Question for the GameBoy gurus

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I just picked up a GameBoy at auction and have some questions about it. First, it is green. I knew that they made various colors or GameBoys, but I had previously thought that they started that with the GameBoy Pocket. Also, this came in a clear plastic box that seems to be the original package. It has compartments for the system, games, and I am guessing maybe an AC adapter. The reason I believe that this is the original box is that on the back the Nintendo logo is molded into the plastic and there is a proof of purchase label with the serial number and customer service info on it. It has a spot for the date of purchase but nobody filled it in. The bottom of the label has a perforation so it appears that part of it gets torn off (at purchase time?)

I can post pics if need be.

Is this a common system and package? I had never seen anything like this before? Any help from you GameBoy gurus?

JY

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Hate to reply to my own post, but I guess I should have checked the Rarity guide first. Oops. Apparently they made these starting in 1995, but that doesn't answer the question of rarity. Any ideas?

JY

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm no GB guru, but this does sound interesting.

First, it is green. I knew that they made various colors or GameBoys, but I had previously thought that they started that with the GameBoy Pocket.

Yes, I thought so as well.

Also, this came in a clear plastic box that seems to be the original package.

Sounds cool, but I bet it's a third party carry box, maybe some sort of bundle. You did say it has Nintendo on it? As far as I know, they sold in a cardboard box. But who knows, there's always surprises to be had.

So yes, please post a picture.

Oh, and a random picture of the GB lineup.

[The_Kodiak65]

well, im no guru, but i'm pretty sure they are not that rare, they were just a re-release... also, the plastic case came with the GB, i remember when i got my gameboy, and it came in one just like it....they're decent

[Xexyz]

I used to own a Green original Gameboy. It has black buttons right? Good times, unfortunately I traded it in for a GBC back in 99 or so, before I caught wind of the retro bug.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Here are a couple of pics. It sucks trying to take pictures of clear plastic.

JY

[Poofta!]

afaik they were a toys r us exclusive

[ersgameboy]

IIRC, these colored GameBoys were part of Nintendo's "Play It Loud!" campaign. Readily available at all major retailers, they were available in green, red, yellow, clear, and black, and were mainly an attempt to maintain interest in the GameBoy line until the release of the GameBoy Pocket the next year. I believe all of these GameBoys came packed in the clear cases.

[CosmicMonkey]

There's also a Manchester United GB. After checking Wikipedia, it turns out it's part of the Play it Loud campaign too.

[neuropolitique]

The Green Game Boy is indeed part of the Play It Loud series. They came out the year before Game Boy Pockets were released. In addition to the Game Boy and the clear box, the Play It Loud series came with batteries. The box originally had two cardboard inserts which served to make the clear box look more like a regular box, for shelf presence.

They are not terribly rare. Having the warranty card intact is nice, as it links that Game Boy to that box, via serial number.

That Manchester United Game Boy is a UK exlusive. There were no similar models released in the US. We only got the grey model and the 5 Play It Loud colors.

[CosmicMonkey]

So what is the rarest retail Gameboy (any version)? I'd say the GBC and cart that came with the Singer Izek sewing machine would be pretty rare? Anything rarer?

What about non-retail GBs? Surely there's some daft solid gold GBA, hand-crafted by Oompa loompas that was a Pokemon Centre exclusive?

[qbertandernie]

they made several colors of these. im missing at least two(blue and pink) but theres a few of the other colors for you to look for.

[jajaja]

My sister has or had that yellow GB

[Nicola]

There's also a Manchester United GB. After checking Wikipedia, it turns out it's part of the Play it Loud campaign too.

This picture (the one on wiki) is faked.
The original Manchester LE has a black Manchester emblem on the bottom-left (is that a dragon?)

This is mine:

[Jorpho]

Yup, I paid $50 CDN for a Play It Loud clear model back in the day at TRU, packaged exactly as described. Still have it, too. I think there were some versions that were packaged with sunglasses?

The "Ice Blue" Game Boy Pocket was a "limited edtion", but there's a host of fancy special editions that put that to shame rarity-wise.

[mills]

on the subject of rare gameboys. I grabbed this last week for 139.99 on ebay complete in box and packaging.



I know it was exclusively sold at the Tezuka Osamu World Shop in Japan. But just how many were made? How many are accounted in peoples hands roughly? ANd how would you value it complete in box and mint like new?

[Jorpho]

Ooh, a Game Boy Light. Those are fairly uncommon to begin with, I understand.

[Nicola]

Ooh, a Game Boy Light. Those are fairly uncommon to begin with, I understand.

Osamu Tezuka World Shop Game Boy Light!

"This Game Boy Light is a very limited edition, again from the Tezuka Osamu World shop and features a collection of Tezuka San's creations. This version was only sold in the T- O- W- Shop between the dates of 17th June - 27th Sept 1998, Making it a very rare addition to anyone's collection."

source

[64Bits]

Wow...a Man United GB? I want, I want, I want! Anyone know how much these go for right now?

And, in one of the above posts, where you said (Is it a dragon?), if you are talking about the Manchester emblem, it is not a dragon, but a devil.

[Nicola]

Wow...a Man United GB? I want, I want, I want! Anyone know how much these go for right now?

And, in one of the above posts, where you said (Is it a dragon?), if you are talking about the Manchester emblem, it is not a dragon, but a devil.

Well, it's a little obscure as a LE, so you may find it cheaply. I've paid mine 16 GBP and a friend of mine paid his even less.

It's in my search list.

As for the Osamu Tezuka GBs, I've got a friend who wants to sell the set of two (red and blue) new for 200 euros each.