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New Game Boy takes digital photos
March 18, 1998
Web posted at: 5:26 PM EST (1726 GMT)
(CNN)--Video game maker Nintendo introduced a new version of its popular handheld video game unit that will not only take digital pictures but put faces on game characters.
"Game Boy Camera" is a cartridge featuring a swiveling lens that fits into any Game Boy or Game Boy Pocket unit. It turns the system into a low cost, easy-to-use digital camera with an on-screen photo studio. Nintendo also will offer a printer that can be attached to the camera to print photo stickers for kids to collect and trade.
The camera can take and store up to 30 digital images that can be viewed one at a time or as a slide show in sequential or shuffle order. Kids can manipulate the photos using on-board software with stamps to decorate images with items such as horns, goofy facial features, and text. Paint functions can also be used to draw or retouch photos.
The Game Boy Camera comes bundled with four mini-games -- Space Fever II, Ball, D.J. and Run! Run! Run! -- that allow the user to put an image of his or her choice on the face of the main game character. A D.J. option lets kids create their own music compositions.
"This is an interesting new product because it is so interactive and lets the kids really use their imaginations," says Wes Nihei, editor-in-chief, GamePro Magazine. "Also, it will most likely appeal universally to girls as well as boys, because all kids love to take pictures of their friends. It's difficult to imagine the Game Boy becoming more popular, but the camera just may make that a reality."
Game Boy Camera will be available in four colors with a suggested retail price of $49.95. The Game Boy Printer will sell for $59.95. The printer, a link cable and additional paper stickers will be sold separately. The camera, introduced in Japan in February, sold nearly 500,000 units in its first three weeks of availability.
Nintendo will ship new color version of the Game Boy system later this year.
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