Are Gameboys Expensive?
Gameboys can range in price quite a bit depending on the specific model and condition. Here is a breakdown:
- Original Game Boy (1989 launch): $30 – $150 depending on condition
- Game Boy Pocket (1996): $50 – $100
- Game Boy Color (1998): $60 – $150
- Game Boy Advance (2001): $80 – $250
- Game Boy Advance SP (2003): $100 – $200
- Game Boy Micro (2005): $150 – $300
As you can see, later models like the SP and Micro tend to sell for higher prices since they were produced in smaller quantities. Authentic games also command premium prices upwards of $100 or more for rare titles.
So while the original Game Boy models are relatively affordable by today‘s standards, collecting and playing with the full Game Boy library can definitely get expensive thanks to secondary market prices driven up by nostalgic demand and dwindling supply. Certainly not the $90 Nintendo was charging back in 1989!
Why Game Boys Have Gotten More Valuable
There are a few key reasons why vintage Game Boys and games have increased so much in value over the years:
Limited Supply
As with any collector‘s items, scarcity drives up prices. There are only so many original Game Boys still around in working condition, especially nice condition boxes and manuals which make them more desirable. Later models like the Micro did not sell as many units. The supply has become limited but demand is still strong.
Nostalgia
The Game Boy has a special place in gaming history as the pioneer of handheld video games. It introduced legendary series like Pokémon to the world and was a must-have gadget in the 90s. As those gamers who grew up with Game Boys get older and have more disposable income, they are willing to pay higher premiums to revisit their childhood.
Retro Gaming/Collecting Trend
Retro gaming has grown tremendously over the past decade. More and more people are discovering or re-discovering older consoles and games. This has made vintage gaming very popular to collect and play. The Game Boy has many iconic and revolutionary titles that hold up even today.
Most Valuable and Rarest Game Boys
Let‘s take a look at some of the most expensive and rarest Game Boy models that collectors have paid top dollar for:
Pink Heart Game Boy
Rumored to be the only one of its kind in the world, this Japanese exclusive Game Boy features a bright pink shell with heart design. It reportedly sold for over $2,500!
Kirby Pinball Game Boy
Only 5,000 of these hot pink Game Boy Colors with Kirby pinball art were produced as a promotional item. It can fetch $1,000 in boxed condition.
Game Boy Light
This Japan exclusive late-model Game Boy with backlit screen regularly sells for $500-$1,000 since it was produced in very limited quantities.
Pokemon Game Boys
Special edition Pokemon Game Boys like the Yellow Pikachu Edition or Gold/Silver models still sealed can sell for $1,000 or more due to popularity of the games.
Why Game Boys Were So Revolutionary
When the original Game Boy released in 1989 it was revolutionary in terms of making video games truly portable. Here‘s why it was so innovative:
Portability – Fitting neatly in players‘ hands and pockets, Game Boy finally let people play full-featured and impressively long games on the go rather than being tethered to the living room.
Battery Life – The Game Boy offered unheard of battery life up to 30 hours on just 4 AA batteries. This enabled extensive play sessions without worrying about charging.
Interchangeable Cartridges – Game cartridges could be swapped out easily, allowing players large libraries and saving progress between sessions – a novel concept for portable gadgets.
Connectivity – Later Game Boys pioneered connecting systems for multiplayer gaming and transferring creatures in Pokémon – now standard features but innovative at the time.
Affordability – Launching at just $90, the Game Boy brought approachable pricing to advanced gaming technology which drove mass adoption beyond toy company offerings.
Killer Apps – Nintendo secured all-time classics like Tetris, Pokémon, Zelda and Super Mario Land as launch exclusives which made Game Boy a must-have system.
Game Boy Legacy
It‘s clear the Game Boy series has left an immense legacy that forever changed mobile gaming through its innovative technology, vast library of iconic games, and by introducing multiple generations to gaming through its approachable and versatile design.
For collectors and gaming history fans, Game Boys remain a treasure worth investing in even 30+ years later due to limited supply and high nostalgic demand. Prices will likely continue rising for rare pieces of history.
For the rest of us, even base model Game Boys provide an affordable entry point to revisit classic experiences that still hold up surprisingly well today and shaped many of gaming‘s most beloved series into what they are now.
Either way, the Game Boy earned its place as an innovative legend – expensive or not!
