Incredible Tale: Game Boy That Withstood Gulf War Bombing Discovered and Taken Off Nintendo Store Shelves
A resilient Game Boy that withstood the ravages of the Gulf War bombing is now being relocated from the New York Nintendo Store to its rightful place at Nintendo US HQ
After being exhibited for more than three decades, an iconic Game Boy that miraculously survived the Gulf War has been taken down from the Nintendo Store in New York City. The charred yet operational handheld console, which was caught in an explosion during Operation Desert Storm, had become a major crowd-puller at the Nintendo Store for numerous years. However, it appears that the console has recently disappeared from the store.
Originally belonging to Dr. Stephan Scoggins, a former US Army medic who served during the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991, the Game Boy accompanied him into battle. At some point during the conflict, the console suffered damage from a fire, resulting in the front of the device becoming partially melted and charred. Surprisingly, despite the extent of the damage, Scoggins discovered that the console could still power on and function. After returning home, Scoggins returned the unit to Nintendo, who graciously offered him a replacement as a special gesture for his involvement in "Desert Storm." The burnt Game Boy was subsequently showcased at the NYC Nintendo Store, standing as a testament to the extraordinary durability that has contributed to its status as a highly sought-after collectible.
The Game Boy owned by Scoggins remained on display at the store for 30 years without any major changes, aside from a screen replacement and occasional battery replacements. Known as the "Gulf War Game Boy," it was a popular attraction, especially for nostalgic Game Boy fans. However, a recent visitor to the NYC Nintendo store, Twitter user VideoGameArt&Tidbits, noticed that the iconic console was no longer on display. The store staff confirmed that the "Gulf War Game Boy" had been returned to Nintendo's US headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The staff member was unsure if the Game Boy would be back at the store in the future, as there has been no official statement from Nintendo on this matter. Despite this, there is still a strong demand from fans for more Game Boy titles to be released on the Nintendo Switch, showcasing their ongoing interest in the classic console and its successors.
The "Gulf War Game Boy" may have been taken down from its display for several reasons. One possibility is that the aging console requires preservation and maintenance work, which the NYC store may not have been equipped to handle. Another reason could be that Nintendo plans to showcase the iconic Game Boy elsewhere, perhaps as part of a larger exhibit highlighting the history of these consoles and the significant influence of Nintendo games on popular culture. Regardless of the underlying cause, it appears that this piece of Nintendo history will remain unseen by the public for the time being.
