Game Boy Player



The Game Boy Player was an accessory released for the Nintendo GameCube. It plugs into the "Hi Speed Port" on the bottom of the GameCube. It requires a boot disc to run. Nearly any Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance title can be played on the Game Boy Player, with the exception of the Game Boy Advance Video series (to prevent users from copying the videos to recordable media such as blank VHS tapes or DVDs). Other games such as Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble can run on the Game Boy Player, but it is impractical to play them as they were designed with the portability of the Game Boy in mind. There is a game link port, so accessories like the Game Link Cable and Game Boy Printer can be used. The Game Boy Player is compatible with the GameCube-Game Boy Advance cable, allowing a Game Boy Advance to be used as the controller. However, the Game Boy Player cannot be used to connect a Game Boy Advance to a GameCube game (such as with the Tingle Tuner), unless the user has two GameCubes running (one with the GameCube game running and one with the Game Boy Player running).

In North America and Europe, the unit is only available in black. However, in Japan it is available in black, spice, platinum, and indigo, and in Australia it is available in black and indigo.



Zelda games compatible with the Game Boy Player

 * The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
 * The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
 * The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
 * The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
 * The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (GBA version)
 * The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
 * The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Incompatibilities

 * The Game Boy Player is not compatible with the Nintendo Wii because it lacks the accessory slots that are present on the bottom of the GameCube. The footprint of the Wii is also substantially different from the GameCube.
 * The Game Boy micro is also incompatible with the Game Boy Player. The equipment required for a link-up is a Game Boy micro Link Cable and a Game Boy micro Converter Connector, along with a Game Boy micro and Game Boy Player. The Converter Connector is built in such a way that the protruding piece of plastic on top prevents it from being inserted into the Game Boy Player all the way.
 * Most GameShark and Action Replay devices are constructed in a way that makes them difficult or impossible to properly insert into the Game Boy Player.
 * Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, and WarioWare: Twisted! are impractical to play on the Game Boy Player due to their built-in motion sensors. To play these games on the Game Boy Player, a player would have to pick up the GameCube and move it around.
 * Similarly, the Game Boy Camera is difficult to use with the Game Boy Player, as the camera would be in a fixed position. Previously stored photos may be easily viewed or edited on the Game Boy Player, however.
 * The cartridges in the Boktai series can be played on the Game Boy Player, but the solar sensors cannot be used effectively due to the game facing downwards.

Trivia

 * An issue of Nintendo Power mentioned that a player could play any Zelda game (at the time) on the Nintendo GameCube if the player owned both the Collector's Edition and a Game Boy Player. This statement reaffirms that the CD-i Zelda games are not considered canon Zelda games by Nintendo.
 * Some games such Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire and Drill Dozer have added Game Boy Player compatibility. When titles such as these are played on the Game Boy Player, the player has the option of using the GameCube controller's rumble feature while playing the game.
 * Third-party manufacturer Hori created a controller specifically made for the Game Boy Player. It resembles a Super NES controller and was released only in Japan.