We’re reaching the end of the second month in which Game Boy World/Anatomy of Games (and Metroidvania, if I ever really get that going) are being buoyed by Patreon, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their support. Game Boy World in particular would probably have died a slow, frustrated death. If nothing else, this video likely would have been the end of it:

While it may not seem like much, that video represents probably 20 hours of research, writing, video capture, recording, editing, sourcing supplemental content, and more. That time investment will obviously decrease for future videos as I slowly learn the tricks and techniques of Adobe Premiere, but the point remains that I sank many hours into creating a video that will be lucky to net 1,000 views over the course of its life. If I made a similarly massive time investment with such meager dividends at work, on the clock, I’d get sacked. And rightly so!

Frankly, it wouldn’t go too well at home, either, except I can point to the fact that a small community of readers and viewers is interested enough in this kind of work to help fund it. In any case, it sure beats bringing in a little extra cash by working at the coffee shop downstairs.

In truth, though, everything that’s come in so far (and then some) has gone right back into the site. My hope for Game Boy World was always to make it as definitive a resource as I could manage. While it still has a little way to go to reach its potential, it’s getting close. I’ve been able to track down several complete, boxed games to photograph. Those clean, medium-resolution images are available in the Gallery section of each game’s page. I’ll probably have to beg and plead and trade body parts to borrow materials from hardcore collectors when it comes to the more insanely expensive rarities like Amazing Tater and Trip World, but I’ll make this as complete a resource as reasonably possible.

I haven’t watermarked the images, because watermarks are for jerks. Game Boy reference images are pretty hard to come by online for all but big-name games, and like I said, I hope to turn this into a resource everyone can use. Ideally with credit, because that’s the polite approach. This is by no means a great or noble effort I’m making here, but it’s important to me personally, and I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who is helping to make it possible. So thanks!