Camera comparison: Game Boy vs. iPhone

David Lee

10-6-2022

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

I’m sure you’ve all lain awake at night wondering: can an iPhone keep up with the legendary Game Boy Camera? A test to finally provide clarity.

The Game Boy camera dates back to 1998. A resolution of 128 × 112 pixels, or 0.014 megapixels, only in black and white. Colour depth: two bits. That’s four gradations per pixel: black, dark grey, light grey, white. Such details as aperture or focus cannot be adjusted.

These specifications aren’t quite on par with current smartphones. My iPhone 12 mini, for example, has more to offer on paper.

But the specifications don’t matter. What counts in the end is the result, that is, the image. Therefore, I compared a few images with each other for this test.

A tough comparison

For this test, I spared neither expense nor effort and ventured an expedition to my front door. There, I discovered a daisy.

On the left, a shot from the Game Boy, on the right, that of the iPhone. As similar as the two images are, a closer look reveals some differences:

• The Game Boy camera’s image is sharp throughout, while the iPhone’s background is blurry.
• The Game Boy camera creates an artistic brightness gradient that accurately reflects the incidence of light. Compared to that, the iPhone bleaches the image, making it extremely boring.

Next flower. Again, the trained eye will recognise some differences:

• The Game Boy camera exudes the charm of an 80s adventure game. The iPhone cannot keep up in this aspect.
• On the iPhone, you can see what has been photographed. However, this plus point shouldn’t be overrated.

To change things up, a different motif, but the same result.

• Again: a beautiful brightness gradient in the Game Boy, which gives the image three-dimensional depth; the iPhone looks flat in contrast.
• An unwanted reflection of the yellow marked stone in the car is automatically removed by Nintendo Game Boy’s AI. Or not recorded at all.

Selfies

Can the iPhone at least hold a candle to the Game Boy Camera when it comes to selfies? Probably not, but I want to give the Apple product a fair chance.

The head of the Game Boy Camera can be rotated 180 degrees. Identical quality is ensured for selfies as for front shots. With the iPhone, I have to make do with an inferior auxiliary camera.

But I have another, much bigger problem with the iPhone camera. Every little imperfection on my face is mercilessly captured and put on display. Pimples and facial pores are rendered in high resolution, my drooping 40-and-up facial muscles show off an impressive cast of wrinkles.

None of this can be seen in the Game Boy camera photos. My noble face shines in an eternally young 80s retro design.

Turn an iPhone picture into a Game Boy image

The Game Boy camera is thus superior to a modern smartphone camera. But weep not, my friend, for fortunately the shortcomings of iPhone images are relatively easy to fix in Photoshop.

Just remember: the whole thing never comes close to the original. An iPhone photo just can’t get as good as a Game Boy photo. It’s a law of physics.

If you don’t have a Game Boy camera, take your dumpy webcam and go to the website webgbcam. One of the numerous colour palettes consists of greyscale.

Countless advantages

On the Game Boy, you can’t see what you’re photographing as the screen has no backlight. In return, the LCD consumes practically no power and the batteries last forever. And, above all, if you can only take good photos with a bright screen, then you’re no good as a photographer. Sorry, eh. But someone has to say it.

In terms of additional features, the Game Boy camera smashes the iPhone. Sure, I can record videos with the iPhone, but who needs those? More importantly, I can play the 1980 Nintendo game «Ball» with my own face as the character!

Many modes for multiple shots and reflections are also absolutely indispensable. There are no limits to creativity!

Verdict

This objective and fair test relentlessly reveals that the iPhone camera doesn’t stand a chance against the Game Boy. Once again, we see that specifications don’t mean much. They’re more of a marketing gimmick and say little about actual performance. With its consistent sharpness, built-in beauty filter and cool retro look, the Game Boy Camera is so «Next Level» that I feel like I’m back in the Stone Age with a current smartphone.

David Lee

Senior Editor

David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.ch

My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.

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