Game Boy Light

Japan-only model based on the Pocket, adding an electroluminescent backlight and two AA batteries for longer play.

The Game Boy Light went on sale in Japan on April 14, 1998 for ¥6,800 and was never sold elsewhere. It keeps the Pocket's compact design and clearer FSTN screen, and adds an electroluminescent backlight with a blue-green glow, similar to the digital watches of the time. For the first time, players could play in low light without accessories.

To improve battery life it uses two AA batteries: about 12 hours with the light on and up to 20 with it off. That makes it slightly larger and heavier than the Pocket, at 80 × 135 × 27 mm, though still much smaller than the original Game Boy. It came in gold and silver, followed by several limited editions in Japan.