gameboys

   Gameboys are small hand-held electronic devices with screens. They use cartridges to enable people to play computer games. They were first produced by the Japanese company Nintendo in 1989, and are firmly established as an aspect of youth culture. Children of both sexes, from age seven to student years, play with them. Normally players play against themselves, but they can compete by linking machines together. The most popular games are the Mario and Donkey Kong series, and Tetris, all of which can be played on the later, bulkier and more expensive Nintendo 64. Because of fears that these machines are ‘isolating’ young children, age limits have been imposed on some games

   See also: crazes

   MIKE STORRY