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Majesco Gives GBA Text Messaging, Wireless, Video

Posted by simoniker on from the embarrassment-of-riches dept.

mindless4210 writes "Majesco Games has announced a new application for the Game Boy Advance, the Wireless Messenger. Using the Wireless Messenger players will be able to send instant text messages through their Game Boy. The product is set to be released later this year and will make its first public appearance at the E3 Convention next week." Majesco has also announced a Wireless Link, which will "use the standard Game Boy Advance link cable and enable users to play any multiplayer GBA title without the restrictions of the cables", and has just launched the Game Boy Advance Video range, with the "initial roll-out... [including] the first two volumes of SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents, as well as Dora the Explorer Vol 1."

14 comments

  1. Nintendo 1 Compiteion 0 by cyrax777 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    if this adaptor works out well then then Nintendo will win the handheld wars thats setting to spark up agien with the release of the PSP hands down Nintendo will dominate it.

    1. Re:Nintendo 1 Compiteion 0 by TechniMyoko · · Score: 1

      Im afraid a wireless adapter wont do that. Plus if you RTFA, this is a cartridge with a build in wireless transceiver. ie: no other game can use it. You also spelled competition wrong, and simply adding wireless to GBA wont allow it to compete on the same level as PSP, thats what DS is for

    2. Re:Nintendo 1 Compiteion 0 by TechniMyoko · · Score: 1

      and as for the other adapter which can be used on diff games, the guys who made afterburner are working on what will probably be a better one

  2. Never been that keen on peripherals.... by metroid+composite · · Score: 1
    The one peripheral I have for the GBA is a battery pack (which has the bonus effect of bulking the entire thing up...which I like having large hands).

    This is a nice novelty, though if some previous articles are true the DS may have text messaging and infa-red linking built-in, and I believe the PSP may as well. In all likelihood these systems will be somewhat more widespread than any individual peripheral (as peripherals tend to sell far worse than their systems) and likely done more professionally being first-party instead of an add on (I have bad experiences with third party hardware of any description usually).

    In other words: meh

    1. Re:Never been that keen on peripherals.... by Bagels · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Hell, the GBC had an infrared port. It practically never got used, though (it just wasn't as fast or reliable as the link cable - which is sad, because the link cable is only 512kbps). If Nintendo's really smart, they'll use the same RF technology they used with the Wavebird...

      --
      --- Bwah?
    2. Re:Never been that keen on peripherals.... by buffer-overflowed · · Score: 1

      To keep costs down the current rumor is that wireless linking will be a $50 add-on to the PSP.

      Shrug, don't know though, do we?

      --
      The key to the enjoyment of pop music is to replace any instance of "love" with "C.H.U.D."
  3. An interesting prospect, however.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    With the ever approaching release of the PSP, Nintendo DS, N-Gage 2 and the hopefully imminent release of details regarding Nintendos next generation Gameboy. Surely this is a case of a limited market peripheral, while it may take advantage of the usually long lifespan of nintendos handhelds long after their replacements are unleashed upon the market (my Game Boy Colour hasn't been gathering dust for too long), one would question the wisdom in persuing adding third party features to something that could well get cut off at the knees by products that have such features in-built in a matter of 12 months or so.

  4. MSN, AOL, GBA Only by FriedTurkey · · Score: 1

    The article doesn't say what IM protocol it would use. I would buy it if the fee per month was low and it supported MSN and AOL. (Yeah you have to use both IMs these days.) It shoule be easier than trying to IM on your phone.

    1. Re:MSN, AOL, GBA Only by kunudo · · Score: 1

      Except, what would you type with?

  5. Wireless Messenger? by cableshaft · · Score: 3, Interesting

    GBA has too limited controls to make this useful. I got plenty enough annoyed having to use a controller to write messages in Animal Crossing, I don't think I'd have much desire to do the same with my GBA. Not to mention, in order to send the message, wouldn't you have to be in range of the other GBA? You might as well talk to each other then! The only application for this would be cheating on tests, talking shit to your buddy at a wedding/funeral/church service, or trying to find your friend in a crowded dance club.

    --
    Creator of the popular web game Proximity
  6. Peripherals by Spankophile · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I've got a GBA (not SP), and the only peripheral I have is a rechargeable Batterypack. Like another poster, I don't really have any desire to get more peripherals for it.

    What's funny though, is that when I was a kid, and had an original GameBoy, I had (and wanted) EVERY peripheral i could find.. I love to add shit together like a transformer Devastator, and click all these piece together in a giant monstrosity of TOY.

    I had the Gameboy, plus a light that fit over the screen, plus a magnifier, plus a set of stero speakers that had it's own battery plugged into the bottom, plus a special carrying case. I used to love clicking it all together and strutting around the schoolyard.

    Come to think of it, I also had a Genesis with a SegaCD, and a 32X... that was a beast!

    Now, I like stuff to work properly out of the box.
    Maybe it's was just a phase.

  7. Nintendo. Ball. Dropped? by nicksthings · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Looks like Nintendo dropped the ball on this one. Awhile ago, they announced a wireless link for the GBA, one that would ship with their forthcoming Pokemon remakes, Leaf Green and Fire Red.

    The catch: this wireless adapter will ONLY work with games that support it (such as Leaf Green and Fire Red). It will not be backwards compatible with older multiplayer games, which I'm filing under the "lame" category.

    This Majesco peripheral seems to do just that, however. Why Nintendo couldn't have just worked up an all around wireless device such as this is beyond me.