We take a look at a Japanese website that lets you transform your photos into 8-bit, Gameboy-style works of art!
We all remember the Nintendo Game Boy. For many of us, this little 8-bit powerhouse was our first encounter with mobile gaming. From its original release in 1989, Nintendo’s little game console provided millions of people the world over the chance to enjoy addictive hits like Super Mario and Tetris even when they weren’t near a television.
Sure, in retrospect some of these games were just slightly-strange, monochromatic versions of their NES counterparts (Super Mario Land anyone?), but for many of us old folks who grew up then, the almost pocket-sized Game Boy was an essential companion on long car journeys and trips to visit boring relatives.
Personally, playing my dad’s Game Boy remains one of my earliest, and most cherished memories as a child, and I continue to enjoy playing Game Boy classics to this day.
▼ Thanks to my wife, who has 5 of them for some reason!
Well good news for all of the hopeless nostalgists out there — an awesome new Japanese website offers you the chance to transform any image into a slightly green-tinged, pixellated, 8-bit works of art.
The website, which is called GB Pic, includes a very simple interface, which allows you to easily upload image files. To do so, just click the button at the top with the message “ファイルを選択” and select the image you want — it will be uploaded and immediately transformed into crudely-rendered 8-bit versions of the original. Imagine the possibilities!
▼ Self-Portrait
The website also features a number of additional functions that allow you to adjust the contrast/brightness, as well as the filter color, so you can go for that “almost out of batteries, oh crap, do we have any double-A batteries, oh wait, I’ll just use the batteries from the TV remote” look. Try adjusting the sliders under the image to change the brightness, color filters, dot matrix and more.
▼And for good measure, I tried one out on a photo of my cat too!
What are you waiting for? Get over there and try it out for yourself! And then you can try running the images through this service that turns rough sketches into crisp line drawings to see how they turn out!
Sources: RocketNews 24, GB Pic
Images: RocketNews 24, Nintendo Gameboy
Super cool photo of someone using Twitter… on a Nintendo Game Boy?!
Datel Japan reveals headphones with Game Boy-themed in-line mic, we reach for our Christmas list
Hyperkin’s joke design for a Game Boy emulator for iPhones is now the real deal…maybe
Yes, there really is a Game Boy-shaped mailbox in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Should you drive through a red traffic light like this in Japan? Confusing road rule explained
Extreme budget travel! Can you do a good weekend trip to Taiwan with 50,000 yen (US$370)? – Part 2
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
It’s like the samurai era never ended at this beautiful Japanese mountain town
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
You can control your air conditioner with a Game Boy Color, genius inventor proves【Video】
Clean up your game with these amazing Game Boy cartridge soaps
Give your Game Boy a new lease of life with upcoming HDTV adaptor “hdmyboy”
Nintendo goes retro and patents awesome smartphone case that looks exactly like a Game Boy
Nintendo and Lego team up for an awesomely accurate the Lego Game Boy kit【Photos】
Retro game dream — A massive collection of 99.36 percent of every Game Boy game ever released
They’re all here! Japanese collector completes set of all 1,244 Game Boy games【Photos】
Pikachu/Game Boy manhole cover installed at Nintendo Museum, not viewable by general public