Game Boy takes to the Skies

Three of Japan's biggest companies have joined together to launch Singapore Airline's newest Boeing 747-400 with the first operational In-Flight Entertainment system, which features the Gateway Game Boy. The system will allow passengers to enjoy titles such as Pokémon, Mario, Zelda, and many others. Nintendo plans to have several dozen games available at launch, with the latest titles being added as they're released. The system needs only the standard MAS System 3000 seat central CPU and a Nintendo controller to operate. Passengers can select games from the system menu and have the titles automatically downloaded to their chair for play.

"Airline gameplay is not new, but this innovative system is completely unique, offering a vastly improved form of play," said Peter Eck, director of network planning, Nintendo of America. "Gateway Game Boy will allow passengers to enjoy Game Boy games right in their seat - all without the need for any specific hardware in the seat back."

Takashi Mizuma, president of Matsushita Avionics, said, "The launch of MAS System 3000 on Singapore Airlines represents another pioneering step in in-flight entertainment and communications. System 3000 features the very latest in AVOD and Internet technology for airline passengers, and the integration of the Nintendo Gateway Game Boy into System 3000 further illustrates the power and potential of this technology."

Finally, K. W. Yap, senior VP of marketing services for Singapore Airlines, added, "We are delighted that our customers will be the first to enjoy these exciting new interactive games. We shall be announcing more advances in our in-flight entertainment and communications system in the coming months as we develop our SIA Cyber Cabin initiative. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best selection of in-flight entertainment in the industry and the facilities to stay connected at all times, on the ground and in the air."

The new system will debut in November.