Nintendo sold 118.69 million examples of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color and 81.51 million items of the Game Boy Advance, making them a few of the hottest items of gaming {hardware} on the planet. Today, I realized one thing about these handhelds that I by no means knew. In the 2000s, a particular cart allowed these methods to perform as diagnostic instruments for sure Aprilia, Peugeot, and Suzuki scooters.

The gear included a Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance (relying on the 12 months) with a cartridge with a wire popping out of it and a pair of cables. One of them connected to the engine management unit, and the opposite routed to the brake system.

With all the things connected, the hand-held gaming system grew to become a totally purposeful diagnostic instrument. The video above reveals the engine pace, throttle place, and temperature capabilities. The system might additionally learn and clear fault codes. Technicians might activate actuators to be sure that issues just like the ignition, injectors, and pumps have been working electronically and mechanically.

Beyond diagnosing issues, the instrument additionally might replace the scooters’ ECU. For instance, the shop manual for this cart reveals switching between Standard and Racing tunes for a 50cc engine.

Orbital developed these carts and provided a web-based replace instrument for enhancing them. Thus, it was potential to obtain new variations and cargo them from a cable connecting the Game Boy and a PC.

Though it would sound unusual, utilizing a Game Boy Color or Advance as a platform for a diagnostic instrument looks like a incredible concept. The solely factor distinctive about this setup was the cart. So, a technician might use any handheld out there. They have been cheap and available, so discovering one was straightforward.

These days, fans are prepared to pay a premium for Oribital’s scooter diagnostic carts. Game Boy followers need them to finish collections, whereas Aprilia, Peugeot, and Suzuki scooter homeowners hunt for them to work on their bikes. They aren’t interchangeable between fashions, that means these homeowners have to search out the suitable one for his or her mannequin, driving costs up.

Someone on a Game Boy forum requested $3,000 for an entire in-case Peugeot model. A 2007 publish on an Aprilia discussion board confirmed someone paying 400 euros for one. Some of us even made their very own cables for the system. The video under reveals off the Aprilia and Suzuki variations of the cart.

So along with taking part in your favourite Pokémon video games, simply know Game Boys have additionally been used to maintain scooters on the highway. Fascinating.