Nintendo Game Boy ColorFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment86%
PROS 86%
CONS 14%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want backward compatibility with original Game Boy cartridges
  • You value long battery life over raw power
  • You're curious about a deep, underrated library including RPGs and bootlegs

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You expect a bright, vivid screen like modern handhelds
  • You want a large 160x160 or higher resolution display
  • You need original batteries or pristine condition without any modding

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Budget
Nintendo 2DS
Affordable priceExtremely durable buildComfortable ergonomicsNo 3D functionalityNon-foldable slab designSingle speaker only
Nintendo 2DS
Affordable price
Extremely durable build
Comfortable ergonomics
No 3D functionality
Non-foldable slab design
Single speaker only
2Mid
Nintendo 3DS
StreetPass and social featuresCustomization and personalityHuge legacy game libraryScarcity and rising pricesBattery aging and data riskConfusing naming and missing features
Nintendo 3DS
StreetPass and social features
Customization and personality
Huge legacy game library
Scarcity and rising prices
Battery aging and data risk
Confusing naming and missing features
3Mid
Sony PSP
Huge, beloved game libraryConsole-quality graphicsStrong homebrew and emulation scenePSP Go ergonomics and dock scarcityDead pixel issuesLater slim models had inferior build/finish
Sony PSP
Huge, beloved game library
Console-quality graphics
Strong homebrew and emulation scene
PSP Go ergonomics and dock scarcity
Dead pixel issues
Later slim models had inferior build/finish
You are here
4Budget
Nintendo Game Boy Color
Strong nostalgia and emotional attachmentClever hardware engineeringColorization of original Game Boy gamesMuted, dim screenInconsistent early third-party graphicsShort console lifespan
Nintendo Game Boy Color
Strong nostalgia and emotional attachment
Clever hardware engineering
Colorization of original Game Boy games
Muted, dim screen
Inconsistent early third-party graphics
Short console lifespan
5Mid
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Deep nostalgia factorStrong game library tie-inDesirable special editionsFragile under rough useHard to find and pricey nowAccessory and game scarcity for rare shells
Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP
Deep nostalgia factor
Strong game library tie-in
Desirable special editions
Fragile under rough use
Hard to find and pricey now
Accessory and game scarcity for rare shells
6
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Exceptional game libraryStrong nostalgic valueImpressive pseudo-3D and graphics capabilityPoor screen visibilityDifficult sound chipPerceived shortage of good games at launch
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Exceptional game library
Strong nostalgic value
Impressive pseudo-3D and graphics capability
Poor screen visibility
Difficult sound chip
Perceived shortage of good games at launch
7Budget
Nintendo DSi
Flipnote Studio creative legacyEasy to mod/hackBeloved DSiWare libraryNo GBA slotGBA emulation still buggyDSiWare transfer data loss
Nintendo DSi
Flipnote Studio creative legacy
Easy to mod/hack
Beloved DSiWare library
No GBA slot
GBA emulation still buggy
DSiWare transfer data loss
8Budget
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket
Sharper, clearer screen
Nintendo Game Boy Pocket
Sharper, clearer screen
9Mid
Anbernic RG503
Vibrant OLED screen
Anbernic RG503
Vibrant OLED screen
10Mid
Lenovo Legion Go S
SteamOS Experience
Lenovo Legion Go S
SteamOS Experience

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A hardware marvel that squeezed clever tricks out of limited silicon. Commenters repeatedly praise the engineering behind the GBC, from retained VBLANK timing despite having no physical scanlines, to H-Blank interrupts enabling Mode-7-like perspective effects and faked parallax scrolling in games like Toki Tori. The ability to recolor original Game Boy games via palette selection on boot was called a standout, mysterious-turned-delightful feature. Developers and engineers are credited for pushing creative boundaries.

The library is deeper and more underrated than people realize. Beyond mainstream hits like Pokémon Gold/Silver and Wario Land, fans point to hidden gems: cancelled RPGs like Infinity, fan-favorite bootlegs like Zook Hero Z, and technically impressive titles like Hamtaro Ham-Hams that ran without slowdown. Several commenters say exploring beyond the obvious catalog reveals a surprisingly rich, worthwhile handheld library rarely discussed elsewhere.

Nostalgia runs deep, but the actual screen had real flaws. Countless users recall specific shell colors (green, kiwi, atomic purple, teal) received as gifts, often tied to emotional childhood memories and trading Pokémon at school. However, multiple commenters push back on rosy portrayals, noting the real hardware screen was muted, low-contrast, and never got bright enough, unlike how it's often shown in videos or promotional footage.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?