History of Computers - The Game Boy
Introduction
Nintendo Co., Ltd.'s history goes back to Fusajiro Yamauchi manufacturing "Hanafuda" (flower cards), Japanese playing cards, in 1889. By 1975, Nintendo had created a videogaming system and by 1976, a videogame system with a microprocessor. In 1989, Nintendo introduced the Game Boy, created by designer Gunpei Yokoi. The Game Boy was the first successful handheld gaming system with interchangeable game cartridges.
Overview
Yokoi developed the Game Boy using Lateral Thinking of Withered Technology (use of inexpensive and familiar components in innovative ways). The Game Boy used an LCD technology with a dot matrix screen that produced a 160x144 pixel resolution. The monochrome screen used four different shades of gray, which allowed for a longer battery life than rival handheld systems that used color. Game Boy game coders used a Z80 CPU, which was familiar for NES coders. The Game Boy also had an 8-way D-pad and a Link Port for multiplayer.
Significance
The Game Boy was significant for a few different reasons. One is that many of the games developed originally on the Game Boy/popularized by the Game Boy are still played today. Some popular games include Tetris, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Land, Yoshi's Cookie, F1 Zero, and Pokémon. The other, and arguably more important, reason, was that the Game Boy was one of the most significant forces in making gaming universal. The device not only allowed gamers the ability to play multiple games on a single, portable device, but also gave non-gamers an easy platform to casually play games. Plus, Yokoi intentionally developed the Game Boy to be cheap and thus easily accessible. No longer must an individual be a gamer to play videogames. Also, there was a much higher percentage of girls playing the Game Boy than previous gaming consoles. Sequels included the Game Boy Pocket and the Game Boy Color, making the device smaller, sharper, and colorful. Today, playing games on your iphone is a result of the movement that the Game Boy started way back in 1989.
References
https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Corporate/Nintendo-History/Nintendo-History-625945.html#1889
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/03/feature_the_making_of_the_nintendo_game_boy
http://www.rfgeneration.com/blogs/MetalFRO/The-Cultural-Impact-Of-The-Game-Boy-3297.php
