in the dark.
The back of the BoosterBoy has a space for storing game carts and housing for the four C-sized batteries that you need to run this beast. It weighs a tonne, but it’s totally worth it.
