Game Boy Classic probably isn't Nintendo's next miniature system

[Shawn Knight]

A Twitter bot tasked with skimming Japanese trademarks recently stumbled across one from Nintendo that has the Internet talking.

Originally filed on September 15, the posting flew under the radar until this week. It depicts what is clearly a Nintendo Game Boy (although the “Game Boy” name isn’t specifically mentioned) and is associated with multiple categories including video games, keychains, clothing and cosmetics.

Most headlines you’ll read today will claim this is proof that Nintendo is working on a miniature version of the beloved Game Boy as part of its Classic line. Before punching your ticket on that hype train, however, there are a few things to consider.

[商願2017-123766]
商標:[画像] /
出願人:任天堂株式会社 /
出願日:2017年9月15日 /
区分:9(家庭用テレビゲーム機用プログラムほか),14(キーホルダーほか),18(かばん金具ほか),21(化粧用具ほか),25(被服ほか),28(家庭用テレビゲーム… pic.twitter.com/noRhof6vF1

— 商標速報bot (@trademark_bot) October 6, 2017

Nintendo started its Classic series with its first major hit, the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was followed up this year by the Super Nintendo and, if the company sticks with chronological order, the next Classic console in the pipeline will be the Nintendo 64.

Jumping back in time to make a Classic edition of the Game Boy simply doesn’t fit this logical progression.

Part of what makes pint-sized consoles like the NES and SNES Classic so appealing is their miniature stature. Nintendo shrank down the size of the machine but cleverly left the controllers untouched, resulting in exact replicas that afford the same feel we experienced decades ago. This is a key cog in the quest for nostalgia and one of the main reasons why the Classics are so desirable.

With the Game Boy, the console and the controller are one in the same. Shrinking down the system would directly impact how you control the device. Mess with that formula and you’re asking for trouble.

As neat as it would be to add a Game Boy to the Classic Edition family, I simply don’t see Nintendo doing so… at least, not anytime soon. They’ve got bigger fish to fry – the aforementioned Nintendo 64 Classic (Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and GoldenEye 007, anyone?) and maybe a miniature GameCube after that.

It’s likely that Nintendo is simply attempting to protect its brand with the latest trademark application or further secure the Game Boy image for other product licensing, apparel, etc. With products like Hyperkin’s SmartBoy on the market, it’s possible that Nintendo could be gearing up for legal action. As best I can tell, this device is not licensed by Nintendo but rather, Samsung.

Then again, with the Game Boy’s 30^th anniversary rapidly approaching, it’s entirely possible that we could see some sort of special edition handheld launch in the coming years. Only time will tell.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/71356-game-boy-classic-probably-isnt-nintendo-next-miniature.html

 

[OutlawCecil]

Maybe make it the same size, just thinner? And yes, I agree N64 classic will come first.

 

[stewi0001]

Maybe make it the same size, just thinner? And yes, I agree N64 classic will come first.

If they do a N64 classic, it better have improved graphics output. Meaning they adjust the rendering for modern TVs.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Maybe make it the same size, just thinner? And yes, I agree N64 classic will come first.

I'd prefer the old, thick size. Easier to hold. Lighter would be better, but keep it thick.

Maybe make it the same size, just thinner? And yes, I agree N64 classic will come first.

If they do a N64 classic, it better have improved graphics output. Meaning they adjust the rendering for modern TVs.

I imagine they would. the OG N64 had digital video outputs, they were just disabled on chip or not wired up IIRC. Some people have activated them and put HDMI outputs on their N64s.

Also, they had better use gamecube joysticks, not those atrocities that were N64 joysticks.

 

[stewi0001]

I'd prefer the old, thick size. Easier to hold. Lighter would be better, but keep it thick.

I imagine they would. the OG N64 had digital video outputs, they were just disabled on chip or not wired up IIRC. Some people have activated them and put HDMI outputs on their N64s.

Also, they had better use gamecube joysticks, not those atrocities that were N64 joysticks.

I was going to mod my N64 with one of those HDMI chipsets until I saw the price tag. Also, I very much agree with you on the joysticks. Those springs died so easily.