Why doesn't Gameboy have educational games?

[Faithless]

If I am not mistaken, one of the world's most popular video game devices does not have and educational software niche. If that is true, why?

One of the reasons I and other parents, not that we're snobs mind you, refuse to buy gameboys for our kids is that they seem like such wastes of time.

Now, if they had an educational software niche, that would be cool. You know, like bringing a new spin to Boggle, Scrabble, Handman, or math games etc.

[Everglaze]

True, but you have to realize that these are consoles like PlayStation 2, XBox and Nintendo Game Cube. They are entertainment systems that you play games on for fun and even though I think that playing games in general is kinda wasting time when you could be doing something better, they are just game-playing consoles.

About the educational games, I don't know why they don't carry any titles but it depends on how old the kid is. If he/she was around 13-15 years old, I don't think he/she would wanna play educational games.

Now if it was a younger kid around 6 or 7, maybe the outcome would be different.

Why not try just regular educational games instead of gameboy? there's a lot outside of the gameboy circle.

[thaite]

Seems to me it would be a cheap undertaking to have language learning software, or even e-books on the GameBoy. And it since it's portable, a person would be more apt to break it out and use, than they would be on a home console or PC.

[Everglaze]

Seems to me it would be a cheap undertaking to have language learning software, or even e-books on the GameBoy. And it since it's portable, a person would be more apt to break it out and use, than they would be on a home console or PC.

Yes and now they have pocket PC.

[Faithless]

Well, the interesting thing about Gameboy is that it is compact and portable and durable (within reason).

I just think that there is a market out there (under teenage) that is not being served. And I guess I know the reason -- the thought that the educational Gameboy market would be too small to go after.

Maybe. But it all depends on the marketing.

[ism]

I think a main problem with creating an educational software niche on the GBA is the cost of developing the software vs. the potential profit.

Assuming Nintendo approves you for a license (http://www.warioworld.com/apply/agb.html), the development kit starts at $10k and it's fairly difficult to write for (compared to PC or Palm). You could go renegade but it's tough to market a game outside the Nintendo licensee arena, much less an educational game as an official licensee.

Also, a large purchaser of educational software are K-12 and nonprofits and since Gameboys aren't exactly standard in a classroom like PCs and Macs are, that's a huge blow to potential revenue.

[mr. x]

cuz then you'd have a calculator

[TB4000]

Are you gonna sit here and tell me that Super Mario Advance 4 isn't educational? What if one of Koopa's kids came at your ass in a dark alley and you didn't have the raccoon power? You'd be all messed up then, man.

[Hanuman]

I dunno, I thought the point of Gameboy was to rot your brain and seek escape from annoying things such as learning and education. I'm not sure how this would appeal to kids. I remember running off to the arcade for hours when I was a kid just so I wouldn't have to do homework.

[Faithless]

Supposedly educational Gameboy color games (http://www.gamefarmer.com/gameboycolor/2)

[teaz0r]

i like the new game boy thingy.
the one with the fliperoo thing.

looks like a powder compact thingy.

[bluemonq]

i like the new game boy thingy.
the one with the fliperoo thing.

looks like a powder compact thingy.
translated for geeks everywhere ---> GBA:SP :smile:
seriously though, the main driver for video games is the "whining child who really really wants this ___" factor. Since this *is* an entertainment device, the kids want this to play games, of the strategy/kill/fight/gathere variety, not, "let's learn grammar." even *if* all the parents think its a good idea and buy the first ed-game, if the kids don't play it, the parents will think, geez what a waste of money and won't buy and more ed-games.

[mrazntre]

those shoot em ups are a great educational tool for those that want to join the LAPD or marines or something.

I was just reminiscing on the OLD SKOOL gameboy that was yellow and green (not even black and white!!!!). Anyhow, remember that old ass piece of shit had an attachment so that you could basically have a PDA. It had a thesaurus, dictionary, notes, etc. That stuff didn't fare too well because kids don't need that shit.

Educational games are just not profitable enough.

[bluemonq]

I was just reminiscing on the OLD SKOOL gameboy that was yellow and green
did you ever get those unmarked game cartridges with ~25 games on them that had a button on the back that you had to push to switch games? They were so good!

[mrazntre]

did you ever get those unmarked game cartridges with ~25 games on them that had a button on the back that you had to push to switch games? They were so good!

not the one with the switch, but i did have one that had like 3 of the same game on the damn cartridge!!!! and it also had the pokemon games, but it was all in japanese. :confused: