Pushing Pixels to the Limit: Developing Tad-Bubble for the Game Boy Color

  • Student project
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  • Arts and Culture
  • Science and Engineering

When most people think of making a video game, they picture modern engines like Unity or Unreal. But for one CMGT student, the inspiration was a little more retro.

“I’ve always loved old-school games,” they explain. “So when I discovered GBStudio, an engine made specifically for creating Game Boy games, I knew I had to try it.”

That experiment turned into Tad-Bubble, a boss rush shooter for the Game Boy Color that started as a Global Game Jam entry. “It was supposed to be a small jam project, but people really liked it,” they say. “After that, I decided to keep developing it on my own.”

Unlike most new Game Boy titles, which tend to be puzzle or RPG-based, Tad-Bubble focuses on fast-paced, arcade-style action. The game challenges players to master quick reactions and aim for high scores, echoing the kind of energetic gameplay that defined handheld gaming in the 90s.

Of course, making a game for 30-year-old hardware isn’t easy. “The Game Boy only has a 160x144 resolution and can show just 56 colors on screen,” they laugh. “You really have to optimize everything. For example, a ton of my sprites are symmetrical, so I only load half into memory and flip it to make the full image.”

Despite the challenges, the developer finds joy in problem-solving. “There’s something really satisfying about pushing such limited hardware to its limits. You can’t brute force anything, you have to be clever.”

Their time at CMGT played a big role in helping the project take shape. “I first tried GBStudio during an elective, with guidance from a lecturer who helped me stay focused,” they say. “And honestly, the connections I’ve made here, classmates, Game Jam teammates, are a big reason I keep going. Without that support, Tad-Bubble probably wouldn’t exist.”

What began as a small jam experiment has evolved into a full solo project and a personal tribute to the spirit of retro game development.

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Fields of interest

  • Arts and Culture
  • Science and Engineering
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