A broad array of older games, both first party and otherwise, formerly available on past-gen Nintendo consoles have been ported to the Switch already, either directly or as remasters. Ever since the console has been out, cyber sleuths among the fandom have probed deep inside both hardware and software to learn more about the console’s future - findings included pre-loaded emulators, some of which are unused as of yet.
One of these emulators is suspected of being designed to facilitate the playing of Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on Switch hardware, codenamed Hiyoko, and has been around since 2019. No reason to emulate GB and GBC games since then has arisen, but now new rumors have lit a new fire under this lead. While no news or indication of Game Boy Advance games being brought to the Switch have cropped up yet, we wouldn’t discount the possibility. That said, as far as original Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles are concerned, multiple insiders with a proven track record of correct predictions have reported that such titles will be popping up ‘soon’. Nintendo Life and NateDrake, both of whom have accurately reported upcoming Nintendo announcements before the fact, have stated that their sources claim Game Boy titles will be launched on the Switch soon, as downloadable purchases via Nintendo Switch Online. This lines up with how other ports have been distributed that weren’t specifically remastered for the platform. If these rumors pan out - and honestly, why wouldn’t they, the emulator is right there and skipping Game Boy titles would be leaving cash on the table - then we expect to hear official news as part of the next Nintendo Direct. The next broadcast is expected to occur sometime in September. While these rumors at present have no tangible evidence beyond years-old datamined info about an emulator, we remain hopeful if not confident. Nostalgia is a powerful tool of marketing, and the Game Boy era remains a beloved period of Nintendo’s history, and the pre-DS handheld family was home to several classics. Releasing these on the wildly successful Switch seems like a no-brainer.
