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GameBoy Player For Gamecube Reviewed

Posted by simoniker on from the try-playing-kirby-tilt-n-tumble-on-this dept.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to an IGN.com review of the GameBoy Player for Gamecube. As the article says, "The GameBoy Player is a GameCube peripheral that plugs into the bottom of the system, and enables gamers to play any one of the thousands of GameBoy, GameBoy Color, and GameBoy Advance games released over the past 14 years." As well as being bundled with the Gamecube hardware starting June 23rd, this peripheral will be available separately on the same date, and it's particularly cool that you can control games with "either the GameCube controllers, or a GameBoy Advance system plugged in using the GameCube GameBoy Advance link cable."

32 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. neat by jpr1nd · · Score: 2, Insightful

    that's pretty cool. kinda like super gameboy (play gameboy games on your SNES)... only cube-ier. price seems a little steep for something that contradicts the purpose of a gameboy (presumably people who buy gameboy use it places where a console would not go, hence portable gaming system), but -- hey -- to each their own :P

    1. Re:neat by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Insightful

      " price seems a little steep for something that contradicts the purpose of a gameboy (presumably people who buy gameboy use it places where a console would not go, hence portable gaming system)"

      Just because it's a portable system doesn't necessarily mean we always want it to be portable. If you have a game you really enjoy playing, (Metroid Fusion for example...) having a device like this as an extra way of playing it is a good thing. Save the GBA (plus batteries) for when you can't be near your TV, like when you're on the bus or something.

      Don't mistake it as a GBA replacement, but rather an addition.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    2. Re:neat by Guppy06 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "(presumably people who buy gameboy use it places where a console would not go, hence portable gaming system)"

      Statements like this have irked the hell out of me ever since the release of the Super Game Boy. Even IGN themselves are quite guilty of having this kind of attitude.

      Game Boy (and all its descendants) isn't a "handheld game system," it is a game system that happens to fit in your hand. I sure as hell didn't buy my GBA because I need a quick fix when I've been away from my GCN for too long. I got it for Metroid Fusion, Golden Sun, Advance Wars, three Castlevania games and a slew of other titles. Writing off Game Boy and the games it plays as "just a portable" is doing a disservice to both the games and yourself.

      Heck, one of the main reasons the Game Boy is still going strong after a decade is that Nintendo has never conformed to your two-tiered view of the industry. They still dominate the handheld market because most of their competitors sold mediocre "just a handhelds" and "just a portable games" that were simply unable to stand on their own.

      If you want something to just kill time between your console fixes, save your money for an N-Gage (that seems to be Nokia's target market). If you're looking for real (and really good) games, then it shouldn't matter if they're played on a handheld or a television.

  2. So.. by dr+ttol · · Score: 4, Funny

    How's the backlight on this thing?

    1. Re:So.. by Yorrike · · Score: 2, Funny

      Already been asked : )

      --

      Looks can be deceiving. Or CAN they?

  3. Already done by kgbkgb · · Score: 1

    Don't PS2s and Xboxs already have this feature in place? And you don't even need the gameboy cartridge!

  4. No enhancement? by Bagels · · Score: 3, Informative

    One thing that I was a tad dissappointed about was there was no mention of any "enhanced" features. For all three of you out there who bought the Super GameBoy, you might remember that it could do things like change the color palette to be level-appropriate, provide borders for the screen, do full-color title screens, etc. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like this device will do that for new games - but as it still plays original GameBoy games, I wonder if it would pull the Super GameBoy info out of them and use it?

    --
    --- Bwah?
    1. Re:No enhancement? by MBCook · · Score: 2, Informative
      It's the same hardware as the GBA, just in a different case (and lacking the LCD, etc). The GBA already uses the SGB colors. As for it it can read that custom border that SGB games had, I don't know but I would guess yes. I assume that new games will be able to make a custom border as well.

      But I see no reason why it shouldn't use the SGB data, since the GBA does, doesn't it?

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    2. Re:No enhancement? by cgenman · · Score: 2, Insightful

      They mentioned 20 borders, a filter for "flicker transparency" games, and anti-aliasing. Now, admittedly I would have loved the extremely cool scaling effect used in early 90's Lucas Arts games, but it does have alterations. It doesn't mention any of the older GB modifications, but remember this is a GBA stuffed into a box, not a Super GameBoy. So you are likely to see the stretch / squash options for older games, but not the Super GameBoy specific stuff. Palette alterations on the GBA wouldn't make much sense anyway.

      --
      The ______ Agenda
    3. Re:No enhancement? by Guppy06 · · Score: 3, Informative

      "The GBA already uses the SGB colors."

      No, it doesn't. The GBC introduced a fork when it came to coloring old games, and GBC and SGB code don't talk to each other.

      With b/w games, the SGB can only display four colors. You can decide whatever you want those four colors to be, but there is never more than four. A GBC (and GBA, same hardware), however, can manage to squeeze 10-12 colors into that 4-color game. They manage this by applying different 4-color pallets to sprites and backgrounds. So Metroid II looks a little better on a GBC than it did on the SGB.

      Games designed with the SGB in mind can put out 10-12 colors through it, as well as some other bells and whistles. Off the top of my head, Donkey Kong had some 16-bit sound clips, and Space Invaders had a full-fledged 16-bit game on the cartridge. Unfortunately, the GBC doesn't understand SGB code, and treats SGB games as normal 4-color games, which means colors get lost in the process. Donkey Kong simply doesn't look as good on a GBC as it does on your SNES.

      The GBC in and of itself can display 52 colors at a time, but again the language it uses to do so is completely different from the SGB. In order to get cartridges to work on both the GBC and older Game Boy systems (including the SGB), developers essentially needed to put two copies of the game on the one cartridge: one color, one not. When you put this cartridge into an SGB, it's fed the b/w copy of the game (and any half-assed SGB code that was put into that version). Sure, the game may "technically" have some SGB code in it (ie. a custom border), but more often than not the SGB is given the shaft. Tetris DX on an SGB actually looks less colorful than the original, and the only difference between Link's Awakening and Link's Awakening DX is that DX has a border.

      In my dream world, this new GB Player will take the best of both worlds and allow you to mix and match, just like any decent Game Boy emulator. I want to play Link's Awakening DX in 52 colors but with the snazzy SGB border they put in the game. Hell, at this point I'd be happy if the GB Player simply recognized the presence of SGB code (so that my copy of Donkey Kong looks and sounds just like it does on my SNES).

      But looking at the way the SGB has gotten the shaft, I'm not about to hold my breath.

  5. I can dream... by bluemeep · · Score: 1



    What I'd REALLY like is an adapter that'll let my play my carts from their older systems. A working Game Boy I've got. A working NES I don't.

    </ignore concept of emulation>

    1. Re:I can dream... by Rellik66 · · Score: 1

      yeah, when are we going to get NES, SNES and N64 adaptors?

      Now that would be a killer app!

      --

      Too many zeros, not enough ones

    2. Re:I can dream... by kamamoo · · Score: 1

      Buy a dreamcast for $30-$40 (I kow game stop has them) Then check out dcemulation.com

  6. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    "All slashdot readers I urge you to save your money and download visual boy advance."

    Good idea. Have them catch Nintendo's attention so they can sue them out of existence.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  7. A perfect controller by antin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    May I suggest that anyone interested in the GameBoy Player have a look at this third party gamecube controller?
    http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?cate gory=0&produc ts_id=2467&

    It is modelled on the (excellent) SNES controller, it is essentially a GC controller minus the analog sticks. I find the dpad on the standard controller a little small for comfort, and the GBA as a controller is also not the best. Considering most of the games on the GBA are SNES ports this controller makes perfect sense :)

    Oh and it is great for any fans of fighting games (who haven't purchased arcade sticks).

    1. Re:A perfect controller by matlokheed · · Score: 1

      That's because the controller is designed to be used for a Gamecube. It has all of the same buttons as the Gamecube has with the 4 on the front, the two shoulders, and the additional shoulder button (Z) finding itself added onto the front.

      --

      "If the good lord had intended us to walk, he wouldn't have invented roller skates." -Willy Wonka

  8. With Ethernet Port? by NickMc2000 · · Score: 1

    The third screenshot shows an ethernet port above the actual gameboy component. Does this come with it, and if it does, will there also be a modem version?

    1. Re:With Ethernet Port? by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      No, they just happen to have the broadband adapter connected at the same time. Don't forget that the GCN has three ports on the bottom.

  9. Damn you Nintendo! by Guppy06 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I went out of my way to get an indigo GameCube to match my indigo GBA (it was more difficult than it sounds), and the only color you're releasing is black?

    Seriously, I'm tempted to put my purchase of this on hold to see if they intend to release different colors in the future.

    1. Re:Damn you Nintendo! by Babbster · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If you don't mind using Freeloader or Action Replay, you can get a Japanese version from Lik-Sang. The hardware is exactly the same (the GBA doesn't have region coding) but the boot disc is region-specific. It would add an extra disc swap when you first boot the system but it would solve your color coordination dilemma...fortunately, I bought a black Cube. :)

    2. Re:Damn you Nintendo! by matlokheed · · Score: 1

      Nintendo seems to be giving into the black trend. I imported my GBA player, so my current system looks as follows:

      Gamecube System - Indigo
      Broadband Adapter - Black
      GBA Player - Spice (orange)

      My GBA's are Cobalt Blue (SP) and Milky Pink (original).

      Embrace the mismatch.

      --

      "If the good lord had intended us to walk, he wouldn't have invented roller skates." -Willy Wonka

  10. A few questions by nicksthings · · Score: 1
    "Oh, and if you like the game--BUY IT!!! Make sure you support those people who develop the kick ass games!!!"

    If I like the game, doesn't it stand to reason that I need to own the system? And if I'm one of those people who feels the need to play GBA games on a TV rather than a smaller, portable screen, doesn't that mean I'd want the GameBoy Player?

    Or are you suggesting I download VisualBoy Advance, download a bunch of ROMS, and if I like the game, I should go out and buy it, but because I don't own the system, I'd never use the actual game. I'll just let it sit around my house because I want to support the developer. Great idea!

  11. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    "It's not ilegal to make/own an emulator, it is legal to have copies of games you own."

    You might have noticed that I never said that they were illegal.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  12. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    "You might have noticed that you obviously missed my point, or don't even know what yours is. "

    My point was quite clear. Your point was a rebuttal to something I didn't say. Perhaps you should try understanding what I meant before correcting me?

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  13. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    Wow. Despite all those words, you've completely failed to address that I had never said that emulation was illegal.

    Man, are you a politician or an idiot or what? "I understood what you said. Copy/paste. See?" hehe.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  14. Re:Save your Money by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

    "May I suggest not saying anything when you sound like a fucking moron?"

    He's saying that Nintendo will do what they've done before and get it shut down like they (as well as Sony and Microsoft) has done in the past, regardless of the legality of emulation. Granted, he was a bit of an ass by not explaining himself when you argued with him, but he does have a point that the legality of emulation is not at issue here.

    His point was quite valid, and well established. Maybe he shouldn't have taken for granted that you'd be aware of the history of this type of thing. I don't know. Calling him a moron over it is moronic. You showed no more class than he did.

  15. Man, IGN is slow. by Alkaiser · · Score: 1

    Here's a link that's had this reviewed since the 27th of May. On top of that, no charge to view stuff there.

    Game Boy Player Review. They give it a 9.2.

    --
    Netjak.com independent reviews of domestic & import video ga
  16. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    "Go back to what I typed out for you and said what the conclusion was. I'm not expecting much from you since your still learning."

    So, in other words, you don't understand your own point. That's why you're afraid to rephrase it. Got it. Very honorable!

    Hehehe you, Mr Willr7, are funny. It's a rare occurance that somebody'll waste all this time trying to offend me. It must really sting that I read your posts with a smile on my face. This has been quite entertaining so far, keep it up!

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  17. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    That's it? That's your whole point? That's what you've been so aggressively defending all this time? Heheheheh. OMFG as you'd say. Hahaha.

    C'mon Will, you can do better than that. That's not even a very strong rebuttal to what I originally said. If I had said "Good idea, make Nintendo aware that they exist", then your rebuttal would hold some water. That's not what I said, though.

    I'm the one that needs to take an English class? Hehe.

    (Psst, mutes can still post on Slashdot. I'll give you extra credit for that little gem, it made my coworker laugh!)

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  18. Re:Save your Money by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

    "How many emulators has Nintendo/Sony/M$ shut down? That's right - zero!!"

    Ultra HLE immediately comes to mind. I don't think his scope was limited to emulators, but tools that can be used to play copyrighted stuff. The Flash Linker comes to mind.

    "I can see how this is confusing, since Nintendo/Sony?M$ has shut down many stores for selling mod chips and such."

    Ah, so you are sort of aware of the backstory there.

    "Which they won't. And he doesn't support his point, therefore it is not valid nor established. "

    I imagined he didn't reinforce his point because of the way you responded to him. It reads more like you were ready to argue as oppose to discuss. Granted, I think he should have explained himself anyway, but he probably was testing you with the "You'll notice I didn't say legal" bit to find out if you'd actually have a reasonable conversation with him or not. I think he was being an ass for that, but on the other hand, you could have been a little more tactful in your response. Really, I think you two could have had a pleasant insightful conversation if each of you were to grow a little thicker of skin. But hey, what do I know?

    Could Nintendo sue them out of existence? Well that's probably an exaggeration. However, I can see what he's thinking. Mp3.com was running a legit business, yet the RIAA got it shut down anyway. I imagine that Napster tainted the perception of what MP3.com was doing. Guilt by association? Well, if the emulator was being promoted as a way to 'pirate' (man I hate using that term here, seeing as how a pirated GBA game won't be mobile...) games and play them sans paying for them, then Nintendo could potentially twist the courts arms just like the RIAA did with MP3.com. Follow?

    It's all speculation, but I've had a similar discussion with NG about this before. I think you're thinking in terms of what's right and he's thinking in terms of what's happened.

    "And lastly, I apologize to you for attacking his character, b/c we all now that attacking someones character is never justified in an argument!!!"

    Why are you apologizing to me and not him? I bet you two could have an interesting conversation if all can be forgiven. Extend the olive branch to him and I'll back you up. Interesting?

  19. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    ""Catch Nintendo's attention" and "make Nintendo aware that they exist" mean the SAME thing."

    Nope. Sorry. "Catching Nintendo's attention" means "Nintendo is now looking at you". To put it another way, my first grade teacher was completely aware that I existed. She didn't start making me stay inside for recess until I caught her attention by doing something stupid. Understand now? There was never any intention of implying that Nintendo was or wasn't aware of VBA's existence. Frankly, I don't see how you could read it that way given the context of your advertising VBA's use for 'evaluating' games.

    Though I'll concede that I could have written a clearer sentence, I will not concede that my message conforms to your interpretation of it. It's been well established here on Slashdot that whenever something comes along that could potentially be used for wrong, companies (usually armed with the DMCA ) can sue and prevent the technology from being used, even if they're not on the most stable of legal grounds. Tivo comes to mind. Napster. That company that produces software for backing up DVDs. Lik-Sang (Mod chips, etc.)

    Nintendo has a lot of cash reserve. If they can make a case that software's being used to pirate Nintendo games, then they could (potentially) make the developer's life hard enough that it's not worth the battle to them. Whether they'd be right or wrong in doing so is an entirely seperate discussion. I'm not siding with them. Just saying that when you advertise use of a program to do something that Nintendo will most definitely frown on, then you're basically jumping in front of them and shouting "SUE ME!!!".

    That's my point. It's too bad you had to try to engage me in a pissing contest instead of just discussing it with me. It was fun while it lasted, though. You provided quite a few laughs for me. :)

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  20. Re:Save your Money by NanoGator · · Score: 1

    That's it? No more rebuttals from Will? Pity.

    --
    "Derp de derp."