Watch CBS News

This case turns your Android into a classic Game Boy, makes an E3 appearance

The 1990s are alive and well. Video game fans who loved their classic Nintendo Game Boys will be happy to hear that the vintage portable, handheld gaming system has made a comeback of sorts at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which has generally been all about high-tech virtual reality gaming this year. At the electronics conference, Hyperskin, a video game manufacturer, debuted a product that started out as an April Fool's joke.

In 2015, the company posted the Smart Boy on Facebook, a phone case that could would basically turn a smartphone into an old-fashioned Game Boy. It wasn't entirely a prank. The company initially "leaked" the design to feel out customer demand. When the response was overwhelmingly positive, Hyperskin announced that the Smart Boy would actually go into development.

Flash forward a year later, and the case made its actual debut at E3, Tech Insider reports. This real-life version of the product works with any Android phone. It has a USB port that the phone slides into. The device itself looks like the bottom half of the old Game Boy. Old Game Boy and Game Boy Color games are compatible with the device.

There is yet to be an official release date for the nostalgic device, but the developer's version is available for pre-order on the company's website. The developer's model is being retailed at $59.99 with an expected ship date of Dec. 1.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.