The easiest way to identify a Game Boy is the model code on the label on the back. DMG-01 is the original Game Boy, MGB-001 the Pocket, CGB-001 the Color, AGB-001 the Game Boy Advance, AGS-001 or AGS-101 the Advance SP, and OXY-001 the Micro. If the label is missing or worn, the visual clues below will usually tell you.
Start with the label
Turn the console over and look for a sticker or moulded text on the back. The model code is usually printed alongside the serial number. Once you have the code, find it in the list below.
Labels do wear off, and some second-hand consoles have been rehoused in replacement shells, so it's worth checking the visual clues too.
The Game Boy & Game Boy Color family
These three models are covered on the Game Boy & Game Boy Color hub.
Original Game Boy: DMG-01
- Released in 1989. The big, grey, upright one.
- Takes four AA batteries.
- Screen has a green tint, and there's a red power light to the left of it.
- The screen has no light of its own, so you need good room light.
- Has a larger link cable port than later models.
A common fault on this model is vertical lines on the screen, which has its own vertical lines repair.
Game Boy Pocket: MGB-001
- A slimmer, smaller version of the original, still upright.
- Takes two AAA batteries.
- Black-and-white screen rather than the original's green tint.
- Smaller link cable port. Early models have no power light.
Game Boy Color: CGB-001
- Upright, similar in size to the Pocket but a bit chunkier.
- Takes two AA batteries.
- Colour screen, with no light of its own.
- Has a small dark infrared window on the top edge, which the other upright models don't have.
If you want a brighter screen on any of these, the Game Boy Color IPS screen mod swaps in a modern backlit IPS panel. There are equivalent mods for the original and Pocket on the hub.
The Game Boy Advance family
These models are covered on the Game Boy Advance & SP hub.
Game Boy Advance: AGB-001
- Landscape shape, with the screen in the middle and buttons either side.
- L and R shoulder buttons on the top edge.
- Takes two AA batteries.
- Power light is green in normal use and turns red when the batteries run low.
- No built-in screen light.
Game Boy Advance SP: AGS-001
- Folding clamshell design, a bit like a small compact.
- Built-in rechargeable battery, charged through an old-style Nintendo port.
- Frontlit: a light shines onto the screen from the edge. The light button switches it fully on and off.
- No headphone socket.
Game Boy Advance SP: AGS-101
- Looks almost identical to the AGS-001 from the outside.
- Backlit screen, noticeably brighter.
- The light button switches between two brightness levels and never turns the light fully off.
- With the power off, the screen often has a slight grey-green tint.
There's a full guide to telling these two apart in AGS-001 vs AGS-101.
Game Boy Micro: OXY-001
- Very small, landscape shape, much smaller than a GBA.
- Removable decorative faceplate on the front.
- Backlit screen with adjustable brightness and a built-in rechargeable battery.
- Plays GBA games only, not Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridges.
I don't repair the Game Boy Micro, so it isn't covered on either hub.
Why the model matters for repairs
Parts and mods are model-specific. An IPS screen kit for a Game Boy Color won't fit a Pocket, and an SP battery is nothing like the AAs in a GBA. Booking the right service means I can have the right parts ready when your console arrives.
If you're still not sure what you've got, get in touch with a photo of the front and back, and I'll tell you. When you're ready to send it, see how to pack a Game Boy for posting.
Every repair comes with a 12-month warranty and no fix, no fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the model code on a Game Boy?
On the label on the back of the console, usually printed near the serial number. On older consoles the label can be worn, so use the visual clues if it's hard to read.
What does DMG stand for?
It's widely said to stand for "Dot Matrix Game", the name used during development. On the label it simply identifies the original Game Boy.
Can a Game Boy Advance play Game Boy Color games?
Yes. The Game Boy Advance and the SP both play Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. The Game Boy Micro doesn't.
