Game Link Cable

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Left-to-right, a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable plug, a FireWire 400 cable plug, a Universal Game Link cable plug, and a Game Boy Pocket link cable socket.

The Nintendo Game Link Cable is an accessory for the Game Boy line of handheld video game systems, allowing players to connect Game Boys of all types for multiplayer gaming. Depending on the games, a Game Link Cable can be used to link two games of the same title, like Tetris, or two compatible games like Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. Games can be linked for head-to-head competition, cooperative play, trading items, unlocking hidden features, etc.

The Game Link Cable socket design influenced the design of IEEE 1394/FireWire.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] First generation

The first generation Game Link Cable (model DMG-04), originally called the Game Boy Video Link, [1] has large connectors on both ends and can only be used by the original Game Boy. A select few Game Boy games, such as F-1 Race, supported multiplayer modes for up to four players, requiring additional link cables and the Game Boy Four Player Adapter (model DMG-07).

[edit] Second generation

The second generation Game Link Cable came in a few varieties, but each serves the same purpose. The first one is called the Game Boy Pocket Game Link Cable (model MGB-008), and was designed to be used with the Game Boy Pocket. The Game Boy Pocket features a smaller link cable port than the original Game Boy, and therefore requires an updated cable to allow it to link. The MGB-008 features a smaller second generation connector on both ends, allowing two Game Boy Pockets to link. Alternatively, the cable can be used in conjunction with the Universal Game Link Adapter (model DMG-14) or the Game Boy Pocket Game Link Cable Adapter (model MGB-004) to link one Game Boy Pocket and one original Game Boy.

The Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Light, and Game Boy Color share the same link cable port, and Game Boy Color games and original Game Boy games can both use a second generation cable. Therefore, the Game Boy Color is compatible with the MGB-008, DMG-14, and MGB-004. Despite this, the Game Boy Color did receive its own designated link cable, the Game Boy Color Game Link Cable (model CGB-003), but it is no different functionally than the MGB-008. The third cable in this generation is called the Universal Game Link Cable (model MGB-010), which essentially combines the MGB-008 and the DMG-14. It features the smaller second generation connector on both ends, and a removable first generation adapter attached to one of the ends. This allows the cable to link either two Game Boy Pockets or one Game Boy Pocket and one original Game Boy. The Super Game Boy 2 also shares the same smaller style link cable port, and therefore uses the same cables and adapters.

[edit] Third generation

The third generation Game Link Cable, called the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable (model AGB-005), was designed to be used with the Game Boy Advance, which features yet another new type of link cable port. The Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Player both use this newer style port as well. The port is basically the same size as the second generation link cable port, allowing each of these systems to accept the second generation Game Link Cable, but only for backward compatibility between Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. The second generation Game Link cable cannot be used to link Game Boy Advance games, and the third generation Game Link Cable cannot be used to link Game Boy or Game Boy Color games.^[1] The e-Reader also uses the third generation link cable port, but since it is incompatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, it is not backwards compatible with the second generation Game Link Cable. The third generation Game Link Cable features a third generation connector on each end which has a slight protrusion to prevent insertion into older model Game Boy systems. The cable also has a link cable port in the middle, used to receive additional cables to connect up to four players at once.

Also compatible with Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, e-Reader, and Game Boy Player is the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter (model AGB-015).^[2] The adapter allows up to five players to link for multiplayer gaming,^[3] although it is capable of linking up to thirty-nine copies of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen in a virtual in-game lobby called the "Union Room."^[4] Unlike the AGB-005, the wireless adapter is not compatible with all Game Boy Advance multiplayer games. Only certain games feature specific support for the AGB-015.

[edit] Fourth generation

The fourth and latest generation Game Link Cable, called the Game Boy Micro Game Link Cable (model OXY-008), was designed specifically for use with the Game Boy Micro. The Game Boy Micro features an even smaller link cable port than the Game Boy Advance, so it too requires its own Game Link Cable. The link cable features a fourth generation connector on each end which allows two Game Boy Micros to link. Alternatively, the cable can be used in conjunction with the Game Boy Micro Game Link Adapter (model OXY-009) to link one Game Boy Micro and one Game Boy Advance or SP. Like the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, the Game Boy Micro Game Link Cable features a link cable port in the middle, used to receive additional cables to connect up to four players at once.

Also compatible with the Game Boy Micro is the Game Boy Micro Wireless Adapter (model OXY-004). The OXY-004 is compatible with all the same games as the AGB-015 and can communicate with the AGB-015 wirelessly to link one or more Game Boy Micros and one or more Game Boy Advance or SP systems.^[2]

[edit] Other link cables

A Game Link Cable was planned for the Virtual Boy,^[5] but never released.

The Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable is a link cable that links the Nintendo GameCube to the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP, and the e-Reader. The Game Boy micro is not compatible. The Nintendo Wii, however, is compatible with the cable due to the Wii's backwards compatibility with GameCube games and controllers.

[edit] References

1. ^ Nintendo Gameboy Connection Cord Conniptions.
2. ^ ^{a b} GameFAQs: Compatibility FAQ by ArsonWinter.
3. ^ IGN: Nintendo Wireless Adapter.
4. ^ Nintendo.com Games: Pokémon FireRed.
5. ^ Nintendo. Virtual Boy Instruction Manual.