They manage to run a 3D version of Minecraft on Game Boy Color and even on the original Game Boy
There are projects that are born to give life to an idea and others that seem to exist simply to amaze technology lovers. The work of Tobias Friedlyknown on YouTube as Game of Tobiwhich has managed to run a limited version of Minecraft on a Game Boy Color with a three-dimensional appearance. And, if that weren’t enough, it has also shown that the invention works to some extent on the original Game Boy.
Friedly has shown the result in a short video where you can see how the console uses its 8×8 pixel sprites to simulate a 3D projection that is clearly reminiscent of Minecraft. There are no enemies, inventory or complete game logic, but there is a three-dimensional visual representation on a machine that was never designed to move games like this.
The project is a departure from other home ports of Minecraft for classic Nintendo hardware, which typically opted to port the idea of the game to a 2D flat format. In this case, Friedly takes the concept in another direction and brings it closer to his previous work with Minecraft 3D for the Game Boy Advance, although now within the much more severe limitations of the Game Boy Color.
Maps, blocks, Nether and textures on a laptop from another era
Despite the limitations of the console, this version includes a map generator capable of creating flat or relief scenarios. It also allows you to place and remove blocks of different types, including portals, and even adds a version of the Nether. In addition, the developer has incorporated save and load game functions.
Among the available options there is also the possibility of activating textures for the blocks, although here the result depends a lot on the resolution of the screen and how difficult it is to simulate texturing with such small tiles. Even so, the project shows to what extent a portable console from the late nineties can be forced with enough ingenuity.
The most curious part comes with the compatibility between Game Boy Color and the Original monochrome Game Boy. Friedly has shown that this version also boots in the classic greenish and black screen model. Distinguishing the blocks there is not exactly comfortable, but it works, it works. In addition, the developer has published the cartridge files for anyone who wants to try this peculiar version of Minecraft on their own.
