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[[File:Gbprinter.jpg|thumb|right|The Game Boy Printer]]
{{Incomplete|article|When was it released in Europe and Australia?}}
The '''Game Boy Printer''' (Japanese: '''ポケットプリンタ''' ''Pocket Printer'') is a thermal printer designed for the [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]]. The Game Boy Printer was released on June 1, 1998 in the United States<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19980530121628/http://www.nintendo.com/gb/gb_camera/index.html Game Boy Camera] (archive)</ref> alongside the [[Game Boy Camera]]. It prints images from compatible games on small rolls of thermal paper. Individual sheets are adhesive-backed and 3.8&nbsp;cm (1.5&nbsp;in) in diameter. The Game Boy Printer uses six AA batteries. It is compatible with all Game Boy models except for the [[Game Boy micro]]. A [[Game Link Cable]] is required to connect the printer to a Game Boy. Nintendo stopped manufacturing the Game Boy Printer in 2003.
[[File:jp gbprinter.jpg|thumb|200px|The special Pikachu Yellow edition]]
The '''Game Boy Printer''' (Japanese: '''{{j|ポケットプリンタ}}''' ''Pocket Printer'') is a {{wp|Thermal printing|thermal printer}} accessory compatible with the [[Game Boy]] line (except for [[Game Boy micro]]) released on February 21, 1998 in Japan<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/hardware/pocket_c/ {{j|ポケットカメラ＆ポケットプリンタ}}]</ref> and on June 1, 1998 in the United States<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19980530121628/http://www.nintendo.com/gb/gb_camera/index.html Nintendo: Game Boy Camera]</ref> alongside the [[Game Boy Camera]]. It connects to the Game Boy using a [[Game Link Cable]], with a Universal Game Link Cable heing included in the package.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Accessories/Game-Boy-Printer/Game-Boy-Printer-619594.html Game Boy Printer | Game Boy / Pocket / Color | Support | Nintendo]</ref>
 
A Japan-only special Pikachu Yellow Game Boy Printer was released alongside {{game|Yellow}} on September 12, 1998.<ref>[http://maru-chang.com/hard/gb/ DMG/MGB/CGB： {{j|ゲームボーイ}}]</ref><ref>[http://www.geocities.jp/hagane0772/rekisi.html {{j|ポケモンの歴史}}]</ref>
 
Game Boy Printer features are disabled in the [[Virtual Console]] releases of compatible games. While the option still appears on menus, it is non-functional.
 
==Specifications==
* Resolution: 160×144 px (same as [[Game Boy]])
* Power supply: 6 {{wp|AA battery|AA batteries}}
* Print: thermal sticker paper rolls, 100-180 pictures per roll
* Print size: 27×23 mm, including frame
 
Source: [https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Accessories/Game-Boy-Printer/Game-Boy-Printer-619594.html Nintendo of Europe]


==Printable features in Pokémon games==
==Printable features in Pokémon games==
===Core series===
===Core series===
A '''print''' (Japanese: '''プリント''') is a feature in {{game|Yellow}}, {{3v2|Gold|Silver|Crystal}} that requires the Game Boy Printer. The quality of prints is managed in the [[options]] and the game uses three messages during the process: CHECKING LINK → TRANSMITTING → PRINTING.
Players of {{game|Yellow}}, {{3v2|Gold|Silver|Crystal}} are able to print the following:
* [[Pokédex]] stickers
* [[Diploma]]s
* [[Pokémon Storage System]] Boxes
* [[Party]] Pokémon
* [[Pikachu's Beach]] hi-score{{sup/1|Y}}
* [[Mail]]{{sup/2|GSC}}
* [[Ruins of Alph|Alph Ruins]] Stamps{{sup/2|GSC}}


Both the feature and its settings were removed in the Korean versions of {{game|Gold and Silver|s}} as the Game Boy Printer was not released in South Korea.
The quality of prints is managed in the [[options]]. The games use three messages during the process: CHECKING LINK → TRANSMITTING → PRINTING.


The background music played while printing is the same in all four games ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svgdJwCkx1c listen]). It was later rearranged and used as the theme of the [[Pokéwalker]] screens in the [[main menu]] of {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}.
Both the feature and its settings were removed in the Korean versions of Gold and Silver as the Game Boy Printer was not released in {{pmin|South Korea}}.
 
The background music played while printing is the same in all four games. It was later rearranged and used as the theme of the [[Pokéwalker]] screens in the [[main menu]] of {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}.


====Pokédex stickers====
====Pokédex stickers====
Line 33: Line 55:


====Pokémon Storage System====
====Pokémon Storage System====
[[File:PSS box Unown stamp print GSC.png|thumb|x456px|Alph Ruins Stamps]]
The list of {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in a given Box of the [[Pokémon Storage System]] can also be printed. Prints of Boxes display the full Box, including empty slots. [[Nickname]]s and [[level]]s are also listed alongside the Pokémon's species name. Like the Pokémon Storage System itself, the Western versions show a maximum of 20 entries for Pokémon, while the Japanese versions show 30 entries.
The list of {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in a given Box of the [[Pokémon Storage System]] can also be printed. Prints of Boxes display the full Box, including empty slots. [[Nickname]]s and [[level]]s are also listed alongside the Pokémon's species name. Like the Pokémon Storage System itself, the Western versions show a maximum of 20 entries for Pokémon, while the Japanese versions show 30 entries.
The dimensions of printed Boxes are 160×576 px in all versions.


<gallery>
<gallery>
PSS box print Y.png|A printed Box from Yellow
PSS box print Y.png|A printed Box from Yellow
PSS box print Y JP.png|A printed Box from Japanese Yellow
PSS box print Y JP.png|A printed Box from Japanese Yellow
PSS box print C.png|A printed Box from Generation II
PSS box print GSC.png|A printed Box from Generation II
PSS box print GSC JP.png|A printed Box from Japanese Generation II
PSS box print GSC JP.png|A printed Box from Japanese Generation II
</gallery>
</gallery>


In the [[Generation II]] games, players may generate so-called '''Alph Ruins Stamps''' of individual {{p|Unown}} and/or vacant spaces using the '''PRINT''' function of the printer at the [[Ruins of Alph]] Research Center, which stores the stamps in memory. They are actually printed when the player prints a Box, with the stamps being presented above the Box's information. After the stamps are printed, their data is erased, as a print of another Box right afterwards will only include the Box's information.
====Party Pokémon====
In {{game|Yellow}}, the [[Pokémon Fan Club Chairman|chairman]] of the [[Pokémon Fan Club]] in [[Vermilion City]] can take a photo of one of the player's {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in the [[Party|Pokémon List]] and print it out. In the [[Generation II]] games, the {{DL|Cianwood City|Photo Studio/Cameron's house|Photo Studio}} in [[Cianwood City]] instead takes this role.


The dimensions of printed Boxes are 160×576 px in all versions. Prints of Boxes with stamps do not have fixed dimensions but if only stamps of the 26 Unown letters are considered, then the dimensions are 160×1824 px.
The dimensions in the Western Generation II games are 160×272 px.
 
====Party Pokémon====
In {{game|Yellow}}, the [[Pokémon Fan Club Chairman|chairman]] of the [[Pokémon Fan Club]] in [[Vermilion City]] can print out one of the player's {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in the [[Party|Pokémon List]].


<gallery>
<gallery>
Party Pokemon print Y.png|A printed party Pokémon from Yellow
Party Pokemon print Y.png|A printed party Pokémon from Yellow
Party Pokemon print Y JP.png|A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Yellow
Party Pokemon print Y JP.png|A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Yellow
Party Pokemon print GSC.png|A printed party Pokémon from Generation II
Party Pokemon print GSC JP.png|A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Generation II
</gallery>
</gallery>


====Pikachu's Beach hi-score====
====Alph Ruins Stamps====
The player may print a black-and-white copy of the screen showing their [[Pikachu's Beach]] hi-score in {{game|Yellow}} by using the printer at Summer Beach House on {{rt|19|Kanto}}.
In the [[Generation II]] games, players may generate so-called '''Alph Ruins Stamps''' of individual {{p|Unown}} using the '''PRINT''' function of the printer at the [[Ruins of Alph]] Research Center. The printer may only be used after the player has unlocked every entry of the [[List of Pokémon by New Pokédex number|new Pokédex's]] [[Unown Mode]]. Additionally, the Research Center's printer allows players to print empty stamps by choosing the VACANT option in the interface, which appears between Unown-Z and Unown-A.


====Mail====
Printed stamps have the dimensions 160×48 px.
Black-and-white copies of the [[Mail]] in the [[Generation II]] games can also be printed.


===Spinoff games===
<gallery>
{{incomplete|section|needs=Pokémon Card GB2 compatibility info}}
Alph Ruins Stamp.png|An Alph Ruins Stamp of {{DL|List of Pokémon with form differences|Unown|Unown-A}}
====[[Pokémon Pinball]]====
Empty Alph Ruins Stamp.png|An empty stamp
Players may print out their high score tables in Pokémon Pinball for the [[Game Boy Color]].
</gallery>


===={{ga|Pokémon Trading Card Game}}====
===Spin-off games===
Pokémon Trading Card Game for the [[Game Boy Color]] offered many options for players with a Game Boy Printer.
{{Incomplete|section|Exact dimensions}}
{{Bad image|section|Use computer-generated screenshots instead.}}
====Pinball====
Players may print out their high score tables in {{g|Pinball}}.


* Players can print out a list of their entire card collection.
<gallery>
* Players can print out individual cards from their collection.
Pinball print hi score Red.png|A print of the Red high score table
* Players can print out their saved custom deck configurations.
Pinball print hi score Blue.png|A print of the Blue high score table
</gallery>
 
====Trading Card Game series====
{{ga|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} and {{g|Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!}} offer three different printing features to players. Players may print out copies of a single card, a list depicting one of their custom deck configurations, and/or a list of every card they own in the game.
 
<gallery>
Deck list print Pokémon Card GB.png|A deck configuration print from Pokémon Trading Card Game
Charmander print Pokémon Card GB2.png|A print of {{TCG ID|Base Set|Charmander|46}} from Pokémon Card GB2
Card list Pokémon Card GB2.png|A print of a player's card collection in Pokémon Card GB2
</gallery>
 
==Game Boy Camera==
The [[Game Boy Camera]] contains data for players to print out Pokémon stickers in addition to their photos. This is likely a nod to the fact that [[Game Freak]] programmed the Game Boy Camera software.
 
[[File:Pokémon sticker Game Boy Camera.png|thumb|left|Pokémon sticker featuring Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, and Mewtwo]]
{{clear}}


==Printer errors==
==Printer errors==
If there is an issue with the printer, the games return four types of errors and instruct the player to check the [[Game Boy Printer]] Manual. The following descriptions for each error are taken and adapted from the online support article provided by [[Nintendo]] of Europe.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Troubleshooting/Game-Boy-Printer/Error-message-appears/Error-message-appears-619693.html Error message appears | Game Boy / Pocket / Color | Support | Nintendo]</ref>
If there is an issue with the printer, the games return four types of errors and instruct the player to check the Game Boy Printer Manual. The following descriptions for each error are taken and adapted from the online support article provided by [[Nintendo]] of Europe.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Troubleshooting/Game-Boy-Printer/Error-message-appears/Error-message-appears-619693.html Error message appears | Game Boy / Pocket / Color | Support | Nintendo]</ref>


* '''Printer Error 1:''' The Game Boy Printer's batteries are empty.
* '''Printer Error 1:''' The Game Boy Printer's batteries are empty.
* '''Printer Error 2:''' The Universal [[Game Link Cable|Game Link cable]] is not connected or is connected incorrectly.
* '''Printer Error 2:''' The Universal [[Game Link Cable]] is not connected or is connected incorrectly.
* '''Printer Error 3:''' The printer's paper needs to be changed.
* '''Printer Error 3:''' The printer's paper needs to be changed.
* '''Printer Error 4:''' The ambient temperature is inadequate (too high or too low). The printer must be used in a place with controlled temperature.
* '''Printer Error 4:''' The ambient temperature is inadequate (too high or too low). The printer must be used in a place with controlled temperature.
==Trivia==
[[File:jp gbprinter.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The special Pikachu Yellow Game Boy Printer]]
*A special Pikachu Yellow Game Boy Printer was sold exclusively in Japan.
*The [[Pokéwalker]]'s menu music in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}} is a remix of the Game Boy Printer's print screen music, its first appearance in nearly a decade.
*The printer paper rolls were marketed as being able to take 180 pictures per roll. Although when the dimensions of the paper and the margins the printer created between each picture are figured out mathematically a typical roll would only be able to take 118 pictures at most.


==External links==
==External links==
* {{wp|Game Boy Printer}} article on Wikipedia.
* {{wp|Game Boy Printer}} article on Wikipedia
* [http://gameboy.about.com/ About.com Guide to Game Boy] - All things Game Boy: News, reviews, history, culture and development. Updated several times a week.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110711020713/http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/macro/730/ Gameboy Printer Emulator] - a program to transfer images from the Game Boy Camera to PC


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
 
{{clear}}
{{-}}
{{Project Games notice}}
{{Project Games notice}}


Revision as of 03:47, 5 December 2016

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: When was it released in Europe and Australia?
The special Pikachu Yellow edition

The Game Boy Printer (Japanese: ポケットプリンタ Pocket Printer) is a thermal printer accessory compatible with the Game Boy line (except for Game Boy micro) released on February 21, 1998 in Japan[1] and on June 1, 1998 in the United States[2] alongside the Game Boy Camera. It connects to the Game Boy using a Game Link Cable, with a Universal Game Link Cable heing included in the package.[3]

A Japan-only special Pikachu Yellow Game Boy Printer was released alongside Pokémon Yellow on September 12, 1998.[4][5]

Game Boy Printer features are disabled in the Virtual Console releases of compatible games. While the option still appears on menus, it is non-functional.

Specifications

  • Resolution: 160×144 px (same as Game Boy)
  • Power supply: 6 AA batteries
  • Print: thermal sticker paper rolls, 100-180 pictures per roll
  • Print size: 27×23 mm, including frame

Source: Nintendo of Europe

Printable features in Pokémon games

Core series

Players of Pokémon Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal are able to print the following:

The quality of prints is managed in the options. The games use three messages during the process: CHECKING LINK → TRANSMITTING → PRINTING.

Both the feature and its settings were removed in the Korean versions of Gold and Silver as the Game Boy Printer was not released in South Korea.

The background music played while printing is the same in all four games. It was later rearranged and used as the theme of the Pokéwalker screens in the main menu of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Pokédex stickers

Players may print physical copies of the Pokédex entries of individual Pokémon by using the PRNT option in the Pokédex. These prints are referred to as Pokédex stickers (Japanese: ずかんシール) in the Generation II games.

In Western versions, the dimensions of Pokédex stickers (160×192 px) exceed those of the Game Boy's screen resolution (160×144 px) because the print combines the two pages of the Pokédex entry. The stickers in the Japanese versions are not printed out with different dimensions because the Pokédex entries only use a single page. In the Japanese Generation II games, the printed font differs from the font used in-game.

  • Mew Pokedex print Y.png

    A print of Mew's Yellow Pokédex entry

  • Mew Pokedex print Y JP.png

    A print of Mew's Japanese Yellow Pokédex entry

  • Mew Pokedex print C.png

    A print of Mew's Crystal Pokédex entry

  • Mew Pokedex print C JP.png

    A print of Mew's Japanese Crystal Pokédex entry

Diploma

The diploma can also be printed as proof by the graphic artist at the Game Freak Development Room on the third floor of Celadon Condominiums. Printed diplomas have the dimensions 160×288 px.

  • A print of the Yellow diploma

    A print of the Yellow diploma

  • A print of the Japanese Yellow diploma

    A print of the Japanese Yellow diploma

  • A print of the Crystal diploma

    A print of the Crystal diploma

  • A print of the Japanese Crystal diploma

    A print of the Japanese Crystal diploma

Pokémon Storage System

The list of Pokémon in a given Box of the Pokémon Storage System can also be printed. Prints of Boxes display the full Box, including empty slots. Nicknames and levels are also listed alongside the Pokémon's species name. Like the Pokémon Storage System itself, the Western versions show a maximum of 20 entries for Pokémon, while the Japanese versions show 30 entries.

The dimensions of printed Boxes are 160×576 px in all versions.

  • A printed Box from Yellow

    A printed Box from Yellow

  • A printed Box from Japanese Yellow

    A printed Box from Japanese Yellow

  • A printed Box from Generation II

    A printed Box from Generation II

  • A printed Box from Japanese Generation II

    A printed Box from Japanese Generation II

Party Pokémon

In Pokémon Yellow, the chairman of the Pokémon Fan Club in Vermilion City can take a photo of one of the player's Pokémon in the Pokémon List and print it out. In the Generation II games, the Photo Studio in Cianwood City instead takes this role.

The dimensions in the Western Generation II games are 160×272 px.

  • A printed party Pokémon from Yellow

    A printed party Pokémon from Yellow

  • A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Yellow

    A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Yellow

  • A printed party Pokémon from Generation II

    A printed party Pokémon from Generation II

  • A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Generation II

    A printed party Pokémon from Japanese Generation II

Alph Ruins Stamps

In the Generation II games, players may generate so-called Alph Ruins Stamps of individual Unown using the PRINT function of the printer at the Ruins of Alph Research Center. The printer may only be used after the player has unlocked every entry of the new Pokédex's Unown Mode. Additionally, the Research Center's printer allows players to print empty stamps by choosing the VACANT option in the interface, which appears between Unown-Z and Unown-A.

Printed stamps have the dimensions 160×48 px.

  • An Alph Ruins Stamp of Unown-A

    An Alph Ruins Stamp of Unown-A

  • An empty stamp

    An empty stamp

Spin-off games

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Exact dimensions
Spr 1g 006.png The picture used in this section is unsatisfactory.
Please feel free to replace it so it conforms to Bulbapedia conventions.
Reason: Use computer-generated screenshots instead.

Pinball

Players may print out their high score tables in Pokémon Pinball.

  • A print of the Red high score table

    A print of the Red high score table

  • A print of the Blue high score table

    A print of the Blue high score table

Trading Card Game series

Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR! offer three different printing features to players. Players may print out copies of a single card, a list depicting one of their custom deck configurations, and/or a list of every card they own in the game.

  • A deck configuration print from Pokémon Trading Card Game

    A deck configuration print from Pokémon Trading Card Game

  • A print of Charmander from Pokémon Card GB2

    A print of Charmander from Pokémon Card GB2

  • A print of a player's card collection in Pokémon Card GB2

    A print of a player's card collection in Pokémon Card GB2

Game Boy Camera

The Game Boy Camera contains data for players to print out Pokémon stickers in addition to their photos. This is likely a nod to the fact that Game Freak programmed the Game Boy Camera software.

Pokémon sticker featuring Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, and Mewtwo


Printer errors

If there is an issue with the printer, the games return four types of errors and instruct the player to check the Game Boy Printer Manual. The following descriptions for each error are taken and adapted from the online support article provided by Nintendo of Europe.[6]

  • Printer Error 1: The Game Boy Printer's batteries are empty.
  • Printer Error 2: The Universal Game Link Cable is not connected or is connected incorrectly.
  • Printer Error 3: The printer's paper needs to be changed.
  • Printer Error 4: The ambient temperature is inadequate (too high or too low). The printer must be used in a place with controlled temperature.

External links

References

  1. ↑ ポケットカメラ＆ポケットプリンタ
  2. ↑ Nintendo: Game Boy Camera
  3. ↑ Game Boy Printer | Game Boy / Pocket / Color | Support | Nintendo
  4. ↑ DMG/MGB/CGB： ゲームボーイ
  5. ↑ ポケモンの歴史
  6. ↑ Error message appears | Game Boy / Pocket / Color | Support | Nintendo


Project Games logo.png This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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