Thanks to an adapter and an app, Steam Deck can now play Game Boy cartridges.

Author

Srinanda Bhattacharyya

Date

Oct, 15.2022

It had been established that the Steam Deck portable gaming system is entirely compatible with a Game Boy cartridge PC adapter and emulator. The Steam Deck has been extensively marketed as a powerful emulation tool ever since it was released. Even worse, inadvertently, a promotional film for a Nintendo Switch game emulator was made available by Valve. It is a remarkable accomplishment that many people might not be aware of that the Steam Deck is capable of running authentic cartridges for platforms that haven't been released in decades. 

In an announcement made on Epilogue's official Twitter account, the company confirmed that its GB Operator adapter and its accompanying Operator app are both now compatible with Steam Deck. That means Steam Deck users can plug the adapter directly into their Steam Deck via its USB-C port and play their collection of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games on the move. The adapter itself will dangle via the USB-C cable, but it's both small and lightweight. 

Of course, the adaptor is not free. Currently, Epilogue's website lists the GB Operator adaptor for $49.99 plus shipping. For those who choose to purchase one, it is confirmed that the adapter is now in stock and that orders will be shipped very shortly. It's also obvious that the GB Operator won't function with the Steam Deck's dock because they both require the same USB-C connector on the Steam Deck. In case of Game Boy cartridges weren't enough, Epilogue has also stated that it is actively developing a Super Nintendo cartridge converter as well. Utilize the social media platforms of Epilogue to learn more about that. 

The possibility for additional archival opportunities provided by the GB Adapter's compatibility with the Steam Deck is what makes it such an intriguing development. Many owners of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance systems have either sold them or had device malfunctions as they aged. They may now either add new Game Boy cartridges to their Steam Deck or resume playing the games they already own. Hopefully, more adapters made expressly for the Steam Deck for other platforms will come after.