Play Game Boy Controller Kensa Cartridge (Japan) [b] Online

Pop this in and your Game Boy becomes a button tester—just mash controls and watch the screen light up to confirm everything still works. It’s not a game, just a no-nonsense way to check if your D-pad’s finally given up after all these years.

File size: 12 bytes

Game Overview

I picked up the Game Boy Controller Kensa Cartridge, a Japan-only release from 1990, with no developer or publisher clearly credited on the cart itself. It's a simple utility program from the early days of the handheld, designed for one specific, practical purpose rather than entertainment.

You don't control a character; you press buttons. The main objective is to verify that every input on the Game Boy is functioning correctly. The cartridge displays an on-screen representation of the console, and each button press lights up the corresponding part of the diagram. You test the D-pad directions, the A and B buttons, Start, and Select, methodically checking each one for response. The pacing is entirely up to you, and there is no difficulty or challenge beyond diagnosing hardware issues. It feels like running a quick, quiet systems check on a trusted piece of equipment.