Spot the core model
The original upright unit pairs a gray or colored shell with a green-tinted, reflective monochrome screen. DMG-01 is the documented official model number.
1989–1998 · The original
DMG-01
Game Boy
The first upright model: a reflective, green-tinted monochrome display, classic gray shell, and power for four AA batteries.
Key specifications
Introduced1989 · Japan
DisplayReflective monochrome STN
Screen lightNo built-in backlight
Power4 × AA · up to 30 hours
Choose a shell
Colors & versions in this family
The original gray unit, compact Pocket revisions, the backlit Light, and the 1995 Play It Loud! editions all share this library.
Collector notes
How to identify
& what to watch for
Start with the visible hardware and display cues. The details below stay with documented traits rather than guesswork.
Check the details
The screen is reflective and has no built-in backlight. Gray was the standard launch color; 1995 Play It Loud! / Game Boy Bros. cosmetic editions included red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, and transparent shells.
From the library
Top 10 games
Ranked by the reported sales figures in the cited best-selling list.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through the eBay links in this list. Live listings may vary by title.
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01
Tetris198935,000,000reported copieseBay
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02
31,300,000reported copieseBay
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03
Super Mario Land198918,140,000reported copieseBay
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04
Pokémon Yellow199814,600,000reported copieseBay
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05
11,180,000reported copieseBay
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06
Dr. Mario19905,340,000reported copieseBay
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07
5,190,000reported copieseBay
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08
5,130,000reported copieseBay
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09
Donkey Kong Land19953,910,000reported copieseBay
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10
3,830,000reported copieseBay
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