The Nintendo Gameboy is one of the most well-loved consoles in gaming history. Because of the discontinuation of the Gameboy in 2003, and being replaced by the Nintendo DS back in 2006, it may seem as if Gameboy has disappeared from the gaming community. Even though its games are still being played and re-released in newer consoles such as the Nintendo Switch.
The Gameboy is not dead and has become a valuable collector's item. Nintendo Gameboys sold 118.69 million consoles, coming in second to Nintendo DS as one of the top handheld consoles. Thanks to retro console collectors and modders, the different Gameboy models have made a resurgence.
Whether you are looking to pick up a Gameboy or to experience and collect them for the first time, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be talking about the price of the different Gameboy models in today’s secondhand market, rare Gameboy models, Gameboy repairs, and which Gameboy model to buy.
Why is the Original Gameboy Still Expensive?
Older pieces of tech typically lose value once production and support from the manufacturer stop. This makes a lot of sense since people gravitate towards new and more updated gadgets. Given how Nintendo stopped the production of the original Gameboy many moons ago, it is expected that its price should be relatively cheap these days.
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However, once you start searching for Gameboy models for sale, you will find that this is not the case. Most models have retained their original value or have significantly exploded in price. This is due to a lot of reasons.
The original Gameboy was not just a regular console. It was a revolutionary device that changed the portable game console market. It single-handedly made Nintendo untouchable when it came to portable game consoles.
When comparing the sales figures of the Gameboy and its competitors, other companies could not even come close. The Gameboy DMG sold around 110 million units in its lifespan, while other consoles such as the Sega Game Gear only sold approximately 10 million units.
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Additionally, the Gameboy DMG is the home of many great games, such as the Super Mario series and the Tetris series. It is even well-known as the birthplace of the Pokemon Series with the release of Pokemon Red and Blue back in 1998. With how influential the Gameboy DMG is, it has become a collector’s item.
Also, the Gameboy DMG has recently caught the attention of today’s younger audience who have never experienced it. And with the increasing popularity of the retro console restoration and modding hobby, the value of vintage Gameboy models has been steadily rising.
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How Much is an Original Gameboy Worth?
At the time of writing this article, most Gameboy DMGs that are in good condition can go anywhere from $60-$100. They can usually be bought for less if they are in non-working or poor condition. That may not seem a lot, but that is only for loose Gameboy DMG models that do not have the box and other original accessories.
Image above: Limited Edition Gameboy
When it comes to CIB (Complete In Box) and Limited Edition Gameboy DMGs, the prices can go for much more. CIB Gameboy DMGs can easily go for at least USD 200. And if we are talking about CIB Limited Edition Gameboy DMGs, especially region exclusive models, then the prices can easily reach the $1000 mark.
Of course, the prices of these consoles aren’t fixed. Like other vintage collectibles, their value can go up or down depending on the current trends and events.
How Much is the Gameboy Advance Model Worth?
The Gameboy Advance models were released in the 2000s and aren’t as old as the original Gameboy models. As a result, they are generally more affordable than the older Gameboy models.
The original Gameboy Advance AGB 01 generally goes for at least $40. The redesigned Gameboy Advance SP AGS 001 typically goes for around the same price.
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However, not all Gameboy Advance models are affordable. Not many know that there were four models in the Gameboy Advance family. The other two later released models are the Gameboy Advance SP AGS 101 and the Gameboy Micro.
The AGS 101 model goes for at least $100. The Gameboy Micro is even more expensive and can cost you around $150 to $200. We’ll discuss why these models are more expensive and sought after later in the article.
How Hard is it to Find an Original Gameboy?
It’s not very hard to find an original Gameboy. After all, Nintendo has sold many units back in the day. Nintendo estimates that they sold approximately 118 million units during the life cycle of the DMG.
Additionally, the Nintendo DMG was available from 1989 to 1996. This means that there weren’t any competing models from Nintendo for seven years aside from the Play It Loud Series, which were just recolored Gameboy DMGs.
With how many units there are, you can easily expect to find the Gameboy DMG in your local area and online flea markets. However, finding a Gameboy DMG in decent condition and complete with all of its packagings is the real challenge. You have to remember that the Gameboy DMG was primarily marketed towards a younger audience who generally do not treat consoles nicely. Also, no one would have predicted that the Gameboy DMG would one day be a collector’s item.
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As a result, most Gameboy DMG models that you will encounter will likely be beaten up and have significant defects. Additionally, some parts of the Gameboy DMG generally did not age well, specifically the screen and the shell. The screen of the Gameboy DMG was well known for developing horizontal and vertical lines. This was because the wires inside the ribbon cable became weak over time.
Vertical lines can be fixed by reflowing the solder points of the screen using a soldering iron. However, horizontal lines are currently next to impossible to fix. Additionally, Gameboy DMG screens can develop screen burn. This happens when the polarizing film gets exposed to direct sunlight. This issue is prevalent, especially since most Gameboy DMGs were played outside since they didn’t feature a front or backlight.
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The other common issue that old Gameboy DMGs have is the yellowing of their gray shells. This is very common with the plastics used in the 80s and 90s. This happens due to the chemical reactions when the shell is exposed to sunlight, oils, etc. Most of the common issues can be fixed thanks to today’s technology. Just take note that replacing or restoring some parts can decrease the value of the Gameboy.
Of course, if we talk about limited edition Gameboy DMGs, these are significantly harder to find. Some models were only sold in specific regions and in limited quantities. And some models are either incredibly expensive or outright impossible to find.
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Which Gameboy Models are the Hardest to Find?
Out of all the classic Gameboy models, the Gameboy Light is the most challenging model to find. This is because this model was released exclusively in Japan and was generally unknown to the west. Additionally, it was succeeded almost immediately by the Gameboy Color.
Gameboy Light on JDirectItems Auction
Aside from being a collector’s item, the Gameboy Light is a great console to play with. It is the first Gameboy model that features a backlight meaning that you can play it in various lighting conditions. While the Gameboy Light isn’t a rare model, it is generally more challenging to find outside Japan. The limited-edition models of this console are even harder to find and command a hefty price tag.
For the newer Gameboy Advance Models, the most challenging model to find is generally the Gameboy Micro. The reason for this is that the Gameboy Micro did not sell well. It was released in 2005 and competed with the newer Nintendo DS. Since consumers had already moved on to the newer platform, interest in this model was not very high. Also, the fact that it was not backwards compatible with DMG titles hurt its value at the time. Of course, this made them rarer and now commands higher prices.
Gameboy Micro in Mercari
Another quite tricky model to find is the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP AGS 101. This model was released in 2006 and was meant to update the Gameboy Advance SP AGS 001’s front-lit screen into a backlit display. Unfortunately, this update came too late since everyone was already on board with the Nintendo DS.
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While this model isn’t rare, not many people even knew this model existed. Its relatively shorter production lifespan has contributed to its higher resale value. But with that said, the AGS 101 has become rarer in recent years. This is because modders utilized the AGS 101’s screen to convert the original Gameboy Advance AGB 01 model to have a backlit screen. This isn’t needed anymore since there are plenty of aftermarket backlit screens. However, this has undoubtedly reduced the number of AGS 101 consoles in the market.
Does Nintendo Still Make Gameboys?
Nintendo stopped manufacturing Gameboy models back in 2008. The last models sold were the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP and the Gameboy Micro. Nintendo stopped selling consoles under the Gameboy brand because they wanted to replace them with the brand new Nintendo DS.
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It was very odd for Nintendo to drop a very successful branding that has been used for decades. However, this move didn’t matter too much since the Nintendo DS still became very successful. One thing to note is that Nintendo didn’t stop the production of Gameboy Advance titles despite the release of the Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite had a cartridge slot for Gameboy Advance games. Fun fact that Nintendo Handheld game consoles, gameboy, gameboy advance, and DS are region free, so you can play Exclusive Japanese Games with them.
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The Nintendo DS became Nintendo’s primary handheld console from 2004-2011. It was finally discontinued in 2013 and was replaced by the Nintendo 3DS. Despite being replaced by many consoles, the spirit of the Gameboy is still alive to this day. Many of its well-loved titles are still accessible through different platforms, such as Nintendo’s virtual console.
Additionally, many of the Gameboy Advance titles are being remastered or remade for modern platforms. Some notable examples are the Megaman Zero games, Harvest Moon Friends and More Friends of Mineral Town, and the Advanced War Games being re-released for the Nintendo Switch. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire have also been re-released as Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for the Nintendo 3DS.
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In terms of physical consoles, there have been many rumors about a Nintendo Gameboy Classic similar to Nintendo’s NES and SNES Classic. However, Nintendo hasn’t made any official statements.
There have been many unofficial releases from different companies. Some are meant to emulate the Gameboy’s game library, while others have tried to copy the form factor of the various Gameboy models. However, fans are still waiting for Nintendo to make their move since only Nintendo can capture the magic of the Gameboy.
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Why Buy a Gameboy?
For those who have never experienced any of the Gameboy models, you might be wondering why buy a Gameboy? After all, you can play any of the classic Gameboy titles through much better systems. Why go through all the hassle with purchasing a vintage console? The answer that you will get will depend on the person you’re asking. But generally, it boils down to two things. It is because of Nostalgia and the Gameboy’s amazing library.
A lot of gamers owned one of the different models during their childhood. But for one reason or another, most of them lost their Gameboy along the way. Some sold or traded them for newer consoles, while others broke their consoles. Regardless of how they lost their beloved Gameboy, most users are once again looking to own their childhood console. And this is because no other console can capture the same kind of experience as the ones that they held when they were younger. The other reason why people buy Gameboy models is because of their amazing libraries. Regardless if we are talking about the DMG or the Gameboy Advance era, a lot of the titles aged well. You’ll find a lot of amazing games, from Pokemon to Castlevania.
And lastly, all Gameboy models have become collector’s items. They are a vital piece of gaming history and have attracted many collectors around the world. The high prices of rare models easily prove this.
Will Nintendo Still Repair Gameboys?
The short answer is no. Nintendo may be a company that is well known for its excellent customer service. However, they no longer support older products, especially those that were manufactured decades ago.
But with that said, there was one special exception, which was well documented. In 2020, Nintendo received a request from a 70-year-old Japanese woman named Kuniko Tsusaka to repair her mother’s original Gameboy DMG. Her 95-year-old mother loved playing Tetris with her original Gameboy.
However, when she got ill, her Gameboy coincidentally also stopped working. Her family tried taking her Gameboy to various repair shops to no avail. As a last resort, they tried contacting Nintendo since they are well known for their extraordinary service.
Unfortunately, Nintendo no longer has the spare parts to repair her Gameboy. But instead of simply refusing the request, they sent her a brand New Gameboy DMG (presumably from their vault). They also wished her a long life.
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While this is a heartwarming story, Nintendo won’t provide this kind of service to everyone. After all, they only have limited units in their vault and are focusing all their efforts on their current products.
But the good news is that there are now plenty of third-party parts that can help fix your old Gameboy. We won’t go into too much detail in this article. But in summary, there are tons of parts such as replacement shells, lenses, and buttons for most Gameboy models. Even newer features are designed to improve the gaming experience, such as the new backlit IPS displays for all Gameboy models. These will not only restore your Gameboy but can also modernize them for today’s gaming standards.
What is the Rarest Gameboy Model?
Back when Nintendo made Gameboy models, the world was a completely different place. The internet did not exist, and passing information and creating social media posts was not a thing. This meant that some Gameboy models were not properly recorded in history and became extremely rare.
There are tons of rare Gameboy models out there that have become incredibly expensive. However, two of the most well-known rare Gameboy models are the Golden Gameboy Advance SP and the Gameboy Pocket Imagineer console.
Gameboy SP on Mercari
Both of these models aren’t your typical limited edition Gameboy. These models weren’t sold in stores. Instead, they could only be acquired by winning Nintendo’s lottery and competitions. Let’s go through each one of these consoles.
The Golden Gameboy Advance SP is one of the most mysterious consoles and was thought to have never existed. There were only seven of these consoles made.
The way that you could win this model was unique. Nintendo placed six golden tickets in six boxes of the Special Edition Legend of Zelda Gameboy Advance SP. If your console happened to have a golden ticket, then you could win a special edition Gameboy Advance SP made with real 24K gold.
The seventh console was reserved for the readers of gamesTM. To win, you had to email the answer to the question, “By what other name are the Minish people known?” The competition ran until the end of 2004.
The information about the winner was never made public, and these consoles never circulated the internet, so people thought these consoles never existed. However, two of the seven consoles popped up in 2019.
They aren’t quite as heavy as originally advertised and were based on the original AGS 001 variant of the Gameboy Advance SP. But nevertheless, these are still some of the rarest and most valuable consoles out there.
The other rare Gameboy is the Gameboy Pocket Imagineer. Only 2000 of these were made and could only be acquired by winning the time trial course in Multi Racing Championship, which was released for the Nintendo 64 back in 1997.
The main highlight of this console is its glow-in-the-dark shell. In fact, it seems to be the only official glow-in-the-dark shell from Nintendo. This model was only released in Japan and could only be acquired by beating the time trial from July to August 1997.
What is the Best Gameboy Model to Buy?
For Playing Gameboy Titles
The best Gameboy for playing games is, without a doubt, the Gameboy Advance SP AGS 101. Its vibrant backlit screen and compatibility with the entire Gameboy library are the main reasons.
Take note when purchasing a Gameboy Advance SP that there were two variants. The original Gameboy SP that launched in 2003 was the AGS 001 model, while the model that we are talking about is the newer AGS 101 model that came out in 2006.
What separates these two models is the technology used to light up their screens. The Gameboy AGS 001 features a front-lit screen that is dimmer and less clear compared to the backlit screen that the AGS 101 screen has. The AGS 101’s screen is still not perfect, but it is a lot closer to the screens that are used with modern game consoles and smartphones.
The only issue that the Gameboy AGS 101 has is that its screen is prone to ghosting. The Gameboy Advance SP AGS 101 isn’t a perfect device. The main issue that players have with the Gameboy Advance SP series, in general, was that the controls felt too cramped and less ergonomic than the original AGB 01 model.
If you are not a fan of the Gameboy Advance SP, then we highly recommend a Gameboy Advance AGB 01 with a modded backlit screen.
Older titles such as the ones from the DMG and color era will stick out from the cartridge slot. But aside from that small inconvenience, these older games will play perfectly.
For Modification
If you love tinkering around with your Gameboy and want to install modern innovations to breathe new life into your older consoles, then you can do so with almost all Gameboy models.
The Gameboy Advance AGB 01 arguably has the best form factor in any of the Gameboy models.
We highly recommend starting with the Gameboy Advance AGB 01 since it is the easiest model to modify. There are tons of existing mods, such as the IPS backlit screen mod, amplifier mod, and many more.
Once you are more accustomed to modding, we highly advise trying out the older models such as the Gameboy Color, Gameboy Pocket, and Gameboy DMG.
For Collectors
If you are more of a collector, then we recommend picking up a Gameboy DMG, a Gameboy Light, or a Gameboy Micro. All three Gameboy models are considered vintage models and are usually more expensive than the newer Gameboy models. The Gameboy Light is the most costly mode out of the three models. They are relatively harder to find but can surely be found on most Japanese websites, such as JDirectItems Auction.
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