Game Boy Player: The Best Way to Play Game Boy on a TV

In 2003, Nintendo released the follow-up to the Super Game Boy, the Game Boy Player. A device for the Gamecube, the Game Boy Player could play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. Is it the best way to play Nintendo handheld games on your television?
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[@GamingHistorian]

Hello everyone! It's time for the sequel to the Super Game Boy episode. This time we are discussing the Game Boy Player. With a little homebrew help, it's the best way to play Game Boy games on your television. Currently working on a "big" episode for release next month! I'll have a few smaller ones in between. Enjoy your weekend! EDIT: In the video I mention Europe only got the Jet Black version. This is incorrect! They also got the purple version!

[@deathbond2780]

Gaming Historian first reply :D

[@xboys_archive]

Gaming Historian 2nd reply

[@donkeykongisytpooping3002]

hoi i like foo d

[@zom.]

I was your 79th sub

[@HoneyMike]

Gaming Historian oil up and hit me with the gym

We need more youtubers like you gaming Historian, always so neat, excellent pace, great edition, mellow voice, always so well informed, such a commitment for exposing appropriately gaming's hardware and software history, its initiatives, implications, and repercussions for the public and the market both. Thank you for your efforts, and keep up the good job!

[@dallas2314]

This is one of the few gaming channels that I trust for accurate information on gaming history.

[@sweeptheleg1000]

Antonio Zabál much agreed. And it's tasteful unlike a lot of the garbage you see nowadays on internet arenas. It's very well managed, respectful and all around great! 👍😃

[@Larry]

Totally, I'm pretty neurotic about finding completely original research for my videos, rather than just reiterate another YT channel, But it is a shame how few there are now, KZbin's fallacy of making quantity over quality, means we're all drowned out in Let's Plays and "look what stuff I have" channels in the gaming area.

*Larry Bundy Jr* I'm a big admirer of your videos too, you have a great channel, btw we also need less fanatics and more admirers instead!

[@marcperreault8440]

I agree. Such a calming way of presenting the information. Just love how he compiles his episodes. Such a professional.

[@Ryno2094]

that timer was great when I was a kid, I used to take my gamecube with gameboy player over to a group of friends and the timer would come in super handy, we used it to limit how long each person could play then when the timer ran out, the next person would player, and so on

[@CMRetroGaming]

The Gameboy player is my favorite accessory of all time. I was never a huge handheld fan, but the GB Player opened up a huge new library of games for me.

[@jasonblalock4429]

5:23 It's just plain funny that Nintendo seriously thought people would want to pirate the low-res, low-FPS, badly-compressed GBA video files when there are so many *other* ways to pirate Pokemon eps if someone really wanted. Even in 2003.

[@blackhatfreak]

This was during Napster where even shitty low quality video was worth something.

[@TheRealSinjinsmyth]

I remember the day the Pokemon series debuted... Had my VCR and signal booster ready.

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

Jason Blalock Nintendo weren’t worried, but the companies who Nintendo licensed the video from were worried as the music and video industry always panics about this kinda stuff.

[@MrMarinus18]

@@justanotheryoutubechannel Maybe it was part of the deal. That Nintendo could use their property (with royalties of course) if they promised that people couldn't use the Gamecube to duplicate it.

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

marinus18 Yeah it was

[@NANGSGARAGE]

I remember this! The good old days. Loved playing Metroid Fusion on the Cube.

[@opaljk4835]

Man this makes me feel so dumb for passing on the GameCube

[@MarioBario]

That's what I'm trying to do now.

[@pointyorb]

The Wii U not getting an accessory to play 3DS games is the missed opportunity of the millennium

[@jamespledger1154]

Wide Boy 64 is my Rapping Name. I am unpopular.

[@nortonsegahippie4574]

Can't wait to hear your next album

[@adamsbeforeaftercreations7625]

The worlds not ready for your beats yet. Keep trying! Play hard. Be the wide boy your ment to be!! 64 it bro!!

[@masonpim]

CGB or AGB?

[@NinEris]

Because your unPOPular. Not unRAPular.

[@georgeoy932]

Your famous in Houston

[@mightylink65]

Along with this and the Zelda Collectors Edition it was possible to play every single console and handheld Zelda game on one system. It's really sad how we can't do that now on the Switch...

[@LP13Gaming]

Who else is watching this in 2023? This is the first KZbin video I’ve seen this year

[@RetroGamePlayers]

I've never seen what the gameboy player packaging looks like. I would've thought it was a box, not a blister package.

[@Kat21]

The Gameboy Player packaging looks so nice

[@concreteman03]

Nah it’s small

[@StormsparkPegasus]

Yep, I bought this when it came out, and that's what it looked like. Still got it, and still use it today since my GC is HDMI capable.

[@Darmani2MB]

I know I'm two years late to this party, but yes, just like every other accesory for the GC, the Game Boy Player came in a blister package

[@milesrowe9228]

Stormspark how is it hdmi compatible?

[@rapidloaf]

I'm pretty sure the sharpness filter is for CRT televisions. I vaguely remember using this as a kid, and the difference between soft and sharp was like night and day.

[@BryanX64]

I only play older consoles on CRT I can't tell the difference when using the GBP.

[@jadencoucopoulos2567]

I’m sure the difference is more noticeable when using S-Video cables, or the elusive Component cables.

[@davion4777]

In my CRT the difference is barely notice at all.

[@rapidloaf]

@@davion4777 Trying it now on my current CRT, I would have to agree that it doesn't produce much of an effect. Maybe it was the particular TV I had as a kid. I swear, the "soft" mode made it look all fuzzy and created a ghosting effect. So I always left it on "sharp."

[@KopperNeoman]

It's for interlacing. When the display elements are small enough, interlacing can make them visibly flicker, even on a display designed for interlacing like a SD CRT. It's not relevant with progressive output.

[@caseybillings9685]

When my cousins and I were kids we used the timer to take turns. We'd just play pokemon on our GBA's until it was our turn to use the gamecube.

[@CrisisXD9]

You showed the best gba games in this video you are a man of culture.... ❤️

[@spacephantomranger]

found one of these players at goodwill a number of years ago and was super pumped to find it! was $10 i think but when i picked it up and saw no driver disk i was really bummed. spent about an hour combing the entire store in hopes i would find it. no luck. bought it anyways tho. then about 2 years ago i was at storage unit yard rummage sale and actually found the boot disk in its case and everything. got it for like 25 cents or something. so lucky!

[@pointyorb]

As of now I'm currently in an Ebay auction to get both the accessory and the disc

[@spacephantomranger]

@@pointyorb good luck.. its great being able to play real games on big screen with no emulators or roms!

[@soridosuneku]

Interesting stuff. I like this video style. And the nod to PBS at the end

[@TalonTheRetroGamer]

Glad I was able to get a Game Boy Player startup disc years ago before they were so expensive.

[@TheArchsage74]

I love these videos because I always learn something new

[@EposVox]

Yet another example of DRM being outright nonsensical and going out of its way to inconvenience users to provide false sense of comfort to the company. If someone is going to pirate a Pokemon episode, it's very unlikely to be via the tiny compressed GBA Video version... Great episode!

[@KopperNeoman]

Nowadays, yes. But nowadays the DRM isn't relevant because Game Boy Interface can run in GBA mode, ignoring all GBP-specific code.

[@datamouth]

i dont know what it is about your videos man, but they give me the same sensation i used to get when i watched AVGN videos years back. love the content man keep it up.

[@aguchamp7766]

Man, Gaming Historian actually breathes life into my... life.

[@NeoPokeMan]

Never got the chance to use this,but its cool learning of it,great vid man :)

[@ShaunDreclin]

.....to prevent illegal copying of the video? But you could buy/rent pokemon on vhs or dvd and record it just the same.. smh nintendo

[@JohnDoe-xh5wp]

The roms were going to be dumped on the Internet anyway

[@DrJuice1]

Shaun Dreclin Nintendo's gonna Nintendo. there's no point in even getting upset about it. they've always been like that, and they always will.

[@brickman409]

I think the real reason is that they didn't want people complaining about the video quality. I mean gameboy advance video already looks pretty terrible on the little gameboy screen, imagine it blown up on a television.

[@Morgil27]

Shaun Dreclin I don't really get what's so hard to understand here. You can easily connect older game consoles to a standard VCR and record game footage (I did it all the time as a kid). With those GBA Video cartridges, what's to stop you from using the same method to record the video on them to a VHS tape? That's why they disabled them from working on the GBA Player.

[@DrJuice1]

CFAMediaV7 you mean the NES mini? it's so cool that that got hacked, but the only thing that would've gotten me to buy it is if it was online capable. i would pay top $ for a NES repro with a big user install base and online multiplayer. they could even find a way to make single-player-only games side-by-side so that you can still compete against other players.

[@mattb9664]

Great sounding voice audio and of course narration!

[@Markimark151]

Norm, the N64 game boy player was actually available to certain stores, yes it's rare because it wasn't an official accessory. They also made one for the PS1, but it was made by some third party company.

[@blayne4343]

I love your channel! Thanks for another great video!

[@hypnovertigo7200]

Already hyped for the next episode!!

[@Randomark3087]

JimmyPage II Ditto!

[@taylormartin6638]

Awesome video man. I hate the gap between videos, but only because I love them so much and want more. Keep it up man!

[@theSato]

I was hoping you'd talk about this at some point! Great episode as always, see you in a month! :D

[@dr.robotnik7334]

This is the best retro gaming channel on KZbin. Brilliantly executed.

[@Duggy123]

Nice one, always enjoy your content!

[@Samos900]

I freaking love your videos man

[@interstellartravel]

Drop everything! Gaming Historian new video!

[@dallas2314]

Exactly :)

[@dylanmcintyre0502]

Right tho

[@curties]

My friend had one of these and I was so envious... I still think back to those times sometimes.. just sitting on the carpet and playing GBA games on a CRT was so cool~

[@Morgil27]

I still have mine attached to the bottom of my GCN, though I really don't use it that much. I just prefer playing on that good ol' fashioned portable screen while simultaneously watching tv.

[@simoneismann51]

Hey, nice video! You should make an episode on Kaizo Mario, and other super mario rom hacks! That would be super cool! Love your videos

[@Mangombage]

You should make a video about the history of THQ sometime, it would be awesome if you could!

[@darqetsu]

I gotta say this channel is still new to me. However, I love it. Learning about the gaming world has always been one of my passions.

[@xfxrxmxt1981]

Man, this channel has improved so much ! It looks pretty god damn professional 👍🏾

[@jenniferbaker4322]

Good video, just wished it was longer!

[@noUGames]

2:52 "almost shoots out" *shoots game out LOL

[@afriend9428]

NOU GAMES *It shoots out alright! Watch out kids!* ⭐️

[@wolfcafe3745]

Pew!

[@VideoGameJNPoop]

It’s a new gun, the GC-GBA 47.

[@KopperNeoman]

It's useful for cartridges that are a bit worn, like my EZ-Flash IV. (An Omega is on its way bois)

[@GamingDelight]

I usually only use the ejector for GBA games. For GB and GBC games, I simply pull them out manually.

[@Eudaimonia7564]

New Gaming Historian videos are why I live.

[@iamyourself844]

I was just planning to buy this. This can't be a coincidence.

[@JohnDoe-xh5wp]

It's a sign

[@DrJuice1]

I want you to download an emulator instead.

[@iamyourself844]

DrJuice1 Umfortunatley a lot of online roms were taken down last month. Also, I already have a lot of real consoles.

[@DrJuice1]

I am Yourself whoa are you serious? which site(s)?

[@iamyourself844]

DrJuice1 For example Emuparadise's most popular games, I don't know if they will be back though

[@omega17ds]

Excellent as always. I always get happy when you upload.

[@matthewnations501]

I need to find myself a copy of "Po-Kay-Mon". Sounds like it might be a fun game.

[@charlykoparabola7940]

That bit at 5:05 with you holding and turning the entire Gamecube cracked me up so god damned hard. Thank you. :P

[@Larry]

Ah dude, if you get an opportunity, talk about Pac-Man Plus for the Gameboy Player, that was a great idea, a multiplayer game using the TV and a hooked up GBA. Possibly could have been the inception of the Wii U. (Also odd why it wasn't re-released on that instead of the Switch :S)

[@TopSpot123]

Do you mean Pac-Man Vs. with the Game Boy Advance link cable? Mario Chase on Nintendo Land was very similar, but I would have much preferred an actual port of Pac-Man Vs.

[@thebravegallade731]

TopSpot123 The switch's namco museum has pac man vs.

[@TalonTheRetroGamer]

As TopSpot123 has already written, I think you're confused and mean Pac-Man Vs, which didn't use the Game Boy Player, but rather the GC-to-GBA Link Cable.

[@thebravegallade731]

well you can play pac man VS on the GB player... if you have 4 gamecubes.

[@robertosoto695]

Hello YOU!

[@smokinglemon2666]

How dare you keep me awake with your amazing knowledge of game consoles and accessories I've never heard of!!!! But seriously,nice video.

[@freddiechester3056]

Whenever I hear "Hori" The only thing I hear is Old Joseph Joestar talking about his daughter

[@CristianHernandez-hj6jc]

I appreciate you very much for sharing your video thanks again I learned everything I need it to know about gameboy accessories

[@CommodoreFan64]

Awesome video, but I only found it fitting to watch & comment on this video on a "NEW" 2DS XL the modern Gameboy successor :-)

[@VerneditheSnail]

I still have my Game Boy Player and GameCube! I loved playing my GBC games with it.

[@Tykoon22]

I love my GameBoy player, I used it to play Kingdom hearts: chain of memories, both campaigns start to finish 100% on my 42 inch flat screen/widescreen/plasma, which was a really good TV back then--bottom line, GBP = Great accessory.

[@SuperTeeter64]

I love this thing!! I still use it to this day!

[@iamu2247]

Thank God I found my game boy player for the game cube. My GBA sp screen is turning white in the corners. :(

[@treycady7511]

Another great video. Good job!

[@skeletongwen]

That Hori GameCube SNES controller is like almost a hundred dollars on eBay for the record, its less expensive to buy a GameCube to GBA cable and an original gba

[@timterrell8678]

The Hori controller is closer to $160 now. With a GBA cable you still need batteries to power the GBA. GBA SP has a rechargeable battery but much smaller buttons. Another option is buying a GameCube to Wii adapter online for cheap and use a Wii pro controller.

[@InternetPeopleAreNotReal]

The fact that this video came out today when i have been struggling for weeks to figure out how to get the GameBoy Player to work without a disk is just trippy.

[@aeris2001]

Mines still attached, best add on ever. Why did they never release a DS/DSI/3DS player?

[@bankyokojoe8537]

Richard Harris The Ds had something like that,but dsi,lite,and 3ds cut it off.If you really want something like that you have virtual console.

[@ThatFanBoyGuy]

Seriously. They brought DS game to the Wii U Virtual Console. Why couldn't they add a slot next to the SD card slot to allow playing DS games on the Wii U

[@hamzastrash4377]

@@bankyokojoe8537 what are you talking about

[@BossBoy208]

@@ThatFanBoyGuy because 3DS support would be more sensible because than it plays DS games effortlessly

[@gfl1312]

I love your videos! Thank you!

[@Shrimpy08]

You need a lot of a lot of more sub

[@johnpaultomaszewski5191]

You a good grammarers in english.

[@gwishart]

The only parts he's missing are the periscope and the aft torpedo tubes.

[@eskimojoe6564]

You're videos are so well put together how come you don't get that many views?

[@gratis]

The transfer pak of N64 only transfer the save data from Pokemon Carts, the game is actually on the Pokemon Stadium. That is why they are other GBC games that can unlock content using N64, but cannot be played.

[@KopperNeoman]

The same with Pokémon Box. You can't Go To Adventure with FireRed, LeafGreen or Emerald because the GameCube is emulating the games, and only Ruby and Sapphire are there.

[@flareflex3397]

Thank you for another great video

[@xalataf3365]

2:52 Perhaps change "shoot" to "launch".

[@ibomii6091]

this youtube channel helped me get by a shit depressioned, lonely time in my life. thanks from a fellow gamer

[@jamalcolmson]

I met a girl. She owned the Gameboy player. Six years on, she is my wife.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

jamalcolmson Any gamekids running around yet?

[@TheRealSinjinsmyth]

Goddamned right you make that girl your forever!

[@joecur7068]

You are doing a great job! Good video

[@FutureRetroRoots]

I still kinda wished that they could this for DS and 3DS for every game that is out there psychially on the market. But with it's VC versions on the Wii U and any other past Nintendo console and handheld games that might appear on the Switch, it probably doesn't matter anymore

[@christophermarkowski4442]

So well done. This is one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@aurathedraak7909]

Nice

[@songoku9348]

This video is my birthday present. Always nice to see a video from the gaming historian! Stay awesome dude!

[@legendherograndvideos1043]

do philips cdi 370 handheld gaming historian

[@AwesomeCoolGuy2133]

crazy television De Jesus There was a fucking HANDHELD *CD-I?!?!?!?!*

[@legendherograndvideos1043]

yes there was a Philips cd-i handheld

[@legendherograndvideos1043]

gamester81 reviews The Philips CDI handheld

[@maxxdahl6062]

It was portable but not really a "handheld" It was more like typical portable DVD players.

[@legendherograndvideos1043]

maxx cat you're right it does look more like a DVD player

[@JasonMontell2501]

Love your channel bro

[@forevernotjohn]

whens that 3rd party Gameboy video coming out

[@Kevinb1821]

I love your videos. Some of the best on youtube. You gotta get some help so you can put out more videos. I could watch them all day. Great channel

[@Kevinb1821]

gotta get yourself a mike matai

[@hiyuhiyu3674]

10 years later: the rise and fall of Pokemon Go.

[@automan224]

Flynn Rider easy: Hillary Clinton saying "Pokémon go to the polls" I know that's what killed my interest in the game

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Flynn Rider *Tune in to Diamond Bolt for RUINED FOREVER. The rise & fall of Nintendo coming soon in 2018*

[@williamkoscielniak820]

I LOVED the gameboy player. Being able to play GBA and GCN games one one system was just really awesome back in the day. It was the perfect combination of 3d and 2d console gaming.

[@melodywhispersong9541]

I hear Pokemon trading card battle music!

[@vivilehman9722]

Thank you! I couldn't remember what it was!

[@TheChefBoo]

Vivi Lehman ditto

[@jordandupuis1249]

Same here

[@heartofthegame1649]

awsome vid man keep it up!

[@dallas2314]

I like how it shows 48 views and 85 likes

[@zendell37]

Hey Norm, keep up the good work. It's fun hearing other KZbinrs and creators mention you. It's always so nice to hear that someone cool on screen is cool off screen, too.

[@TheBeeshSpweesh]

Who would need a timer on a GameBoy Player instead of a stove?

[@KnightofDarkSorrow]

I think he misinterpreted the use of the timer. It was likely intended to be used as a play-session timer for parents to use for their children so they didn't play too long, because of school/homework/chores, etc.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

KnightofDarkSorrow Also a timer for siblings.

[@SuperNobody64]

Did anyone else both enjoy the episode and get extremely excited that he shouted out a channel you've loved and think should be more popular? I got so hyped when he mentioned My Life in Gaming!

[@MrSaa-uq1lq]

It triggers me how he says PokEEEmon. :D

[@dysfunctionalwombat]

Perfect timing for a video about this subject. I have been interested in collecting for the Gamecube and the gameboy player

[@FierceDeityRick]

How can 240p possibly look better than 480i/p??

[@alpine1600s]

I still can't get over how the start-up disc is the rare item.🤣

[@prodevious]

*cough* emulators *cough*

[@alandjenn1]

Emulation sucks

[@GIR177]

Emulators haven't replaced actual hardware and never will.

[@prodevious]

why does emulation suck. you can experience your childhood on pc. unless you are some kind of a collector.

[@jpesicka492]

end my life fool. All about cartridges.

[@5nesta]

*WHISTLE CONCERT* _Emulators aren't perfect. Most cause glitches that weren't on the original hardware._

[@Trance_Kitsune]

Great vid as always. :)

[@l1uchill]

Cool accessory and cool video!

[@williamclark3671]

Nice video dude!

[@dylanmcintyre0502]

Good video, as always

[@absterolsson]

My dawg GH bringing quality videos every time.

[@nakaidav]

yes a long gaming historian video i can binge watch. thank you.

[@alfonsoleon4754]

Really like how he shouted out 'My Life in Gaming' at 6:16, that's awesome!

[@cm1055]

Thank you for posting this video! I was buying the Gameboy Player for my brother, this Christmas, and I was able to find out which cable to grab so he can use this.

[@Jobri_TCG]

Hell yeah!!! A spicy new episode of The Gaming Historian!

[@rebeccachristensen3374]

so random question on your next blu ray. will it contain the rest of your videos? thanks for the great content you always upload.

[@ProfessorCagan]

I was one lucky bastard, let me tell you! I found the Gameboy Player AND the Disc at my local Flea Market at a stall, the guy sold videogames and accessories, but at fair prices. I found this equipment for 20$. I was around 12 at the time, and didn't have money of my own, but I knew the significance of this hardware, and proceeded to ask my mother to get it for me. Thankfully she said she would if the man would hold onto for me. Long story short, I came home with it a week later. It's the crown jewel of my collection. It's a very cool device, and it belongs to my favorite console ever!