The best Hyperkin accessories for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance in 2026 are the SmartBoy (for playing physical GB and GBC carts on an Android phone), the RetroN Sq (for TV output at 720p), the RetroN 5 (for multi-system support including GBA), and the 24-Cartridge Storage Holder (for protecting your collection). Each solves a different problem, so the right pick depends on whether you want to play on a screen, on a TV, or simply store your carts without destroying them.
That said, not every Hyperkin product fits every setup. The SmartBoy only works with Android USB-C phones. The RetroN Sq handles GB and GBC natively but treats GBA as a beta feature. The RetroN 5 covers all three formats with save states and shaders. Knowing which limitation matters to you is what makes the list below actually useful.
Which Hyperkin accessory is best for playing Game Boy carts on a phone?
The SmartBoy is the answer here, and it is a genuinely strange product in the best way. It clips onto an Android USB-C smartphone and accepts physical Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges directly. Your phone’s screen becomes the display, which means you get a bright, modern panel instead of the dim, greenish original LCD. No batteries required on the SmartBoy itself since it draws power from the phone.
The catch is compatibility: it is designed around Samsung’s S8 line and up, with phone sizes between 5.2 and 6.4 inches. Other Android USB-C devices may work, but results tend to vary. iPhones are out entirely. If your phone fits the profile, though, popping in a copy of Pokémon Crystal and playing it on a 6-inch AMOLED screen is a genuinely different experience from the original hardware.
The SmartBoy also supports apps from Google Play, which means it is not strictly limited to cartridges. But the cartridge slot is the reason to buy it. Anyone already carrying a compatible Android phone gets a second life out of their physical GB and GBC library without buying a separate device.
What is the best Hyperkin product for playing Game Boy games on a TV?
The RetroN Sq was built for exactly this. It is a small cube-shaped console that accepts Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges via open-source software and upscales output to 720p at 60 FPS over HDMI, with a physical switch on the back to toggle between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. The box includes a wired USB “Scout” controller on a 10-foot cable, a 3-foot HD cable, and a 6-foot USB-C cable with AC adapter.
Game Boy Advance support exists but is labeled a beta feature, and Hyperkin included a microSD card slot on the unit specifically to allow firmware updates that could improve GBA compatibility over time. For straight GB and GBC play, the RetroN Sq works cleanly. The 4:3 output is slightly stretched compared to the original pixel geometry, which tends to be noticeable only to enthusiasts who know what to look for.
At around $75, it is the most focused option in Hyperkin’s retro TV lineup for Game Boy fans. If you want GBA support that actually works without caveats, though, the RetroN 5 is the better fit.
What Hyperkin console handles Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance all at once?
The Hyperkin RetroN 5 at $179.99 is the multi-system answer. It has five physical cartridge slots covering NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance, all through a single HDMI output at up to 720p. GBA is fully supported here, not a beta feature.
Beyond raw compatibility, the RetroN 5 adds features the RetroN Sq does not have:
- Save states with 10 slots per game, so you can stop mid-dungeon in Golden Sun without a password.
- On-the-fly cheats via a built-in Game Genie function.
- Video shaders, including a scanlines filter if you want the CRT look.
- Screenshot capture to a rear SD card slot.
- Bluetooth wireless controller with a range of up to 30 feet, plus original controller ports for each platform.
PAL and NTSC cartridges both work. Flash carts do not. If your collection spans multiple formats and you want everything going through one box with modern conveniences, the RetroN 5 is probably the most practical single purchase in Hyperkin’s catalog for Game Boy fans who also have NES or SNES carts gathering dust.
What is the best way to store and protect a Game Boy cartridge collection?
Hyperkin makes a 24-Cartridge Storage Holder designed specifically for GB, GBC, and GBA carts. It holds 24 cartridges in a compact, stackable plastic stand. Two units ship together in the standard pack, giving you 48 total slots, which covers a solid mid-size collection without taking up much shelf space.
The practical value here is straightforward: loose cartridges left in a drawer collect dust in the contacts, which causes read errors. A dedicated holder keeps carts upright, contacts protected, and visible at a glance. For anyone who has spent time cleaning cartridge pins with isopropyl alcohol before every session, a proper storage solution is not optional.
The ModRetro Chromatic: Where Does It Fit for Game Boy Fans?
Worth mentioning separately because it sits in a different category: Hyperkin’s sister brand ModRetro released the Chromatic, an FPGA-based handheld that plays Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges natively. It is not an emulator. The display is a 2.56-inch IPS panel at the original 160x144 resolution, backlit and color-accurate in a way that software filters rarely replicate convincingly.
The Chromatic starts at $199.99 and does not support Game Boy Advance at all. That is a deliberate design choice: it is a strict GB and GBC hardware replica. If you want GBA, the RetroN 5 or an Analogue Pocket are your options. But for GB and GBC specifically, the Chromatic is the most faithful portable experience currently available. Hyperkin’s ModRetro collection is the place to explore it further.
The Format You Play On Is What Decides Everything
Buying a Hyperkin accessory for Game Boy comes down to one question: where do you want to play, and on which cartridge formats?
- Phone + GB/GBC carts: SmartBoy.
- TV + GB/GBC carts, budget-friendly: RetroN Sq.
- TV + GB/GBC/GBA + NES/SNES/Genesis: RetroN 5.
- Portable + GB/GBC, maximum authenticity: ModRetro Chromatic.
None of these overlap cleanly enough to call one universally “best.” The RetroN 5 comes closest to an all-in-one answer for players who have a mixed retro collection, and at $179.99 it is the only option in the group that handles GBA without any asterisk attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hyperkin SmartBoy work with iPhone or iOS devices?
No. The SmartBoy is designed exclusively for Android smartphones with a USB-C port. It draws power directly from the phone’s USB-C connection, a design that is incompatible with Apple’s Lightning and USB-C iOS devices. Android phones between 5.2 and 6.4 inches, particularly Samsung Galaxy S8 and newer models, tend to work most reliably.
Can the Hyperkin RetroN Sq play Game Boy Advance cartridges properly?
GBA support on the RetroN Sq is listed as a beta feature, meaning it works for many titles but is not guaranteed across the full library. Hyperkin included a microSD card slot specifically to allow firmware updates that may expand compatibility over time. For full, stable GBA support without caveats, the RetroN 5 is the more reliable option at $179.99.
Does the Hyperkin RetroN 5 support save states for Game Boy games?
Yes. The RetroN 5 includes save states with 10 slots per game across all supported formats, including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. You can save and resume at any point during gameplay without relying on in-game passwords or battery-backed saves. This feature alone makes long GBA RPGs like Pokémon FireRed significantly more manageable on the system.
What is the difference between the Hyperkin RetroN Sq and the ModRetro Chromatic for Game Boy fans?
The RetroN Sq is a TV console that outputs GB and GBC games at 720p over HDMI, priced around $75. The ModRetro Chromatic is a portable handheld using FPGA hardware to replicate original GB and GBC behavior at the native 160x144 resolution on a backlit screen, priced at $199.99. The Sq is for couch play; the Chromatic is for portable play with maximum authenticity. Neither supports GBA fully.
Are Hyperkin Game Boy accessories compatible with PAL cartridges from Europe?
The RetroN 5 explicitly supports both PAL and NTSC cartridges for all formats it covers, including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. The RetroN Sq’s PAL compatibility for GB and GBC cartridges is generally reported as functional, though GBA PAL support under its beta mode may vary. The SmartBoy, which relies on the cartridge hardware directly, typically handles PAL carts without issue.