Surprisingly, it looks as though 2020 might be the year of the Game Boy as we have not one, but two pieces of hardware launching for playing games from Nintendo's classic handheld.
As NintendoLife reports, well-known games hardware company Hyperkin has revealed it's planning a new Retron-branded emulation games consoles. This one is called the Retron Jr. and it will be capable of playing Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games.
https://t.co/TblHzbCsr1
Not April Fool's this time. :) — Hyperkin (@Hyperkin) January 8, 2020
The Retron Jr. isn't a handheld, instead playing games through a HDMI connection to your TV. Included with the tiny console is a SNES-style wireless controller known as "Scout" which can be recharged using the also included 6ft USB cable. It's also possible to link two Retron Jr. consoles together via a link port, and there's a 3.5mm headphone jack. There's a great image of the Retron Jr. with controller posted on Hyperkin's Instagram account.
This isn't the first time Hyperkin has released hardware that can play Game Boy games. The Retron 5 includes a slot for Game Boy catridges, which it then detects and emulates. I don't expect the Retron Jr. to be any different and will emulate the games. I also expect the same range of options to be available for upscaling the graphics to 720p and offering a variety of image filters.
Back in October, the Analogue Pocket was first revealed, promising to be a new unofficial Game Boy capable of playing all Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games for $199. Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color, and Lynx games will also be supported.
For now, we don't know when the Retron Jr. will be released or how much it will cost. One thing is clear, though, if you want to revisit Game Boy games there's going to be a new console and handheld on which to do so this year. Nintendo may also surprise everyone by offering a third option in the form of a Game Boy Classic.