As one of the first big portable gaming devices, the Nintendo GameBoy has had its fair share of tools and accessories. Ranging from magnifying glasses for the screens to solar-powered battery chargers. Taking the concept further and making a multitude of functions players could all use on just one of their GameBoy cartridges. Serving functions reminiscent of some early personal computers. Creating a fully unique personal computer experience on a small device like a GameBoy was lucrative in the early days of the information age in 1992. The unreleased WorkBoy add-on has become a point of speculation for many video game archivers like Liam Robertson who spearheaded the search. Finally, after almost 3 decades of searching, DidYouKnowGaming published a video showcasing the history of the add-on and how it was eventually found and discovered.
Through Robertson’s analysis of the original project and following some leads to various designers and programmers on the project, he was finally able to get his hands on a physical prototype originating from Nintendo. Following the project for a year, Robertson was able to find workable prototype software through the various Nintendo leaks that permeated the internet the past few months. With some complications on the actual use of the old prototype, the device’s 12 applications were finally shown off in full. Creating a multifaceted peripheral that can do some convenient functions seems almost invaluable for the 90s.
It’s interesting to note that the WorkBoy was close to being mass-produced as most of the software was completed. Facing some pricing issues after the GameBoy faced a price drop to stay competitive, the project was pulled and ultimately canceled despite being a functional device. While the machine never made it to market fully, the bits of prototype pieces are great showcases of what could have been the next big GameBoy peripheral.
So what do you think about the newly discovered piece of video game history? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!