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The Game Boy Color (GBC) was released in 1998. It launched first in Japan on October 21, 1998, and reached North America, Europe, and Australasia in November of that year. There was no single worldwide launch day.
Release year and launch sequence
Nintendo’s own corporate history places the introduction of the Game Boy Color in 1998, and it groups the handheld with the Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer as part of the same launch-era announcement (Nintendo UK, “Nintendo History | Hardware”). Nintendo’s history pages confirm the year but do not give the day-by-day regional dates, so those come from a separate release-history reference.
Regional release dates
The table below lists the dates given in the detailed release history for the Game Boy Color article on Wikipedia, a secondary reference rather than a Nintendo publication. Dates refer to the original retail launch in each territory.
| Region | Release date | Launch order |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | October 21, 1998 | First |
| North America | November 18, 1998 | Second region, about four weeks after Japan |
| Europe | November 23, 1998 | Five days after North America |
| Australasia | November 27, 1998 | Last of the four listed |
If you need a single date to cite, use the year, 1998. Use the regional dates only when the territory matters, such as when you are tracking when a particular market got the console.
#1 Best Overall
- Kids Friendly Design: This P30S handheld game console is specially designed for kids. It has a stylish arcade - like appearance. The body fits a child's hand, and the game settings also cater to kids psychology, thus being very attractive.
- Excellent Gaming Experience: Equipped with a 3.0 - inch high - definition screen and excellent speaker sound, it provides an excellent visual and auditory experience for video games. This handheld game console is small and lightweight, convenient for kids to use and carry. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, allowing children to fully enjoy the games.
- Rich Collection of Classic Games: This retro handheld game console contains 220 interesting kids video games, including various types such as entertainment, sports, and adventure games, just like those found in many retro game consoles. While playing these games, kids can cultivate skills such as hand - eye coordination, thinking, and problem - solving.
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What the Game Boy Color was
The Game Boy Color was a revision of the Game Boy line rather than a separate platform. Its 8-bit hardware added a color screen, and it played original Game Boy cartridges, so existing game libraries carried over. Some sources describe it as an upgrade or successor; in the context of the release history, it is more accurate to call it the color revision of the original handheld.
Practical notes for readers
- Year: 1998, confirmed by Nintendo’s official history.
- Exact days: taken from a secondary release-history reference; check a primary Nintendo source before quoting them as official.
- Accessories: the Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer were launched alongside the Game Boy Color, as Nintendo’s history describes.
Sources and limits
Nintendo’s official history gives the 1998 introduction year. The detailed regional dates come from the Wikipedia article on the Game Boy Color, which is a tertiary reference. No launch sales figures or named quotations from the period were verified in the sources used for this article, so none are included here.
Rank #2
- 139 Exciting 32-Bit Games: Featuring 139 handpicked 32-bit video games,this new style of handheld game console is designed to bring fun to young gamers. Categorized into various genres like Casual, Puzzle and Sports, it doesn't take much thinking to pick your favorite game
- Bigger and More Vibrant 3.0" IPS Display: With its 3.0" IPS screen, this handheld video game offers vibrant graphics and a user-friendly interface that makes gameplay seamless and enjoyable. As a travel toy or at home, the vivid colors and sharp images will immerse children a crystal-clear gaming experience
- Innovative Design: Featuring an innovative ergonomic design, this game console is compact and lightweight, making it easy for small hands to hold and comfortable to play. The arcade-style joystick provides players with a precise control experience. Available in beautiful bright and natural colors, handheld video console combines nostalgia with modernity
- Rechargeable and Uninterrupted Gaming: Say goodbye to disposable batteries! Our mini handheld games come with rechargeable battery that can be easily recharged via a convenient USB-C cable, making it a great choice for gaming on the go
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The Bottom Line
The Game Boy Color came out in 1998, starting with Japan on October 21 and followed by North America, Europe, and Australasia later that November.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Unlike Modern Handheld Consoles, The Gb Color Does Not Have A Back Light And Is Best Used In A Well Lit Room Or Under A Lamp.
- Product Type-Video Game Hardware
- Package Quantity-1
- Package Weight-0.440924524 Lbs
Rank #4
- 【400 Preloaded Retro Classic Games】Built-in 400 classic retro games, covering puzzle, casual, shooting, action, sports and logic multiple genres. 100% offline playable with zero ads and no downloads. Diverse game libraries meet different play needs, bringing lasting fun and delivering safe and pure gaming experience for all players.
- 【3.0-inch Eye-Friendly IPS HD Screen】Adopts 3.0-inch high-definition IPS screen with vivid colors and ultra-clear picture quality. Upgraded eye-protection panel reduces eye fatigue effectively, bringing immersive and comfortable gaming vision. Compact screen size fits portable scenarios perfectly, suitable for home use and outdoor travel.
- 【Lightweight Ergonomic Portable Design】Mini lightweight body with ergonomic molding, fits small hands perfectly for long-time comfortable grip. Pocket-sized design is easy to store in bags or pockets. It combines retro style with modern comfort, ideal as a travel companion for handheld gaming anytime, anywhere.
- 【1020mAh Large-Capacity Rechargeable Battery】Built-in 1020mAh high-capacity battery supports long-lasting uninterrupted gaming. Adopts universal USB fast charging, portable for outdoor power supplement. Comes with adjustable volume function, enabling quiet private gaming in public without disturbing others.
- 【Easy Operation & Premium Festival Gift】Simple one-key operation with clear game guide, all-age friendly for all players. Safe, durable and fun, it is an ideal gift for birthday, Christmas, Easter and various holidays. A cost-effective entertainment gadget that brings full surprises and joy to game lovers.
Rank #3
- Unlike Modern Handheld Consoles, The Gb Color Does Not Have A Back Light And Is Best Used In A Well Lit Room Or Under A Lamp.
- Product Type-Video Game Hardware
- Package Quantity-1
- Package Weight-0.440924524 Lbs
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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