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The Gameboy Micro Reviewed
Advtg writes "Ars Technica has a great review of the Gameboy Micro, which is now shipping in North America. The thing is
amazingly small, but it looks as though worries about the screen being too small and too dim aren't true. But will it sell? From the review: 'You'd think at this point the portable
market would just be saturated with Nintendo products, and the Micro carries a price tag of US$99.99. For just US$30 more you can get a DS, and for US$20 less you can get an SP
with the newly brightened screen. It occupies somewhat of an awkward place in terms of price point and features.'"
It's been in my local Wal-Mart for over a week. Two weeks maybe even, and I live in Canada. Northern Canada.
gameboy.ign.com's review of the Micro is actually pretty positive
Here's the ending summary of it: The GB Micro isn't exactly the ideal way to enjoy Game Boy Advance games, but don't misjudge it by its size. Given the choice between toting a GBA SP in our backpacks or a GB Micro in our pockets, we'll take the Micro. It's tiny, its screen is amazing, and it is surprisingly comfortable to hold.
Sometimes they are virtually throwaway products to get you interested, then think 'gee for just a few bucks more...'.
Not quite 'bait and switch' but damned close.. More like 'bait and pull'...
---- Booth was a patriot ----
How long till people port Linux to it?
About... this long
Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.
The guys at iPod Lounge did a comprehensive review of this little guy some time ago, with lots of pictures comparing it to the various iPods and previous GameBoys for perspective. Worth checking out.
The Humblest Mollusk on the Net
Finally, the article points out(at the end) the faceplates cover the screen. Everything I've read uptil this point just talked about the color. Now I'll actually consider buying it. I'll still have to try it out before I buy it though.
I have replaced a couple of faceplates on non-flip cell phones including a Sony that have cracked or been scratched. Why other manufacturers of small items don't follow suit is beyond me.
Apparently if you want to play multiplayer with an SP or connect the Micro to your Gamecube you need to buy a converter cable.
I'm disappointed that they couldn't keep with the standard connector. It's not the end of the world, I'd just prefer not to worry about one more tiny accessory.
The US Army: promoting democracy through unquestioned obedience
The battery is replaceable too. And the standard headphone jack is great, compared to SP. The only drawback is that it only plays GBA games, which is fine by me, but I'm sure others would have loved the ability to play GB/GBC games.
I am 28. It fits easily in my blue jean pocket. The screen is a wee small but damn bright and clear. The sound (via headphones) is really impressive. Was playing metroid on it the first day and was in love.
Yeah, its small. But I played for over an hour the other night, holding the right shoulder button through Toularian (Mother brain land) almost the whole time.
No regrets. No AA batteries to replace.
Why not buy the DS? Never buy the first edition of a Nintendo product -- they always come out with a better version in 6 months to a year. Compare the original GBA to the new SP. The DS is currently molded like a kid's toy, but I expect that to change. For now I have a large library of GBA titles available to me. When a new, improved DS comes out I can give the micro to my wife (-:
You're right. There is one big giveaway. The volume control is 'digital' which means that the device has to be on before I can turn the volume down. So If I was playing it loud before my visit to the john, as soon as I switch it on it'll make a noise that can be heard in the next stall. Gotta be careful when I do this or it could be very embarassing.
I bought it because the screen was significantly better than the original Gameboy advance (The fact that the GBA screen was WORSE than my Gameboy Color was what prevented me from buying one at first).
I bought it because it was smaller, it fit in a shirt pocket, or well, any pocket. A GBA wouldn't have (in fact I think the GBA SP was the first portable system that would).
I bought it because of the clamshell design, which protects the screen when not in use.
The Gameboy Micro does two out of three better than the SP. That ain't too shabby.
I own a PSP and its to big to bring around every day in my pants pockets, since it requires some sort of case due to the fact that it is rather delicate and has a huge unprotected screen, it usually has to go into the backpack. Add to the fact that its a pain to get in and out of my pants the fact that it takes time to boot up and play games, I actually want a Gameboy micro, since I can bring it anywhere and get my game on quickly. I actually cant wait for winter in New York because that means I can wear a Jacket with extra pockets so I can actually bring around my PSP without having a huge bulge in my pants. What amazes me even more is that the Nintendo DS is even larger than the PSP, and that was a important consideration when buying the PSP, while I can bear bringing the PSP around with me, it does not fit into some of my pant pockets. I could not even imagine fitting a brick like the Nintendo DS in my pocket, which is sad because I actually think that system has better games than the PSP, I am waiting eagerly for the Nintendo DS - Micro or at least a shrunken version of it, I am glad that at least nintendo is coming to their senses and making a portable game system that fits in the pocket and doesnt take over 30 seconds to boot.
I was trying to make a joke about wanking. I wasn't as successful as I would have liked.
It got a built in lithium-ion pack, but it is replaceable by the user.
Jan