GBA Getting Bluetooth

Tofuhead writes "nReach recently announced their development of a Bluetooth adapter for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. P2P wireless gaming, internet gaming (via a USB adapter to a net-connected PC), and messaging are featured, as well as service "hot spots" that will be set up in game stores and malls. Release date: Q2 2002." Countless children shall go blind soon after. I can't imagine a harder to see screen then my cursed GBA.

Comments

GBA

[Refrag]

If CmdrTaco hates his GBA so much, why doesn't he autograph it and sell it on eBay? That should net VA Software some revenues at least...

Re:GBA

[b_pretender]

Countless children shall go blind soon after. I can't imagine a harder to see screen then my cursed GBA.

It's just CmdrTaco's typical editorial soapbox comment that he attaches to most stories.

On a more positive note, this bluetooth adapter sounds awesome. Can anybody comment on the hackability factor of the GBA? I'd buy one if I could hop onto any wireless network for surfing, email, etc.

Re:GBA

[rbeattie]

hackability factor of the GBA? Good question!

I just got my GBA for Christmas (yes, I'm 30 years old... what's your point?) and the first thing I started thinking about was how to start programming for it. Here's some of the stuff I found:

• Dev'rs GBA Dev FAQs
• GBXemu Gameboy Emulator site Coolness. Emulators for GBA and GBC and ROMS. Try before you buy...
• Lik Sang Game Boy products Check out the blank 256Mg cartridges for the GBA and GBC with optional adapter. Very, very cool.
• Gameboy Advance Developer's site

And of course a Google search will bring up a bunch more, but these are the nicest I've found so far. The last link is great because it has "demo" programs that include the code - which is key for learning how the insides of this thing work. There's an asteroids example that's really nice.

One thing that I just realized is that the GBA is based on a ARM/Thumb processor and includes a "Z80 like" processor also for when you insert GBC games. This is pretty wild. I think I'll submit an article to /. on how many companies are using ARM-based processors now. I just read that Simbian has just been ported to the ARM, PocketPCs use them exclusively, etc.

-Russ

Lack of Bluetooth on PCs

[Bronster]

internet gaming (via a USB adapter to a net-connected PC)

And here we see the problem that I think Bluetooth is still facing - there just isn't enough market penetration on PCs. What I would really like to see is something bluetooth-style on the desktop (rather than USB) so that I didn't have to mess with all those cables all the time.

For 'network games' you could run a server on the PC (or a multiplexer for internet games), then just sit around on couches playing, rather than all huddling up withing controller-cable distance, or getting off your lazy arse to go untagle medusa-the-controller-herd.

Ahh for time to play games (flash is responsible for all sorts of evils on the web, and time-wasting games numbers among them I say. I've just taken out a few minutes from flash-games on the web to write a slashdot comment, while my girlfriend takes off ahead on the laptop - I think she's about 3 levels ahead of me now dammit. Must stop slashdotting......)

Re:Lack of Bluetooth on PCs

[Refrag]

And here we see the problem that I think Bluetooth is still facing - there just isn't enough market penetration on PCs. What I would really like to see is something bluetooth-style on the desktop (rather than USB) so that I didn't have to mess with all those cables all the time.

You would still have cables, unless all of your devices were battery powered. That is the one thing people keep forgetting when they talk about Bluetooth and PCs. FireWire and USB both carry power, allowing you to connect most devices with only one cable -- which you'd be doing anyway even with Bluetooth.

Bluetooth only belongs on devices with their own power source, it isn't a replacement for FireWire or USB.

Re:Lack of Bluetooth on PCs

[Bronster]

You would still have cables, unless all of your devices were battery powered. That is the one thing people keep forgetting when they talk about Bluetooth and PCs. FireWire and USB both carry power, allowing you to connect most devices with only one cable -- which you'd be doing anyway even with Bluetooth.

Sure - an example from right here in front of me is the Logitech Cordless Wheel Mouse[tm]. I am so in love with this thing (or something). It's responsive, reliable, chews through a couple of AAA's every year or so with my use (which is quite a lot) - I think last time I replaced them because it was being jerky, it was actually Windows bitrot, and changing the batteries didn't fix things - but I thought at the rate it eats them, no worries.

What I'd like is for something in the PC to talk directly to the mouse, rather than having a PS/2 dongle hanging off to talk to it.

Yes, there are issues with synchronising in a busy room - I'm sure they can be handled. Again, I think the logitech 'hold down this button on both devices' theory is good - make it a button on the front of the PC, and chances are very good that two people, even in a crowded office, won't try it at the same time. If they do, it could even detect that and emit a beep or similar, then use good old 'backoff for a couple of minutes or so and try again'.

If I had keyboard and mouse chatting bluetooth, it would be a great start. Sure I can get the Logitech equipment that does that, but I have to have the connector box, and I can't move it from one machine to another. Add in a palm-type device that chats directly with the same protocol (no more lining up IR ports), and all would be wonderful.

Don't mind my pipe-dreams, I see that ASIO are listening already, without needing radio equipment on my desk making their job easier. After all, I'm a subversive Linux user/probably hacker or virus writer.

Backlit screen

[SealBeater]

Regarding the visability of the GBA, there is a project to modify it with a
clear screen that serves the purpose of a backlight. You can visit the page
and view screenshots here.
Basically, people are just waiting for the guy to finish negotiations with the
suppliers. He expects the cost to be about the price of a game, all said and
done.

SealBeater

Screen not bad

[Apreche]

I see nothing wrong with the GBA screen other than the dependency on lighting. Which I'm willing to accept because it means highly increased battery life. Other than that it's a vast improvement on past gameboys.

As for this internet connection thing. It's pretty cool and all. But I'm so not buying into it. First of all, it's not an officially licensed Nintendo product. 3rd party hardware and peripherals suck. Also, if I'm going to play a game online, why would I sit next to a computer with a little GBA and a USB cable? I have a COMPUTER, I'll play me some (insert 3d online multiplayer game). Now what would be amazing would be if I could be driving in my car and playing against a kid in his car in California, with absolutely no wires attatched to my GBA. That I would buy no matter who made it.

Re:Screen not bad

[kirkb]

Instead of dictating that "battery live = good, backlight = bad", it would have been great if Nintendo could let us make the decision. Add a user-controlled backlight (like my Palm IIIxe), so that I'm responsible for managing the tradeoffs between battery live and having a viewable screen.

Re:Just buy the GBA to TV Adaptor if its hard to s

[Ch_Omega]

"Just buy the GBA to TV Adaptor if its hard to see."

Wouldn't that somehow eliminate the main reason for having a handheld and portable gaming system in the first place? :)

Re:GBA woes...

[Junks Jerzey]

Honestly, you didn't expect to play older gameboys in the dark without a light, why should the GBA be different?

Once you've played a handheld with backlighting--I'm thinking specifically of the Atari Lynx--then you're spoiled forever.

The Screen is Fine

[Tom7]

Jeez. The screen is fine, folks. You need to learn how to turn on the lights!

In fact, the screen is better than GBC's, and *loads* better than the original Game Boy's. (Dig yours out and see if you like the pale green and shadowing better..) Yet, these systems are very popular and successful. (Did you know that Nintendo had the #1 revenue in video games last year, despite the PS2 and Dreamcast release? Nearly twice Sony's earnings, and it was mostly the GBC.)

It would be nice if there were a back-lit version (I wouldn't buy it unless it had a long battery life, though), or if developers didn't make games with such dark graphics (castlevania...), but seriously, there are much worse things to complain about. How about a highly portable laptop that lasts more than 3 hours on battery? An input device that doesn't give you RSI? A car that doesn't pollute?

Car accidents?

[Ch_Omega]

"Now what would be amazing would be if I could be driving in my car and playing against a kid in his car in California, with absolutely no wires attatched to my GBA."

Is it just me, or did this sound really dangerous? :)

Re:GBA woes...

[Mwongozi]

Here in the UK (And probably elsewhere as well) they sell a neat little light for the GBA that's called the "GBA Floodlights". (Or something similar.)

They work really well, take a look at photos of mine.

I like the sound of the Bluetooth adapter, if only for multiplayer gaming without the damned wire...