Hyperkin makes several products designed to play Game Boy cartridges or extend the Game Boy experience, including the SmartBoy mobile adapter, the RetroN Sq HD console, and the multi-system RetroN 5. All three accept physical cartridges, and all three are available through hyperkinstore.com or major U.S. retailers. The products serve different use cases: the SmartBoy turns an Android phone into a handheld, the RetroN Sq puts Game Boy games on a TV, and the RetroN 5 does the same while also covering eight other classic systems.
Each product targets a slightly different kind of collector. Someone who still carries their original cartridge binder will probably want the RetroN Sq or the SmartBoy. Someone building a single-box retro setup that goes well beyond Game Boy will find the RetroN 5 harder to pass up. The right choice depends on how you actually play, not just which hardware sounds coolest on paper.
What is the Hyperkin SmartBoy and how does it work?
The SmartBoy is a controller shell that clips onto the bottom of an Android USB Type-C smartphone and gives it a physical cartridge slot. Slide in an original Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridge, launch the companion app or a compatible Android emulator, and the phone’s screen handles the display while the SmartBoy handles the controls. No batteries are required because the device draws power directly from the phone.
The SmartBoy ships with classic-style tactile buttons, a D-pad, and shoulder buttons intended for Game Boy Advance app play from Google Play. Hyperkin designed it primarily for Samsung’s S8 line and later, though other Android devices with USB Type-C connections may work with varying results. It does not support iPhones, which use a different port entirely.
One practical limitation worth knowing: the SmartBoy reads Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges natively, but it cannot dump save data from a cartridge to the phone or push phone save data back to the cartridge. A save file started on a physical Game Boy stays separate from anything stored on the phone. That quirk aside, the setup takes seconds, and the form factor is genuinely close to holding an original Game Boy.
What is the Hyperkin RetroN Sq and what cartridges does it support?
The RetroN Sq is a square-shaped home console that connects to a TV via HDMI and upscales Game Boy output to 720p. It supports Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges through open-source software, and Game Boy Advance cartridge support is listed as a beta function. An aspect ratio switch lets you toggle between 4:3 and 16:9, and a memory card slot on the unit handles firmware updates.
The box includes a wired USB Scout controller with a 10-foot cable, a 3-foot HD cable, and a 6-foot USB-C cable with AC adapter. The RetroN Sq comes in two colorways: Blackgold and Hyper Beach. It is a focused product with a narrow job description: take the Game Boy library off a tiny screen and put it on a modern television. It does not try to cover NES, SNES, or Genesis cartridges.
For collectors who want a clean, dedicated Game Boy display solution without dealing with a multi-system menu, the RetroN Sq is probably the most straightforward option Hyperkin offers.
How does the Hyperkin RetroN 5 handle Game Boy cartridges?
The RetroN 5 is Hyperkin’s most capable multi-system console, and Game Boy support is one of five cartridge formats it covers. The unit has five physical slots: NES, SNES (with Super Famicom), Genesis (with Mega Drive), Famicom, and a shared slot for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, and original Game Boy cartridges. Output goes through HDMI at up to 720p, with support for PAL and NTSC cartridges and both 4:3 and widescreen aspect ratios.
Beyond raw playback, the RetroN 5 adds features the original hardware never had. There are 10 save slots per game, screenshot capture that saves as JPEG files to a rear SD card, a built-in Game Genie for cheat codes, and a Bluetooth wireless controller included in the box with a range of roughly 25 to 30 feet. The on-screen interface also allows button remapping, video filters including scanlines, and passive overclocking to speed up or slow down gameplay.
One compatibility note: flash carts and EverDrive-style devices are not supported. The RetroN 5 requires original cartridges.
The Hyperkin RetroN 5 is priced at $179.99 at hyperkinstore.com and represents the broadest Game Boy-compatible console Hyperkin currently sells there.
Where can you buy Hyperkin Game Boy products in the United States?
Hyperkin’s own storefront at hyperkinstore.com is the most direct place to buy. The RetroN 5 is stocked there, as is the broader Hyperkin and ModRetro collection, which covers retro-focused hardware and accessories. The SmartBoy and RetroN Sq are also available through Amazon, Micro Center, and other U.S. retailers, though stock on older products can be inconsistent depending on the time of year.
Buying from hyperkinstore.com means purchasing directly from the manufacturer, which tends to be the cleaner path for warranty support and returns. Hyperkin backs its products with full customer support, and ordering direct avoids the occasional pricing markup that shows up on marketplace listings for discontinued or low-stock items.
Hyperkin Game Boy Products Are Built Around One Thing
Hyperkin’s Game Boy lineup covers three distinct approaches: mobile play with physical cartridges via the SmartBoy, a dedicated TV display solution with the RetroN Sq, and a full multi-system setup with the RetroN 5. None of them require software downloads to get started, and all three accept original cartridges rather than relying on built-in ROMs.
If Game Boy is only one part of a larger retro collection that also includes NES, SNES, and Genesis cartridges, the Hyperkin RetroN 5 at $179.99 is the one product that handles all of it from a single box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hyperkin SmartBoy work with iPhone?
No. The SmartBoy uses a USB Type-C connection and is designed exclusively for Android smartphones. iPhones use a proprietary Lightning or USB-C port with different protocol requirements, and Hyperkin has not released an iOS-compatible version of the SmartBoy as of 2026.
Can the Hyperkin RetroN Sq play Game Boy Advance cartridges fully?
Game Boy Advance cartridge support on the RetroN Sq is listed as a beta function, meaning it is present but not guaranteed to work with every title. Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges are the fully supported formats on that console, handled through open-source software.
Does the Hyperkin RetroN 5 support save states for Game Boy games?
Yes. The RetroN 5 includes 10 save slots per game across all supported cartridge formats, including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. Saves are stored on the system or on a rear SD card, and the feature works without needing to reach a save point in the original game.
Will the Hyperkin SmartBoy work with any Android phone released in 2026?
Hyperkin’s official compatibility list covers specific older Android models centered on Samsung’s Galaxy S8 line and similar devices from that era. Compatibility with newer Android phones released after the original launch list is not guaranteed, and results tend to vary by device. Checking Hyperkin’s current support documentation before purchasing is worth the extra step.
Is the Hyperkin RetroN Sq the same as the RetroN 5?
No. The RetroN Sq is a Game Boy-focused console that supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance (in beta) cartridges only, and outputs to a TV via HDMI at 720p. The RetroN 5 covers those same Game Boy formats plus NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Genesis, Mega Drive, and Master System cartridges, and costs significantly more.