Game Boy Game Pak
 Game Boy Game Paks from left to right: original, Color, Advance | |
| Media type | ROM cartridge |
|---|---|
| Encoding | Digital |
| Capacity | ROM: 32 KB–8 MB RAM: up to 128 KB |
| Standard | Proprietary |
| Developed by | Nintendo |
| Dimensions | 5.8 cm (2.3 in) wide 6.5 cm (2.6 in) high |
| Usage | |
Game Boy Game Pak is the brand name of the ROM cartridges used to store video game data for the Game Boy family of handheld video game consoles. Early Game Boy games were limited to 32 KB of storage due to the system's 8-bit architecture. Nintendo later incorporated the memory bank controller (MBC) into cartridges to allow for more storage by switching between ROM banks.
In addition to increased ROM, later cartridges could include random-access memory (RAM) chips that could be used for increased performance or to save game progress. A battery in the cartridge would keep the RAM powered when the Game Boy was off. Later cartridges could also include real-time clock chips that could keep track of time even when the device was off or a Rumble Pak to add vibration feedback to enhance gameplay.
The Game Boy Advance was the last major handheld device to use cartridges as its primary storage format. Later systems, like the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, use game cards, which are similar to SD cards.
Background[edit]
(Annotated version)
The Game Boy Game Pak cartridges store the game's code and data using read-only memory (ROM) chips. However, the original Game Boy's 8-bit architecture limited the CPU's access to just 32 kilobytes (KB) of ROM at a time, restricting early games to this size.[1]
Nintendo overcame this limitation with a chip called the memory bank controller (MBC) placed within the cartridge. This chip acts like a traffic controller, switching between multiple banks of 32 KB each. Using this technology, Nintendo was able to create cartridges that used up to 8 megabytes of ROM,[2][3] vastly expanding game size and complexity.
Some cartridges included random-access memory (RAM) to increase the device's performance. This took the form of a 8 KB EEPROM chip, a 32 KB SRAM chip, or later, a 128 KB flash memory chip. A button cell battery could also be added to the cartridge to retain SRAM data even when the Game Boy was powered off, enabling features like saving game progress. However, these batteries have a limited life, and to be replaced, they must be desoldered from the motherboard. The SRAM chips were later phased out in favor of the flash memory chips, which can store data without the need for a battery.[2][4] Later revisions introduced even more functionality. Real-time clock capabilities kept track of time using a crystal oscillator.[5] Rumble Pak cartridges added vibration feedback to enhance gameplay.[2]
The standard cartridge measured 5.8 centimeters (2.3 in) wide and 6.5 centimeters (2.6 in) high. However, some games, such as the Game Boy Camera, boasted custom-designed, larger casings to accommodate special features. This size remained the norm until the arrival of the Game Boy Advance, which utilized a significantly shorter cartridge design.
When powered on, a plastic tab slid across into a notch at the top of the cartridge. To save space, this locking mechanism was removed from all subsequent devices. The notch was not present on Game Boy Color Game Paks to prevent them from being used in the original Game Boy. If they were inserted into a Game Boy Pocket or Light, an error message would be shown on the screen.[2]
Game Boy Advance cartridges included notches on the cartridge's corners. When inserted into a Game Boy Advance, these notches avoid pressing a switch within the slot, allowing the device to boot into its native mode. When an older Game Boy cartridge was inserted, this switch would be pressed, triggering the device to boot into its backward compatibility mode.
The Nintendo DS retains backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance cartridges but not older Game Boy games. To accomplish this, the button was replaced with a solid piece of plastic, preventing older Game Boy cartridges from fully inserting.
Types[edit]
Excluding game-specific variations, there are four types of cartridges compatible with Game Boy systems:
Original Game Boy Game Pak[edit]
The original Game Boy Game Pak (also known as class A or grey cartridges) is compatible with all Game Boy systems, excluding Game Boy Micro. All original Game Boy games are of this type. The games on these cartridges are programmed in monochrome (using four shades of grey or green).
When these games are played on the Game Boy Color and subsequent systems, the device applies a limited color palette (typically dark green) using up to ten colors to enhance the game. On startup, users could choose from 12 different palettes using button combinations. A dedicated palette option replicates the original Game Boy's grayscale experience.[6]
Additionally, a limited number of cartridges released between 1994 and 1998 feature enhancements compatible with the Super Game Boy.
Although most original Game Boy Game Paks were encased in grey plastic, some used special colors that match the game's theme, including notably, Pokémon Red and Blue and the Donkey Kong series, which utilized yellow cartridges.
Color-enhanced Game Boy Game Pak[edit]
The color-enhanced Game Boy Game Pak (also known as class B, dual mode, or black cartridges) improved the game play experience on the Game Boy Color and subsequent systems while maintaining compatibility with older monochrome devices.
By leveraging the hardware on the Game Boy Color and subsequent systems, these cartridges display a wider color palette (up to 16 colors at a time), utilizing the original system's four display layers.[7] While programmed in color, they can still be played in monochrome on the original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Light, and Super Game Boy.
Some color-enhanced games, like Wario Land II and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX were colorized re-releases of originally monochrome games, however, Nintendo insisted that developers include gameplay enhancements (beyond simply adding color) to differentiate the games from their monochrome counterparts.[2] Some color-enhanced cartridges also boasted features later seen in clear cartridges, such as the Rumble Pak in Pokémon Pinball[8] and infrared communications in Robopon Sun, Star, and Moon Versions.
Although most color-enhanced Game Boy Game Paks were encased in black plastic, some used special colors that matched the game's theme, including notably Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Game Boy Color Game Pak[edit]
The Game Boy Color Game Pak (also known as class C or clear cartridges) introduced unique features for players on the Game Boy Color and subsequent systems. They boast a wider color range (up to 56 colors) and benefit from the increased processing speed and memory introduced with the Game Boy Color. Because of this reliance on the newer hardware, these games are incompatible with the older monochrome Game Boy models.[9]
Certain cartridges also had additional features to enhance gameplay, including rumble feedback, utilized in Perfect Dark, and tilt sensors, employed in Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble.[10]
Most original Game Boy Game Paks were encased in translucent plastic, but similar to previous generations, some were released in special colors that match the game's theme, like Pokémon Crystal.
Game Boy Advance Game Pak[edit]
The Game Boy Advance Game Pak (also known as class D cartridges) is half the size of all earlier cartridges and is compatible with Game Boy Advance and later systems, including the Nintendo DS.
Some Advance cartridges have built-in features, including rumble features (Drill Dozer),[11] tilt sensors (WarioWare: Twisted!, Yoshi's Universal Gravitation)[12] and solar sensors (Boktai).[13]
Although most Game Boy Advance Game Paks were encased in dark grey plastic, some used special colors that matched the game's theme, including notably Pokémon Emerald.
References[edit]
- ^ Copetti, Rodrigo (February 21, 2019). "Game Boy / Color Architecture - A Practical Analysis". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Game Boy Programming Manual" (PDF). December 3, 1999. p. 299. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ Byers, Brendan. "Exploring the Gameboy Memory Bank Controller". Brendan's Website. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Ziegler, Reiner (2008). "ROM cartridge interface". Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Javanainen, Joonas. "Game Boy cartridges". Game Boy hardware database. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "Changing the Color Palette on Game Boy Advance Systems". Customer Service. Nintendo. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ "Disassembling the GBC Boot ROM". Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- ^ "Why Game Boy Color games with the built-in rumble feature were the coolest". The Diamondback. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Game Pak Troubleshooting – All Game Boy Systems". Nintendo of America customer support. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ^ "Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble Developer Interview from Nintendo Online Magazine". Game In Japanese. May 14, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ スクリューブレイカー 轟振どりるれろ | Wii U | 任天堂. 任天堂ホームページ. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ Yoshi: Universal Gravitation – IGN, January 12, 2005, retrieved April 27, 2021
- ^ Staff, Ars (March 27, 2020). "Kojima's GBA experiment—and the sunny island childhood it changed forever". Ars Technica. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
