Logo.
New GB Color is a brand name used for releases of bootleg Game Boy Color games and translations of licensed Game Boy games, primarily in Taiwan, throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. This brand is identifiable by the imitation of the Game Boy Color logo for the "NEW GB COLOR" name on the boxes, and in some cases, the cartridges of their releases. All Chinese-language New GB Color releases were released in Taiwan, and some of these releases also feature a four-digit ID number on the back of their box.
While the consistency of the brand's logo on most releases using the name suggests that a particular entity was behind its creation, multiple distinct companies are known to be associated with distributing games under the brand name. Notable bootleg developers who have had their games distributed under this brand include Vast Fame and BBD. It was trademarked by 何連國 who also trademarked V.Fame.[1]
Games released[]
Original games[]
| Name | Release date | ID No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 路克英雄Z Zook Hero Z |
1999 | 0001 (Chinese release) | Developed by Vast Fame. Chinese and English versions were released, the latter using the name Zook Z on the packaging and cartridge label. |
| 超級格鬥S Super Fighters S |
1999 | 0002 (Chinese release) | Developed by Vast Fame. Chinese and English releases were produced. The latter uses the name Super Fighter S on the cartridge label, but otherwise contains the same version used for the Chinese release. |
| Wukong Waizhuan - Wudou Pian (悟空外傳 武鬥篇) | Unknown | 0021 | Also known as Dragon Ball: Final Bout. Developed by BBD and published by SKOB in Taiwan. The "NEW GB COLOR" brand name is used on the box for the game, although the cartridge shell is a generic bootleg "GAME" shell. |
| e'世代熱血格鬥 | Unknown | 0055 | e'Fighter HOT. Developed by BBD and released in Taiwan by Fiver Firm. |
Hacks[]
| Name | Release date | ID No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koudai Guaishou - Dongzuo Pian (口袋怪獸 動作篇) | Unknown | ? | Hack of the licensed Game Boy Color game The Smurfs Nightmare that uses the title screen and graphics from Monster Go! Go! Go!!, which is a hack of the monochrome version of that game. |
| Monster Go! Go! II (怪獸 GO! GO! II) | Unknown | ? | Hack of the licensed Game Boy game Kirby's Dream Land 2 that adds color, changes the title screen, and replaces some graphics of Kirby with custom Pikachu sprites. An image of the cartridge for this game shows that it has a sticker with "2001" on the back, although it is unknown if the game was first released that year. |
Chinese translations[]
- Bomberman Quest
- Dragon Quest 2
- Harvest Moon
- Harvest Moon 2
- Legend of Zelda (薩爾達傳說) - Translation of the Japanese version of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX. The name entry screen features English letters sourced from the PCPaint Bold font, suggesting that its development is linked to Gamtec or a related entity (i.e., Vast Fame)[2]
- Pokémon Blue (口袋怪獸 藍版) - Translation of the English-language game of the same name released outside of Japan[3]
- Pokémon Red
- Pokémon Yellow (口袋怪獸 黃版)
- Yong Zhe Dou Long (勇者鬥龍) - Translation of the Game Boy Color game Dragon Quest Monsters/Dragon Warrior Monsters
Other[]
- Wukong Waizhuan - Jidou Pian (悟空外傳 激鬥篇) - Based on Dragon Ball. Contents unknown.
"Clean font" releases[]
Around 2001 or 2002, a number of bootleg and a few unlicensed Game Boy Color games would be released under the "New GB Color" name in Taiwan, but the exact logo used would differ from the faux-Nintendo logo used for prior New GB Color releases, using a professional-looking sans serif font for all of the name or the "New GB" portion of the name instead. While companies who had their games published under the previous New GB Color brand, such as Vast Fame, would have their games released under this specific brand name, it is unknown if this brand is connected to the previous New GB Color brand.
- Final Fantaxy IX [sic] (最終幻想 太九) (2002) - development is connected to BBD, but the game credits a "TD-SOFTWARE" on the title screen. Currently undumped due to the original release's cartridge utilizing strong copy protection
- Harry Potter 3 - Shen Qi Zhi Guang Lun (哈利波特3 神奇の光輪) (original release, 2002) - developed by Vast Fame, but released without crediting them. Currently undumped
- Soul Falchion (格鬥劍神) (original release, 2002) - developed by Vast Fame, although they are not credited on the packaging or in-game
- Xin Feng Shen Bang (新封神榜) (original release, 2002) - developed and published by Vast Fame
- Zook Hero 2 (路克英雄2) (original release, 2002) - developed and published by Vast Fame
- Da Fu Weng 2 - Bai Wan Da Cai Mi (大富翁2~百萬大猜謎)[4] (200?) - also known as Bai Wan Da Fu Weng - Jin Ban. Developed and published by Vast Fame.
- Digimon 3 - Chao Meng Ban (數碼暴龍3 超夢版) (200?) - presumably developed by Vast Fame. More commonly known by its mainland Chinese release from Kongfeng, Digimon 3 Crystal.
- San Guo Zhi - Lie Chuan (三國志-列傳) (original release, 200?) - developed and published by Vast Fame
The following "clean font" New GB Color releases were produced by Kongfeng for mainland China, although it is unclear if they have any connection to the Taiwanese New GB Color brands:
- Rockman DX3 (洛克人DX3) (200?) - mainland release of Zook Hero 2. The "New GB Color" logo is printed on the manual
- Sānguózhì - Zhī Àoshì Tiānxià (三國志-之傲視天下) (200?) - mainland release of Vast Fame's San Guo Zhi - Lie Chuan
- Shui Hu Shen Shou (水滸神獸) (2002) - mainland release of Vast Fame's Game Boy Color game