Mobile Adapter GB - Wikipedia

Jump to content

Search

Search

Donate

Create account

Log in

Personal tools

Donate

Create account

Log in

Mobile Adapter GB

2 languages

Español<br>日本語

Edit links

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Game Boy accessory

Mobile System GB"},"image":{"wt":"Pokemon Crystal Mobile System GB.webp"},"caption":{"wt":"Mobile Adapter GB connecting a Game Boy Color and mobile phone"},"developer":{"wt":"[[Nintendo]], [[KDDI]]"},"type":{"wt":"Online service"},"status":{"wt":"Discontinued"},"pricing":{"wt":"{{Yen|10|link=yes}}/min. plus variable in-game charges, after {{Yen|5,800}} adapter purchase and {{Yen|400}} setup fee"},"launched":{"wt":"{{Start date|2001|01|27|df=y}}"},"platform":{"wt":"{{ubl|[[Game Boy Color]]|[[Game Boy Advance]]}}"},"shutdown":{"wt":"{{End date|2002|12|18|df=y}}"}},"i":0}}]}'>Mobile Adapter GB<br>Mobile System GBMobile Adapter GB connecting a Game Boy Color and mobile phone<br>DeveloperNintendo, KDDITypeOnline serviceLaunch date27 January 2001 (2001-01-27)Discontinued18 December 2002 (2002-12-18)PlatformsGame Boy Color<br>Game Boy Advance

StatusDiscontinuedPricing model¥10/min. plus variable in-game charges, after ¥5,800 adapter purchase and ¥400 setup fee

The Mobile Adapter GB [a] was a short-lived peripheral developed by Nintendo that allowed the handheld Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance consoles to connect to a mobile phone and utilize its cellular network. The accessory used a proprietary networking service called Mobile System GB [b] operated by KDDI to exchange data. Following delays, the device and service launched in Japan on 27 January 2001. Together, they enabled online functionality for roughly 20 games, most notably Pokémon Crystal and Mobile Golf. Nintendo and Konami formed a joint venture, Mobile21, to create games that utilized the service.

Nintendo ultimately chose not to release the adapter outside Japan, citing international wireless incompatibilities and market differences. Its high costs and limited game compatibility hindered widespread adoption, with only 80,000 units sold in its first year. The service was discontinued after less than two years on 18 December 2002, marking an early, albeit unsuccessful, attempt at handheld online gaming. It would be succeeded on the company's later handheld systems by services such as Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo Network and Nintendo Switch Online.

History<br>[edit]

In September 1999, Nintendo announced the establishment of Mobile21, a joint venture with Konami intended to create new software for Nintendo's consoles that would utilize network connectivity, with Nintendo planning to release an adapter that would connect the Game Boy Color and cell phones the following year.[1][2] The Mobile Adapter GB and the Mobile System GB service were revealed at the Nintendo Space World event in August 2000.[3] At the time, Nintendo planned to release them alongside Pokémon Crystal, when it launched in December.[4] The online interactions of the latest installment in the Pokémon video game series were highly promoted and was expected to be the "killer app" for the Mobile System GB service.[5][6] However, the launch was pushed back to 27 January 2001.[7][8] The device had a MSRP of ¥5,800.[9] The device was promoted with advertisements featuring professional baseball player Kazuhiro Sasaki.[10]

Initially, the Mobile Adapter GB was exclusively sold at mobile phone specialty stores, as Nintendo believed their employees could better explain the product and its functionality before purchase.[11][12] However, starting on 11 May 2001, it became available at retailers carrying Game Boy titles, bundled with Mobile Golf at ¥5,800,[13][14] the same price as the adapter alone.[9] The price of the stand-alone adapter was cut to ¥3,800 on 19 July 2001.[15] Each supported game offered different networking features, such as exchanging messages, competing in multiplayer games, submitting scores to online leaderboards, and downloading additional content.[5][16][17][18]

The Mobile Adapter GB was not a commercial success, selling 80,000 units in its first year on the market.[13] No new Mobile System GB subscribers were accepted after 1 June 2002, and the service was discontinued after less than two years on 18 December 2002.[19] Users could continue to use the peer-to-peer functions of the Mobile Adapter GB that did not require connecting to the Mobile System GB service.[20]

Nintendo revisited the concept of an online service for their handheld consoles with the launch of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on Nintendo DS in 2005.[21][22]

Technical overview<br>[edit]

The Mobile Adapter GB peripheral was developed by Nintendo.[5] One end of the adapter plugged into the link port of a Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance, while the other connected to a mobile phone via a color-coded plastic box in the middle of the cable.[7][13] Different models of the adapter were designed for various 2G network standards. At launch, two versions were...