Nintendo · Released · First generation introduced 1998
Game Boy Color
Colour Game Boy hardware that also plays original Game Boy cartridges.
By Tulasiram Pemmadi · Research updated 25 October 2026 · Research guide, not a hands-on reviewTransparent purple Game Boy Color with screen off. Game-Boy-Color-Purple.jpg by Evan-Amos. Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; no hardware features altered.
Hardware at a glance
Media
Game Boy and Game Boy Color
Power
2 AA
Screen
Colour LCD; no factory backlight
Family-level details. Check the exact model before assuming that a feature is shared across revisions.
Hardware and game library
Game Boy Color supports its own games and the earlier Game Boy library. Colour-exclusive software is distinct from software that also works on monochrome hardware. The original display relies on ambient light, so a bright modern listing may show an aftermarket screen.
Choosing the right model
Check cartridge contacts, corrosion and infrared operation where needed. Pokémon-themed shells and lenses are reproduced, so artwork alone does not authenticate a factory edition. Ask about repairs and modifications. Compare shell markings with the claimed region and packaging.
Model and edition registry
Selected documented models and editions. This registry does not yet include every regional SKU, promotional unit or limited edition.
Nintendo’s regional history establishes these colour choices but does not provide a complete list of every promotional or regional shell. A replacement clear-purple shell can resemble an original example. Use the hardware label, interior condition and documented provenance in addition to the colour when assessing a collector listing.
Software
Game Boy Color and original Game Boy cartridges
Power
Two AA batteries
Documented colours
Purple, green, blue, yellow and clear purple, plus Pokémon-themed hardware
These links match the release-platform labels in our GTA catalogue. Open the game guide for its edition and sources. This is not a complete backwards-compatibility list or a guarantee of current store availability.
Images identify the pictured hardware; they are not evidence for every variant listed. Missing regional SKUs and undocumented editions remain outside this guide. Send a correction with a source.
