# Sharp SM83

> 8-bit CPU core

**Wikidata**: [Q121742041](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121742041)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sharp-sm83

## Summary
The Sharp SM83 is an 8-bit CPU core manufactured by Sharp Corporation that served as the central processing unit for Nintendo's Game Boy and Game Boy Color handheld gaming consoles. This custom processor was specifically designed to provide optimal performance and energy efficiency for portable gaming applications.

## Key Facts
- The Sharp SM83 is an 8-bit CPU core with a 16-bit program counter
- It was manufactured by Sharp Corporation for use in Nintendo's handheld consoles
- It powered both the original Game Boy (1989) and Game Boy Color (1998) systems
- The SM83 is classified as an integrated circuit model and instruction set architecture
- It is a subclass of microprocessor, which are computer processors contained on integrated-circuit chips
- Technical documentation exists in the form of SM8311/SM8313/SM8314/SM8315 datasheets
- Reverse engineering projects have documented the CPU architecture at https://github.com/Gekkio/gb-research/tree/main/sm83-cpu-core
- The SM83 is different from the Zilog Z80 processor found in many other contemporary systems

## FAQs
### Q: What consoles used the Sharp SM83 CPU?
A: The Sharp SM83 CPU core was used in Nintendo's Game Boy and Game Boy Color handheld gaming consoles, serving as the central processing unit for these iconic systems.

### Q: How does the Sharp SM83 compare to other 8-bit processors of its era?
A: Unlike the widely used Zilog Z80 processor found in many contemporary systems, the SM83 was a custom design specifically tailored for Nintendo's Game Boy architecture and gaming requirements.

### Q: What technical documentation exists for the SM83?
A: Technical information about the SM83 is preserved through official SM8311/SM8313/SM8314/SM8315 datasheets and can be explored through modern reverse engineering projects available at the gb-research GitHub repository.

## Why It Matters
The Sharp SM83 CPU core represents a significant technological achievement in the history of portable gaming, forming the processing foundation for consoles that sold over 118 million units worldwide. This processor was specifically engineered to provide an optimal balance of processing power and energy efficiency, enabling the Game Boy to achieve remarkable battery life for its time. The SM83's longevity and the continued interest in reverse engineering it demonstrate its enduring importance in computing history. By powering Nintendo's breakthrough handheld gaming platform, the SM83 helped establish portable gaming as a major entertainment category and influenced future console design priorities.

## Notable For
- Being the custom 8-bit CPU core designed specifically for Nintendo's Game Boy handheld console
- Its energy-efficient architecture that enabled extended battery life in portable gaming devices
- Its use across multiple console generations, from the original Game Boy to the Game Boy Color
- The 16-bit program counter design despite being classified as an 8-bit processor
- Being the subject of ongoing reverse engineering efforts by the gaming hardware research community

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- Architecture: 8-bit CPU core
- Program Counter: 16-bit
- Manufacturer: Sharp Corporation
- Classification: Integrated circuit model, instruction set architecture
- Relationship: Subclass of microprocessor
- Documentation: SM8311/SM8313/SM8314/SM8315 datasheets

### Usage in Gaming Consoles
The Sharp SM83 served as the central processing unit in Nintendo's handheld gaming devices:
- Original Game Boy (1989)
- Game Boy Color (1998)

This CPU was specifically designed for the Game Boy architecture, providing optimal performance for gaming applications while maintaining power efficiency for portable use.

### Research and Documentation
Technical information about the SM83 is preserved through:
- Official SM8311/SM8313/SM8314/SM8315 datasheets
- Modern reverse engineering projects available at https://github.com/Gekkio/gb-research/tree/main/sm83-cpu-core
- Analysis in publications such as "Game Boy Architecture | A Practical Analysis" (2019)

## References

1. [Game Boy Architecture | A Practical Analysis. 2019](https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/game-boy/)