With its monochrome display and doorbell-style sound, the Game Boy could hardly have been described as cutting edge even back in 1989, so the idea of bringing it up to speed with WiFi connectivity sounds like the stuff of a madman's dreams – but that's exactly what hacker Sebastian Staacks has done.
Using his technological know-how and plenty of cool programming tricks, Staacks has created a special cartridge that bestows Nintendo's classic handheld with the ability to browse the internet (well, Wikipedia, at least) wirelessly.
The catch is that you'll be doing this on an unlit and very blurry 160×144 dot matrix display, but it's still incredibly cool to see such vintage hardware pushed to new limits.
This article was originally published by nintendolife.com on Mon 20th December, 2021.
[source hackaday.com]
Comments 27
Ok, so now all Nintendo handhelds have a browser? Switch next please!
@Kayvoo And guess what...You can have one!! As an add on for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion expansion plus deluxe, only £30 a month extra
@Bunkerneath
Only if it's wikipedia and nothing else.
The Nintendo DS Browser that required TWO cartridges to run was limiting enough, thanks.
That's mental lol , clever dude to get that working though!
Interesting article.
It does make you wonder why the Switch lacks a browser now.
@RandomNPC @Kayvoo I believe the Switch has a browser, we just can't use it, lol... You can see it at certain times, eg when you have to login to Facebook to find friends to add or share an image.
I'm pretty sure the WiFi chip alone has more computing power than the Gameboy. Impressive work nonetheless.
@Kayvoo Your phone probably has a browser. So does the device you used to post your comment.
@Rhaoulos
Oo we got a smart one here! Until every inanimate object in my house has internet access I will not be satisfied. I want to browse using anything that's not designed for browsing.
I knew this device existed, but I didn't know it has an internet browser.
Does it work on the analogue pocket;)
So… Is this technically considered a “quality of life” update for Gameboy??
This should’ve been part of that Productivity Suite that’s coming on Kickstarter!
@Kayvoo You're all set with the switch then. It already has internet access (it just doesn't have a browser).
Time to go blind.....
@Silly_G
I never had that. The DS cart was the software and the GBA cart was extra ram right?
"Using his technological know-how and plenty of cool programming tricks, Staacks has created a special cartridge that bestows Nintendo's classic handheld with the ability to browse the internet (well, Wikipedia, at least) wirelessly."
(gets reminded of a certain Wikipedia I would not describe as a reliable source of information; wonders about whether this cartridge could be used to for browsing at least one alternative to this Wikipedia (such as a certain Britannica (located at this World Wide Web address: https://www.britannica.com/))
@TheRedComet : That's right. There were also separate versions available for the original DS and the DS Lite. The DS version can be used in both consoles, whereas the DS Lite version can only be used in the DS Lite due to the shorter GBA cartridge slot. Ironically, only the DS Lite version was available at retail in Australia despite its limited compatibility (though the launch DS version was available directly via Nintendo by mail order).
It also cost a whopping AU$69.95 at the time, though I grabbed my copy for about AU$20 on clearance. I recall using it quite a bit circa 2010/2011 before I had a smartphone, and the 3DS's (far superior) browser wasn't available at launch. While it's unusable now, it makes for a fun little historical curiosity.
I'm glad people are using their impressive skills and creativity to make the world a better place.
@Silly_G And if you had an original DS, you couldn't even use the one sold in stores with the pretty DS Lite-sized cart included.
Nope, you needed to call up Nintendo if you wanted a copy made to fit for your ugly old console.
Oh, I see your post. It was also the case in America as well (and I presume other countries) where Nintendo chose to widely ship the "pretty" version over the "more compatible" version.
Random:... and now I'm hungry😣
Love such Stuff.
Aren't there Pages out there for the C64 and similiar online Projects?
They should work good with the Gameboy
Meanwhile, Nintendo still hasn't figured out how browsers work on the switch, let alone Nintendo online.
If this person wants to work on impossible tasks, why not tackle something like curing cancer or lightspeed travel? =P
@Savage_Joe
I play DOOM on the doorknobs & Quake in my quilt
instead of doing useless stuff like this, how about bringing Amazon prime on the switch..?
"Browse Wikipedia"
So nothing useful.
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