10 Amazing Hidden Console Details You Didn't Know

3. The Game Boy Color's Retro Technicolor

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Nintendo

Now it's not exactly a secret that the Game Boy Color could play games in, well, colour. The clue was in the name - even allowing for the missing 'u' which might have deceived the British market. The long awaited Game Boy update (actually a makeweight ahead of the Game Boy Advance) finally allowed mobile players to enjoy games on the bus in vibrant hues. It was entirely its key selling point.

But what many people don't necessarily realise is that the dinky device's polychromatic magic also worked in reverse, infusing the black-and-white back catalogue with splashes of hitherto unenjoyed colour. Depending on the buttons held down upon start up, 12 different palette variations could be applied to legacy software, including a totally gnarly 'inverted' scheme which makes every game take place in Martin Li's subconscious.

Even neater, some original Game Boy games containing colour data intended for the Super Game Boy show previous monochrome sprites in even more sophisticated technicolour. Pokémon Red/Blue are the prime examples, each pocket monster receiving an appropriate and beautiful paint wash.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.