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The GBA's Last Stand
1up.com has a feature up examining the possible end of days for the Game Boy Advance. From the article: "...it would seem the end is nigh. Sony's PlayStation Portable offers PS2 level power and a beautiful screen next to GBA's humble, Super NES-quality experience. And Nintendo seems be placing its hopes on its quirky but successful two-screened DS. Rumors of a next-generation Game Boy system were crushed at E3 2005 with the unveiling of Game Boy Micro, a revised GBA selling on its stylish, compact design and beautiful (but minuscule) screen."
If being on it's "last stand" means by being the best selling handheld gaming device in the world (which the GBA is) then I would think Nintendo would want to be on it's "last stand" for quite some time.
The NeoGeo Pocket Color should have killed it. N-Gage should have killed it. Its predecessors should have been killed by the Game Gear, Lynx and Nomad -- which was a freaking portable Sega Genesis.
But the Gameboy Advance is so cheap, and has so many games for it, that it might not die quickly. The DS, remember, has GBA compatibility, which lessens the pressure on developers to switch to the DS. Every DS sold effectively increases the Advance's user base, which may work against Nintendo the same way the Atari 5200's 2600 compatibility worked against it.
Add into this the fact that Advance seems super easy to develop for. I don't think it'll last forever, but it's not dead yet.
Gee, imagine that. They put out their next gen handheld and make it backward compatible... Of course the old ones gonna be phased out, its to be expected.
There is still a chance that the mystery controller for the revolution will BE the new gameboy. I made that prediction months ago. And it is still not beyond the realm of possibility. But my guess is as good as yours. Unless you work for Nintendo that is.
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They should have replaced the Game Boy Advance when they released the Nintendo DS. The DS is superior in feel and functionality with the one exception being that you can't use it as a controller connected to a GameCube. If they had build in that one capability, there would have been a clear replacement for the GBA rather than what Nintendo was saying was simply an complementary track of development.
But how it will be priced? I hope - very competitively, perhaps I'll finally afford some not-shitty portable console.
Also I hope it will be durable, built to last for years (I don't see myslef needing better graphics than GBA offers when on the go - I want simple, quick & fun games; and besides in place I live, and in settings in which I'd use GB, it's better not to use PSP...)
One that hath name thou can not otter
Yes, once again, the gameboy is being challenged by a more powerful system. It obviously stands no chance, because how could a weaker piece of hardware compare. We'll just ignore the game gear and lynx and all that.
/. editor, the article submitter, or whoever gave the article its title bothered to read it all that well.
Oh, and rumors of a next gen gameboy have been CRUSHED! No next gen handheld announcement at E3 2005! Nintendo's last chance ever to announce something new! It'll be impossible now!
Yes, the introduction of the Micro clearly indicates that even Nintendo is submitting to the GBA being close to the end. The huge collection of GBA games at Target show just how dire the situation is.
Make no mistake, the GBA is about to die, and Nintendo is going to die with it. So is Japan, the global economy, and several species of lizards. It's tragic.
I dunno, the article, to me at least, seems to be pointing out all the ways that the GBA is still alive and well. I don't think the
One time I threw a brick at a duck.
The quote listed in the summary really has little to do with the content of the actual article. (Indeed, the first page has little to do with the rest of the article.) While the first page does seem to predict the end of the GBA, the rest of article is 5 pages of reviews/previews/hopes for upcoming GBA games. The final paragraph of the article reads: The Game Boy line is reaching the end of its road, at least for this generation. But between the Micro, the DS' backwards-compatibility and a slow trickle of quality software, there should be enough kick left in the system to keep the name alive until Nintendo chooses to unveil the Game Boy's true successor.
Clearly they are not predicting the demise of the GBA, rather the eventual end of that particular piece of hardware but the continuing support of the codebase.
I hate to take this over to a subject like the PSP, but I don't see anywhere more appropriate.
The PSP did a number of things right. Games look decent enough. Screen's big enough. MP3's are a plus.
But there's ton's of stuff I can't see being done on a handheld correctly. Long loading times on games that require enormous amounts of attention.
Movies. MOVIES. Talk about worthless. Sure, I can spend 30 dollars to get that new spiderman or some other worthless movie. But seriously, on a handheld? Requiring tons of attention, not to mention they look rather less than average.
Personally, I think the DS's 2 screens and stylus was an absolute great match for a handheld. But it kinda felt short in the processing department, plus the control layout leaves much to be desired.
My wife and I visted my parents in the UAE this winter, and I was looking for a portable gaming solution, just to get me through the flights. We're flying coach for about 30 hours, so no recharge possibilities existed.
Older GBAs were the only ones with replenishable power supplies. Took along a boatload of AAs, and happily wasted tens of hours with Mario Golf Advance and Advance Wars. Turned out that I only had to change batteries once the entire two week trip.
Let's see your nextgen portables do that, then we'll talk.
ceci n'est pas un sig.
Right now, the DS is outselling the PS2 in Japan. Sure it's not a "GameBoy" in the purest sense, but it still plays GBA games and has a fairly similar design aside from the extra, touch-sensative screen.
A new online publication, The Escapist, has a column about the downfall of Nintendo. It seems like everyone is always jumping on Nintendo's back dispite that they're remaining profitable dispite losing market share.
Personally, I don't think the Gameboy is dead, it's just waiting for a while before a new version comes out. Because the DS is capable of displaying graphics on par with an N64, what would any gameboy released now have to offer? The same N64 graphics without the extra screen? Nintendo could probably produce something with the same kind of power as the PSP, but why bother? It would be more expensive (because Nintendo can't afford to sell at a loss) and wouldn't improve the quality of games any.
A while ago I read an article that theorized Nintendo's next handheld would be a portable GameCube. I think this was in a magazine so you'll have to forgive me for not being able to link it. If Nintendo waits 2 or 3 years until the price to produce the hardware at a reasonable price and with a small enouch size to allow it to be portable, then this could work out really well. Add in the fact that the chip companies are starting to focus more on lowering power consumption instead of ramping up the the clock speed, and such a unit might have a decent battery life.
My main question is, why is the media so obsessed with the graphical capabilities of consoles? Sure pretty graphics can make a game that's wonderful to look at, but if it's not fun to play, what's the point of buying it? As this article points out, 3D isn't always better.
I still play a lot of GB and GBA games because they're fun and give me something to do on road trips. Not to mention that the batteries last quite a bit longer than either the PSP (4-6 hours) or the DS (6-10 hours). Not to mention the fact that a GBA game will cost anywhere from $20-$35, while DS games usually cost $30-$35 and PSP games cost $45-$50. I think the GameBoy offers a fun, affordable, and long-lasting experience that no other console or handheld will ever be able to match.
What is with all the alarmist slashdot editorilizing since forever? I think the slashdot editors need to get real jobs and get grounded than come back and post stories with a more wary eye.
An Education is the Font of All Liberty
So you claim it takes less attention to play a game than it does to watch a movie? Do you play any games other than Final Fantasy "press a button 100 times to continue" clones?
Yes, its true, Nintendo has made a unique product which offers something new to consumers, backwards compatibility with their huge library of old titles, and the possiblity of both multimedia support (see the article's mention of the Play-Yan adapter) and PDA capabilities (it already has a touch screen, and the GameBoy had digital assistant software years ago).
I'm sure the GameBoy will be wiped off the map any time now, right after the Macintosh (pesky unique architecture), the iPod (inability to work with millions of competing formats), and CDs (who needs an entrenched user base when you could have 5 hojillion gigs on one fingernail).
It makes more sense to try to sell to hardcore gamers anyway, and fight for their attention from movies, mp3 players, PC titles, and pr0n; instead of the millions of children begging their parents for Pokemon. Definitely a doomed marketing strategy and business plan.
Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta catch them all . . .
Hopefully Nintendo will announce the GBA's successor at next years E3 or maybe even at Spaceworld this fall? If the GBA has SNES quality graphics, and the DS has N64 quality, and the PSP has PS2 level, then the new gameboy should feature Gamecube quality graphics, if not better :P
"A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."
So you claim it takes less attention to play a game than it does to watch a movie? Do you play any games other than Final Fantasy "press a button 100 times to continue" clones?
Which would you rather do, watch a movie in 10 minute increments, or play a game in 5 minute increments.
I can dedicate my attention for small amounts of time, but to do so in a movie breaks the immersion.
Games can be about immersion, but there's a time and a place for it. That time and place is not while I'm on a bus or car ride.
My current favorite games are racing sims and adventure platformers. Where I can accomplish a goal, appreciate the gameplay enough, and still be able to set it down and check on our progress as we drive to where ever.
Games with lots of audio are a no-no. I need to at least have 1 of my 2 important senses available at all times, and audio can disrupt others if I don't bring headphones (thereby putting me out of availability).
Now I'm not saying that there are videos out there which wouldn't be great on a handheld. Perhaps a Sitcom, or even, your favorite sci-fi show. Something light, not time consuming, and for the love of god, cheap.
GBA: $50 US on ebay if you're lucky
PSP: $299 new, still fraking expensive on eBay
The GBA isn't going anywhere. Anybody who considers the PSP and GBA direct competitors are idiots.
GamePro has a feature up examining the possible end of days for the Game Boy. From the article: "...it would seem the end is nigh. Sega's Game Gear offers Genesis level power and a beautiful screen next to GB's humble, NES-quality experience. And Nintendo seems be placing its hopes on its quirky but successful Super Game Boy*. Rumors of a next-generation Game Boy system were crushed at E3 2005 with the unveiling of Game Boy Pocket**, a revised GBA selling on its stylish, compact design and beautiful (but minuscule) screen."
:( )
*(I know that's just a Game Boy, I didn't have anything else to go with
**(I'm not sure if the Game Boy Pocket was new at this time?)
Of course, we all know how this story ended. Sega crushed Nintendo and the Game Gear flooded the market. Hope it does well against the PSP, which is even more powerful (and therefore more fun).
"When the atomic bomb goes off there's devastation...but when the atomic bong goes off there's celebraaaaation!"
You clearly haven't played Final Fantasy. Pushing the same button.(using the same attack on the default target) over and over again is generally a good way to get yourself killed.
Or maybe not. The GBA has some real advantages going for itself:
The GBA isn't going anywhere. It will remain a viable system for a long, long time.
In related news, Broadcast Networks, FM Radio, AM Radio, Compact Discs, Ozone layer, Earth all dying.
I was tempted to put FreeBSD but, it really is dying.
OSGGFG - Open Source Gamers Guide to Free Games
The DS has two screens and with the touch pad you can use it as psuedo mouse for FPS games way better than any D-Pad could. It took a bit getting used to, but I can play any FPS game on the DS like Golden Eye or the Metroid demo just as good as I could on a computer with a mouse and WASD (or least it feels like it) when I use the stylus pen to aim and left side controller to move and then the left index to shoot.
I guess they could make another single wireless game boy with a single screen with a touch pad, but I think it might be redundant. Then again... They might make it so that you can use either a gameboy or a DS since I think many people might find the DS too bulky for a controller.
Eitherway I love the DS the way it is... Puyo Pop and Bomber Man DS have prolly given me 40+ hours of time killing fun.
"I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
-Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
As I've pointed out before, you can see Nintendo keeps a pretty strict schedual to platform upgrades.
It's 5 years per console, and 10 years per handheld, with some form of experimental system launched in between.
Check here to see the chart.
Is this article somehowe related to the Viagra spam I keep getting?
Or is it just some kind of purchase justification for people with handhelds that have moving parts?
With the DS and GBA both continuing to outsell the PSP across the regions, I dont think Nintendo is worrying too much.
Not to say the PSP is going to fall into oblivion like the Game Gear, Lynx, NGPC, Wonderswan, GP32, etc... (Sony will not let it), but Nintendo has taken on better hardware for years and released products when they saw fit (when the market was saturated).
When the GBA stops selling, then Nintendo will give us a new one.
The PSP is a gorgeous piece of hardware. I don't want one. Really. That's not what I want to carry around and play games on.
A portable game machine needs to look and feel simple and sturdy. Nintendo has that down a lot better than Sony.
This saddens me to no end. Now I will have to bury my GBA out in the backyard and not be able to play all the great games that are coming out this year. Who cares if the GBA was outselling the PSP in Japan recently, its a dying system. On a more serious note: People who grew up during the SNES era, like myself, eat up GBA SNES ports like nuts. I couldn't have been more thrilled to have Zelda and Mario 3 (NES game, I know, but much nicer graphics) and all on a portable. These are games that are immensely fun to play despite the fact that their graphics are nowhere near current-gen 3D games. And fun is what gameplaying is all about, right?
DxBlog - It's where you want to be
I was happy that GBA released minish cap, as other 3D Zeldas have less appeal to me. Let there be a 2D Zelda on the DS!!
[i]"...it would seem the end is nigh. Sega's Game Gear offers Genisis level power and a beautiful screen next to Gameboy's humble, NES-quality experience. Rumors of a next-generation Game Boy system were crushed with the unveiling of Game Boy Pocket, a revised Gameboy selling on its stylish, compact design and beautiful (but minuscule) screen."[/i]
Netcraft says the gameboy advanved is dying.
There... it had to be done...
but it really doesn't need to be.
I love a lot of the games on it, and I don't really miss 3d graphics. In most instances, 3d distracts more than it helps (makes control and viewports 4x more complicated).
One enhancement I would like to see is a standard wireless adapter with 802.11b support. It would be awesome to just be able to pull out a GBA near a hotspot and play some multiplayer games.
GBA Multiplayer is relatively underutilized as it is. Building 802.11b adapters would help give multiplayer a nice push.
I find it ironic that I (and many other gamers) use my PSP primarily to play old NES and SNES games. It shows how just how popular old-school games are. I think Nintendo really dropped the ball by porting games to the classic series on GBA and charging full price for them. I think that the GBA, especially the SP, could have a lifespan as long as the original Gameboy's if Nintendo would quit with the greed and start releasing cheap older games on the GBA. I know I'd pay $5 for a NES-generation game, and $10 for a SNES-generation game... well, the good ones, at least. Oh well... back to the emulators.
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Which is more ironic?
This article which summarily claims that Nintendo is dying, is absolutely terrible. The writer does not understand video games and he doesn't understand Nintendo's current state. A lot of what he says is based on common misconceptions that a lot of you probably have. Misconception 1. Power wins portable wars. A lot of people say the PSP can't lose because WOW look at those graphics, but as someone stated earlier, look at the Sega Gamegear among others, they had better screens and graphics than Nintendo's GBC and GB, and look at them now. Yes, sitting in pawn shops throughout the nation. I don't know enough about demographics and industry trends to say firmly that the PSP will follow a similar fate, but to say that Nintendo will is completely unfounded and silly, 5 million DSs have been shipped already compared to 3 million PSPs. www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/28/ds_psp_sales Now, an ignorant person would look at this as irrefutable fact that Nintendo's up in the game, but I point out that the PSP shipped later and was therefore at a disadvantage. Misconception 2. Sales figures are everything. Let's just say that it was the other way around, with PSP sales at 5 million and DS sales at 3 million, Nintendo would still not be anywhere close to dying. Nintendo did not sell more gamecubes than sony did ps2s, heck they may have not even sold more than MS did, to them, it only sort of matters. Yes better sales are good, but if we're to be objective about it, Nintendo is the clearcut winner of this console generation where it matters, the money. "...Nintendo's business engine is so efficient that even though they sell far less than Sony, they make, bottom line, about as much as all of Sony, Yes, that's right. Little Nintendo generates about as much cash as giant Sony--electronics, movies, the works. (For a bunch of good financial data on this subject in one place, see PCVSConsole)." http://www.buzzcut.com/article.php?story=200505312 2342247
Nintendo's not on their way out, they're not even close, this generation is gonna be real interesting because Nintendo will probably win it again, but this time, I think it'll be more obvious.
Apparently you haven't played the best games on the system thus far, Kirby and Meteos are both fantastic.
I don't see any decent upgrade for the GBA:SP on the market right now.
Some would claim that if you can still find a 1.50 unit, and you're in Japan or North America[1], the upgrade for the GBA SP is the SonyP SP with a GBA emulator installed. And yes, you can still play half of Luminesweeper if you ditch your GBA for a PSP; you just can't play game right (the Minesweeper portion) on 1.51 or newer.
[1] Sony has donated the European market to Nintendo.
3. The fact that the only significant PSP-exclusive title (one that isn't a sequel to a PS2 title) is a falling block game, a 2D game that would be more at home on a GBA than on a 3D system. (And in fact, thanks to the homebrew community, it is at home on the GBA.)
I never carry any peice of technology on me that anyone would consider killing me to possess/sell for crack.
Definitely. I've been playing Meteos almost non-stop since I got it, and keep my DS in my pocket for 5 minute spurts. Thing is, those "5 minute spurts" end up being "30 minute one-more-game" fests.
Meteos is the Super Smash Bros. of puzzle games.
And Kirby is great too. Even after I beat the game, I come back to try to trump my own Time Trial scores. It's like a pink Sonic.
The classic series is now super cheap. You can find those games for 14.99 and I believe 9.99 depending on the title.
Ooo man the floppy drive is broken. No wait. The computer is just upside down.
...but 1up.com is at least partly responsible for publishing Official Playstation Magazine (I don't consider myself fully knowledgable about the relationship). This would suggest to me that the 1up article is fueled by some sort of bias.
Macintosh market share is so tiny that it really is at risk of disappearing (at least as a general purpose desktop platform). iPod and CD, on the other hand, have big market shares and I don't think anybody is predicting their demise.