article: More than 600 million smartphone and tablet owners use their devices to play games. So developers in Los Angeles have designed a case that adds the iconic directional arrows, plus the A and B buttons, from the Nintendo Game Boy to an iPhone. Called Smart Boy, the attachment also lets gamers play their existing Game Boy and Game Boy Color games cartridges on their Apple handset. Los Angeles-based Hyperkin has designed a case that adds the iconic directional arrows, plus the A and B buttons from the Nintendo Game Boy, to an iPhone. It was originally an April Fool's joke, but the popularity and demand for a real product was so high the firm has announced plans to sell it . The case was created by independent video game hardware developers Hyperkin. It was originally devised as part of an April Fool's joke, but the popularity and demand for a real product was so high the company has announced plans to sell a consumer version. In a press release, Hyperkin's product developer Chris Gallizzi said: 'We wanted to create a retro device that can be easily adapted into any modern gamer's arsenal of devices.' He continued that the Smart Boy will come in the classic '80s grey', with more colours to follow. Called Smart Boy, the attachment also lets gamers play their existing Game Boy and Game Boy Color games cartridges on their handset. A graphic showing how to use the Hyperkin case is illustrated . The Game Boy, and its successor the Game Boy Color, went on sale in 1989 and 1998 respectively. They have both sold a combined 118.69 million units worldwide. More than 600 million smartphone and tablet owners now use their devices to play games . It will feature an eight-way D-pad, two action buttons, a Start and Select button, and a battery that can be charged through the phone. The gameplay itself will appear on the iPhone's screen, and the firm said these features may change as the project develops. The Game Boy, and its successor the Game Boy Color, went on sale in 1989 and 1998 respectively. The have both sold a combined 118.69 million units worldwide. When the original Game Boy was released in the US, it sold one million units within the first month. Games were sold as cartridges that slid into the rear of the handheld consoles. Nintendo advised keeping cartridges away from dust, where possible, to avoid gameplay glitches. The Smart Boy will also work with an app with a cheat database, and save states as well. At the moment the Smart Boy is 'in early conceptual development stages' and is only being designed to work with the iPhone 6 Plus, in the first instance. Hyperkin has not announced price details or when the first models will go on sale, but it did say that cases for other handsets, and designs, are also under development. The Game Boy, and its successor the Game Boy Color, went on sale in 1989 and 1998 respectively. They have both sold a combined 118.69 million units worldwide. When the original Game Boy was released in the US, it sold one million units within the first month. Games were sold as cartridges that slid into the rear of the handheld consoles. Nintendo advised keeping cartridges away from dust, where possible, to avoid gameplay glitches.
highlights: Attachment was originally devised as part of an April Fool's joke .
  But the LA-based firm has now announced it is making the case a reality .
  Called Smart Boy, it attaches to a phone and works with existing cartridges .
  Price and release details have not yet been announced .
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