Question about the GBA Micro.

[Puffa469]

I was thinking of maybe picking up one of these for $70 shipped at Amazon, but I had a question. When you put a cart into the GBA Micro, does it fit all the way in, flush with the outside edge of the Micro? Or does it stick out some, like in the DS lite? I was thinking this would be great for sticking in my pocket when Im on the go and dont want to bring the DSL along, but if the cart sticks out of the Micro thats a deal breaker for me. Thanks!

[jerfgoke]

It fits all the way in.

[banpeikun]

i concur

[Puffa469]

Thanks! :D

[lilboo]

I'd love to pick one up.. but even at $70 seems too much money. I have a DS so I don't NEED another GBA..

[Riyonuk]

I too have a question...I heard some games text was hard to read, is this true? And I dont need one either, but doing speed runs in metroid fusion is very hard on the DSLite. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

[Puffa469]

I'd love to pick one up.. but even at $70 seems too much money. I have a DS so I don't NEED another GBA..

I feel the same way. I havent ordered yet and Im mulling it over in my mind. I love my DS plenty, I just hate the way the gba carts stick out. And I do play alot of gba games, so if Im on the go, and I just want to play that one gba game Im addicted to, the micro would be the perfect thing... I dunno what Im gonna do. Its sooo cute, yet soo unnecessary! lol

[javeryh]

Its sooo cute, yet soo unnecessary! lol

This is exactly right. I bought a Micro from TRU when they were $50 and when I got it I loved it but then the DS Lite came out and I haven't played the Micro since. It is really cool - but a total waste of money. I think the $50 I paid was just about the right price - maybe even $10 too much...

[jerfgoke]

I too have a question...I heard some games text was hard to read, is this true? And I dont need one either, but doing speed runs in metroid fusion is very hard on the DSLite. Maybe I just need to get used to it.In my experience, the small size of the screen does make a pretty big difference in terms of the enjoyment of the game. Unless I hold it very close to my face, I find it very difficult to have the precise movements I need for a lot of games. Despite the small (but still readable text) RPGs might be the best for the system.

Nothing is unplayable, but it's just not as much fun as it is on a bigger screen. I find myself using the GBA Player for my GameCube more than the Micro.

That said, if I was looking for a new GBA, I would seriously consider the backlit SP over the Micro. It's the same bright, high-quality screen, but much larger.

[Riyonuk]

In my experience, the small size of the screen does make a pretty big difference in terms of the enjoyment of the game. Unless I hold it very close to my face, I find it very difficult to have the precise movements I need for a lot of games. Despite the small (but still readable text) RPGs might be the best for the system.

Nothing is unplayable, but it's just not as much fun as it is on a bigger screen. I find myself using the GBA Player for my GameCube more than the Micro.

That said, if I was looking for a new GBA, I would seriously consider the backlit SP over the Micro. It's the same bright, high-quality screen, but much larger.

Ahh ok...so I should get an SP? Im thinking I should just stick with the Lite, it is the coolest of them all :p

[lilboo]

The lite is cool, I love my DS lite! I'm not terribly crazy for playing GBA games on it. Maybe it's me, but when your playing on a system with 2 screens and your used to having both of them being used for the game..then you play a game and one screen is dark.. it feels really well.

If your going to keep buying GBA games, or playing GBA games. You can find a GBA SP for cheap. It's really up to you. I also don't like the way they stick out of the DSLite.

But I guess it doesn't matter. Playing the game is playing the game no matter what you're playing it on.

[Riyonuk]

Yeah I agree. I wonder how much SP systems go for used. Im gonna go search.

[jerfgoke]

Ahh ok...so I should get an SP? Im thinking I should just stick with the Lite, it is the coolest of them all :pJust my 2 cents, but yeah, I'd go with the SP if you're going to ditch the Lite for GBA games. Make sure to get the new model, with the extra-bright screen. It makes a big difference. Really noticable after switching from the DS Lite.

[Riyonuk]

New version? I didnt know that. How do you know its the new version, like does it say on the box "OMG New version"?

[Puffa469]

I traded in my GBA SP right after I got my DSlite, but it wasnt one of the newer ones with the bright screen, and it had like 5-6 dead pixels, so I was happy to be able to get something for it. But now I feel I need another GBA variant in my life. Either the micro, or the new SP with the backlit screen.

Maybe I'll just save my cash and play the DSlite until I see some kinda supersale. I never knew that TRU had Micros for $50!

[jerfgoke]

New version? I didnt know that. How do you know its the new version, like does it say on the box "OMG New version"?I think the packaging usually says something like "New Brighter Screen." The box should say something about the screen having a backlight. (The old models used a front light.) The ones I always see at Best Buy in pearl pink and pearl blue are the new model, I'm not sure if any other colors are available.

[Troz1820]

For me the buttons on the Micro make the decision. I never was fond of the clicky GBA SP buttons.

[Pijaibros]

Graphite is the other one.

But the obvious way to know is the "OMG New Brighter Screen" sticker on the front.

[jerfgoke]

For me the buttons on the Micro make the decision. I never was fond of the clicky GBA SP buttons.Good point. The Micro's buttons are nice and squishy, like the DS Lite. The SP's buttons are more like the regular DS.

[keithp]

In my experience, the small size of the screen does make a pretty big difference in terms of the enjoyment of the game. Unless I hold it very close to my face, I find it very difficult to have the precise movements I need for a lot of games. Despite the small (but still readable text) RPGs might be the best for the system.


No problems here.

I find myself using my GB Micro *more* than my DS Lite, actually. But I didn't have a GBA before, so I'm catching up on alot of games for it, and I've got a ton more games in GBA factor than DS Lite form.

Nothing beats being able to carry the Micro around in your pocket and whip it out for some gaming fun whenever you get a few minutes time! The SP is a little too big for carrying in your pocket IMO.

I was worried about the size of the screen too when I first got it, but you know what? It's not the issue I thought it would be. I find if I'm engrossed in a game it just doesn't matter. Text is very readable, and I just found out there's four levels of brightness for the screen too (got mine used without instructions).

Maybe it would depend on your own vision, though, I dunno-I don't wear glasses btw...

I got mine for $50 in mint condition, and I say if you find it near that price go for it! I consider it one of the best gaming purchases I've made.

[Riyonuk]

ugh...earlier I was pursuaded to get a SP...now Im leaning twords a micro. You guys are pure evil :p

[Puffa469]

another issue I have with how the DSlite plays GBA games is that it doesnt use the entire screen. It kinda shrinks the play area down so theres a 4-5 pixel border around the entire screen. I wonder which screen is bigger, GBA game on a dsl screen, or on the SP screen?

And while Im nitpicking, it woulda been nice if they let you map the L&R buttons for GBA games to the X&Y buttons on the DS. That would really help for fighting games.

[javeryh]

ugh...earlier I was pursuaded to get a SP...now Im leaning twords a micro. You guys are pure evil :p

You need an SP to play Tetris DX, Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons, Link's Awakening DX and Super Mario DX. If you don't have the abiltiy to play these games (and you haven't already) get the SP - it's a no-brainer. If I had to list the best portable games ever those 5 would be in my top 10.

[Hollow Man]

another issue I have with how the DSlite plays GBA games is that it doesnt use the entire screen. It kinda shrinks the play area down so theres a 4-5 pixel border around the entire screen.

It has to do this because the resolution on the DS is higher. DS is 256×192 and GBA is 240x160.

-HM

[Riyonuk]

Hmm ok. Im getting the SP as I have GB games I wish to play. And the reason the GBA screen is small when your playing it on the Lite, is because the screen is bigger than what the game was intended for. I wish my tv did that -_-

[peloquin17]

i love my micro.

i have an sp, micro, ds and ds lite. i find myself using the micro the most. mainly because its so small, i can just slip it in my pocket.

[banpeikun]

i love my fat ds. i have a micro, 4 sps, 4 dses, and 2 ds lites

[Puffa469]

It has to do this because the resolution on the DS is higher. DS is 256×192 and GBA is 240x160.

-HM

Thats what I figured it was. It looks very bright, clear, and sharp so I guess I shouldnt complain.



Riyonuk: Now that you've decided on the SP, just make sure you get one of the newer ones with "NEW BRIGHTER SCREEN" written on the front of the box.

[Troz1820]

You need an SP to play Tetris DX, Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons, Link's Awakening DX and Super Mario DX. If you don't have the abiltiy to play these games (and you haven't already) get the SP - it's a no-brainer. If I had to list the best portable games ever those 5 would be in my top 10.

I just wanted to second these games as excellent reasoning for the SP, especially the Zelda titles. Enjoy your SP!

[Hoffgod]

i love my fat ds. i have a micro, 4 sps, 4 dses, and 2 ds lites
... WHY DO YOU NEED THAT MANY.
Not to be hostile, but I don't even have a GBA. No original, no SP, no Micro, no GBA Player... Nothin. Just a DS Phat, a GBC, and two GameBoy Bricks.
Just a little envious.

Oh well. This hread has sold me on the GBA SP anyways. Figure it's something to get after I finally get a DS Lite.

[Riyonuk]

Question though...Do the GB games stick out of the SP? If so I guess I just have to live with it.

[javeryh]

Question though...Do the GB games stick out of the SP? If so I guess I just have to live with it.

Yes. Not a big deal even though it doesn't look so hot.

[Riyonuk]

:( Nintendo needs to make a all in one handheld system.