The word “Game Boy” doesn’t appear in alleged document, but there’s no mistaking that image for anything else.
With the recent release of the Super NES Classic Edition, Nintendo is once again in the surreal situation of having its hottest new product actually be a collection of its old products. Coming roughly after a year after the launch of the NES Classic Edition, the miniature Super NES further confirms that people are willing to pay for a curated, self-contained sample of landmark Nintendo system titles, and with the large pantheon of Nintendo hardware, the big question now is which system will be the next to get the Classic Edition treatment.
Nintendo’s PR department is mum on the subject, as the company is still publicly basking in the limelight of the Super NES Classic release. But the Japanese Twitter account @trademark_bot, which posts Japanese trademark applications, thinks it knows Nintendo’s next retro move.
[商願2017-123766]
— 商標速報bot (@trademark_bot) October 6, 2017
商標:[画像] /
出願人:任天堂株式会社 /
出願日:2017年9月15日 /
区分:9(家庭用テレビゲーム機用プログラムほか),14(キーホルダーほか),18(かばん金具ほか),21(化粧用具ほか),25(被服ほか),28(家庭用テレビゲーム… pic.twitter.com/noRhof6vF1
According to the account, on September 15 Nintendo filed a trademark application that included an image of what’s unmistakably a Game Boy, even if the name of Nintendo’s first portable system doesn’t actually appear in the image. Among the trademark categories applied for is “video game system or program,” which would fit perfectly with Nintendo’s Classic Edition lineup of consoles pre-loaded with games.
While the Game Boy may not have reached the same level of cultural significance as the NES or Super NES, it still enjoyed an extremely long life. Released in 1989, the Game Boy was Nintendo’s sole portable platform until the release of the Game Boy Color nine years a later. That’s a longer period of time in the top-dog position than the NES/Famicom, which was on the market for seven years in Japan before Nintendo released its successor) or the Super NES/Super Famicom, which had six years on the non-portable Nintendo throne.
Part of Nintendo’s standing Classic Edition strategy is to scale down the dimensions of the original system, which may seem strange to do with the already-portable Game Boy. However, the Game Boy, especially in its first-generation form, is pretty bulky by modern standards, and so something smaller and lighter, and with such modern givens as a back-lit screen and rechargeable battery, would be a major improvement on the original.
Still, Nintendo itself is yet to officially announce a Game Boy Classic Edition, and it’s also worth noting that the trademark application @trademark_bot cites is also for categories such as key chains, clothing, and cosmetics, so it might just mean that Nintendo is looking to pump out some nostalgia-tinged lifestyle merchandise. If the application does turn out to be for a new mini system, though, a look back shows that Nintendo filed the associated trademark applications for the Super NES Classic Edition in April of last year, ahead of a late September release, which would suggest that a Game Boy Classic Edition would be coming sometime next spring.
Sources: Jin, Danshi Hack, Twitter/@trademark_bot

Game over for Classic Mini Famicom and Super Famicom as Nintendo announces end of repairs
Nintendo might be getting ready to release a miniature Super NES Classic Edition
Super NES Classic Edition announced, brings back the ‘90s in more ways than you can imagine
Man in Japan arrested for selling modified Super NES Classics with extra games, making 540 bucks
New 8-bit Nintendo classic system announced for Japan with 20 games not in last version
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Japanese pop idol A-chan reveals she’s always wanted to marry a fan, and she’s done it
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
Does the maxixe live up to its promise of being a whole new flavor for our Japanese reporter?
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Classic 16-bit Nintendo controllers get modern makeover for use with Switch, current-gen consoles
Nintendo Museum’s official merch includes awesome giant controller cushions【Video】
Slot machine’s proposed logo suspiciously familiar to a classic video game
Nintendo Classic Mini Super Famicom to include awesome save and replay features 【Video】
Nintendo releases official, free online PDF of EarthBound player’s guide for anyone to read
Nintendo and Lego team up for an awesomely accurate the Lego Game Boy kit【Photos】
Nintendo FINALLY adds 16-bit Super NES/Super Famicom games to Switch Online service!
Nintendo goes retro and patents awesome smartphone case that looks exactly like a Game Boy
Instead of waiting for Nintendo’s Switch, this awesome gamer made his own portable Super Famicom
Nintendo’s new Super Famicom-themed 3DS is a blast from its awesome past
Web-based emulator adds cool retro quasi-3D effect to classic NES games 【Video】
Retro freak: the new system that lets you play cartridges from 11 different classic game consoles
“Coincidentally” named video game handhelds allow you to play 8, 16-bit Nintendo games on the go
Nintendo’s 8-bit Famicom getting first new cartridge in 21 years with chiptune album 【Video】
Nintendo history you can feel – Super NES, N64, and GameCube controllers become capsule toys
Leave a Reply