The History of Gameboy: The Handheld Device That Started It All
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A Look Back at Nintendo's Portable Powerhouses
Before mobile phones had games and before the Switch became a household name, there was a tiny device with a single screen, a few buttons, and a simple goal: bring video games to your pocket. That was the start of something huge and a legacy that would span decades. This is the story of how Nintendo’s handhelds changed gaming forever.
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Game & Watch: Where It All Began (1980)
It all started with a commuter and a calculator.
In 1980, Nintendo engineer Gunpei Yokoi noticed someone fidgeting with a pocket calculator on a train. That moment of inspiration led to the Game & Watch, the first true handheld gaming device. It was simple: each unit played just one game, with a built-in LCD screen and clock (hence the "watch"). The first title? Ball, a juggling game that was oddly addictive.
Over 60 Game & Watch titles would follow, including classics like Donkey Kong (introducing the D-pad!) and Zelda. These pocket-sized wonders were a hit and laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
Game Boy: The Revolution (1989)
Then came the big one.
The Game Boy wasn't the first handheld console, but it was the first to get it right. Launched in 1989, it featured swappable cartridges, a greenish dot-matrix screen, and chunky but lovable design. While others pushed for color and flash, Nintendo went for battery life and fun, and they nailed it.
It launched with Tetris, which became a global obsession, and soon followed up with titles like Pokémon Red & Blue, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and Metroid II.
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Game Boy Color (1998) & Game Boy Advance (2001)
The late '90s brought color to the Game Boy line. finally! The Game Boy Color improved the visual experience while keeping backwards compatibility.
Then in 2001, the Game Boy Advance (GBA) showed up and blew everyone away. With a horizontal layout, a powerful 32-bit processor, and full-color graphics, it was like having a Super Nintendo in your hands. Games like Advance Wars, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and Pokémon Emerald became portable legends.
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Nintendo DS: Two Screens, One Phenomenon (2004)
When Nintendo dropped the DS, some were skeptical. Two screens? A touch screen? What is this, a gimmick?
Turns out, it was genius.
The DS and its later iterations (DS Lite, DSi) became the best-selling handheld system of all time. Games like Brain Age, Nintendogs, Mario Kart DS, and Pokémon Diamond & Pearl appealed to both gamers and non-gamers. The dual-screen setup introduced new gameplay styles that felt fresh and experimental.
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Nintendo 3DS: Depth Without Glasses (2011)
In 2011, the 3DS hit the scene, offering glasses-free 3D gaming. It wasn’t just a visual upgrade though. The system brought iconic games like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and Pokémon X & Y.
Though it got off to a slow start, price cuts and strong first-party titles helped the 3DS become a solid part of Nintendo's legacy.
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Nintendo Switch: Hybrid Glory (2017)
In 2017, Nintendo changed the game again.
The Nintendo Switch was both a console and a handheld, letting players dock it for big-screen gaming or take it on the go. This flexibility helped it become a juggernaut, with games like Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons selling tens of millions of copies.
It wasn’t just a great handheld it became the centerpiece of Nintendo’s ecosystem.
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Nintendo Switch 2: The Future in Your Hands (2025)
Now, we stand on the edge of a new chapter.
While official details are still emerging, the Nintendo Switch 2 promises a leap forward in power and features. With better performance, sharper visuals, and maybe even more innovative ways to play. It’s expected to continue the hybrid tradition, carrying the torch of all those handhelds before it.
The story isn’t over. It’s just leveling up.
From the Game & Watch to the Switch 2, Nintendo’s handheld history is a story of bold ideas, simple fun, and unforgettable memories. These devices didn't just let us play, they made us feel like the future was in our hands.
Whether you juggled pixels in Ball, traded Pokémon on a link cable, or explored Hyrule from a train seat, you're part of that legacy.
