GameBoy Color-ish: The Color Clone Catalog

1998. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was launched, Google was established, and I hadn't even been conceived yet. Notwithstanding these achievements and impending setbacks, the Game Boy Color was set to become the next big thing in the handheld market. Backward compatibility, a new colour screen, positive sentiments, and Pokemon Gold and Silver have all been features of this handheld for decades, and many people continue to use it to remember their early years.

Either hardly catching a glance in the backseat of the car or hooking up the worm light to see the screen. Or, like me, taking your brother's Game Boy Color and doubting the contents of Princess Peach's note when Super Mario Bros. Deluxe first launches.

In any case, a collection of vibrant hue clones resulted from decades of positivism and appeal. Is it better than the original? Or should you make the original better? Now that I have a few choices, I will discuss them and my feelings about them, starting with the worst experience and ending with the best.

And the disclaimers, as usual. The Game Boy Color was "borrowed" from my brother eight years ago, the ESP32 and GB Boy Color were acquired from other users in the RH Discord, and I bought the FunnyPlaying FPGBC from FunnyPlaying. However, all of my (probably bad) opinions are mine.

4: The Gameboy ESP32

This is my least favourite Game Boy Color replica out of all of them. The ESP32 Gameboy. This handheld, which ran the RetroESP32 firmware and was powered by the ESP32 and 520kb of RAM, was first published in 2021. The 2.8-inch backlit TFT display on the ESP32 significantly improved over the non-backlit 2.3-inch display of the Game Boy Color.

However, if you set the resolution to 320 x 240 with a 4:3 aspect ratio, you'll either have trouble filling the screen or the game will only have black borders, making it smaller. These issues are probably familiar to anyone who has a 3.5" handheld with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Although the OS was sluggish (albeit comparable to the Odroid-Go, which I love as a gadget), the ESP32 is low-powered, and GBC actually performed well overall. This one has some action, although the buttons are a bit slack. Given that the majority of the choices on this list are already in use, this is probably what you would see if you purchased a Gameboy ESP32. If I suggest one thing, it would be to ensure you have a charger for this device.

It does not support USB-C, Micro, or Mini. AA batteries are not required. The dual 900mAh, 14500 cell batteries can be recharged in a separate charger or charged via the barrel plug. Although I haven't needed to charge it yet, this device's battery life is unquestionably a strength. It's a nice place to start if you can acquire it for $45, like I did, but better options are available.

3: The GB Boy Colour

The definition of a clone handheld will be discussed next. A clone of the Game Boy Color that was released a long time ago is the Kongfeng GB Boy Color. Its dimensions are comparable, its screen is similar, and its buttons are marginally firmer than those of the Game Boy Color but not as firm as those of the Funny playing FPGBC. In all honesty, they are my favourite buttons. Like the original, I have several high-quality IKEA Laddas that run on two AA batteries. However, this clone does have some notable characteristics.

Integrated games. Yes, a flash cart is not necessary. You will undoubtedly play the 188 games with the GB Boy Color, right? At least, that's mostly correct. Although they have some good games in their selections, 188 is most definitely not one of them. Even still, I would like to use a regular cartridge in my GB Boy or a real knockoff flash cart, Only to be confronted by this rather pleasant lighted screen.

Both the appearance and functionality of that display are excellent. Playing all the games, I would have liked to play as a child. It may, however, operate at 30 Hz instead of the 59/60 Hz of the older models if you have a 2021 revision or later. No scaling is present. The same old 10:9. However, it isn't. Because of the slightly compressed aspect ratio the GB Boy Color uses, everything will appear somewhat stretched horizontally. I hope a broader Pikachu than before doesn't bother you.

Apart from the issues with aspect ratio, if this is the only system you want, you could get a lot of use out of an earlier GB Boy for $55, just like I did. However, you'll see later that there are superior solutions.

2: The OG Game Boy Color

The first one is the 1998 Game Boy Color, which has 32kb of RAM and a 2.3" non-backlit screen. This one has it all, including a traditional 10:9 aspect ratio and an astounding 160x144 resolution. Because it's a Game Boy, its performance is flawless, its two AA batteries last a long time, and its incredibly mushy and loose buttons were passable but unimpressive.

Grab a 26-year-old handheld that has been battered and bruised (or steal one from a sibling) if you want the most realistic experience. However, you could perform better.

Upgrade your Game Boy Color's speaker, get a new shell to cover up the crusty, musty buildup on it, get new buttons and membranes, and get a new screen. Funnily playing is the way to go, and depending on how you play it, you may purchase the entire new Game Boy Color system for about $70. It's reasonably priced, and if you know how to solder, you can put it all together quickly.

However, I request that Dyl from the RH Discord assist in moderating mine and future Game Boys (Hello, Dyl!). Experience with stocks? Yes, honestly, get something else. But upgraded? That makes the Game Boy Color my second favourite Harvest Moon GBC game and elevates it to a new experience level. It's not my favourite, though.

1: The FunnyPlaying FPGBC (With some Caveats)

Lastly, the FunnyPlaying FPGBC is my favourite of the group. As the name suggests, this one is driven by a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Many options are available, which is undoubtedly good, but I won't bore you with the specifics.

Unlike all others, this option comes fully assembled unless you include updating the GBC. I had a complex experience with it. I felt like I was going in blind because of the small ribbon wires and battery connectors, which were difficult for my sausage fingers to handle, and the absence of adequate literature. However, after about an hour of blundering my way through, I had a completely functional FBGBC, and I adore it for the most part.

I adore the brightness of the IPS screen, the 1800mAh battery, and the USB-C charging capabilities. The ability to insert a game cartridge and have it function? Yes, that's excellent. However, it's not all positive; some may result from my design choices for the gadget.

The buttons on mine are rigid. I mean, really. I'm not a massive fan of these buttons, but they are just the new membranes. Although I'll be working to break them in gradually, I suggest locating some original GBC membranes and using them instead if things don't improve. It makes performing my Rosy Retrospection more challenging than I would like.

There are many carts. Everdrives, Krikzz? Those are fine! Junior EZ Flash? For now, no dice. Is the $20 EZ Flash counterfeit I discovered on AliExpress at random? It works! I haven't encountered any problems, so I would choose that option if you want several GBC games in a single cartridge.

Playability. It looks great and functions incredibly well. The screen works as I would like it to and upscales nicely. Although the software isn't flawless, Funny Playing regularly updates this device. Thus, things can only get better from here. Everything goes, and I adore it, other than getting old and filthy and maybe dropping the car seat cartridges to work.

If I could only have one, I would choose this Game Boy Color device. Customization and its more recent design are two excellent benefits. The Game Boy I bring will be worth the $85 I spent organizing everything when I don't have my Odroid-Go with me since it's so lovely.

Closing Thoughts

For those who are curious about the location of the Analogue Pocket. Don't. It is not GBC-shaped, costs far more than any of these alternatives, and has more features. You can have it and be content if you have the money! However, these are all relatively inexpensive methods of playing only GBC in the appropriate form factor. Even though I have my preferences, these will not cause you any problems.

Naturally, once you modify your GBC, now play your Shantaes and Tetris DXs outside. Pokemon, too. Bomberman, as well. Oh! And, of course, Carmageddon. That covers every Game Boy Color game. I was born after it came out, so don't ask me.