Retro-gaming company Epilogue has announced GB Operator, a product that will allow a user's PC to run original Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games. The peripheral lets gamers play and manage their cartridge collection on new hardware, with the application running on Windows, Mac and Linux. The adapter will offer modern ways to play older games while still using the original cartridges.
Without using Game Boy emulators it's harder than ever to play Game Boy games. Those with cartridge collections may find them difficult to play outside of the original hardware they were intended for. Game Boy and Game Boy Color games aren't compatible with anything newer than 2003's Game Boy Advance SP. DS and DS Lite consoles will play Game Boy Advance games, but the DSi, DSi XL, and the 3DS will not. Thanks to Nintendo's Virtual Console, some of these older handheld titles can be played through newer DS systems and through Wii U, but the Switch currently offers no way to play older Game Boy games. Nintendo Switch Online memberships grants players access to NES and SNES titles, but while gamers want to see GBA games on Nintendo Switch there's yet to be any movement from Nintendo.
As spotted by ReviewGeek (via NintendoLife) Epilogue's new GB Operator adapter will enable PCs to support Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance game cartridges. It uses mGBA as its core emulator, meaning controllers are also supported, though players can use alternative emulators if they prefer. Original cheats can also be accessed, and thanks to a constantly updating save file, players can switch from PC to original hardware without losing data in the process. For game developers, GB Operator even includes a system that writes games to blank Game Boy cartridges, meaning creators can easily transfer and play their own games on original Game Boy hardware. Anyone with a large collection of Game Boy games will appreciate the adapter's counterfeit detection, which will alert users if they've inserted a fake cartridge. As well as games, GB Operator even supports the Game Boy Camera, allowing for quick uploads of your 16KP pictures.
Retro gaming fans interested in picking up their own GB Operator can order one for $49.99 plus shipping costs, direct from Epilogue, though it's worth noting that the adapters won't ship until August. The company is dedicated to preserving video game history, which is becoming more and more valuable as gaming moves further into an all-digital future. Sony is slowly pulling PlayStation Vita support, with messaging functionality and previous messages being deleted as of June 28. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to close the PSP, PS Vita, and PS3 storefronts, a decision which was quickly reversed following outrage from fans.
Digital sales have soared during the coronavirus pandemic, with fewer people leaving their homes to make purchases, while companies simultaneously face shipping and manufacturing issues. The rise has furthered concerns that physical gaming could disappear in the future. Buying digital games is undoubtedly easier, but they can be more expensive to purchase, can't be resold, and can't be proudly displayed on players' shelves. There are also ownership concerns when it comes to digital purchases over physical. Digital game sales reached the highest level ever in November 2020, meaning physical discs could be on their way out. With so much concern over video game preservation, Nintendo fans can at least enjoy their Game Boy games with GB Operator.
Source: Epilogue (via NintendoLife, ReviewGeek)
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