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Game Boy Color vs. Game Boy Advance
DataBoy will run on a Game Boy Color (GBC), Game Boy Advance (GBA), or Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) console. Some users have asked if there is an advantage in using GBA vs. GBC. As far as DataBoy is concerned, the only advantage in using GBA is that it has a wider screen. However, since DataBoy runs in GBC compatibility mode, it cannot use the wider GBA screen to display more content, but pressing the L button will stretch the GBC image to fit the wider GBA screen. The R button will unstretch the image. The L and R buttons exist on the GBA but not on the GBC. The table below shows the screen resolution and size for GBA and GBC.
Model
Display Mode
Screen Resolution

W x H (pixels)
Screen Size

W x H (mm)
Notes
GBA Native GBA
240 x 160
61.2 x 40.8
 Unavailable for DataBoy
GBA GBC compatibility-

stretched
160 x 144
61.2 x 36.7
 Press L button
GBA GBC compatibility-

unstretched
160 x 144
40.8 x 36.7
 Press L button
GBC
160 x 144
43 x 38

.

The screenshots below show a GBC screen alongside unstretched and stretched GBA screens. These photos are shown in the same scale.
GBC screen
Unstretched GBA screen
Stretched GBA screen
Below are some pros and cons of using the different Game Boy models with a DataBoy cartridge.

Game Boy Color:

  • Less than half the current draw of GBA, resulting in substantially longer battery life.
  • Narrow shape is well-suited for used as hand-held instrument. Fits nicely in the palm of one hand or in shirt pocket.

Game Boy Advance:

  • Wider screen than GBC.
  • Much shorter battery life than GBC.
  • Has oddball shape with DataBoy cartridge inserted, will not fit in shirt pocket.

Game Boy Advance SP:

  • Rechargeable battery.
  • Front-lit screen improves visibility.
  • Convenient as hand-held, as well as desktop instrument.
  • Compact, fold-up design, will fit in shirt pockt.
  • More expensive than GBC and GBA.
DataBoy will also run on a Game Boy Classic (GB) or Game Boy Pocket (GBP), but due to the limited graphics capability of these monochrome models, not all screens will be displayed properly. Furthermore, GB and GBP have a slower CPU, resulting in possible loss of data under some circumstances. It is not recommended to run DataBoy on a GB or GBP console.