Game Link Cable: Difference between revisions

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m (r2.7.3) (Robot: Adding de:Linkkabel (Merchandise), fr:Câble Link)
("Game Link Cable" is the official name of Nintendo link cables.)
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{{move|Game Link Cable}}
{{move|Game Link Cable}}
{{samename|item|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items → Link Cable}}
{{samename|item|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items → Link Cable}}
{{incomplete|needs=Pictures of official link cables for [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Pocket]]/[[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]], as well as the "GameCube-to Game Boy Advance" link cable. Bulbapedia has one for the [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]]}}
{{incomplete|needs=Pictures of official Game Link Cables for the GB, GBP, GBC, and GBA, as well as the "GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance" Game Link Cable.}}
A '''link cable''' is a cable used to transfer data between two Nintendo consoles, such as the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]]. They can also connect Game Boy consoles with other devices, including the [[Game Boy Camera]] and [[Game Boy Printer]].  
A '''Game Link Cable''' is a cable used to transfer data between two [[Nintendo]] consoles, such as the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]]. They can also connect Game Boy consoles with other devices, including the [[Game Boy Camera]] and [[Game Boy Printer]].  


The link cable was part of [[Satoshi Tajiri]]'s original concept for the Pokémon games. He said early on that he imagined his creatures crawling through the cable from one game to another. With technological developments, including [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|wireless technology]], link cables have become obsolete on newer consoles.
The Game Link Cable was part of [[Satoshi Tajiri]]'s original concept for the [[Core series|Pokémon games]]. He said early on that he imagined his creatures crawling through the cable from one game to another. With technological developments, including wireless technology, Game Link Cables have become obsolete on newer consoles.


==Models==
==Models==
There are several types of link cables, depending upon the model of Game Boy used. For instance, the original Game Boy link cable had much larger ends than that of the [[Game Boy Pocket]]/Game Boy Color link cable. Also, a Game Boy Color cable is not compatible with a Game Boy Advance cable.
There are several types of Game Link Cables, depending upon the model of Game Boy used. For instance, the original Game Boy Game Link Cable had much larger ends than that of the [[Game Boy Pocket]]/Game Boy Color. Also, a Game Boy Color Game Link Cable is not compatible with its Game Boy Advance equivalent.


The [[Game Boy micro]] uses another sized cable, so there is some incompatibility among the different models over the years. Ideally, each player should have the same Game Boy model to prevent this issue. The Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP use the same link cable. A Game Boy Color link cable may be used with a Game Boy Advance, but it can only link Game Boy Color games, as Game Boy Advance games require more bandwidth.
The [[Game Boy micro]] uses another sized cable, so there is some incompatibility among the different models over the years. Ideally, each player should have the same Game Boy model to prevent this issue. The Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP use the same link cable. A Game Boy Color link cable may be used with a Game Boy Advance, but it can only link Game Boy Color games, as Game Boy Advance games require more bandwidth.


===Pokémon special editions===
===Pokémon special editions===
A special [[Game Boy Color]] link cable was released with a box decorated with Pokémon; however, the cable itself was exactly the same as a regular cable.
A special [[Game Boy Color]] Game Link Cable was released with a box decorated with Pokémon; however, the cable itself was exactly the same as a regular cable.


A yellow link cable featuring a {{p|Pikachu}} on each connector has also been released.
A yellow Game Link Cable featuring a {{p|Pikachu}} on each connector has also been released.


<gallery>
<gallery>
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==Uses in the Pokémon games==
==Uses in the Pokémon games==
{{incomplete|section|Usage of the "GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance" Game Link Cable}}
[[File:Gym link battles.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Players battling with link cables at the [[Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour]]]]
[[File:Gym link battles.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Players battling with link cables at the [[Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour]]]]
===Generations I and II===
===In the core series games===
In the [[Generation I|first generation]] of Pokémon games, the link cable's two main functions were established: inter-player {{pkmn|battle}}s and the [[trade|trading]] of Pokémon. These exchanges took place in the [[Cable Club]], which is included in every [[Pokémon Center]].
In the first two generations, the Game Link Cable's two main functions were established: inter-player {{pkmn|battle}}s and the [[trade|trading]] of Pokémon. These exchanges took place in the [[Cable Club]], which is included in every [[Pokémon Center]]. Up to two players can link together.


Up to two players can link together.
Although more link opportunities were incorporated into the [[Generation III]] games, Game Link Cables had limited use. The cable remained the sole means of communication for {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, but the advent of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} introduced wireless technology. The [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]] that was shipped with copies of these games plugs into the same socket as the Game Link Cable, but allows for less cumbersome interactions. Up to four players can link together with the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.


===Generation III===
The consoles for later generations, the [[Nintendo DS]] and [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]], have built-in wireless technology, and do not support any cables. As such, link cables have become redundant.
{{incomplete|needs=Usage of the "GameCube to Game Boy Advance" link cable.}}
Although more link opportunities were incorporated into the games of the later generations, link cables had limited use. The cable remained the sole means of communication for {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, but the advent of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} introduced wireless technology. The [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]] that was shipped with copies of these games plugs into the same socket as the link cable, but allows for less cumbersome interactions.


Up to four players can link together with the Game Boy Advance model link cable.
===In spin-off games===
 
The trading and battling component of spin-off games is not as prevalent as it is in the core series. In {{ga|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} and [[Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!]], the Game Link Cable is required for players to battle each other head-to-head. Players may also transfer cards and deck configurations by using the [[Game Boy Color]]'s [[infrared]] port.
===Generations IV and on===
The consoles for [[Generation]]s {{gen|IV}}, {{gen|V}}, and {{gen|VI}} the [[Nintendo DS]] for the former two and the [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] for the latter, have built-in wireless technology, and do not support any physical link cables. As such, link cables have become redundant.
 
===Side games===
The trading and battling component of side games is not as prevalent as it is in the main series. In {{ga|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} and [[Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!]], the game link cable is required for players to battle each other head-to-head. Players may also transfer cards and deck configurations by using the [[Game Boy Color]]'s infrared port.


In the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]] series, there is an [[Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|item with this name]] that is used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve.
In the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]] series, there is an [[Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items#Link Cable|item with this name]] that is used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve.

Revision as of 17:34, 24 December 2014

018Pidgeot.png It has been suggested that this article be moved to Game Link Cable.
Please discuss whether or not to move it on its talk page.

If you were looking for the item, see Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items → Link Cable.
050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Pictures of official Game Link Cables for the GB, GBP, GBC, and GBA, as well as the "GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance" Game Link Cable.

A Game Link Cable is a cable used to transfer data between two Nintendo consoles, such as the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. They can also connect Game Boy consoles with other devices, including the Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer.

The Game Link Cable was part of Satoshi Tajiri's original concept for the Pokémon games. He said early on that he imagined his creatures crawling through the cable from one game to another. With technological developments, including wireless technology, Game Link Cables have become obsolete on newer consoles.

Models

There are several types of Game Link Cables, depending upon the model of Game Boy used. For instance, the original Game Boy Game Link Cable had much larger ends than that of the Game Boy Pocket/Game Boy Color. Also, a Game Boy Color Game Link Cable is not compatible with its Game Boy Advance equivalent.

The Game Boy micro uses another sized cable, so there is some incompatibility among the different models over the years. Ideally, each player should have the same Game Boy model to prevent this issue. The Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP use the same link cable. A Game Boy Color link cable may be used with a Game Boy Advance, but it can only link Game Boy Color games, as Game Boy Advance games require more bandwidth.

Pokémon special editions

A special Game Boy Color Game Link Cable was released with a box decorated with Pokémon; however, the cable itself was exactly the same as a regular cable.

A yellow Game Link Cable featuring a Pikachu on each connector has also been released.

Uses in the Pokémon games

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Usage of the "GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance" Game Link Cable
Players battling with link cables at the Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour

In the core series games

In the first two generations, the Game Link Cable's two main functions were established: inter-player battles and the trading of Pokémon. These exchanges took place in the Cable Club, which is included in every Pokémon Center. Up to two players can link together.

Although more link opportunities were incorporated into the Generation III games, Game Link Cables had limited use. The cable remained the sole means of communication for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, but the advent of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen introduced wireless technology. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter that was shipped with copies of these games plugs into the same socket as the Game Link Cable, but allows for less cumbersome interactions. Up to four players can link together with the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.

The consoles for later generations, the Nintendo DS and 3DS, have built-in wireless technology, and do not support any cables. As such, link cables have become redundant.

In spin-off games

The trading and battling component of spin-off games is not as prevalent as it is in the core series. In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, the Game Link Cable is required for players to battle each other head-to-head. Players may also transfer cards and deck configurations by using the Game Boy Color's infrared port.

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, there is an item with this name that is used to evolve Pokémon that would normally require a trade to evolve.


Communications media
Gen I Game Link CableTransfer Pak3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen II  Game Link CableInfraredTransfer Pak
Mobile Game Boy Adapter3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen III Game Link CableWireless AdapterDual-slot mode
Gen IV DS WirelessWi-FiDual-slot modeInfrared
Gen V DS WirelessWi-FiInfrared
Gen VI 3DS WirelessNintendo NetworkInfraredStreetPassSpotPass
Gen VII 3DS Wireless/Switch WirelessNintendo Network
InfraredNintendo Switch OnlineBluetooth
Gen VIII Switch WirelessNintendo Switch Online
Gen IX Switch WirelessNintendo Switch Online


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