What's With GBA 2-packs lately?

[GameSlaveGaz]

While working in video game retail and having to research and print out the upcoming releases myself since my store is so lame, I have noticed a trend in GBA games: rereleasing existing games in a 2-pack. There are dozens of these 2-game carts out now and there are more set to be released. There's SpongeBob, SpongeBob/Fairly Oddparents, SpongeBob/Nick: Freeze Frame Frenzy, Spider-man, Shrek, Power Rangers, Hot Wheels, Cartoon Network Block Party/Cartoon Network Speedway, Scooby Doo, Monster Trucks/Quad Desert Fury, Golden Nugget Casino/Texas Hold'Em and so forth. Then coming soon are Dragonball Z: Legacy of Goku 1 and 2, Crash Bandicoot 2- packs, Spyro 2-packs and a Crash/Spyro pack; a Sonic Advance/Sonic Pinball pack, and a Lizzie Maguire/That's So Raven pack.

Now, I know multi-game carts are nothing new. Look at Namco Museum and Pac-Man Collection. But, it seems like all of a sudden these particular 2-in-1 carts have boomed. The neat thing is, that on some of the 2-packs, they're games that were previously released for GameBoy Color, (as such in the SpongeBob 2-pack and the Power Rangers 2-pack) where although you can still find the GBC version used and fairly cheap, there's a convenient GBA version and it has another game with it. It's also practical, having 2 games on one cart. The thing that irks me is that these are games that when they were first released sold really well, so people who would be interested in these 2-packs might already have one or both games. (except I was holding out on the Legacy of Goku series and now I'm glad I did cuz now I'll just buy the 2-pack). I must admit though, these 2-packs are selling pretty well. Especially with people who are just now buying their kids a GBA. No one can pass up 2 games for the price of one. But still, it's just kind of weird that so many of them have been released that it's like a fad now. I just wanted to share my profound thoughts on the 2-in-1 cartridge trend.

[§ Gideon §]

I've noticed it too. It's an interesting trend and will probably have positive effects on both the casual and dedicated consumer. If I were an editor for a videogame mag, I'd list this in the cheers section of cheers & jeers.

Cheers!

[goatdan]

I think it's the way that they can essentially do a 'Greatest Hits' series without trying to make the games super cheap. Personally, I really like the trend although I haven't yet picked up any games...

[Slimedog]

I've noticed this as well. I'm betting it has something do do with liscense restructuring for the GBA. Nintendo is probably giving a break on the fees so companies will rerelease some older titles ala Greatest Hits. Probably the best way to drum up sales on the backlog since 1) new portable development is going DS or PSP and 2) the cart media makes it unfeasible to do a single game for dirt cheap. I'm surprised the big N didn't adopt a "Players Choice" type standardized banner for these games. At any rate, I don't collect reissues so this will help keep down used prices on the originals for me.

[dementia_]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

[ersgameboy]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

There's gonna be a Castlevania 2-in-1 pack? Whoa. That'd be awesome! Do you have a link to it?

[dementia_]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

There's gonna be a Castlevania 2-in-1 pack? Whoa. That'd be awesome! Do you have a link to it?

sure:
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/259693.asp

[mikeetler]

The neat thing is, that on some of the 2-packs, they're games that were previously released for GameBoy Color, (as such in the SpongeBob 2-pack and the Power Rangers 2-pack) where although you can still find the GBC version used and fairly cheap, there's a convenient GBA version and it has another game with it.

None of the 2 in 1 carts have anything other then GBA games on them. The Powers Rangers one has the GBA Time Force and Ninja Storm and the SpongeBob one has the GBA Supersponge and Revenge of the Flying Dutchman. While there were GBC releases of both Time Force & Supersponge, they were released for GBA originally as well.

Majesco has some 2 in 1's coming that will combine previously released GBA Videos with previously released games but the only one I can remember was a Strawberry Shortcake combo.

The 2 in 1's actually arrived in the US a lot later then Europe, where T*HQ has been pumping them out for close to a year.

-Mike

[mikeetler]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

Gamestop now has it listed as Harmony and Aria. One helluva deal for $30!

[GrandAmChandler]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

Gamestop now has it listed as Harmony and Aria. One helluva deal for $30!

For the love of God, I hope this is true...

[segagamer4life]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

There's gonna be a Castlevania 2-in-1 pack? Whoa. That'd be awesome! Do you have a link to it?

I for one hope they put castlevania 2 and 3, I would love to have those on one cart...

[googlefest1]

i hope this becomes a big trend -- leading to larger numbers on carts - at least i hope they release more "good games" this way - i have no use for spiderman or sponge bob

[Dobie]

I'm not sure if its related, but surely people have seen the 2-in-1 & 3-in-1 retro "comps" coming out. $14.99 gets you two or three classics... whether or not its worth that price is debatable, but I picked up Rampart/Gauntlet, and the Millipede/Super Breakout/Lunar Lander comps. Have yet to give them a spin though.

Linky

[CreamSoda]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

Gamestop now has it listed as Harmony and Aria. One helluva deal for $30!

That is great news, I can't wait for this one!

[hezeuschrist]

Any word on what games will be included in the Castlevania 2-in-1 pack?

Gamestop now has it listed as Harmony and Aria. One helluva deal for $30!

For the love of God, I hope this is true...

Holy god, that would be absolutely awesome. I just hope it doesn't have the shitty 2-in-1 packaging the other ones do.

if it does though, it'll kill the resale price on the originals anyways... awesome news. I really needed to pickup these games.

[GameSlaveGaz]

The neat thing is, that on some of the 2-packs, they're games that were previously released for GameBoy Color, (as such in the SpongeBob 2-pack and the Power Rangers 2-pack) where although you can still find the GBC version used and fairly cheap, there's a convenient GBA version and it has another game with it.

None of the 2 in 1 carts have anything other then GBA games on them. The Powers Rangers one has the GBA Time Force and Ninja Storm and the SpongeBob one has the GBA Supersponge and Revenge of the Flying Dutchman. While there were GBC releases of both Time Force & Supersponge, they were released for GBA originally as well.

Majesco has some 2 in 1's coming that will combine previously released GBA Videos with previously released games but the only one I can remember was a Strawberry Shortcake combo.

The 2 in 1's actually arrived in the US a lot later then Europe, where T*HQ has been pumping them out for close to a year.

-Mike

I've only ever seen the GBC versions of Time Force and SuperSponge. I never saw them in GBA format. I guess Toys R Us store #7529 wasn't blessed enough to get the GBA versions LMAO.

The GBA Video/Game combos are an excellent idea, b/c the GBA Videos were a decent idea (especially with kids) but having a related game in the same pack saves time and money and soothes today's generation's ADHD.

The Castlevania 2-in-1 is beyond brilliant (but I already have Aria and Harmony so poo) and I'm waiting on the Legacy of Goku I and II pack and I hope they release more combos of popular franchises. I mean SpongeBob and Power Rangers sells well for the kids, but we want combos with more substance to them!