This gadget is going to let you play Game Boy games on your smartphone

Back on 31 March 2015, the games group Hyperkin raised the pulses of gamers the world over when they teased their concept for the Smart Boy - a gadget that would allow your smartphone to play all your beloved old Game Boy games.

It looked a little something like this.

While we were in the midst of seeing what spare change we could dig out from under the sofa, Hyperkin broke our spirits when the company admitted the design was actually an April Fool's joke. They laughed. We sulked.

But such was the interest sparked by Hyperkin's little gag that it got the group thinking - what if we could actually build something you could slot your smartphone into to let you play Game Boy games?

Well, they did it. 

The Smartboy is currently for sale on Hyperkin's website for $59.99 (£42), allowing you to connect your Android phone (we're guessing it uses a micro USB connection) to your old Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. 

Before you get too excited, you should note this is a developer kit. That means you'll need to help fine tune the software that runs the Smartboy (it's not so smart yet), but if you help Hyperkin in their quest by improving the sytem's "serial app and firmware", you'll be granted a royalty percentage of the retail units that hit the shelves.

If you need us, we'll be browsing eBay for a working copy of Pokémon Yellow and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Here's hoping the lawyers at Nintendo don't take a disliking to the idea...