Game Boy Model Guide for Retro Collectors
The right Game Boy is rarely just the cheapest one in the display case. Screen type, game compatibility, battery format and original condition all change the experience - and the collecting appeal. This Game Boy model guide covers every major Nintendo Game Boy handheld, helping UK buyers choose a machine to play, display, restore or complete a Nintendo collection.
Game Boy Model Guide: Every Main Handheld
Nintendo’s Game Boy family ran from 1989 to 2005, but it was never a simple sequence of yearly upgrades. Some models refined the original formula; others changed the screen, form factor and software library completely. A pristine original Game Boy has a different appeal from an AGS-101 Game Boy Advance SP, even though both can play a sizeable part of the same catalogue.
Original Game Boy (DMG-01) - 1989
The original grey Game Boy, commonly called the DMG after its internal model code, is the machine that started it all. Its chunky case, pea-green monochrome display and four AA batteries are instantly recognisable. It plays original Game Boy cartridges only, including classics such as Tetris, Super Mario Land, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Pokémon Red and Blue.
For collectors, the DMG is the most historically important model and often the best choice for a shelf display. It feels substantial, repairs are relatively straightforward and original accessories such as the carry case, Link Cable and magnifier light are collectible in their own right. The trade-off is the screen: it has no backlight, can show motion blur, and is difficult to use without good light.
Look closely at the battery compartment before buying. Corrosion from old AA batteries is common, though light surface corrosion is often repairable. Dark screen lines, weak sound and worn button membranes are also worth checking.
Game Boy Pocket - 1996
The Game Boy Pocket made the original design far more portable. It is thinner, lighter and powered by two AAA batteries rather than four AAs. Its screen is still unlit, but the display is a sharper black-and-white panel rather than the DMG’s green-tinted look.
The Pocket is a smart middle ground for players who want an original Game Boy cartridge experience without carrying the larger DMG. It was released in several colours, including silver, red, green and yellow, so it also offers more variety to collectors. Early units use a small power LED with no dedicated battery warning light, while later revisions add a red low-battery indicator.
A Pocket is not automatically better than a DMG. The smaller shell can feel less comfortable for larger hands, and AAA batteries generally offer shorter play sessions. Still, a clean silver Pocket remains one of the neatest ways to play the black-and-white library on original hardware.
Game Boy Light - 1998
The Game Boy Light is the outlier of the family. Officially released only in Japan, it resembles a slightly taller Game Boy Pocket but includes an electroluminescent backlight. It runs on two AA batteries and plays original Game Boy cartridges.
For a UK collector, the Light is particularly desirable because Game Boy software is region-free. Japanese units play UK and European cartridges without modification, making this a practical import rather than a display-only curiosity. The blue Astro Boy edition and gold-and-silver Pokémon Centre editions command particular attention, but standard gold and silver models are attractive starting points.
Its backlight is gentle rather than bright by modern standards, and it gives the screen a distinctive blue-green glow. That period-correct look is exactly why many collectors prefer it to a modern screen modification.
Game Boy Colour - 1998
The Game Boy Colour was the first major leap in capability. It introduced a colour screen, a faster processor and an exclusive library that includes Pokémon Crystal, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Wario Land 3 and Shantae. It also plays original Game Boy games, often with selectable colour palettes.
This is one of the best all-round choices for a first-time collector. The console is compact, durable and available in a wide range of translucent and solid colours. Grape, Atomic Purple, Kiwi and Teal are familiar UK favourites, while special editions tied to Pokémon and other franchises can move into serious collector territory.
The original screen remains front-lit by the room rather than backlit by the console, so visibility is its limitation. A Game Boy Colour with an IPS screen modification is excellent for playing, but it should be priced and described as modified hardware, not as a fully original collector piece. Originality matters most for boxed sets, rare colours and condition-sensitive collections.
Game Boy Advance - 2001
The horizontal Game Boy Advance brought a new 32-bit generation to Nintendo’s handheld line. It plays Game Boy Advance games as well as original Game Boy and Game Boy Colour cartridges, giving it the broadest cartridge compatibility of any single Game Boy model. It uses two AA batteries and has a landscape layout with shoulder buttons, making it especially comfortable for longer sessions.
The GBA library is packed with collector favourites: Metroid Fusion, Advance Wars, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Mario Kart: Super Circuit and the Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald titles. For someone building a playable library across all three cartridge formats, the original Advance makes a great foundation.
Its weak point is again the screen. Nintendo shipped it without a frontlight or backlight, a surprising omission even in 2001. Many players choose an IPS-modified Advance for daily use, while retaining an untouched console for the collection. If buying a modified unit, check whether the shell has been trimmed cleanly, whether brightness controls work properly and whether the original speaker has been retained or upgraded.
Game Boy Advance SP - 2003
The Game Boy Advance SP folds into a compact clamshell, protects its screen in a pocket and swaps disposable batteries for a rechargeable lithium-ion pack. It plays Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Colour cartridges, but it does not play original Game Boy games because the cartridge slot lacks the required internal support.
There are two key screen variants. The AGS-001 has a front-lit screen, which was a huge convenience at launch but can look washed out. The later AGS-101 has a brighter backlit screen with noticeably stronger colour and contrast. For original, unmodified hardware, the AGS-101 is generally the premium choice for players and collectors alike.
The model number alone is not enough. An AGS-001 is still a valid purchase if the price is right, especially for a themed edition or a tidy boxed console. Check the hinge for looseness, inspect the charging port, and make sure the screen has not developed pressure marks. Replacement batteries are readily available, but an original charger and matching box add value to a complete set.
Game Boy Micro - 2005
The Game Boy Micro is the smallest and most specialised member of the family. It plays Game Boy Advance cartridges only, with no support for Game Boy or Game Boy Colour games. Its bright backlit screen, metal faceplate and tiny footprint make it feel premium, but it is not the most comfortable choice for every player.
The Micro is ideal for a focused GBA collection or for collectors drawn to Nintendo’s more unusual hardware. Interchangeable faceplates are a major part of its appeal, particularly official designs and limited editions. Its proprietary charger, small controls and difficult-to-source replacement parts mean it is better treated with care than used as an everyday travel console.
Which Game Boy Model Should You Buy?
It depends on whether you value original presentation, practical playability or a complete model run. A DMG or Pocket suits the collector who wants the earliest Game Boy experience. The Game Boy Light adds a rare, import-friendly version of that format. A Game Boy Colour is an excellent gateway into colour-era Nintendo, while the original Advance offers maximum cartridge compatibility.
For regular play, the AGS-101 Game Boy Advance SP is often the strongest original-hardware recommendation. Its backlit display and rechargeable battery make it convenient, though losing compatibility with original Game Boy cartridges is a genuine compromise. If the Game Boy Advance library is your priority, the Micro offers the sharpest factory screen but the least forgiving ergonomics.
What to Check Before Adding One to Your Collection
Condition is more than cosmetic on handheld hardware. Before buying, assess these points:
- Battery terminals should be clean, with no severe corrosion or broken spring contacts.
- Screens should be free from heavy scratches, dead lines, blotches and lens damage.
- Buttons, D-pads, shoulder triggers and volume wheels should respond consistently.
- Cartridge slots should read games reliably without repeated cleaning or reinsertion.
- Shells, labels, battery covers, chargers and boxes should match the seller’s description, particularly on special editions.
The best Game Boy is the one that gives your collection a purpose. Choose a clean DMG if you want the sound and feel of 1989, an AGS-101 if you want to work through the Advance catalogue comfortably, or a Game Boy Colour if Pokémon Crystal is calling. Start with the games you genuinely want to revisit, then let the right handheld earn its place beside them.