smarkey's Full Review: Nintendo Game Boy Advance Console
Just Launched in America on the 11th June, the Game Boy Advance is on it's way, with less than 10 days to go!
The countdown is well and truly underway, the excitement is growing and expectations are high. It could only be the launch of Nintendo’s newest console, the Game Boy Advance.
If you have walked down the high street, read a newspaper or surfed the net recently you will probably know that the Game Boy Advance (GBA) will soon be unleashed upon us. If you didn’t know this, then you soon will!
Maybe you’ll think I’m sad I don’t really care, but the launch of the GBA is going to be the highlight of 2001 for me. Why? I’ll tell you why!
History
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In 1989 Nintendo launched the Game Boy. During the last 12 years the Game Boy has had it’s ups and downs, but has become the most sold console in the world. During that time there has been competition from Sega (Game Gear), Lynx, Bandai (Wonder Swan) and Neo Geo.
There have been a number of incarnations, Original, Pocket and Color. The GBA though is a whole new ball game.
System overview
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The GBA will be the most powerful and advanced handheld console ever released, packing an amazing 32-bit processor.
The GBA is a horizontal console, a move from the Vertical stance of the previous Game Boy’s. This makes the console easier to hold and reduces hand cramps.
The screen is now 50% bigger than any previous Game Boy, and can display 32,768 possible colors!!! The screen is a 2.9” TFT with a special coating, which reduces glare.
The GBA has the usual control pad, with start and select buttons. The old A and B buttons also remain, but they are joined with shoulder buttons, like those on the SNES, N64 and PSX.
It is only slightly bigger than the Game Boy Color, but you won’t believe how small it really is until you see it. It’s no bigger than my hand! And it is incredibly light too, just 140g.
2 AA batteries will get you between 15 and 20 hours of game play.
The sound has been brought into the new century too, with Digital quality sound, with the headphones you really appreciate this.
The GBA uses cartridges like previous Nintendo machines, except the new ones are much smaller, half the size of the old Game Boy ones.
The GBA doesn't have a back light on the screen. There are two reasons for this. 1, It would push the price of the console up, 2, the battery life would be slashed by more than half to power the light!
Compatibility
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The GBA is fully backwards compatible. So you’ll be able to play all your old Game Boy games on your new console. The old games will stick out a bit though but it doesn’t look that bad and doesn’t effect you in any way. You can stretch the old games across the GBA by pushing the shoulder buttons, giving you wide screen games!
But no, you won’t be able to do it the other way around and play GBA games on the Game Boy, so please don’t try it!
Another point to mention here is that all GBA’s world wise are compatible, so if you buy an American or Japanese game you can play it on your UK system, and vice versa.
Future compatibility
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At the E3 exhibition that has just finished in Los Angeles Nintendo stated their plans to let users join their GBA’s to the new Next Generation console the GAMECUBE. In essence the GBA can be used as a controller, meaning that you can see things on your screen that other players won’t be able to! Imagine playing games like Perfect Dark and Golden Eye and not being able to see your opponent’s radar, nice!
Nintendo are also working on a Mobile Telephone link to its consoles, it is questionable if this will happen anywhere outside of Japan, where calls are so cheap, but it would be great if it ever did.
Do you remember the Barcode Battler? Well Nintendo are working on what is called E-Card reader. Which is probably going to be used in a new Pokemon game, in essence you get cards and scan them into the GBA with the special scanner. This will give new options and information, something to watch out for.
Multiplayer
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The GBA can be liked together to provide 4 player action. A new development also means that you can play 4 player games with only one game cartridge! However, the games have more options and better graphics if all players have a cartridge each.
You can also link a GBA to any older Game Boy to play an older game, so even if you're friends are as technologically advanced you can still beat them at Tetris. I have read recently that this is not the case and the GBA will not connect to older Game Boys, I'll give it a go when I get it and let you know!
Games
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The GBA has quite an interesting range of games that will be available at launch.
Super Mario Advance - The classic Mario 2 from the NES, with crisper graphics and some great 4 player options. With the added bonus of the original Mario game thrown in for good measure.
F-Zero Maximum Velocity – An old SNES game, but speeded up and with better graphics are more options.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 – Probably the most eagerly awaited game. Really shows what the GBA is made of, contains everything off the PSX version with a few other options.
Catlevania: Circle of the Moon – A new game in the style of the old SNES adventures, a great platform adventure with some spooky goings on.
Krazy Racing – Konami’s version of Mario Kart a very good game with plenty of colour and great characters.
Chu Chu Rocket - Yes the Dreamcast game on the GBA, it looks frantic and if you liked it on the DC you will be totally addicted again.
Rayman Advance - Wow, this game looks fantastic and plays like the Rayman adventures on the Playstation.
Pinobee - A classic Platformer, take control of a bee! Looks ok, but apparently doesn't play too well!
Kuru Kuru Kururin - A very odd puzzle game, but it looks very addictive, a must for puzzle fans?
Ready to Rumble - A boxing simulator, with some stunning graphics and great game play.
GT Advance Championship Racing - One for the petrol heads out there, this has 32 courses and 48 cars to play with!
Army men Advance - Yes another Army men game, this one takes on a new cartoon style appearance and looks great fun.
These most of the games that have been confirmed for launch on 22nd June, but there are many more that will be arriving soon afterwards:
Mario Kart
Street Fighter II
Final Fight One
X-Men
Sonic the Hedgehog
Napoleon
Golden Sun
The list goes on and on and has some very mouth watering prospects. To start with many of the games will be ported from the SNES, and why not. As time passes and developers get to grips with what the GBA can do, there will be some new games that will be very unique and special.
The list of developers is already massive and includes, Sega, Activision, THQ, Squaresoft and Konami.
Other matters
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The GBA will be available in 3 colours,
Indigo----Purple
Arctic-----White
Glacier----Clear Blue
NEW! The Clear Red will also be available, but if the pattern of the USA is followed you may have to wait a few weeks to get a clear red one. At the moment they are being advertised along side the other 3 colours and should all be available on 22nd June.
The console was set to retail at £79.99 or there abouts, it now looks like it will launch at £89.99, but look out for some great deals from companies like EB and Dixons, who are offering Console + game and accessory packages, Dixons is even offering a family pack with 2 GBA's and games at a really good price.
Games will cost between £29.99 and £32.99, which isn’t a great leap in price for the leap in quality that you will be getting.
Conclusion
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The GBA is set to turn the portable console market on it’s head with this new system, and with Nintendo’s power and reputation you can expect it to last. This console sold 700,000 units in Japan in a few days!
The GBA is not a rival to the Playstation (PSX) and it can’t compete in terms of rotations and 3D game play. Just as the PSone with its screen can’t compete for a place as a portable console. Infact it is unfair to compare the GBA to the Playstation, yes they are both 32-bit, but they are completely different machines meant for different purposes.
Train journeys will never be the same again!!!
I have an original Game Boy and a Color Game Boy and I still want a GBA, it is so much better and offers you so much more.
If I were you I’d get mine reserved today as there will only be a limited number winging their way on release date, what are you waiting for?
Official Site
http://www.gameboy.com
Update
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I've just found out that the reason why the price is set at £89.99 is because large retailers like EB/Game have set it at that. I've found them for £79.99 to £84.99 on English websites. Streetsonline are selling some of the games for £23.99 which is a bargain. Take a look around before you rush in, becuase some companies are charging more than your should be paying! WHSmiths is selling then for £79.99 from the shops, which is a good deal and don't pay more than £29.99 for Mario, F-zero or Kuru Kuru Kururin, that is the RRP fro Nintendo's own games and Argos and other shops are selling them at that price!
Well I've had my GBA for almost a week now and I'm more impressed than I thought I was going to be, and that is saying a lot. The battery life is excellent and the new indicator that changes from green to red before flashing to let you know your runnning out of power is really helpful. Don't believe the romours that the screen is too dark or hard to see, I have to wear glasses because my eyes are a bit poor and I have had no difficulties with seeing the screen at all.
The Game Boy platform (which includes the original unit, the Game Boy Pocket, and the Game Boy Color) came to market when most video game consoles had...More at eBay
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