What Came Before Game Boy Color? Game Boy → Pocket → Light

The Game Boy Color (1998) was the fourth iteration of Nintendo's original handheld line:

Lineage

1. Game Boy (DMG-01) — 1989
   • 4-shade STN LCD (160×144), 4.19 MHz Sharp LR35902 (Z80-like), 4 AA batteries (15–30h).
   • Launch titles: Tetris, Super Mario Land, Alleyway, Baseball.
2. Game Boy Pocket (MGB-001) — 1996
   • 30% smaller, 2 AA (10h), true black LCD (better contrast), same CPU/resolution.
   • No backlight. Colors: Silver, Black, Red, Yellow, Green, Clear (Japan).
3. Game Boy Light (MGB-101) — 1998 (Japan Only)
   • Pocket form factor + electroluminescent backlight (green), 2 AA (20h w/ light off).
   • Rare; precursor to GBC's optional frontlight (Afterburner mod) and GBA SP frontlight.
4. Game Boy Color (CGB-001) — 1998
   • Color TFT (32,768 colors, 56 on screen), 2× CPU speed (8 MHz), 3× RAM (32 KB VRAM), IR port.
   • Backward compatible with ~90% GB library (colorizes 12 built-in palettes).

Key Evolution

After GBC: Game Boy Advance (2001) → GBA SP (frontlight/backlight) → Game Boy Micro → Nintendo DS (dual screen) → 3DS (stereo 3D) → Switch (hybrid).