How Speedrunners and Collectors Are Keeping the Game Boy Alive

The Game Boy, Nintendo’s revolutionary handheld console, first hit the market in 1989 and became one of the most beloved gaming devices of all time. Though technology has advanced far beyond its monochrome screen and simple controls, the Game Boy remains alive and well today, thanks to two passionate communities: speedrunners and collectors. While speedrunners push the system to its limits, collectors preserve and celebrate its history, ensuring that this iconic handheld never fades into obscurity.

Speedrunners: Breaking the Game Boy’s Limits

Speedrunning—completing a game as quickly as possible—has become a global phenomenon, and the Game Boy has found a unique place in this culture. Enthusiasts study games to discover glitches, optimize movement, and develop strategies that shave seconds (or even minutes) off their completion times.

Popular Game Boy Speedrunning Titles

Some of the most speedrun-heavy Game Boy titles include:

Pokémon Red & Blue – Players use glitches like ‘MissingNo.’ and the Trainer-Fly trick to beat the game in under two minutes.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – With item manipulation glitches, runners can skip entire sections of the game.

Super Mario Land – With its simple mechanics and tight platforming, speedrunners aim for frame-perfect jumps to reach the fastest possible time.

Speedrunners not only keep these classics relevant but also explore the Game Boy’s technical limits, finding new ways to play games that were once thought to be mastered. Online platforms like Twitch and YouTube bring these challenges to a wider audience, introducing new players to the thrill of Game Boy speedrunning.

Collectors: Preserving the Legacy of the Game Boy

While speedrunners push the system’s boundaries, collectors work to preserve its history. The demand for original Game Boy consoles, cartridges, and accessories has only grown over time, with rare and well-preserved items fetching high prices in the retro gaming market.

The Rising Value of Game Boy Games

Certain Game Boy games have become highly sought-after collector’s items, with some selling for thousands of dollars. Examples include:

Shantae (2002) – A late-release Game Boy Colour game with low production numbers, making it one of the rarest and most expensive titles.

Pokémon Crystal (Sealed Copy) – Factory-sealed versions of Pokémon games fetch high prices, with some exceeding $1,000.

Trip World (1992) – A quirky, beautiful platformer that was never widely distributed, making it a holy grail for collectors.

Modding and Restoration

Since many Game Boy consoles have suffered from fading screens, broken buttons, and worn-out batteries, collectors often turn to modders to restore or enhance their devices. Backlit screens, rechargeable batteries, and custom shells give old Game Boys new life, allowing players to enjoy their favourite titles with modern conveniences.

How the Game Boy Stays Relevant Today

Between speedrunners and collectors, the Game Boy has remained a beloved piece of gaming history. Modern re-releases, indie developers creating Game Boy-style games, and even Nintendo Switch Online adding Game Boy games to its library prove that this classic handheld still has a place in the gaming world.

As long as there are gamers eager to break records, preserve history, or simply relive childhood memories, the Game Boy will continue to thrive—one pixelated adventure at a time.

Also Read: Hidden Gems: Underrated Game Boy Games You Need to Play

–Silviya.Y