Turn Your Android Phone Into A Real Game Boy With Hyperkin’s SmartBoy
Hyperkin’s SmartBoy is an accessory for Android smartphones. It comes with a USB-C connector. This device comes with Game Boy-style physical controls. It has an actual Game Boy game cartridge compatibility to the gaming device. You can carry it with you everywhere in your pocket always. It is a product that began life as an April Fools joke but has graduated to a real thing you can order online.
Compatible With GameBoy And GameBoy Color.
SmartBoy was developed by PQube. It was made in partnership with Hyperkin Labs. The device transforms handsets into a Game Boy Color. It’s compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. It features a familiar button configuration and color scheme for original Nintendo Game Boy fans. It even furrows on the back. This is sure to give you some tactile nostalgia. The accessory works with the SmartBoy companion app. It also pairs well with any of the many Android emulators available on the Google Play Store.
Can Be Charged Through The Phone.
The Smart boy features an included battery. It lasts for 5 hours and can be charged through the phone itself. The device has a start and select button, an eight-way D-pad, and two action buttons. It’s also compatible with other apps and games like Google Play’s Game Boy Advance apps.
Designed For Samsung.
The unit is a surprisingly complicated piece of kit in pure engineering terms. Your phone is supposed to slide into the top and connect to the USB Type-C port. This is spring-loaded so you can adjust it to fit your handset’s design perfectly. The SmartBoy carries the “Designed for Samsung” certification. It appears to have been created with the Galaxy S8 in mind. But it should work with any Android device that has a Type-C connection.
Also Works With Other Android Phones.
Official Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges can also be played on the accessories. But these apparently take a little while to load. This is because it actually dumps their contents to the device. The device was built specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S8. But it supports a long list of other USB C phones including Google Pixel and Pixel XL, Moto Z and Z Force, and more. There is a full list of compatible smartphones available at the Hyperkin site.
Final Word.
The SmartBoy provides a satisfying physical gaming experience. It beats soft keys on Android emulator apps. This may have a niche audience, with an abundance of options for mobile games. But it’s definitely going to be attractive for anyone who grew up with a Game Boy in their school bag or pocket. It’s available in the US for $59.99. It will soon be coming to Europe in September, where it’ll cost £59.99. The only issue is you’ll need an Android phone from the Samsung S8 line or upwards in order to use it.
Rajiv Patil is the founder & Managing Director of Nimblechapps, an innovative iPhone app development company. He takes a keen interest in topics related to mobile app development and mobile game development and often like to share his knowledge through informative posts on leading blogging sites.