Game Link Cable

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The Game Link Cable is an accessory to the Game Boy line of handheld video game systems allowing players to connect two games of the same type, or part of the same series for multiplayer gaming, or to unlock hidden features, such as characters, which require it to access them.

[edit] Styles

The first style of Game Link Cable (originally called the Game Boy Video Link) had large connectors on both ends, used for the original Game Boy. The second style (associated with the Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color and with 8-bit games on Game Boy Advance) on one end and both connectors on the other. Game Boy Color also used the second style. The third style (for Game Boy Advance native games) had small connectors at each end, with an extra piece to prevent insertion into 8-bit systems, and a connector in the middle used to connect optional additional cables for the third and fourth players. The second Game Link could be used in a Gameboy Advance to play Gameboy or Gameboy Color games in multiplayer, while playing them in a Gameboy Advance. Releases of the second Link Cable had an adapter allowing the first Gameboy and a gameboy that is capable of using the second Game Link together.

A very few games for the original Game Boy, such as F1 Race, supported multiplayer modes for up to four players, requiring three link cables and the very rare Game Boy Four Score device.

A Game Link cable was planned for the Virtual Boy^[1] but never released.