Nintendo's classic Game Boy games can now be played on Android phones thanks to Hyperkin's Smart Boy Developer Kit. It allows smartphone owners to play Game Boy cartridges on their devices. The dev kit for the smartphone case is set to ship on December 1 and will include a work-in-progress app and open-source firmware.
Last year Hyperkin announced plans to build a peripheral to play Game Boy cartridges on smartphones. It is now accepting pre-orders for Smart Boy phone cases.
The startup originally stated that an iPhone version of Smart Boy would be available. However, the company has not released details about a unit for Apple handsets.
Hyperkin's web page states that the developer kit will help to make software for the hardware it built. That will later result in a retail version of the gaming accessory.
The Smart Boy dev kit has a $60 price tag. It plays Game Boy and Game Boy color game cartridges and is also bundled with a set of Game Boy buttons, according to PC Magazine.
Hyperkin's product works by sliding the Android phone into the smartphone case. Meanwhile, the cartridge has a slot in the back of the mobile phone.
The phone case includes a micro USB port for charging. However, the retro accessory could also get power from the Android phone's battery.
Hyperkin promises part of the profits from the retail Smart Boy units to developers who can improve its app and firmware. Developers who write code for new builds can upload them to a special Hyperkin Lab forum.
In related news, GameStop CEO Paul Raines has reported that Nintendo's upcoming NX handheld console will use some type of physical media. This could be cartridges.
It follows a year of rumors that NX would only support digital downloads, due to a hardware patent that included no optical disc drive, according to IGN.
However, GameStop executives have been less definitive about Nintendo NX using cartridges. They shared that they saw reports of the rumors, cannot comment on them, and might not have any updates anyway.
GameStop executive VP Mike Mauler noted that cartridges are easier to fix and repackage. This makes them a little better than discs.