Nintendo Confirms Game Boy's Return For Pokémon Day With Unexpected Twist

Pokémon Day has arrived, with the annual Pokémon Presents event now officially underway.

The showcase has begun with rather an unexpected announcement.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Nintendo was rereleasing the Game Boy. It certainly appeared that way.

Instead, the Game Boy is making a comeback as a music player. Yes, you heard me correctly, a music player or jukebox if you prefer that term.

The Pokémon Game Boy Game Music Collection is essentially a small music player that looks and sounds very much like a Game Boy.

Load Up 45 Cartridges to Hear Your Favourite Pokémon Red and Blue Classic Tracks

Players will insert cartridges that represent a couple of their favourite classic Pokémon entries but instead of playing those titles, instead, you'll hear their soundtracks.

The sound quality of the Game Boy has been replicated so that this sweet little music player has a rather nostalgic feel, whilst you'll also see little pixel art graphics onscreen.

I have to say, I'd never have predicted this release, but I can see tons of Pokémon collectors wanting to get their hands on it.

The Pokémon Game Boy Game Music Collection is available from today, with music from Pokémon Red and Blue available.

I assume it'll be available directly via Nintendo but pre-orders haven't quite opened, nor is pricing available yet. Do keep an eye out.

Nintendo

In total, the collection includes a whopping 45 different cartridges.

A post on the Pokémon blog reads, "Start your musical adventure with 'Title Screen', then journey onward with classics like 'Professor Oak', 'Pewter City Theme', and 'Rocket Hideout'. Do your best to stay awake through 'Jigglypuff’s Song', keep an eye out for ghostly apparitions during 'Lavender Town Theme', and finish up with 'Ending Theme'. There’s no shortage of ear Wurmple in this collection that’s sure to evoke memories of setting out on your very own Pokémon journey."

Elsewhere in the showcase, Gen 10 was finally revealed. Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves were announced exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.

They'll arrive in 2027 when we'll meet our three new starters, Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua.

Gen 10 does indeed boast a tropical island theme, as suspected - and already, gamers seem pretty impressed. The starter line-up has been criticised for being a tad underwhelming, Pombon aside.

We don't yet, of course, know what their evolutions will look like.

All in all, I'd say it's been a prosperous Pokémon Day. What a way to celebrate 30 years of this beloved franchise.