A new device is on the way which allows you to listen to the music from your Game Boy and Game Boy Color carts.

To use Retro Song Bird, you simply plug in the cartridge (over 1,900 are supported) and it plays back the music – as well as the sound effects. The unit will allow you to skip forwards and backwards through the track listing, and control the volume, but beyond that, it keeps things simple as far as the interface goes.

Audio is produced via "accurate, register-level sound emulation" and you can even connect the Retro Song Bird to your stereo, if you prefer a superior audio experience. You can export soundtracks into WAV format using it, too.

In addition to unlocking the music on your old carts, the device lets you back up save data and even dump the ROM. You can also flash writable carts using it.

If you fancy getting creative, the Retro Song Bird allows you to 'remix' the music on each cart by splitting each of the four sound channels into its own USB audio stream. It doesn't stop there, either; plug in a Game Boy Camera, and you can use the Retro Song Bird as a USB webcam. You can also use the device as an alarm.

The unit is supported by an open API for developers so they can expand the remit of the Retro Song Bird, and it will have built-in WiFi for over-the-air updates to add more features in the future.

Retro Song Bird is expected to launch later this year, and you can register your interest here.