Yesterday, the Game Boy turned 32, and if you’re old enough to enjoy this particular handheld device, you might remember the Game Boy Printer, one of the most absurd accessories ever produced for a console. games.
The battery-powered thermal printer was connected to your Game Boy and allowed you to print images taken with the Game Boy camera. It had its limitations: the monochrome images were printed on a roll of cheap paper and looked quite rough, but it was typical of Nintendo’s desire to think outside the box.
Fast forward to 2021 and Nintendo is reviving the concept in a way. It has teamed up with Fujifilm to create a service that allows you to print screens from your wireless switch, all thanks to the Fujifilm ‘instax mini Link’ wireless printer and a new smartphone app.
© Fujifilm JapanWith the application, you can scan screenshots from the switch using a QR code and then send them to the printer to create a hard copy. You can add borders from 3 Nintendo titles (Super Mario, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, i We Pokémon Snap), as well as adding special effects.
To celebrate the collaboration, an exclusive instax mini Link printer is being produced that will come in a special Nintendo-themed packaging. There will also be a special Pikachu-shaped rubber box for the printer.
The application will be available for free download and will be released on April 30, 2021. It is not known if the printer or application will be available outside of Japan at this stage.