When Did the Game Boy Stop Being Sold?

There was no single "stop date." The Game Boy line phased out over ~9 years as successors launched. Key milestones:

📅 Discontinuation Timeline (Japan = Primary Market Indicator)

• March 21, 2001: Game Boy Advance (GBA) launches. Original GB/GBC still sold as budget entry.
• February 14, 2003: Game Boy Advance SP (front-lit clamshell) launches. Major appeal shift.
• September 2003: Game Boy Player (GameCube accessory) releases—extends GB/GBA life on TV.
• 2005: Original Game Boy (DMG) & Game Boy Pocket/Light production ends in Japan.
• 2006: Nintendo DS Lite launches (global phenomenon). GBA slot remains.
• 2007: Game Boy Micro (final GBA hardware) discontinued quickly.
• 2008: Game Boy Color production ends in Japan.
• 2010: Game Boy Advance / SP / Micro production officially ends globally. Nintendo DS/DSi/3DS fully supersede.

🛒 Retail Reality

• North America/Europe: Original GB/GBC scarce by 2003-2004. GBA/SP sold at budget ($30-50) until ~2008-2010.
• Developing Markets: New old-stock GBA SP / Micro sold into early 2010s.

🎮 Legacy

• GBA cart slot on DS/DSi/DSi XL/3DS/3DS XL kept the library physically playable until 2020 (3DS eShop closure).
• Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack now offers curated GB/GBC/GBA library (subscription).

Summary: Original GB ≈ 2005. GBC ≈ 2008. GBA line ≈ 2010. But you could buy new GBA SPs at Walmart in 2009.