GameBoy

Game Boy Advance
Released: Original Model: June 2001 SP: March 2003 Micro: Oct. 2, 2005
Created By: Nintendo
Price: Original Model: [now discontinued in favor of newer model, if found should be below the SP price] SP: $79.99 / £64.99 / €99,99 Micro: $99.99 / £69.99 / €99,99

Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance (abbr. “GBA”) is the follow-up to the most successful portable video game system ever created, the Game Boy (abbr. “GB”).


But before we get into the Game Boy Advance, first we’ll delve into some history on its precursors.

For years Nintendo’s Game Boy dominated the handheld video game market, even against some highly advanced game machines that utilized color displays, had more buttons, and/or offered better sound and graphics than Nintendo’s machine (which only had two action buttons, A and B). For some reason the Game Boy never failed to triumph, even though the system had a dull, black & white screen (actually, the original model was black & green, and the opposite of what you’d call “sharp”) and was less powerful than Nintendo’s first home console, the NES.

However, Nintendo dominated because the system had a long battery life and a huge library of games, many of which were new iterations in popular Nintendo franchises, such as Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby and Donkey Kong. Not to mention Wario Land and later, in what would become one of the most popular franchises of all time, Pokemon, which would also go on to become the best-selling Game Boy game of all time.

The original Game Boy was released in August 1991 in the US in a standard gray color. The launch game was Tetris, and this portable puzzler was a large reason why the system became so popular early on. Tetris was an addictive game and it was packaged in with the system; thus the Game Boy flew off store shelves. Nintendo finally released a rainbow of different colored casings for the Game Boy in 1995, but the core hardware remained the same throughout the early 90’s. Which meant no updates in graphics or sound, and that was the case again when Nintendo finally redesigned the system into a slimmer and more modern case and released it as the Game Boy Pocket in 1996. It was said to be so slim it could fit into any pocket and it required fewer batteries, two triple A instead of four double A, than the earlier models.

Eventually developers called for Nintendo to update the antiqued Game Boy hardware, and they did just that with the release of the Game Boy Color in Nov. 1998. Although the graphic capabilities weren’t substantially more powerful, they were a big enough leap from the original to make a difference, not to mention the fact that games could now be played in full color. The GBC was the first system ever to be backwards compatible, meaning all previous GB games would play on it. The graphics allowed for 56 different colors simultaneously on-screen from it’s palette of 32, 768 colors, which was a huge update from the original Game Boys four shades of gray. It also had an increased processor that was twice as fast, and it had twice as much memory as the original GB, in addition to an infrared communications port, which would not appear on any other GB iterations. This allowed for more detailed graphics and larger games than what the original GB could offer.

All this eventually lead up to the Game Boy Advance’s debut in June 2001 in the US. The GBA featured a blazingly fast 32-bit processor, and had graphical capabilities on par, if not exceeding, that of Nintendo’s Super NES home console. The original GBA featured a horizontal design, making it easy to hold, and featured four action buttons, two on the face (A and B) and two shoulder buttons (R and L). The GBA’s debut was the best ever for a handheld game system, and the it continued to absolutely dominate the market, due to it’s long battery life, advanced graphics and it’s great launch line-up that included an updated version of Super Mario Bros. 2 and an all new 2D-side-scrolling Castlevania game, among others.

Subsequently, Nintendo released an updated version of the system, the Game Boy Advance SP (SP stands for “special”) in March of 2003. This re-design of the GBA has a clamshell design (that is, you hold the bottom part of the system, where the buttons are, and the screen is on the top, hinged to the bottom section, allowing it to close, becoming compact and easily carried) as well as a lighted screen (the original SP screen was front-lit, while the newest revision is backlit, which offers improved lighting, and was updated alongside the release of the GB Micro). The one drawback to this was the lack of a headphone joke, an optional accessory has to be bought that plugs into the top of the system if you want to use headphones. The SP also used a rechargeable battery, the same kind used in cell phones. Some people however prefer the horizontal design of the original GBA, saying it is easier on the hands to hold and play.


You’d think that no more revisions of the GBA design would be necessary, but Nintendo apparently didn’t think so. The Game Boy Micro is the most recent Game Boy Advance re-design and it was released in Oct. 2005 in the US. The Micro makes several changes from the SP, going back to a longer horizontal design, while being a whole lot smaller than any previous iteration. The screen is more like that of a cell phone, which can make it a little hard to read text, but the plus side is that the screen is much brighter than the original SP (although the new backlit SP model makes this point mute) and the resolution is much sharper, thanks to the smaller size of the screen.

Nintendo is touting the Micro as a portable game machine for the image conscious gamer. The system has a sleek design that includes removable faceplates with various designs and colors (additional faceplates are sold separately) for those that want to give their system some unique flair. Nintendo is expressly trying to target the 20-something gamer who wants a more modern, hip looking portable, and while they have succeeded to a large degree in Japan, the system so far hasn’t sold as well elsewhere. And one major knock against the new Micro model is its lack of backwards compatibility with original GB titles. Only GBA games can be played on the system. A lesser knock is the fact that it isn’t compatible with a lot of original GBA and SP accessories, like the link cable and the GameCube GBA Cable (a cable that allows games to be hooked up to the GameCube to interface with certain games that support the feature).

For reference-sake, check out information on Nintendo’s other portable, the Nintendo DS, in our left side-menu. Which is a separate line than Nintendo’s Game Boy portables.

The Game Boy Advance has become a haven for 2D gaming and old-school gamers. In this day and age of fancy 3D graphics and computer generated movie scenes, 2D gaming on consoles has become almost nonexistent, much to the dismay of many a side-scrolling platformer fan. Thankfully, the GBA has stepped in to keep 2D gaming alive, in both original games built specifically on the GBA’s strengths, as well as the many ports of classic games from the by-gone era that have found a new home on the handheld. And it’s not just side-scrolling platformers or isometric adventure games, but games of all types and genres, including classic isometric RPG’s, are plentiful on the GBA, which is the main reason that the system has been so successful. And while everyone loves to have improved ports of their favorite classic titles, which the GBA has in abundance, they also love original games, and the GBA has plenty of those as well, making the system ideal for mainstream audiences as well as hardcore gamers who were weaned on the glory days of the NES, Genesis and Super NES.

And thanks to the power of the GBA hardware, ports lose none of their shine, as the GBA is basically an improved Super NES. Which has resulted in many new takes on 2D gaming that might never have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for this wondrous handheld.

The GBA also allows for four-player play, unlike older Game Boys where each player had to have a copy of the game to take part in the action, and some titles even support four-player play where only one copy of the game is needed (which is very convenient). Making multiplayer gaming that much easier on the system.

So is the GBA still viable in today’s marketplace? Sales certainly indicate so, and the GBA looks to continue to be a solid system for at least another year or so, despite the release of the DS (which is backwards compatible with GBA games), which will most likely replace the GBA, SP and Micro eventually, although it is rumored that the true follow-up to the Game Boy Advance is in the works and that it will use a disc-based medium like that of Sony’s Playstation Portable (abbr. PSP).

So which system should you buy if you’re in need of a good portable system? If you only care about getting the latest games, then you should probably splurge on either an SP, Micro or a Sony PSP. Get a PSP if you want a lot of 3D games along with your 2D games, and if you want games that largely emulate what the big consoles can do. However if you enjoy mainly side-scrolling games or isometric adventure or RPGs, then the Game Boy Advance is a good way to go. Go for an SP over a Micro if you want a bigger screen and if you think you may like to dig into some of the older original-model Game Boy games. If all you care about is the latest that 2D gaming has to offer, and you don’t mind gaming on a smaller screen, then the Micro is the way to go. Exchangeable faceplates and the sleeker look being icing on the cake.

If what you are looking for are highly unique gaming experiences that can’t be done on any other system, then the DS is a good bet for you. The system has a higher price point, but also remember that it is backwards compatible with Game Boy Advance games, so all GBA titles can be played on the DS (except those that use a tilt sensor). The DS however is not compatible with original GB games.

All in all, no matter which Game Boy variation you chose, a lot of gaming fun is sure to be had, whether you are old-school or new-school, so you really can’t lose any way you slice it.

Features
Original Game Boy Advance’ horizontal design, two action buttons and two trigger buttons, no screen light, cheapest price for a portable system, backward compatible with original GB games, can hook up to the GameCube with a separate cable.
Game Boy Advance SP’ Clamshell design makes the system more compact and protects the screen from dust, etc., a frontlit (and now backlit model) means no more having to tilt the screen to catch the outside light and see what you’re playing, lacks a headphone jack (a headphone adapter can be purchased separately), battery is rechargeable, very affordable price, backwards compatible with original Game Boy games, can hook up to the GameCube with a separate cable.
Game Boy Micro’ Sleek design, smallest Game Boy to date, can fit in virtually any pocket, small size also means small screen, light is very bright and screen is twice as sharp as the regular model, horizontal hardware design, must buy two separate link cables to enable full multiplayer, GameCube GBA cable doesn’t work with the Micro, not backwards compatible with original Game Boy games, at $99 the system is more affordable than a DS or PSP.
All GBA’s: Support four-player play, some titles feature four-player with only one cartridge needed

Pros: huge library of games, many ports or updates of old-school classics from the NES, SNES, Genesis and Master System are available, likewise, lots of new, original games on the system that take advantage of the powerful 2D hardware, new games are cheaper than on console systems

Cons: Very few 3D games available, the GBA library is flooded with lots of crappy games, lots of kid’s titles, and lots of cheap movie or TV show-cash-ins

Launch Games Included: Super Mario Advance, Chu Chu Rocket, Earthworm Jim, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Super Dodge Ball, Rayman Advance, Army Man Advance, Bomberman Tournament, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, Pinobee: Wings of Adventure, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Iridion 3D, F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, Konami: Krazy Racers, Top Gear GT Championship, GT Advance Championship, Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2, Firepro Wrestling, Tweety & the Magic Jewels, Namco Museum

Great GBA Exclusives Include: the Super Mario Advance Series, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, the Castlevania series (Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow), the Mega Man Battle Network series, the Pokemon series, Golden Sun 1 & 2, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, the F-Zero Series, the Donkey Kong Country series, Donkey Kong: King of Swing, Mario VS Donkey Kong, Mario Pinball Land, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission, Game & Watch Gallery 4, Mega Man and Bass, Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls

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