November 6, 2009 11:26 AM PST

Game Boy enters Toy Hall of Fame with Big Wheel

by Don Reisinger
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Nintendo's Game Boy has been honored once again. This time, the handheld that changed the gaming industry is being inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, the Strong National Toy Museum announced on Thursday.

Game Boy

Congratulations, Game Boy!

(Credit: Nintendo)

The Game Boy beat out several finalists, including Cabbage Patch Kids, playing cards, Rubik's Cube, and sidewalk chalk. It must have been a tough battle to beat sidewalk chalk. But beat it, the Game Boy did.

The Strong National Toy Museum, located in Rochester, N.Y., said it felt compelled to induct the Game Boy into the Hall of Fame because "of its role as a major industry innovator." But it didn't stop there. The organization said the platform "did more to put gamers on the go than this invention.

"Over the past two decades, Game Boy has become synonymous with handheld gaming fun," the organization said in a statement. "Its portability and efficient design, ability to allow simultaneous multiplayer gaming, and scores of intriguing games make it a true innovator."

But Game Boy wasn't alone in receiving the honor. Motorized toy Big Wheel also joined the list. But it was the third honoree the organization threw in that some might get a kick out of: the ball (see what I did there?). Yes, the ball also made the list because, as the organization pointed out, "roll it, throw it, kick it, catch it, bounce it, or bat at it, the ball is as old as civilization itself."

The Game Boy joins the Atari 2600 as the only other gaming platform to enter the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Congratulations, Game Boy. You deserve it. You too, ball.

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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by stepyourgameup November 6, 2009 1:29 PM PST
My vote is for the *****.
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by magnumfinger November 11, 2009 11:44 AM PST
It's strange ..why it took the judges only this year 2009 to select game boy as the winner.?

It has been one of the pioneer if not the first and the best handheld portable gaming console way back in 90's.

The awarding of GB should be a no-brainer.

sources: http://bit.ly/gameboy-hall-fame-hell-yeah

I even remember how I felt terribly bad when my schoolmates don't lend me a gameboy..

ahhh, nostalgia!
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About The Digital Home

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.

Don writes product reviews for InformationWeek and is a regular contributor to Processor Magazine. You can visit his personal site at DonReisinger.com or if you would like to email Don with questions or comments, drop him a line at CNETDigitalHome@gmail.com. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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