The 1998 Game Boy Color reuses the smaller link cable port introduced on Game Boy Pocket — every Game Boy from 1996 through GBA-era backward-compatible play uses the same connector. The big addition is a top-edge infrared transceiver for wireless data sharing between consoles, used by a handful of games like Mario Tennis and the Mystery Dungeon series. Power is two AA batteries or a 3V DC barrel adapter, and a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack sits on the bottom. The cartridge slot accepts both Game Boy Color and original DMG Game Paks.
Device Information
- Manufacturer
- Nintendo
- Release Year
- 1998
- Model Number
- CGB-001
- Category
- Gaming Handheld
Source: manufacturer product page · Last updated: · How we verify port data →
Available Ports
| Connector | Quantity | Power (PD) | Capabilities | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Game Boy Pocket / Color Link Cable Port | 1 | — | — | EXT (right side) | Same smaller-body MGB link port as Game Boy Pocket. Also used by every link-aware GBC game. |
| 3.5mm TRS (Stereo Audio) | 1 | — | — | PHONES (bottom) | Stereo headphone output. |
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Notes & Compatibility
Battery: 2× AA (~10 hours with backlight off — the Color has no backlight). The IR window on the top edge is used by only ~17 titles for wireless trading or scoring; it is modelled in this listing as a port note rather than a discrete connector since no cable plugs into it. Cartridge slot is dual-mode: original DMG Game Paks run on the GBC’s monochrome compatibility mode; GBC-only carts (transparent shells) require the colour palette and will not run on a DMG or MGB.