What Were the Names of the Action Buttons on the Game Boy?

The original Nintendo Game Boy, released in 1989, featured a simple yet iconic control layout that defined handheld gaming for decades. This article explores the specific names and functions of the action buttons found on the device, detailing how the A and B buttons became standard inputs for generations of gamers. We will also examine their placement, physical design, and role in gameplay mechanics to provide a complete understanding of the console’s interface.

The Primary Action Buttons

The core action inputs on the original Game Boy were labeled simply as A and B. These two round, rubberized buttons were located on the right side of the device’s face, positioned diagonally from one another. The A button was situated at the top of the pair, while the B button was located below and to the left of the A button. This specific arrangement allowed players to press either button individually or simultaneously using their right thumb.

In most game libraries, the A button served as the primary action input, often used for jumping, confirming selections, or accelerating. The B button typically function as a secondary action, commonly utilized for canceling menus, running, or attacking with a secondary weapon. This logical division of labor between the two buttons became a standard convention not only for subsequent Game Boy models like the Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color but also for future Nintendo handhelds and consoles.

Additional Control Inputs

While the A and B buttons were the primary action inputs, the Game Boy featured other controls that facilitated navigation and game management. Above the action buttons were the Start and Select buttons. These were smaller, pill-shaped buttons used primarily to pause games, access menus, or select game modes during startup. Although essential for operation, they were not classified as action buttons within the context of gameplay mechanics.

To the left of the screen was the D-Pad (Directional Pad), a cross-shaped input used for movement and menu navigation. Unlike the action buttons, the D-Pad was designed for directional input rather than command execution. Together, the D-Pad, the A and B action buttons, and the Start and Select keys created the foundational control scheme that Nintendo would refine but rarely abandon in the decades following the original Game Boy’s launch.