Game Boy name may be over and possible WiiWare in 2007

49 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Jul 16th 2007 7:10PM
Filed under: Nintendo DS, E3

Nintendo marketing exec. George Harrison says the Game Boy name may be put to rest. The DS has been been successful enough that the company no longer needs to depend on the Game Boy brand name for future products. We always did wonder what happened to the next Game Boy.

Harrison tells GameDaily.biz, "It's hard to say in the future if we will ever bring back the Game Boy trademark." And so a name synonymous with many gamer's childhoods is buried. Oh well, it's not like the DS name has hurt Nintendo's bottom line.

Curiously, Harrison also said Nintendo's WiiWare could be out in 2007. Actually the quote is kinda in reverse order. Harrison says, "It may not take until 2008. I've seen a couple of ideas that have already been generated even before we went public [with WiiWare]. Whether those are going to be ready or not, I don't really know." So, it pretty much hinges if the developers get their stuff in order. Only the next six months will tell who gets their WiiWare out first -- the quality of those games is a whole other issue.

Tags: gameboy, gamedaily, george harrison, GeorgeHarrison, nintendo, wiiware

Source

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Sam: Jul 16th 2007; 7:17PM

Everything after the word Nintendo to me is irrelevant.

Fernando Rocker: Jul 16th 2007; 7:22PM

So, why are you posting?

My guess, you are like 15, your first system was a Sony system and like shooters. Am I right?

Stevo: Jul 16th 2007; 7:38PM

haha, I thought it was funny at least...

While the overwhelming odds are that he is a fanboy that is rationalizing his decision not to buy Nintendo products...maybe he really doesn't like their stuff ::GASP!::

Sam: Jul 16th 2007; 9:37PM

I guess I didn't clarify well enough... I meant that Nintendo always puts out quality products so I don't worry too much about the death of a particular product label like "Game Boy".

But uh... thanks a lot for being such blowhards.

Tom: Jul 16th 2007; 9:48PM

Wow, everyone who somehow misinterpreted Sam's post is a fucking moron. I read the words "Everything after the word Nintendo to me is irrelevant." and immediately understood his meaning: That the Nintendo brand is strong enough to stand on it's own, no matter what the console's name is. I don't get how you people somehow percieved Sam's statement as a criticism when he was clearly praising Nintendo. You then attacked him without thinking first.

Curmeo: Jul 16th 2007; 7:24PM

yay! more dumb downed minigames FTW!

Mr Khan: Jul 16th 2007; 7:28PM

At least they'll be at bargain prices

So Game Boy dies, now we have DS, and it shall lend itself to a number of re-names

DS Evolution is a good name for the next handheld

Fernando Rocker: Jul 16th 2007; 7:30PM

PS3: yay! more "you will see" promises FTW!

Shagittarius: Jul 16th 2007; 7:28PM

I think i smell C. Grant and the ban hammer of justice comming again!

Bradley G.: Jul 16th 2007; 7:30PM

Sam, just shut-up.
Go back to your M-Rated bloodfest that you call "fun".
Seriously, if you're gonna keep posting CRAP like that just stop.

Rare Hare: Jul 17th 2007; 11:10AM

Man, what the hell is your problem? How obvious is it what Sam meant. Instead of relying on a name like 'Game Boy', he's saying he doesn't need to look any further than the name Nintendo to know he's buying a good product. Settle the fuck down and quit being an asshole.

Bradley G.: Jul 16th 2007; 7:31PM

Everything after the word Sam to me is irrelevant.

Baker1000: Jul 16th 2007; 7:32PM

Meh, the Gameboy had a good run and will officially laid to rest as the undefeated handheld (apart from the DS). Although I still play GBA games on my Gameboy Micro.

Ian Von Porter: Jul 16th 2007; 7:36PM

Given that DS doesnt have a GB slot.. why not release GB roms for DS.. DS-VC.. CHA-CHING! .. although, aside from tetris, i dont know any GB games worth buying.

samfish: Jul 16th 2007; 10:30PM

That's because you're a fanboy who's managed to completely blind himself to all things Nintendo.
I can think of tons of Game Boy games worth buying.

Curmeo: Jul 16th 2007; 7:38PM

Fernando Rocker,

im already seeing, pal: Resistance, Rainbow Six, Oblivion, MotorStorm, Ridge Racer 7, NBA 2K7 etc etc.

JodyAnthony: Jul 16th 2007; 9:11PM

only curmeos opinion on games matters. if he doesnt like wii than neither should you. curmeo is god. all hail the mighty curmeo.

codymurray: Jul 16th 2007; 7:55PM

Even though it is kind of a crappy philosophy, if everyone bought we ware together at its initial release, the sales would be motivation for developers to create a greater number of games. So lets all band together and sacrifice one hour of our work life for the greater good of wii ware!

JonnyBoy2U: Jul 16th 2007; 8:25PM

LMAO at Sam and Curmeo...

Long may you rest in peace Gameboy....so many great memories. I remember when I got the ORIGINAL GameBoy. That big bulky clusterfuck of hardware...lol. To think how far along the GameBoy has come since then is amazing.

And yeah I admit that its NOT unreasonable or impossible that someone could simply just not find Nintendo products attractive. My problem comes from the idiotic reasons that people give for their Nintendo hate.

Basically trolls like curmeo, shaggi, and sam are jealous of the Wii's sucess. Plain and simple. Add to the fact that the 360 is doing far better than the ps3 despite the setbacks of RRoD and having a price higher than the Wii you've got millions of sony trolls who can't sleep at night because they're completely befuddled as to why so many people don't give a shit about the Cell Processor or BluRay.

Curmeo: Jul 16th 2007; 8:35PM

hey asshole stop calling me a troll. why the fuck would i be jealous of Wii's success? i can afford one today, i already got a PS3. ill be getting a 360 once a more reliable 65nm version comes out. but Wii? fuck that! i'd rather spend the $250 on PS3/360 games/accessories.

JonnyBoy2U: Jul 16th 2007; 8:43PM

The above is point in case....

You're a troll. Simple as that.

Who cares that you can afford a Wii? A lot of people can. Just like a lot of people can afford a ps3. The only difference is that people are buying the Wii instead of the ps3.

You're jealous because the average consumer has told sony, "FUCK OFF" and "We honestly don't care about graphics". Thats why you're jealous. Because despite ALL the power of the psTRIPLE its still doing horribly when it comes to sale.es Despite BluRay and the creation of a 20G, 60G, 80G, and now RUMORED 40G sony cannot make people interested in their systems.

JonnyBoy2U: Jul 16th 2007; 8:46PM

And I don't believe you'll buy a 360 but in the case you're actually thinking of buying one....

PLEASE DO NOT.

Quite simply you're not worthy of it. Arrogant pieces of shit like you and the other sony fanboys can spend that money on sony products for all I care.

And touche when it comes to how you'll be spending $250.00. I know I'll spendnig my $600+ dollars to "play beyond" on my 360 and Wii this fall. The amount of games that Wii60 owners will be able to enjoy this fall is mind boggling.

Truepatriot: Jul 16th 2007; 8:50PM

off topic:
wow wtf is all that about

on topic:
thats sorta sad gameboy is portable gaming! im sure mothers around the world still call the ds and psp a gameboy like my mom used to call the ps1 "the nintendo".

Charron: Jul 16th 2007; 8:54PM

I still have three of the four GameBoys I've gotten over the years. A classic GameBoy (which is buggered now, apparently), a GameBoy Pocket (missing its battery cover), a GameBoy Color (given away to my cousin), and a GameBoy Advance (still fine!). End of a legacy, it truly is.

As an aside, I'm still yet to get a DS Lite.

super joe: Jul 16th 2007; 8:59PM

Sony fanboys aren't bothered by their consoles PR staff because they have no shame whatsoever. Go watch your Stomp The Yard movies and pretend that Sony is GANGSTA!! Death to Sony and long live the Wii60 FTW!!!

Psaakyen: Jul 16th 2007; 9:04PM

A rose by any other name, still smells as sweet.

Long Live the GameBoy. Long Live the DS.

Truepatriot: Jul 16th 2007; 9:08PM

yeah but would you want to smell it if it was called "shit and vomit tulip"? XD

hvnlysoldr: Jul 16th 2007; 11:49PM

yes I still would

Rare Hare: Jul 17th 2007; 11:14AM

LMAO.

Curmeo: Jul 16th 2007; 9:05PM

JonnyBoy2U,

first of all, PS3/360/PC gamers all care about graphics.

second of all, PS3 is consistently outselling 360 in Japan and Australia and sales are neck in neck in Europe. We have yet to see the $100 price drop effect in US sales. thats besides the point though: 360 is a great system.

third of all, PS3 sales are mainly attribted to Blu-ray's movie format victory: Blu-ray players, including PS3 which CNET.com rated the best Blu-ray player out there, and Blu-ray movies have consistently been outselling HD-DVD players/movies.

fourth of all, if you disagree with any of the above, you are in denial my friend.

JonnyBoy2U: Jul 16th 2007; 9:25PM

Oh boy you're SO GOOD at dodging the realness that I'm hitting at you.

SO now you claim to speak for ALL 360, ps3, and PC owners huh? First off you're COMPLETELY WRONG. A lot of 360 owners are Wii owners as well and if they were truly that obsessed with graphics like you pathetic sony trolls they would NEVER even consider buying a Wii.

As for sales in Japan those are neck in neck when it comes to the ps3 and 360 from what I've read and heard. However I'll admit that I don't spend my days studying the market reports in Japan when it comes to gaming.

2nd its the OVERALL picture that really matters here. Not just one region. And the overall picture is pretty clear. 360 is selling better than the ps3.

As for the Format War that hasn't been decided yet DESPITE what you want to believe. And to be honest I think DVD will reign for MANY years to come. In addition I haven't even selected a side yet! Although I'm leaning towards HD-DVD since sony feels entitled to force BluRay down our throats.

ps3 sales MIGHT be the reason that BluRay wins (if it does end up winning). However ps3 sales are the result of sony trolls/fanboys buying sony products out of loyalty or those who are graphics whores. Nothing more.

And on a final note theres been nothing mentioned about a price drop for the ps3 and nor should there be IMO. The 360 is doing fine as it is now right now and with this awesome Fall coming up ridiculous amounts of people will be buying NEW 360's for the incredible games.

So really you're the one in denial. Keep in mind that I at least have the deceny to admit that I don't know everything when it comes to sales in Japan or what ALL gamers think or believe.

Psaakyrn: Jul 16th 2007; 9:15PM

Well, the "Revolution" still manages to sell despite its name change, so...

Curmeo: Jul 16th 2007; 9:57PM

JonnyB2U,

ask anyone on this website whether or not PS3, since day 1, has consistently been outselling 360 in Japan or not. Enough said.

Check European sales charts. Sales are neck in neck. one week 360 sells a few more, the next week PS3 sells a few more. Google it.

Yes I know 360 is trouncing PS3 in US. i have no problem admitting that. like i said before, i like the 360. but you are really in denial of PS3 outselling 360 in Japan and Australia, and of sales being neck in neck in Europe.

PS3 and Blu-ray arent the failures that you're imagining in your head. quite the contrary. infact, the only main region where PS3 is underperforming thus far is North America. and hey, 360 is doing terrible in Japan so it evens out, doesnt it?

I dont even know why you're bringing DVD into the picture. DVD is not competing with Blu-ray/HD-DVD. DVD was a last gen format created/supported by a bunch of companies, Sony being one of them. Check Blu-ray/HD-DVD sales charts: Blu-ray players/movies have consistently been outselling HD-DVD players/movies.

You seriously need to stop talking out of your ass. im saying this for your own good. you dont know much about worldwide hardware/software sales for PS3/360/Blu-ray/HD-DVD.

Psaakyrn: Jul 16th 2007; 10:06PM

That's it.

STOP GOING OFF TOPIC. Any posts after this one which talks about XBox360/PS3 sales comparisons, or similar, will be reported and scored down by me. Because I say so.

Back on topic: Votes on possible DS next-gen names?

DS Evolution (courtesy Mr Khan)
DS Revolution
DS Advance
DS 2
DS Cube
(insert your own naming idea here)

Rare Hare: Jul 17th 2007; 11:17AM

"STOP GOING OFF TOPIC. Any posts after this one which talks about XBox360/PS3 sales comparisons, or similar, will be reported and scored down by me. Because I say so."

Oh wow. I'll bet everyone's pretty scared now. God forbid you score our posts down. Please don't, Psaakryn.. please don't.

I'm scoring your post down for being a controlling douchebag.

Psaakyrn: Jul 17th 2007; 11:22AM

I dont' know about you, but there're perfectly posts elsewhere which one can talk about XBox360/PS3 costs. Like the one where SCEE talks about PS3 costs, or the one where Peter Moore claims that Sony failed, for example. This is certainly not the correct place to post such topics.

Really, don't bother trying to correct me on this. I may be wrong on some stuff, but I severely doubt I'm wrong in this case.

Night Elve: Jul 16th 2007; 10:13PM

@ Fernando Rocker.

How old you are? You act in a very inmature way.

JonnyBoy2U: Jul 16th 2007; 9:26PM

How is that any of your business? And does it somehow make you feel more important or your statements more valid than his?

I don't think so.

And hint hint many people "act in a very iMmature way" on these forums. Its a combination of many factors IMO the least of which are the articles on each system.

RKN2K: Jul 16th 2007; 10:37PM

"first of all, PS3/360/PC gamers all care about graphics."

I'm getting tired of this stereotype. It simply isn't true.

Yes, some 360 and PS3 fans bash the Wii for its low specs and worse visuals, without giving its titles a chance for their gameplay. I didn't choose the Wii simply because I prefer the selection of games on the PC. While I do enjoy shooters, I'm also interested in deep RPG's and the like, which is why I also hate comments such as:

"My guess, you are like 15, your first system was a Sony system and like shooters. Am I right?"

and:

"Go back to your M-Rated bloodfest that you call "fun"."

As if all non-Wii gamers are just teenage boys with too much testosterone who are only interested in violence, gore, and big guns.

People need to stop assuming that this is a war between casual mini-games and deep experiences, or graphics-whores and "true gamers". Just play what you want to play.

hvnlysoldr: Jul 16th 2007; 11:52PM

It'll live on in Wario Ware. Too bad they can't fit jokes about GB like Brain Age into Paper Mario.

Eric B: Jul 17th 2007; 12:23AM

In 15 years we'll be talking about how the TS is replacing the DS! (Tri-screen :P)

Dragod: Jul 17th 2007; 12:43AM

I hope not. Wii is one thing, Game Boy is another. Let's not just make them into the same system.

josh: Jul 17th 2007; 1:09AM

"infact, the only main region where PS3 is underperforming thus far is North America. and hey, 360 is doing terrible in Japan so it evens out, doesnt it?"

i wouldn't say that exactly. the PS3 is underperforming in Japan. it's doing better than the 360, but it's sales are pretty poor.

July 2 - 8, 2007
DSL - 139,271
Wii - 75,279
PSP - 32,946
PS2 - 14,120
PS3 - 12,691
X360 - 2,370

Yes, the 360 is getting trounced... but the PS3 is at well, and in their home territory, that's not good. The Wii is selling 6x more? Not good. Being outsold by the PS2?! Not good either... every person who buys a PS2 now is someone who won't be buying a PS3 for awhile... a year at least.

No way you can say the PS3 isn't underperforming in Japan when it's not even outselling the PS2.

Curmeo: Jul 17th 2007; 1:24AM

dude, you gotta stop comparing PS3/360 sales with Wii/DS/PSP/PS2 sales. in virtually every region Wii/DS/PSP/PS2 outsell PS3/360, and its because these four systems are much cheaper than PS3/360.

look at North America. 360 outsells PS3 2 to 1, and thats before the $100 price drop.
in Japan, PS3 outsells 360 roughly 5 to 1 weekly.
In Europe PS3/360 sales are very much even.

josh: Jul 17th 2007; 2:31PM

"dude, you gotta stop comparing PS3/360 sales with Wii/DS/PSP/PS2 sales."

Why? The PS3 is underperforming. That's a fact - it's selling less than Sony wanted it to, or predicted. Monthly sales of less than 50K in Japan? That is not performing at anywhere near the level the PS2 was at the same point in it's lifecycle. You can say it's an unfair comparison because the PS3 is more expensive than the PS2 was... but if you can't compare the PS2 then to the PS3 now, what CAN you compare it to?

Almadi: Jul 17th 2007; 1:46AM

But what about the Amazin Gameboy Omega...

http://madiart.blogspot.com/2007/07/ancient-concept.html

Awwwwww.....

John Boyle: Jul 17th 2007; 2:35AM

How depressing...

Rare Hare: Jul 17th 2007; 11:19AM

Hmm.. How did a post about Nintendo possibly retiring the Game Boy name erupt into rabid fanboy wars concerning the 360 and PS3? I just don't get it.

Back on topic:

I still think they should have called the Nintendo DS the Game Boy DS.

striegs: Jul 17th 2007; 9:28PM

Alexander Sliwinski, for remembering to link to a relevant post written over a year and a half ago by someone you've never even met, I hereby proclaim thee my New Best Anonymous Friend despite the fact that you probably only found that post whilst searching the archives for a relevant image that you could chop.

Rock on, New Best Anonymous Friend. Rock on.

GAME BOY 4EVA!