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Hyperkin SmartBoy Mobile Device for Game Boy/ Game Boy Color (Android USB Type-C Version)
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
- Plays GB and GBC cartridges, compatible with NTSC/ PAL cartridges
- Classic-style tactile button set, upscales to phone's resolution, does not require batteries
- Designed for Samsung's S8 line and up (other Android device compatibility may vary)*
- Phone Size: 5.2 - 6.4 inches, USB Type-C port
- The SmartBoy is compatible with other apps and games, including GBA apps from Google Play. Configuration for such apps may vary.
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Product information
ASIN | B072FRQZ65 |
---|---|
Release date | August 21, 2017 |
Customer Reviews |
3.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #32,027 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games) #452 in GEM Box Microconsole |
Product Dimensions | 0.7 x 3.9 x 11.2 inches; 12 ounces |
Type of item | Video Game |
Item model number | M08886-GR |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Item Weight | 12 ounces |
Manufacturer | Hyperkin |
Country of Origin | China |
Date First Available | May 26, 2017 |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
Turn your phone into a handheld gaming console! The SmartBoy Mobile Device for Game Boy/ Game Boy Color (Android USB Type-C Version) attaches to Android USB Type-C smartphones and is compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. Start playing in seconds! Easy to install, just attach the SmartBoy to your device, pop in your favorite game, and make your friends jealous. You're welcome. *The SmartBoy (Android USB Type-C Version) currently supports the following phones: ASUS ZenFone 2/ ASUS ZenFone 3/ Gionee Marathon M5/ Google Pixel/ Google Pixel XL/ Google Pixel 2/ Google Pixel 2 XL/ Google Pixel 3/ Google Pixel 3 XL/ Huawei Honor 8/ Huawei Nexus 6P/ Huawei Nova/ Huawei P9/ Huawei P9 Plus/ Huawei P10/ LeEco Le 2/ LeEco Le 2 Pro/ Lenovo Zuk Edge/ Lenovo Zuk Z1/ LG G5/ LG G6/ LG G7/ LG V20/ LG V30/ LG V40/ LG Nexus 5x/ Meizu Pro 6 Plus/ Motorola Moto Z/ Motorola Moto Z Force/ OnePlus 2/ OnePlus 3/ OnePlus 3T/ Samsung Galaxy Note 7/ Samsung Galaxy Note 8/ Samsung Galaxy Note 9/ Samsung Galaxy S8/ Samsung Galaxy S8+/ Samsung Galaxy S9/ Samsung Galaxy S9+/ Vivo Xplay 5 Elite/ Xiaomi Mi 5/ ZTE Axon 7
From the manufacturer
Hyperkin SmartBoy Mobile Device
for Game Boy/ Game Boy Color - Android USB Type-C Version
Designed for Samsung's S8 line and up (other Android device compatibility may vary). The SmartBoy is compatible with other apps and games, including GBA apps from Google Play. Configuration for such apps may vary.
Start playing in seconds!
Easy to install, just attach the SmartBoy to your device, pop in your favorite game, and make your friends jealous. You’re welcome.
*The SmartBoy is compatible with other apps and games, including GBA apps from Google Play. Configuration for such apps may vary.
- Plays GB and GBC cartridges
- Compatible with NTSC/PAL cartridges
- Classic-style tactile button set
- Phone Size: 5.2 - 6.4 inches
- Upscales to phone’s resolution
- Does not require batteries
Turn your phone into a handheld gaming console!
The SmartBoy Mobile Device for Game Boy/ Game Boy Color (Android USB Type-C Version) attaches to Android USB Type-C smartphones and is compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges.
The SmartBoy (Android USB TypeC Version) currently supports the following phones
ASUS ZenFone 2/ ASUS ZenFone 3/ Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe/ Marathon M5/ Google Pixel/ Google Pixel XL/ Google Pixel 2/ Google Pixel 2 XL/ Google Pixel 3/ Google Pixel 3 XL/ Huawei Honor 8/ Huawei Nexus 6P/ Huawei Nova/ Huawei P9/ Huawei P9 Plus/ Huawei P10/ LeEco Le 2/ LeEco Le 2 Pro/ Lenovo Zuk Edge/ Lenovo Zuk Z1/ LG G5/ LG G6/ LG G7/ LG V20/ LG V30/ LG V40/ LG Nexus 5x/ Meizu Pro 6 Plus/ Motorola Moto Z/ Motorola Moto Z Force/ OnePlus 2/ OnePlus 3/ OnePlus 3T/ Samsung Galaxy Note 7/ Samsung Galaxy Note 8/ Samsung Galaxy Note 9/ Samsung Galaxy S8/ Samsung Galaxy S8+/ Samsung Galaxy S9/ Samsung Galaxy S9+/ Vivo Xplay 5 Elite/ Xiaomi Mi 5/ ZTE Axon 7
Videos
Videos for this product
1:37
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The Smart Boy turns a smartphone into a Game Boy
Publisher Video
Videos for this product
1:07
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Gaming on the Go: Hyperkin Gameboy Review
Tyler Talks Tech
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the age range of the product. They say it's fun to play old games on their phone. They also find the concept happy. However, some customers have reported compatibility issues and fit issues. They mention that it relies on third party emulators to read the ROMs it dumps, and that it doesn't fit any phone with a case. Customers also have mixed opinions on quality, buttons, build quality, and ease of setup.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the concept of the video game hardware. They say it's a cool idea, easy to set up, and perfect for Android users. Some mention that it makes a great pen and pencil holder.
"This is a pretty cool concept but It lacks one main feature and the reason why i returned it, if your buying this to play any pokemon game or any..." Read more
"Very cool idea, but not so cool when I can't play my Pokemon games on here, save to cartridge, and put it into my Gameboy and resume my saved game...." Read more
"...The smartboy is really great, although, It has some cons... for example you have to take off the case of your phone every time you want to play games" Read more
"The Hyperkin Smartboy is amazing...." Read more
Customers say the video game hardware is great for casual play and perfect for old school gamers. They also say it makes it fun to play old games on their phone.
"...Love playing my old games with bigger, nicer and back lit screen!..." Read more
"...Perfect for old school gamers." Read more
"Love this device makes it do fun to play old game one your phone." Read more
"Works great. So much fun and so much blasts from the past. Enjoy it very much." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the video game hardware. Some mention that it works well with emulation software, while others say that it doesn't even work unless you have the John GBC or My Old Boy GB emulator. The controller doesn''t work, and the app for it to work no longer exists.
"...The SmartBoy is NOT a Game Boy player in any way. It won't even work unless you have the John GBC or My Old Boy GB emulator apps.2...." Read more
"...Just go to an apk site to install. Everything I tested works great...." Read more
"...and here comes the big one, it doesn't save the game data on the cartridge...." Read more
"...The D-pad is pretty disappointing...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of setup. Some mention it works perfectly and is easy to operate, while others say that it's not user friendly, difficult to install, and cumbersome. The instructions in the box are vague and it'd be difficult to get started.
"...the biggest issue with this is that set up is tedious, you have to install 2 different programs to get it started and while using them and having..." Read more
"...It's cumbersome and feels very disjointed especially given how easy it was to swap games on the original gameboy...." Read more
"Very easy setup with the included cable. My g fast phone fits nicely. Google play would not let me download the apps for some reason...." Read more
"Set up is a little difficult but totally works!!!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the buttons of the video game hardware. Some mention that they have good feel and nice buttons, while others say that the buttons don't work properly.
"Easy installation and the buttons feel quite good, except for the L and R buttons, but luckily those buttons aren't that important for most GBA games..." Read more
"...Very happy to have this thing. Buttons are not the best but okay." Read more
"...the buttons and feel are all fine as long as your phone fits in which most should, i have a 10 + and there's still more room than needed...." Read more
"...After I got it working the buttons won't work with the game. I remapped the controls but that didn't help...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the build quality of the video game hardware. Some mention that the dock is nicely constructed with high quality plastic, while others say that the construction is a little flimsy and the connector is poor quality.
"...the big draw to this of course is running it on a nice high quality screen which is great, the games look great and sound is good too depending on..." Read more
"...A few minutes and my thumbs are a little sore. The construction is a little flimsy but I'm not complaining too much. It's just how it goes...." Read more
"...The dock is nicely constructed with high quality plastic, the game controller is a close approximation to the original Gameboy, and the cartridge..." Read more
"...other than that, it looks cool and is real sturdy. i bought a tiny type c to micro usb adapter (the 1/2" ones)...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the fit of the video game hardware. They mention that it only fits a small selection of phones, and the retro fit is not available. Some complain that the extension cord was an extremely tight fit, and it doesn't line up with the screen to allow play.
"...3. While it fits many phones, it will NOT fit any phone with a case one, despite claiming to. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note9.4...." Read more
"...all of the menu options as you can't see them and the screen doesn't adjust to fit them in the usable space so you'll have to take off the unit to..." Read more
"...Some downsides:- You need to remove your Phone Case as the space is very small.-..." Read more
"Fits my s21 Ultra well. Haven't tested out the cart function, but my pokemon silver and red carts need the batt changed out anyway...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the compatibility of the video game hardware. They mention that it relies on third-party emulators to read the ROMs it dumps, and that it doesn't support GBA games. Some complain that the Hyperkin app doesn''t have an emulator, and it doesn’t come with any free content.
"...Another issue I have is that the Hyperkin app doesn't doesn't have an emulator...." Read more
"...app dumps the cartridge data to the phone and then requires downloading a third party emulator to get the game up and running...." Read more
"It's good for emulators but thats it. You can't save back onto cartridge." Read more
"...It relies entirely on external Game Boy emulators to read the ROMs it dumps...." Read more
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It really was an easy setup. I used the wired c cable and attached the smartboy to my phone. Took a minute and then it started working. I use the MyBoy app on my android with it. I went into the settings and configured to keybinds to the Hyperkin. Works perfectly now.
2. While it requires actual GB/GBC carts to play, it DOES NOT PLAY FROM THEM. All it does is dumps the ROM file from the cart onto the phone TEMPORARILY and creates a new save file in the emulator you have. NO PROGRESS IS SAVED TO THE ACTUAL CARTRIDGE!
3. While it fits many phones, it will NOT fit any phone with a case one, despite claiming to. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note9.
4. At $45, you can (and really instead should) buy a REAL Nintendo Game Boy Color for $45-50. Or even better, the Chinese GB Boy Colour GBC clone. It costs about $35-40, is backlit, and has 60 games built-in if turned on with no cart inserted. Only downside is a slightly squished (vertically) aspect ratio and slightly jittery framerate.
Don't waste your money on this. It looks amazing, but doesn't live up to expectations.
Another issue I have is that the Hyperkin app doesn't doesn't have an emulator. You have to down load My Old Boy and if you don't want ads in the menus (they don't pop up during game play) it's $5.00.
Lastly, it doesn't run the game directly off the cartridge; it downloads the rom temporarily. This may be obvious to some, but I had assumed that it would run it off the cartridge. Because you're not playing off the cartridge directly, you are dependant on save states. The only real drawback is the fact that you can't save a slot on something like Zelda and then play that save on another device.
On the plus side, the buttons and d-pad feel pretty good and it's responsive. If you don't have a backlit Gameboy, backlit Gameboy Color or backlit GBA and want to play a few games occasionally, it you like the novelty, then maybe get this. However, you may want to consider if you think it's worth it to spend twice the amount you'll pay for this and get a backlit real Gameboy off eBay.
the big draw to this of course is running it on a nice high quality screen which is great, the games look great and sound is good too depending on the phone. the buttons and feel are all fine as long as your phone fits in which most should, i have a 10 + and there's still more room than needed.
the biggest issue with this is that set up is tedious, you have to install 2 different programs to get it started and while using them and having the adapter you can't access all of the menu options as you can't see them and the screen doesn't adjust to fit them in the usable space so you'll have to take off the unit to make sure you select the right options.
and here comes the big one, it doesn't save the game data on the cartridge. while it does allow you to play the game from a cartridge, basically what it is doing is dumping the ROM, pulling it in to the emulator and then allowing you to play. if you want to save you have to do it on your phone but you won't be able to transfer it to an actual cartridge for use on a proper gameboy after the fact.
it's a nice novelty item, but again, there's better options.
It also works with others, but remember your buttons mirror that of a GBA so you don't have all needed to play SNES etc.
No latency, very light battery drain since it doesn't store a battery and it provides an adjustable grip to your phone so you won't have to fear it falling out. For 27$, you seriously can't go wrong with this purchase.
Note, I own the USB C version, so cannot comment on the micro USB one.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Mexico on October 24, 2023