Gamer Turns Their Game Boy Colour Into An Apple TV Remote
We're back with another blast from the past, and this time, there's a novel use for your old Game Boy Colour. While some of us have whole rooms dedicated to our retro consoles, most have already sold them on or left them in the attic to gather dust. The Game Boy Colour may have been a big deal back in the day, but with the Nintendo Switch combining the best of portable and console gaming, the Game Boy of old has largely been put out to pasture.
Now, one Nintendo superfan has turned their old Game Boy Colour into an Apple TV remote to merge the old and new in an inventive way. The Game Boy Colour was first released in 1998 as the successor of the classic Game Boy. It was discontinued in 2003 when the Game Boy Advance SP muscled into the market, however, Colour arguably represents the Game Boy family at its peak. Even though we've long since left the Colour behind, there's a resurgence in the market.
How do you turn your Game Boy Colour into an Apple TV remote?
Gaming enthusiast Otto Climan has transformed his old Game Boy Color into a very modern Apple TV remote. The impressive mod keeps the ability to play Game Boy Colour games, but now has the dual function of working with your Apple TV. To remodel the GBC, Climan took a classic handheld, upgraded the LCD, and used Retro Modding to provide a custom white case and cartridge. For those asking why you'd need a cartridge, that's because all the software needed to work as an Apple TV remote is built into a tiny gaming cartridge.
The software interacts with the IR sensor and allows owners to use the GBC's buttons as a controller. It means the d-pad and other buttons work perfectly in-sync with this 21st Century piece of technology. Perhaps our favourite addition is the fact it has the classic Apple rainbow logo on the Game Boy Colour case. As Climan warns, this isn't exactly a process for novices. We wouldn't suggest you go ripping your Game Boy Colour or Apple TV remotes apart any time soon.
Can you buy a Game Boy Colour as an Apple TV remote?
Only recently, we covered how another gaming fanatic added turned the Switch's shiny Joy-Con controllers into a retro delight by modding an old GameCube controller to fit the next-gen system. It's all part of a renaissance in modding seemingly outdated Nintendo technology.
There are reports Apple could be working on an Appl TV that will have a focus on gaming, while the modded Game Boy Colour comes just after someone transformed their old iPod to play Spotify. Even if Nintendo and Apple might seem a million miles away, there's a growing number of modders who are bringing the two worlds together. Given that the Apple TV remote has had a lukewarm reception - with some describing it as the worst ever made - what gaming fan wouldn't want one that also plays as a Game Boy Colour?
Viewers were particularly impressed by Climan's work, however, don't expect you'll be able to pick one up for yourself. The Game Boy Colour hybrid was just an experiment that won't officially be going on sale. Both Apple and Nintendo are known for their zero-tolerance stance on unofficial mods or inventions, so we doubt Climan's would be around for long. Still, maybe it will give Apple some hints on how to make a remote for its gaming-centric TV upgrade?
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Images via Otto Climan YouTube | Apple
