Retro Bits has unveiled a brand new gaming device known as the Super Retro Boy, during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The new unit will be available this year and can play any Gameboy game, regardless of generation.
The unit resembles the classic Gameboy but with a shatter-resistant screen and an improved 2,500 mAh battery that gives the system 10 hours of continuous use. The design prevents it from featuring shoulder buttons. The L and R buttons are now situated in the front, just about the A and B buttons, Den of Geek reported.
While the Super Retro Boy can play Gameboy, Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance titles it does require the player to own a physical cartridge of the game they intend on playing. This is because the Super Retro Boy does not use downloaded ROMs.
Nintendo's NES Classic Edition was also notorious for not letting users expand the system's library since it could not be connected online. It also did not have any slot for a microSD card. However, the main difference is that the NES Classic Edition already had its games built into the system.
The super Retro Boy will allow gamers to use their old cartridges, regardless of which Gameboy generation it is from. It is still uncertain if the system will differentiate between regional releases and if it will read Japanese or European games.
It will also feature a backlit screen, a feature not present in the original Gameboy. This feature instead became more prominent with the Gameboy Color and the Gameboy Advance systems. The Sega Game Gear notably had a backlit screen and this was during the popularity of the classic Gameboy.
Retro Bit has also confirmed that the portable gaming device is scheduled to release this August and will cost $79.99, Geek Culture reported. The unit will also come with a 10-in-1 game cartridge. A preview video of the unit in action can be viewed below: