 A second generation Game Link Cable plug (left) and socket on aGame Boy Pocket (right) | |||
| Type | Data transfer | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Designer | Nintendo | ||
| Designed | 1989 | ||
| Data | |||
| Bitrate |
| ||
| Max. devices | 4 | ||
| Protocol | Serial | ||
| Pinout | |||
 | |||
| Pinout looking at end of port (as seen looking at the side of the Game Boy) | |||
| Pin 1 | VCC | +5 V DC | |
| Pin 2 | SO | Serial Out | |
| Pin 3 | SI | Serial In | |
| Pin 4 | SD | CPU Pin 14(not used) | |
| Pin 5 | SC | Shift Clock | |
| Pin 6 | GND | Ground | |
| References:[1][2] | |||
TheGame Link Cable,[a] also known asVideo Link in early versions, is an accessory for theGame Boy line ofhandheld consoles.[3] Introduced in 1989 alongside the original Game Boy, it was revised over four generations with varying degrees ofbackward compatibility. The cable enablesdata transfer andmultiplayer gaming between up to four devices, supporting head-to-head competition, cooperative play, item exchanges, and unlockable features, depending on the game. The cable could also connect the console to external peripherals, most notably theGame Boy Printer. The port on Game Boy consoles is labeled "EXT" forExtension connector.[3]
The Game Link Cable was championed bySatoru Okada, assistant director ofNintendo Research & Development 1, the team behind the Game Boy.[4] In the early 1980s, Okada had worked onComputer Mah-jong Yakuman, a Nintendohandheld electronic game that utilized cable communication between two devices. Convinced that a similar feature could enhance the Game Boy, he strongly advocated for its inclusion.[5][6] Despite skepticism from the team, who feared it would be too complicated and underutilized, Okada pushed forward and personally developed the Game Link Cable technology.[7]
The first-generation Game Link Cable (model DMG-04) launched alongside the original Game Boy. Featuring "large" connectors on both ends, it linked two original Game Boy consoles for compatible multiplayer games identified by an icon on packaging and cartridges.
Yakuman, one of the four Japaneselaunch titles for the Game Boy was the first to utilize the Game Link Cable for multiplayer functionality.
Some games, such asF-1 Race, supported up to four players but required theGame Boy Four Player Adapter (model DMG-07) and three Game Link Cables.
The second generation started with the release of theGame Boy Pocket which used a much smaller Game Link connector than those used on the original Game Boy. Although the pin assignment and basic port shape remained the same, its much smaller size necessitated the release of new Game Link Cables. TheGame Boy Light (a backlit Game Boy Pocket only released in Japan),Super Game Boy 2, and theGame Boy Color also used same link cable port design.
The Game Boy Color offered a "high-speed" mode that enabled data transmission over the Game Link Cable at up to 512kilobits per second, 64 times faster than the 8 kbit/s speed of earlier monochrome Game Boy models.[8]
The second generation Game Link Cables came in a few varieties, but each serves the same purpose. The first was called theGame Boy Pocket Game Link Cable (model MGB-008) features the smaller second generation connectors on both ends. The second is called theUniversal Game Link Cable (model MGB-010) and featured the smaller second generation connector on one end, and the cable splits into both a second generation and first generation connector at the other end (although only one connector at this end can be used at any given time). This link cable was included with theGame Boy Printer in the US and Europe but does not appear to have been available to buy separately. The third was called theGame Boy Color Game Link Cable (model CGB-003) and was functionally identical to the MGB-008.
Nintendo released several small adapters to interface with the original Game Boy's "large" socket and its cables with "large" plugs. TheGame Link Cable Adaptor (model MGB-004) allowed a first-gen cable (DMG-04) to be plugged into a second-gen socket. TheUniversal Game Link Adapter (model DMG-14) allowed a second-gen cable (DMG-04) to be plugged into a first-gen socket, and features a thin plastic harness allowing it to be clipped on to a cable. In the US and Europe, Nintendo released the CGB-003 and DMG-14 in a bundle called theUniversal Game Link Cable Set.
The third generation of Game Link Cables began with the launch of theGame Boy Advance and itsGame Boy Advance Game Link Cable (model AGB-005). This cable introduced a new link port, used exclusively by the Game Boy Advance,Game Boy Advance SP andGame Boy Player.
A built-in hub in the middle of the AGB-005 allows additional cables to branch off supporting up to four-player multiplayer. Player 1 connects through the purple end, while others use the gray ends, following the cable’s plug design. To add a third player, the purple end of a second cable connects to the first cable’s hub. Similarly, to add a fourth player, the purple end of a third cable connects to the second cable’s hub.[9]
The third-generation cable closely resembles its predecessor but includes an extra protrusion on the plug and a corresponding notch on the socket, preventing the cable from being used with older Game Boy models. A second-generation cable can be plugged into a Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, or Game Boy Player, but only when using Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
Thee-Reader peripheral features a unique design that connects to both the cartridge slot and the third-generation link cable port simultaneously
TheGame Boy Advance Wireless Adapter (model AGB-015) also launched during this generation for use with the Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, and Game Boy Player.[10] It connects to the link socket on the console and supports wireless multiplayer for up to five players[11] and, in select games likePokémon FireRed andLeafGreen, can connect up to 39 players in a virtual lobby.[12] Unlike the AGB-005 cable, the wireless adapter only works with select Game Boy Advance titles that specifically support it.
The fourth and final generation was designed specifically for theGame Boy Micro, which features an even smaller link port than the Game Boy Advance. As a result, it requires its own dedicated link cable.
TheGame Boy Micro Game Link Cable (model OXY-008) has fourth-generation connectors on both ends, enabling connections between two Game Boy Micro systems. Like the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, it includes a hub in the middle, allowing additional cables to be branched off for up to four-player multiplayer.
Nintendo released theGame Boy Micro Converter Connector (model OXY-009), a small adapter allowing a fourth-generation OXY-008 cable to interface with the larger third-generation port on the a Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP
Also compatible with the Game Boy Micro is theGame Boy Micro Wireless Adapter (model OXY-004). It supports the same games as the AGB-015 and can wirelessly connect both Game Boy Micro and Game Boy Advance/SP systems.[13]
A Game Link Cable was planned for theVirtual Boy (model VUE-004), though it never came to market.[citation needed]
TheGameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable (model DOL-011) is a link cable that links theGameCube to the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP, the e-Reader, or even a second GameCube via theGame Boy Player. The Game Boy Micro is not compatible due to its different connector. TheWii, however, is compatible with the cable due to the Wii's backwards compatibility with GameCube games and controllers.[citation needed]