Nintendo Handheld Compatibility

Original Gameboy (Non-See through games)
Games will work on the Original Gameboy, Gameboy Pocket, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Advance SP.

Gameboy Color Games (See through cases)
These games are do not have the notch in the top right of the cartridge and will not work in the Original Gameboy and Gameboy Pocket but can be used in all the other systems listed above.  There are some Gameboy color games like the "Pokemon Special Pikachu Edition" game which is a gameboy color game which will work in the original but has been enhanced for better color on a color system.

Gameboy Advance Games
These games work on the Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Advance SP, Gameboy Micro, DS Original, and DS Lite systems.  They will not work on DSi or 3DS systems as they do not have the slot to insert them.

Original DS Games
All original DS Games work on the full-line of DS, DSi and 3DS systems. 

3DS Games
3DS Games work only on the 3DS series of game systems including the 2DS released in December of 2013.

Clone system compatibility

Over the years there have been several clone aftermarket systems released which play the NES, SNES, Genesis and other cartridges.  Some of these systems include the Yobo, GEN-Nex, FC Twin, and others. While these systems offer great reliability at a low price, they are not compatible with all NES games. Manufacturers of these systems are aware that they are not 100% compatible but it is hard to find a complete list. 

These clone systems also sometimes have issues reproducing accurate sounds and video that most people wouldn't notice but can be slightly annoying at times.  The following is a small list of games that are known to not work with these clones systems:

  • Battletoads
  • Castlevania III
  • Gauntlet
  • Paperboy
  • Bandit Kings of Ancient China
  • Challenge of the Dragon
  • Cheetahmen II
  • Crystal Mines
  • Gemfire
  • Incredible Crash Dummies
  • Jordan vs. Bird One on One
  • King Neptune's Adventure
  • Krion Conquest
  • Laser Invasion
  • L'Empereur
  • Menace Beach
  • Nobunaga's Ambition II
  • Pipe Dream
  • Rad Racer II
  • Romance of the Three Kingdoms II
  • Uncharted Waters
  • WWF King of the Ring
  • WWF Wrestlemania Challenge

If you want to play one or more of these games you may have to use an original NES system, either the front or top loader. Just because a game is not on this list does not mean it will work 100% accurately, some games will still have some glitches and problems.

At this time there is not a complete list of Genesis or SNES games with compatibility issues.

Other Items

NES Zapper or other Light Gun
The light gun does not work with LCD, Plasma, or Projection televisions. It will only work with tube-style CRT televisions.