Hyperkin is a gaming accessory maker that specializes in products that are compatible with consoles by Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft. The company has officially announced it will be making a controller case that will allow users to play original Game Boy cartridge games right on their smartphone.

The Smart Boy is a controller that you place your smartphone into. The original concept shows that the cartridge is place into the back of the case and, somehow, it connects to your device so you can play the oldest school of mobile games.

Hyperkin Smart Boy

Nintendo Life notes that some kind of emulator is used on the phone itself (possible something already available in the Google Play store), and the data from the cartridge sends the ROM into the device.

Hyperkin showed off a prototype at this year’s E3 gaming expo. So, the design is in the works. However, the most important issue at hand is whether Nintendo will allow such a device to exist at all. The game distributor is not known for being friendly to the smartphone industry. It is possible that Nintendo will be sending out some infringement-related letters to Hyperkin once word is out.

Hyperkin Smart Boy Design

Currently, Hyperkin appears to be working on models for the iPhone 6 Plus and Android-based smartphones (though the model is not clear). There is no word on pricing and availability at this time.

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6 replies on “Hyperkin is making a controller case that is compatible with Game Boy”

  1. Yeah I expect this to be shut down just as Ryan Seacrest’s keyboard attachment for iPhones was shut down because it looked too similar in design to BlackBerry’s trademark keyboard.

    The makers of this game controller attachment really need change the look and layout stat, or they are gonna get sued for trademark infringement.

  2. I am confused… with emulation on android Why is this a needed feature?

    1. Yeah this is baffling. Why does one need to play GameBoy cartridges via a smartphone? It looks like this entire attachment is a GameBoy emulated in hardware, and the smartphone acts as the screen output. But why? Sounds like such redundant, pointless technology here.

      1. I agree. Why not add a $10 LCD screen, and have a product that is, not only more functional, but will reach a higher number of customers with a single SKU, you dont have to make 5 different products for different phones.

      2. I was saying they could just skip the cart slot and let you use emulation

      3. An emulator is used on the phone itself. This is a “legal” way to get the game ROM from a game cartridge instead of downloading it from somewhere.

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