Anyone still playing GBA and not moved on to DS or PSP?

[fishsandwich]

Anyone still stuck with the GBA and not moved up to a PSP or DS?

I ride the train to and from work and I am usually playing a GBA game. Bear in mind that I am a 30-something year old man wearing dress clothes. I get a lot of weird looks, occasionally followed by people whipping out their cell phones to see if they have any games worth playing. It's not a long ride but I'd rather play a game than read a few pages of a book, stare off into space, or talk LOUDLY on the f-king phone like some people tend to do.

One time a guy with a PSP stared at me with what seemed to be a look of pity. Another guy was talking to his friend and saying "That's just an SP" but was interested in what I was playing once I sat down (Shining Force).

I have no desire to upgrade yet for a variety of reasons-

1. The PSP is too big and has a shorter battery life
2. The DS is too fragile to be dropped/nudged whilst on a busy train and the stylus gets on my nerves
3. The GBA is cheap, small, and has great battery life
4. The GBA library is huge and has plenty of games that are great for adults. I've been playing Shining Force for MONTHS (I'm now seeing if I can beat the game using nothing but spell-casting characters) and then I plan to move onto Tactics Ogre, then Fire Emblem, then Advance Wars, then Golden Sun, the FF Tactics, then who knows what else.

I can see myself not upgrading for years (though I do want a PSP pretty badly). Anyone else like this? Is this yet another case of people looking down on an older system just because it's no longer a current system with no more new games being released?

[fcw3]

Did you ever consider one of the GB Micros ?

FRED

[Snapple]

Heavens no. My problem is, "Can I move on from the DS to a next-gen console?" I have a Wii, but I barely touch it, and I don't even have a PS3 or a 360. I basically just play retro games and my DS lately.

[NE146]

Who says you need to "upgrade". Heck I just bought another GBA not that long ago specifically so I could get the one with the brighter screen for my Gameboy games..

And this was after I already had 2 or 3 DS's and a PSP... matter o' fact you can see both in this pic right here of me showing off my Mario Picross :p
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v48/b2stoys/th_mario_picross.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/b2stoys/mario_picross.jpg)

Just get one and add it to your collection. The DS plays GBA games anyway :)

[zemmix]

I've never heard of the DS being fragile. I have an ice blue lite and its been dropped and nudged before with no problems. Although I do have a cool silicone type protector case on it. My hacked PSP is great with all my psx games and emulators on it.

As a side note I wish I could ride a train to work! I would love to be able to spend an hour reading or gaming than being stuck in traffic with NPR being the only thing that I can listen to because all the music stations here suck.

[WiseSalesman]

2. The DS is too fragile

Seriously? I've beat the hell out of my DS and never had a problem with it. My GBA SP, on the otherhand, had its screen smashed by a poorly pressurized cabin on a Continental flight.

[Lord Helmet]

As far as handhelds go, I play the PSP and DS exclusively now. I don't even own a GB or GBA any more.

[Juganawt]

DS is not fragile. Mine's survived an accident trip in the washing machine, and STILL runs perfectly.

Plus, its the ideal machine for you. Not only can you play the GBA games you love so much, but you can play their natural successors too.

PSP is a great system also, but to be honest I play emulators more than real games on it. The Analog nub is also very small and gives me cramp in my thumb if I play too long.

[Pantechnicon]

Fishsammich is not alone. I'm still pretty entrenched with my GBA SP. Brought it to work today, in fact, so I could play Final Fantasy Adventure over lunch.

I've bought two DS's in the last year: One was a basket case which I repaired and gave to my son and the other was a birthday present for my daughter. The kids love `em and both get a lot of play out of their systems. But as for me, I just haven't seen enough compelling DS titles yet to wean me off the SP. I bought the first Phoenix Wright title, played through half of it, and promptly lost interest. Advance Wars DS looks cool, but I just recently played through both of the GBA Advance Wars titles recently and I try to alternate game types to keep things fresh. Phantom Hourglass is something I definitely want to play, but it's still new so I'm in no especial hurry for it.

I have zero-interest in the PSP. So...nope. My trusty SP is doing well by me just fine for the forseeable future.

[Rob2600]

I play my original purple Game Boy Advance every day on the subway...usually Tetris, but sometimes Castlevania, Super Mario World, or Klax.

[boatofcar]

Nothing wrong with the GBA SP at all. If you're still playing on an original GBA though....why?

[Nirvana]

I love my Game Boy Advanced SP. Its shape is so perfect, truly defining "portable gaming". I was playing Pokemon Yellow while waiting outside of Best Buy for Black Friday :)

[Rob2600]

Nothing wrong with the GBA SP at all. If you're still playing on an original GBA though....why?

There's nothing wrong with my original GBA, that's why. It still works great. If it ever breaks, then I'll replace it with a second-generation GBA SP.

[kedawa]

I bought a DS shortly after they were released and I barely touch the thing. My GB Micro, which I bought after I realized that I only use my DS for GBA carts, actually gets a fair amount of use. I hate the DS button layout for GBA games, and the fact that the inputs can't be reconfigured just ruins it for that purpose.

There's really only a handful of DS games, current and upcoming, that I'm interested in, and after I've played them I'm getting rid of the system.

I've been tempted by the PSP numerous times over the past year or so, but it really is too big for my needs, and the loading times just ruin the convenience of portable gaming.

I'm thinking of picking up a GP2X mk2, but i've heard the dpad sucks.

[boatofcar]

There's nothing wrong with my original GBA, that's why. It still works great. If it ever breaks, then I'll replace it with a second-generation GBA SP.

The whole not being able to see a ton of screen details that you can see with the SP thing doesn't bother you?

I'm not trying to flame you, don't get me wrong, but never has a console improved so much in my eyes as when the GBA SP was introduced.

[Rob2600]

The whole not being able to see a ton of screen details that you can see with the SP thing doesn't bother you?

I'm not trying to flame you, don't get me wrong, but never has a console improved so much in my eyes as when the GBA SP was introduced.

I know you're not flaming me. Thanks. :) In certain situations, the original GBA screen is too dark, but in NYC subway stations and on subway trains, it's perfectly fine.

I've found that looking directly at the original GBA screen is decent, but tilting the GBA away from me slightly and looking at the screen at an angle like that actually improves the picture. Maybe that sounds like it'd be awkward, but it really isn't.

[Push Upstairs]

I grew up playing the original GB system so I knew how to adjust the damn thing to get the best possible light.

However, I still feel that the GBA should have had some type of backlit screen.

I still have an original GBA because it isn't hard to hold (for me anyway) like the SP and it gives me the best all around compatibility with GB, GBC, & GBA games.

I don't need anything newer because I hardly play what I have and the $100+ for a DS or a PSP just isn't worth it.

[fishsandwich]

Did you ever consider one of the GB Micros ?

FRED

I have a micro and I like it but it's just too damn small, especially for some of the text-heavy strategy/RPG's I favor. It doesn't suit my man-hands well, either.

I should have mentioned I have a GBA SP, not the original... I never got into hand-held gaming until the N-Gage. Gotta have light! I never got truly into the Game Gear due to its weight and battery life, same for Turbo Express. I think I would have played the NGPC a lot more had it been back-lit.

Note: I finished Shining Force last night... for the 4th time! I think I am finally burned out on this game. This time I played it without any knights, archers, gladiators, etc. Just spell casters, healers, and the hero. Level up enough and you can beat anything with anyone.

I think I'll try Tactics Ogre or Advance Wars next.

[heybtbm]

I think I'll try Tactics Ogre or Advance Wars next.

Tactics Ogre: Knights of Lodis is the best SRPG on the GBA (and probably in the top 5 GBA games, period). Play it immediately.

[Rob2600]

I never got truly into the Game Gear due to its weight and battery life, same for Turbo Express.

How hilarious would it be to see someone riding the subway playing a huge old Game Gear? :)

[Pantechnicon]

How hilarious would it be to see someone riding the subway playing a huge old Game Gear? :)

You should see some of the expressions I get when I whip out my Lynx on an airplane. People are quite horrified by it: "What is that thing?" LOL

[Rob2600]

You should see some of the expressions I get when I whip out my Lynx on an airplane. "What is that thing?"

You must have short flights. :)

When I sit down in the subway train, the people sitting next to me always stare at my GBA screen in amazement. It doesn't make sense. It's as if they've never seen a portable video game or Tetris before.

[Pantechnicon]

You should see some of the expressions I get when I whip out my Lynx on an airplane...


You must have short flights.

I, sir, have an external Lynx battery pack (http://www.goatstore.com/info.php?id=141695). Just the thing for several sustained hours of Awesome Golf, Klax and Steel Talons. But back to topic...


If you're still playing on an original GBA though....why?

I can think of two good reasons: It feels better ergonomically and it has a headphone jack.

Nintendo did the right thing by flipping their portable system to a horizontal orientation with the release of the GBA, which is more comfortable and balanced; especially for folks like myself who have slightly too large hands for the SP.

But then again, there's that pesky backlighting issue, which is actually a pretty big deal and one of the main reason why I've forced myself to adapt to the SP. Although it feels a little cramped, the backlighting is beautiful and makes it worth the effort switch. I've never been satisfied with the external lighting options on the original GBA, but if I could find a decent and inexpensive backlighting solution for one then I'd gladly switch back to the original model (I know there are/were some backlighting mod kits available from Japan, but I haven't looked into this in some time now as my original GBA was stolen last year, hence another reason why I have an SP now).

Headphones are nice when you can use them. It makes for a more immersive gaming experience with a handheld as well as not subjecting others in a public setting to your beeps and woops. The lack of a headphone jack, imo, is the single biggest design flaw to the SP.

[Daria]

DS is not fragile. Mine's survived an accident trip in the washing machine, and STILL runs perfectly.


I on the other hand placed my DS in a purse containing nothing but my wallet and a pen. When I took it back out the hinge on my DS had snapped. Still plays fine so I haven't replaced it some 3 years later, but it looks ghetto and the screen wobbles. The kicker is it's not as if I was swinging the bag over my head and playing helicopter. I set it in there long enough to sit down for dinner, there's no reason it should have broke.

[venturousviking]

The DS was my second Nintendo handheld with the first being a Gameboy Pocket. After I bought the DS Lite I DISCOVERED Gameboy Advance Games. Now I go to the GBA section at my video game retailer more than the DS section.

[Lady Jaye]

I still have my GBA SP. In fact I recently bought Final Fantasy V for it. Even if I had a DS again, I'd keep the SP for GB/GBC games (DK 94, anyone? or the GBC Zelda games)... I admit I like the more compact form factor of the SP compared to the DS, although I like the fact that you can carry at once a DS and a GBA game on the DS.

[alice_curiouser]

I have moved onto the DS, but I still keep my GBA SP to play regular Gameboy games. I did like the compact design and durability of the SP, but the DS Lite works for me too, and I prefer its brighter screen.

[Flack]

I have two GBA SPs, one for me and one for my son. After getting nagged about it I ended up buying a DS. I assumed the DS would be for me and my son would hang on to the GBA SP but it's been the other way around. Mason's found several DS games he likes, and I'm just fine with the GBA games I like (Poker, Mario, etc.) so it's all good. The GBA SP has such a huge library that I'm not really interested in anything else at the moment.

As for the original GBA screen ... I got a GBA (glacier?) specifically to kill time while hanging out in the hospital waiting for my son to be born. After five minutes of straining to see that screen I turned it off. I sold it at OVGE last year complete in box for $20 I think. Granted I haven't played a lot of the older handheld systems, but I could not deal with that thing's screen. Even the original GP32's screen, which was difficult to see at times, was better than the GBA. In fact, my GP32 is collecting dust for that very reason. I enjoyed messing with emulators on that thing, but trying to read the text while getting games running was a pain in the ass.

[sirhansirhan]

I have a GBA SP, a DS, and a PSP, and like and play all three quite a lot, but the SP's my favorite of the three, and probably by a long shot. I have the Classic NES one, and I tend to travel with all three systems, despite the fact that the DS plays GBA games. It just feels blasphemous to play GBA games on the DS. Plus, I still play the occasional B&W GB game or GBC game.

[Rob2600]

As for the original GBA screen ... I got a GBA (glacier?) specifically to kill time while hanging out in the hospital waiting for my son to be born. After five minutes of straining to see that screen I turned it off.

I don't know, maybe the lighting in the NYC subway system is better than at a hospital. I haven't had problems playing my original GBA in subway stations or in subway trains.

Of course, the SP and DS are better, but my GBA still works fine, so I use it.

[CosmicMonkey]

Umm, I'm still playing my NGPC as-and-when I have to go on the train for business. Honestly, it's worth it just for some of the looks I get. I've only once come across someone who actually knew what I was playing on; everyone else looks completely clueless. I'm still considering acquiring a Game Gear for my next train mission. I haven't played GG Shinobi in years.

[j_factor]

I got a GBA in 2001 and was never satisfied with it. I would play Circle of the Moon (for example), and it felt like a great game was being held back by shitty hardware. The screen was too damn hard to see. I tried several light accessories, but to no avail. The poor, unlit screen was unacceptable to me, having been a Lynx/GG owner in the past and a Nomad owner at the time. My GBA was largely neglected. I was conflicted, though, as I was really attracted to some of the games for it.

When the SP came out, I was pretty cynical. It seemed to me like they purposely came out with a flawed design so that they could release an improved version later and double-dip on sales. I also thought it was retarded that they introduced new flaws -- in particular, I didn't like the lack of a headphone jack (seriously wtf?), and I didn't like the return to the old GB style of a cramped, unergonomic layout.

When the Game Boy Player came out, I immediately bought one, and sold off my original GBA. To this day, it remains my primary means of playing GBA games (I use a DS when I have to, such as with Wario Ware: Twisted). The visuals translate very well to the TV screen, and a lot of games look way better than they do on any of the portables. I was slightly disappointed in the control options (why does the Hori controller retain the Gamecube face button layout?) and in the lack of support for Super Game Boy features/enhancements in older games, but otherwise it's grand. I still think it's the best option available for playing GBA games, as I don't care for the Micro.

Even though I do own a DS, and was actually somewhat of an early adopter of it, I still play GBA games, and I still buy them. I've amassed a decent collection (50+) and have more to go. The system has a really great library, despite the hardware.

[kedawa]

The problem with the GBA screen isn't just the lack of lighting, it's just a really shitty screen all around. The NGPC isn't lit either, and I can see it just fine under normal lighting conditions.

[fishsandwich]

Umm, I'm still playing my NGPC as-and-when I have to go on the train for business. Honestly, it's worth it just for some of the looks I get. I've only once come across someone who actually knew what I was playing on; everyone else looks completely clueless. I'm still considering acquiring a Game Gear for my next train mission. I haven't played GG Shinobi in years.


I used to haul around an NGPC but I just couldn't get into it due to the lack of back lighting. It's a totally cool system, though. I got looks even back then. It wasn't in stores anymore but it was still fairly current.

I didn't start getting into handheld gaming until the N-gage and its amazing 8-bit emulators. That prompted me to get a GBA SP and I can't put it down. I gave my partner a DS for Christmas last year but I haven't picked it up in MONTHS. I gave the Micro a brief run but its just too darm small for me.

[MrSparkle]

my favorite means of playing gba games is definatly the ds. i didnt really like the original gba design that much it was kind of big and bulky, i loved the sp design but never got one and i hadnt even heard of the gameboy micro until id already bought a ds. though i have been thinking of picking up a gba player for my gamecube just to get that tv feel on the remakes of the final fantasy games.

[j_factor]

The problem with the GBA screen isn't just the lack of lighting, it's just a really shitty screen all around. The NGPC isn't lit either, and I can see it just fine under normal lighting conditions.

Yeah, I don't have much problems seeing the NGPC screen either. You can't play it in the dark or anything, but in a normal lit room it's fine. Way better than the GBA. I don't understand why Nintendo, if too stubborn to have a lit screen, couldn't have at least copied NGPC's innovation (whatever that may be).

[boatofcar]

I don't understand why Nintendo, if too stubborn to have a lit screen, couldn't have at least copied NGPC's innovation (whatever that may be).

Wow, I didn't realize the NGPC was released almost two years before the first GBA. Crazy!

[j_factor]

Wow, I didn't realize the NGPC was released almost two years before the first GBA. Crazy!

What's really crazy is that people were buying GBC's in droves and shunning such a superior system.

[Rob2600]

What's really crazy is that people were buying GBC's in droves and shunning such a superior system.

Isn't that usually the case though?

[Leo_A]

I have moved onto the DS, but I still keep my GBA SP to play regular Gameboy games. I did like the compact design and durability of the SP, but the DS Lite works for me too, and I prefer its brighter screen.

You all realize that the SP was revised around the time the DS Lite was released to incorporate similar screen technology, right? Just thought I'd toss that out there if there were a couple people here that didn't know that the SP has a great screen these days.

[alice_curiouser]

You all realize that the SP was revised around the time the DS Lite was released to incorporate similar screen technology, right? Just thought I'd toss that out there if there were a couple people here that didn't know that the SP has a great screen these days.

I didn't at the time. I originally didn't want the DS (for I am old, and resistant to change ;) ), I was happy with my old SP, and only caved when Animal Crossing came out. HOWEVER. My daughter broke her SP a while after I bought my DS, and when I tried her new one, I thought I was losing my mind; I didn't remember the SP being so *bright*... finally I fished out the box and saw the "now with a brighter backlit screen!" Dur.

Eventually I'm going to have to replace mine with one of the new brighter ones for playing GBC games.

[MrSparkle]

i love the sp's design but ive never owned one, went straight from my original gameboy which i loved for its incredible battery life to the ds which i have no complaints about for playing gba games, honestly i play more gba games on the thing than ds games, and as for finding a gp2x if anyone knows where you can still obtain one let me know ive been on the hunt for one but it seems the company folded.

[CreamSoda]

I love the GameBoy line, I still do a fair bit of gaming on my original(clear purple) GBA. The only problem is, that after playing the PSP and DS for so long playing on that old GBA really kills my eyes at times. I am currently looking for a GBA SP though.

[c0ldb33r]

Between me and my wife we've got 1 original GBA, 1 GBA SP, 2 GB micros, 1 DS and 2 DS Lites. I just recently bought my second micro because I saw the famicom version for a great price. I love the micro because it's the only pocket system that can literally, and comfortably, fit in your pocket. The screen may be small, but its not too small for text heavy games because the screen is such high quality.

I'm still waiting to pick up an a GBA SP+, but I've never seen one for a decent price. :(

[RPG_Fanatic]

Do Gameboy advanced games have battery back up or flash memory? Just wondering.

[Pantechnicon]

Do Gameboy advanced games have battery back up or flash memory? Just wondering.

They use flash, no battery. I had to crack open a copy of GBA's Zelda:LTTP once and discovered this.

[j_factor]

Some GBA games do use a battery. It depends on the game.

[c0ldb33r]

Some GBA games do use a battery. It depends on the game.
There have been numerous discussions about this with some people saying they're all flash and some saying that some games (typically the early games) use batteries while others (typically later ones) use flash.

I've never seen a source posted for this info though.

[ProgrammingAce]

GBA games are all flash, gbc and earlier were battery

[Pantechnicon]

There have been numerous discussions about this with some people saying they're all flash and some saying that some games (typically the early games) use batteries while others (typically later ones) use flash.

I've never seen a source posted for this info though.

Having personally seen the innards of a GBA cart (Zelda LTTP) utilizing flash memory, I just assumed that they were all flash-based and have no compelling reason to believe otherwise. Has anybody here ever seen a disassembled GBA cart using a battery? All it takes is one...

[Matt-El]

Pick out one of the Clear cased Pokemon games for GBA. You'll see a battery inside.

On that notion, NGPC did not succeed where GBC did because they did not have pokemon. The main reason why we have Nintendo portables now IMO.

[heybtbm]

Pick out one of the Clear cased Pokemon games for GBA. You'll see a battery inside.

On that notion, NGPC did not succeed where GBC did because they did not have pokemon. The main reason why we have Nintendo portables now IMO.

The battery included in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire is for the in-game clock/calender only. It has nothing to do with saving the game. It still uses flash memory to save.

[c0ldb33r]

The battery included in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire is for the in-game clock/calender only. It has nothing to do with saving the game. It still uses flash memory to save.
I agree that any game with a real-time clock on a Gameboy system is probably a special case and will require a battery regardless of whether the game itself uses flash or battery to hold its savegames.

I've checked on Google before for any authority on the subject but have never found any. Has anyone else had any luck in this department?

[Bratwurst]

Yawn. Open up an original print run of Castlevania Circle of the Moon, battery is inside. Case closed.

[c0ldb33r]

Yawn. Open up an original print run of Castlevania Circle of the Moon, battery is inside. Case closed.
Can someone please do this and take pics? I no longer have this cart :(

[Bratwurst]

Can someone please do this and take pics? I no longer have this cart :(

My Circle of the Moon cart is the 2002 revision, but I'm still charging you a 5 dollar 'didn't believe in Bratwurst' tax next time you wanna trade or buy from me.

http://www.angelfire.com/apes/madmeat/GBA-saves.txt

[InsaneDavid]

Maybe if GB and GBC support was included in the DS could that be considered a "replacement" for the GBA.

Let me first say when the GBA was released I dropped more cash on the GBA launch than I did on the PS2 launch - and the only other Game Boy I owned at the time was my brick from 1989. There were tons of great games right out of the gate and I bought nearly all of them as well as the Arctic (white) GBA. I went through just about every lighting option to allow for play indoors, in outside light it wasn't much of a problem but games like Castlevania Circle of the Moon were impossible to see. Best solution I found was the at the time import only Cowboy GBA lighting attachment. Eventually I dumped my Arctic GBA and suck with another color that I purchased for one reason alone, starting over fresh if you would...

I have an original GBA that I performed an Afterburner backlight mod to with the V3 dimmer switch years ago when the mod was first being offered (and made a killing selling modded A-GBA's). It's a black system, imported it from Japan just before the black systems were released in the USA - better battery springs.

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/AfterburnerGBA01.jpg

She's still going strong but I've become protective of this perticular A-GBA as it's "my" A-GBA, the one I used to use to demonstrate the mod and the only unit I kept after people gravitated to the GBA SP 1.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the GBA SP 1 and SP 2, everything except for the L and R buttons and the volume slider. I have an Onyx GBA SP 1 that I just picked up in a trade for a small Atari 2600 bundle and I like it for its portability and durability. Folded up the system is nearly undamagable through normal every day wear and tear - something not true of an A-GBA no matter how professional the mod is. After all, there's a lot crammed inside an A-GBA mod including several VERY small connection leads with VERY small solder points where surface soldering was never intended to be.

For the most part I use my A-GBA and now my SP 1 for playing GB and GBC games with improved resolution and backlighting. Right now I'm playing through GB Donkey Kong, one of my favorite action puzzle games. Was also mentioned by Lady Jaye.


Nothing wrong with the GBA SP at all. If you're still playing on an original GBA though....why?

I have to agree, unless it's an A-GBA. ;)

[c0ldb33r]

My Circle of the Moon cart is the 2002 revision, but I'm still charging you a 5 dollar 'didn't believe in Bratwurst' tax next time you wanna trade or buy from me.
lol, its not that I didn't believe you, but I've seen this discussion a number of times with no one ever willing to support their argument with proof - so it's nice to see a pic :D


For the most part I use my A-GBA and now my SP 1 for playing GB and GBC games with improved resolution and backlighting. Right now I'm playing through GB Donkey Kong, one of my favorite action puzzle games. Was also mentioned by Lady Jaye.
I'm playing the same game now except I'm playing it on a GB Pocket I just picked up. I'm almost tempted to hook up my Super Gameboy just so I can hear Pauline's voice.

[Ed Oscuro]

Yes, playing GBA games on the DS at the moment (along with Contra 4). Ninja 5-0 owns.