 | |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Product family | Game Boy line |
| Type | Video game accessory, thermal printer |
| Generation | Fourth generation |
| Released | |
| Introductory price | ¥5,800[2] US$59.95[3] |
The Game Boy Printer, known as the Pocket Printer[a] in Japan, is a thermal printer accessory released by Nintendo. It allows users to print special images from over 100 compatible Game Boy and Game Boy Color games onto thermal paper, which can then be applied as stickers. The accessory was designed primarily for use with the Game Boy Camera, which it released alongside in 1998.
Overview
The Game Boy Printer was originally designed by Hirokazu Tanaka for use with the Game Boy Camera.[4] It connects to the Game Boy through the system's EXT port, similar to the Game Link Cable. As different Game Boy models feature differently-sized ports, the printer is packaged with a "Universal Game Link Cable" that features multiple connector types.[5] The device is compatible with all Game Boy models except the Game Boy Micro, which uses a different port type and cannot play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.[6]
The printer requires six AA batteries for power.[6] It uses a proprietary 38mm wide thermal paper with adhesive backing, though printed images are only 22mm in width.[2] The printer is only capable of printing monochrome images; to compensate, Nintendo sold paper rolls in multiple colors.[1] New paper rolls were sold at a price of ¥500 in Japan and US$9.95 in the United States, and could print an estimated 100 images each.[2][3] Once printed, the adhesive backing allowed the images to be applied as stickers.[7]
In Japan, a Pokémon-themed version of the printer was released in September 1998 alongside Pokémon Yellow.[8]
Games with Game Boy Printer support
The Game Boy Printer was primarily intended to act as a companion to the Game Boy Camera, allowing players to print their photographs.[7] However, multiple other games released between 1998 and 2001 featured support for the Game Boy Printer, allowing players to print their high scores or special unlockable images.[7] The first game to be designed with printer compatibility was Pokémon Yellow, which allowed players to print out any Pokémon's Pokédex entry;[9] this feature would be carried forward to later Pokémon series entries on the system.[6]
The following is a list of 110 games that support the Game Boy Printer, only 35 of which were released outside of Japan.
- 1942[10]
- Alice in Wonderland[11]
- Animal Breeder 3 (Japan only)[12]: 147
- Animal Breeder 4 (Japan only)[12]: 182
- AquaLife (Japan only)[12]: 153
- Asteroids[13]
- Austin Powers: Oh, Behave![14]
- Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair![14]
- Cardcaptor Sakura: Itsumo Sakura-chan to Issho! (Japan only)[12]: 146
- Cardcaptor Sakura: Tomoe Shōgakkō Daiundōkai (Japan only)[12]: 175
- Chee-Chai Alien (Japan only)[15]
- Columns GB: Tezuka Ozamu Characters (Japan only)[16]
- Cross Hunter: Monster Hunter Version (Japan only)[12]: 188
- Cross Hunter: Treasure Hunter Version (Japan only)[12]: 188
- Cross Hunter: X Hunter Version (Japan only)[12]: 188
- Daa! Daa! Daa! Totsuzen ★ Card de Battle de Uranai!? (Japan only)
- Daikaijuu Monogatari: The Miracle of the Zone II (Japan only)[12]: 142
- Dejiko no Mahjong Party (Japan only)[12]: 179
- Densha de Go! 2 (Japan only)[12]: 180
- Dino Breeder 3: Gaia Fukkatsu (Japan only)[12]: 145
- Disney's Dinosaur[17]
- Disney's Tarzan[18]
- Donkey Kong Country[19]
- Doraemon Kart 2 (Japan only)[12]: 142
- Doraemon Memories: Nobita no Omoide Daibouken (Japan only)[12]: 161
- Doraemon no GameBoy de Asobouyo DX10 (Japan only)[12]: 137
- Doraemon no Quiz Boy (Japan only)[12]: 166
- Dungeon Savior (Japan only)[12]: 171
- E.T.: Digital Companion[20]
- Fairy Kitty no Kaiun Jiten: Yousei no Kuni no Uranai Shugyou (Japan only)[21]
- Fisher-Price Rescue Heroes: Fire Frenzy[22]
- Game Boy Camera[23]
- Golf Ou: The King of Golf (Japan only)
- Hamster Club (Japan only)[12]: 154
- Hamster Paradise (Japan only)[12]: 141
- Hamster Paradise 2 (Japan only)[12]: 163
- Harvest Moon 2[24]
- Hello Kitty no Beads Koubou (Japan only)[12]: 148
- Hello Kitty no Magical Museum (Japan only)[12]: 145
- Jinsei Game: Tomedachi Takusan Tsukurouyo! (Japan only)[12]: 144
- Kanji Boy (Japan only)
- Kakurenbo Battle Monster Tactics (Japan only)[12]: 177
- Karamuchou wa Oosawagi!: Okawari! (Japan only)[12]: 171
- Karamuchou wa Oosawagi!: Porinkiis to Okashina Nakamatachi (Japan only)[12]: 137
- Kaseki Sousei Reborn II: Monster Digger (Japan only)[12]: 141
- Kettō Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Senshi Saikyō Ketteisen (Japan only)[12]: 142
- Kidou Senkan Nadesico: Ruri Ruri Mahjong (Japan only)[12]: 157
- Klax[25]
- Konchuu Hakase 2 (Japan only)[12]: 148
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX[26]
- The Little Mermaid 2: Pinball Frenzy[27]
- Little Nicky[28]
- Logical[29]
- Love Hina Pocket (Japan only)[12]: 172
- Magical Drop[30]
- Majokko Mari-chan no Kisekae Monogatari (Japan only)[12]: 151
- Mary-Kate and Ashley: Pocket Planner[31]
- McDonald's Monogatari: Honobono Tenchou Ikusei Game (Japan only)[12]: 192
- Mickey's Racing Adventure[32]
- Mickey's Speedway USA[33]
- Mission: Impossible[34]
- Monster ★ Race Okawari (Japan only)[12]: 135
- Monster ★ Race 2 (Japan only)[12]: 142
- Nakayoshi Cooking Series 1: Oishii Cake Okusan (Japan only)[12]: 180
- Nakayoshi Cooking Series 2: Oishii Panya-San (Japan only)[12]: 188
- Nakayoshi Cooking Series 3: Tanoshii Obentou (Japan only)[12]: 191
- Nakayoshi Cooking Series 4: Tanoshii Dessert (Japan only)[12]: 196
- Nakayoshi Cooking Series 5: Komugi-Chan no Cake o Tsukurou! (Japan only)[12]: 199
- Nakayoshi Pet Series 1: Kawaii Hamster (Japan only)[35]
- Nakayoshi Pet Series 2: Kawaii Usagi (Japan only)[12]: 164
- Nakayoshi Pet Series 3: Kawaii Koinu (Japan only)[12]: 173
- Nakayoshi Pet Series 4: Kawaii Koneko (Japan only)[12]: 183
- Nakayoshi Pet Series 5: Kawaii Hamster 2 (Japan only)[12]: 189
- NFL Blitz[36]
- Nintama Rantarou: Ninjutsu Gakuen ni Nyuugakushou no Dan (Japan only)[12]: 131
- Ojarumaru: Mitsunegai Jinja no Ennichi de Ojaru! (Japan only)[12]: 168
- Pachinko Data Card: Chou Ataru-kun (Japan only)[12]: 140
- Perfect Dark[37]
- Pocket Family GB (Japan only)[12]: 134
- Pocket Family GB2 (Japan only)[12]: 150
- Pocket Kanjirou (Japan only)[12]: 127
- Pocket Puyo Puyo~n (Japan only)[12]: 174
- Pokémon Card GB2: Great Rocket-Dan Sanjō! (Japan only)[38]
- Pokémon Crystal[39]
- Pokémon Gold[40]
- Pokémon Pinball[41]
- Pokémon Silver[40]
- Pokémon Trading Card Game[42]
- Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition[43][44]
- Pro Mahjong Tsuwamono GB (Japan only)
- Purikura Pocket 3: Talent Debut Daisakusen (Japan only)[12]: 139
- Puzzled[45]
- Quest for Camelot[46]
- RPG Tsukuuru GB (Japan only)[12]: 162
- Roadsters[47]
- Sanrio Timenet: Kako Hen (Japan only)[12]: 137
- Sanrio Timenet: Mirai Hen (Japan only)[12]: 137
- Shin Seiki Evangelion: Mahjong Hokan Keikaku (Japan only)[12]: 175
- Soukoban Densetsu: Hikari to Yami no Kuni (Japan only)[12]: 158
- Super Black Bass Pocket 3 (Japan only)[12]: 137
- Super Mario Bros. Deluxe[48]
- Sweet Ange (Japan only)[12]: 156
- Sylvanian Families: Otogi no Kuni no Pendant (Japan only)[12]: 152
- Sylvanian Families 2: Irozuku Mori no Fantasy (Japan only)[12]: 181
- Sylvanian Families 3: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Sunadokei (Japan only)
- Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon (Japan only)[12]: 177
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2[49]
- Trade & Battle: Card Hero (Japan only)[50]
- Tsuri Sensei 2 (Japan only)[12]: 149
- VS Lemmings (Japan only)[12]: 165
Some games intended to feature Game Boy Printer support, such as Pokémon Picross and Hello Kitty Pocket Camera, were never released.[51][52] During development of Pokémon Snap (1999), Satoru Iwata experimented with transferring photos to the Game Boy Camera using the Transfer Pak so that they could be printed using the Game Boy Printer; however, the development team found the printer's output quality to be insufficient, and the feature was abandoned in favor of printing stickers through specialized stations at specific retailers.[53]
Legacy
Due to the discontinuation of its proprietary printer paper and the impermanence of thermal printing, the Game Boy Printer does not see significant use in the modern day.[1][54] As a result, hobbyists have developed alternate homebrew methods to transfer printer images from the Game Boy to more modern devices.[55]
Some homebrew games developed since the system's discontinuation have featured Game Boy Printer support.[56] The instax mini Link, a printer released by Fujifilm in 2021 which allows images to be printed from a Nintendo Switch, has also drawn comparisons to the Game Boy Printer by the gaming press.[57][58]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c Randazzo, Kris (May–June 2021). "Peripheral Vision: Game Boy Printer". Nintendo Force. No. 52. p. 57.
- ^ a b c d "ポケットカメラ及びポケットプリンタの概要" [Overview of Pocket Cameras and Pocket Printers]. Nintendo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b "Nintendo: Game Boy Camera". Nintendo. Archived from the original on April 22, 1999. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ "Square Enix Music Online :: Hirokazu Tanaka :: Biography". Square Enix Marketing. August 11, 2007. Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ "Game Boy / Pocket / Color". Nintendo of Europe SE. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Peripheral Vision: Game Boy Printer". Retro Gamer. No. 165. March 2017. pp. 46–47. ISSN 1742-3155.
- ^ a b c Kitts, Martin (September 2000). Ball, Andrea (ed.). The Game Boy Companion. Future Publishing. p. 42.
- ^ "ポケットプリンタで「ずかん」や 「ボックス」をプリントしてみよう" [Print out "picture books" and "boxes" with a Pocket Printer]. The 64Dream (in Japanese). No. 26. Mainichi Communications. November 1998. p. 121.
- ^ Santabarbara, Sebastian (July 9, 2025). "This Gamer Is Taking On The Challenge Of Printing All 151 Pokémon From Pokémon Yellow". Retro Dodo. Archived from the original on December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ^ Provo, Frank (May 17, 2006). "1942 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 4, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "Alice Without Chains". Nintendo Power. No. 136. Nintendo of America. September 2000. p. 116.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl Maeda, Hiroyuki (October 29, 2018). "Chapter 2: Game Boy Software All Catalogue". ゲームボーイパーフェクトカタログ [Game Boy Perfect Catalogue]. Perfect Catalogue (in Japanese). G-Walk. ISBN 978-4862978226.
- ^ Syrox Developments (1999). Asteroids (instruction manual). Activision. p. 26.
- ^ a b "If That's Your Bag...". Nintendo Power. No. 135. Nintendo of America. August 2000. p. 90.
- ^ 船津稔 (January 19, 2001). "クリーチャーズ、新感覚"宇宙救済ゲーム"「ちっちゃいエイリアン」". Game Watch (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- ^ Game Studio (1999). Columns GB Tezuka Osamu Characters (instruction manual). Media Factory. p. 1.
- ^ "Disney's Dinosaur". IGN. May 25, 2000. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Schneider, Peer (July 14, 1999). "Tarzan". IGN. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Harris, Craig (22 November 2000). "Donkey Kong Country". IGN. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Powerhead Games (2001). E.T.: Digital Companion (instruction manual). NewKidCo. p. 14.
- ^ Tose (1998). Fairy Kitty no Kaiun Jiten: Yousei no Kuni no Uranai Shugyou (instruction manual). Imagineer. p. 1.
- ^ "Rescue Heroes: Fire Frenzy". IGN. December 2, 2000. Archived from the original on August 16, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Humphries, Matthew (July 12, 2021). "Game Boy Camera Photos Can Finally Be Transferred to a Smartphone". PCMAG. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
- ^ "Harvest Moon 2". IGN. November 29, 2000. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "Lords of the Jungle". IGN. July 17, 1999. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 116. February 1999. p. 80.
- ^ Harris, Craig (September 29, 2000). "Disney's The Little Mermaid II: Pinball Frenzy". IGN. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016.
- ^ Provo, Frank (May 11, 2001). "Little Nicky Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 16, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Conspiracy Entertainment (1999). Logical (instruction manual). Activision. p. 26.
- ^ Conspiracy Entertainment (1999). Magical Drop III (instruction manual). Sunsoft. p. 14.
- ^ "Mary-Kate and Ashley Pocket Planner". IGN. February 21, 2001. Archived from the original on April 26, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "Mickey's Racing Adventure". Nintendo Power. No. 127. Nintendo of America. December 1999. p. 128.
- ^ "Mickey's Speedway USA". Nintendo Power. No. 142. Nintendo of America. March 2001. pp. 62–67.
- ^ Rebellion Developments (2000). Mission: Impossible (instruction manual). Infogrames. p. 6.
- ^ MTO (2000). Nakayoshi Pet Series 1: Kawaii Hamster (instruction manual). MTO. p. 1.
- ^ "Mad Catz Camera Link Review". IGN. October 22, 1999. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Harris, Craig (5 September 2000). "Perfect Dark". IGN. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- ^ "ポケモンカードGB2 GR団参上！｜ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト". ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). December 2, 2021. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "Pokémon Crystal". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 147. Ziff Davis. October 2001. p. 160.
- ^ a b "What's Next?". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 124. Ziff Davis. November 1999. p. 200.
- ^ Harris, Craig (1999-08-18). "Pokemon Pinball". IGN. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Pokemon Trading Card Preview". GameSpot. August 15, 2001. Archived from the original on August 16, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ "And The Rest...". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 124. Ziff Davis. November 1999. p. 209.
- ^ "GB時代の「ポケモン図鑑」隠し要素が海外掲示板で話題。『ピカチュウ』版の図鑑完成時にもらえる賞状を、外部機器「ポケットプリンタ」で印刷した時のみ確認できる特別なもの。「知らなかった」「学位より価値がある」" [A hidden feature in the "Pokémon Encyclopedia" from the GB era has become a hot topic on overseas message boards. The certificate you receive when you complete the Pokédex in the "Pikachu" version is a special item that can only be seen when printed with an external device called the "Pocket Printer." "I didn't know this," "It's more valuable than a degree."]. Den-fami Nico Gamer (in Japanese). May 9, 2025. Archived from the original on October 9, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- ^ Elo Interactive (2001). Puzzled (instruction manual). Conspiracy Entertainment. p. 16.
- ^ Cleveland, Adam (1999-08-25). "Quest for Camelot". IGN. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Harris, Craig (February 24, 2000). "Roadsters". IGN. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Davis, Cameron (January 28, 2000). "Super Mario DX Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2". Nintendo Power. No. 136. Nintendo of America. September 2000. p. 116.
- ^ "Card Hero". IGN. March 24, 2000. Archived from the original on August 16, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Thorpe, Nick (September 2023). "Whatever Happened to... Pokémon Picross". Retro Gamer. No. 251. Future plc. pp. 72–73.
- ^ Walker, Ian (September 10, 2020). "New Nintendo Leak Includes Numerous Unreleased Game Boy Games". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ^ "大爆笑HAL研ブラザーズ" [Big Laugh HAL Laboratory Bros.]. The 64Dream (in Japanese). No. 32. Mainichi Communications. May 1999. p. 85.
- ^ Chrysostomou, George (April 25, 2024). "The History and Evolution of Game Boy Accessories". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Humphries, Matthew (July 12, 2021). "Game Boy Camera Photos Can Finally Be Transferred to a Smartphone". PCMAG. Archived from the original on December 26, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Liston, Theo (April 19, 2024). "New Game Boy Title 'Song Of Morus' Is A Boss Rush Shoot 'Em Up With Game Boy Printer Functionality". Retro Dodo. Archived from the original on November 18, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ^ Lynn, Lottie (May 11, 2021). "The Game Boy Printer lives on in the instax mini Link Special Edition". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (April 22, 2021). "The Spirit Of The Game Boy Printer Lives On Thanks To Fujifilm And Your Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
