GameBoy Advance games on the DS

[Glockstar]

Soooo... what's it like?

I love the backlit screen, the clamshell design, and the compact-ness of it all, but otherwise I really don't care for the SP. The ergonomics of the thing are terrible! From the moment I opened it, I had regrets. A large part of me wishes that I'd'a just bought the Halo screen for my GBA instead.

I used to consider Wario Ware Inc.:Mega Microgames one of the greatest games of the past 10 years - but lately it too has started bothering me. It's got nothing to do with the game - I still think it's the ultimate handheld game - it's got everything to do with the system I play it on.

I really don't have anything to say about this subject right now because I don't have a DS (yet?)... but I do have these questions:
- How are the ergonomics of the DS for "regularly controlled" games, like GBA games?
- What screen do they play on? The top? The bottom? (Both?) Can you pick it?
- Are there any advancements to the gameplay?
For example: A lot of recent GBA games really coulda used two more face buttons. (Truth be told, they actually required it.) Well, seeing that the DS has these two extra buttons, can the control scheme of the older games be re-mapped - can these two buttons be used when/where they weren't before?

Here's your chance boys and girls - sell this thing to me! ;)

[Gadfly2317]

Soooo... what's it like?

I love the backlit screen, the clamshell design, and the compact-ness of it all, but otherwise I really don't care for the SP. The ergonomics of the thing are terrible! From the moment I opened it, I had regrets. A large part of me wishes that I'd'a just bought the Halo screen for my GBA instead.

I used to consider Wario Ware Inc.:Mega Microgames one of the greatest games of the past 10 years - but lately it too has started bothering me. It's got nothing to do with the game - I still think it's the ultimate handheld game - it's got everything to do with the system I play it on.

I really don't have anything to say about this subject right now because I don't have a DS (yet?)... but I do have these questions:
- How are the ergonomics of the DS for "regularly controlled" games, like GBA games?
- What screen do they play on? The top? The bottom? (Both?) Can you pick it?
- Are there any advancements to the gameplay?
For example: A lot of recent GBA games really coulda used two more face buttons. (Truth be told, they actually required it.) Well, seeing that the DS has these two extra buttons, can the control scheme of the older games be re-mapped - can these two buttons be used when/where they weren't before?

Here's your chance boys and girls - sell this thing to me! ;)

Well, you asked for it. I'll be honest, in the Too Much Info mode, and prary the rest of the sys wars guys don't read.

I hated the SP. I loved the GBA. I hated the lack of backlit screen on GBA. Your question couldn't be more timely, because I've just started using the DS, about 70% of the time, for a GBA game, Fire Emblem.

#1) It plays the GBA games on the TOP screen, meaning you can angle the screen however suits you and ignore the bottom screen. If I lean back in the chair, I just adjust the screen angle. The main way I've been using this is to play Fire Emblem at work. I set the thing on the desk like a little lap top. This allows me to use any finger for the d-pad (I have no problem rolling the thing with thumb, index or middle finger with it setting on the desk, so I NEVER get tired or strain the tendons) and also no need for thumbs on the buttons either. They are small, and I have huge hands (but thin fingers) and suprisingly have had NO problems with the buttons. As you know, I've got thumb issues, especially with handheld gaming.

#2) For holding the system, it feels much more like the GBA. Using it like this requires thumbs, which isn't an issue for me as much when the shape is good. The system rests nicely on my fingers. I don't play extended times this way, but its no problem. And if you don't have crusty old pre-arthritic thumbs like I do, you will find it probably just a tad more comfortable than the orginal GBA design.

#3) The John. This is the embarrassing, I hate to admit part. But hey, this is the 21st century replacement for Al Bundy's newspaper. This is where the speed of cartridge comes in most handy, and again, the thing can rest on your knees, hold it in your hands, the screen can be set at ANY angle that's comfortable (which gets rid of neck strain). I'm going to hate myself for posting this in the morning, but hell. . . it's not like I have some great image to protect around here.. .

#4) BRIGHT. I believe the DS screen is brighter. GBA games look damn sweet. I've looked at Zelda: LttP, Advance Wars, and Fire Emblem, and FF: Tactics. They look the same, but they just seem a little brighter, a littler more crisp than I've seen them on the SP, and WAY WAY WAY better than the unlit GBA.

Hey, I'd started writing off handheld gaming. The SP was too small, the GBA was unlit. Honestly, the GBA playing capabilities of the DS are currently its BEST point. I love the touch screen/dual screen for a many of the games this works for, and the possibilities of wireless online, and those things are coming. But right now, I'm just excited to be able to play the GBA games in such luxury.

[Pandarbock]

Just thought I would go ahead and add to your responses gady as it is easier that way and I own all 3 systems Gameboy advance original with afterburner install, SP and DS


#1) It plays the GBA games on the TOP screen, meaning you can angle the screen however suits you and ignore the bottom screen. If I lean back in the chair, I just adjust the screen angle. The main way I've been using this is to play Fire Emblem at work. I set the thing on the desk like a little lap top. This allows me to use any finger for the d-pad (I have no problem rolling the thing with thumb, index or middle finger with it setting on the desk, so I NEVER get tired or strain the tendons) and also no need for thumbs on the buttons either. They are small, and I have huge hands (but thin fingers) and suprisingly have had NO problems with the buttons. As you know, I've got thumb issues, especially with handheld gaming.

The top L and R buttons are the only things on all 3 systems that causes me tendon issues (in games like kingdom hearts CoM that use them so damned much). I perfered the tactile feel of the SP's face buttons over all to all of the systems. I am not sure why they didn't bring over the nice beveled feature around the face buttons from the SP to the DS. Oh and in case you missed it, there is an option in the boot up to play on either screens gady :D but not both at one time. The top really is the more preferable choice at least for me.



#2) For holding the system, it feels much more like the GBA. Using it like this requires thumbs, which isn't an issue for me as much when the shape is good. The system rests nicely on my fingers. I don't play extended times this way, but its no problem. And if you don't have crusty old pre-arthritic thumbs like I do, you will find it probably just a tad more comfortable than the orginal GBA design.

To me it is about the same as the OG GBA but of course a bit heftier to hold.


#3) The John. This is the embarrassing, I hate to admit part. But hey, this is the 21st century replacement for Al Bundy's newspaper. This is where the speed of cartridge comes in most handy, and again, the thing can rest on your knees, hold it in your hands, the screen can be set at ANY angle that's comfortable (which gets rid of neck strain). I'm going to hate myself for posting this in the morning, but hell. . . it's not like I have some great image to protect around here.. .

I shall skip over this one because I don't want to think that at some point I may be playing metroid hunters or what ever game becomes online first for the DS with you or anyone else while they are squeezing one out. :D



#4) BRIGHT. I believe the DS screen is brighter. GBA games look damn sweet. I've looked at Zelda: LttP, Advance Wars, and Fire Emblem, and FF: Tactics. They look the same, but they just seem a little brighter, a littler more crisp than I've seen them on the SP, and WAY WAY WAY better than the unlit GBA.


My afterburnered GBA was lit decent, but the SP came along and I liked the fold up and overall size and the light was factory done and not a cheap mod. It had less dust than my self installed AB (Although I did get one of the launch SP's that must have not been assembled in a clean room as it does have a bit of dust embedded in it). The SP by the way is front lit and is basically done the same way the Afterburner was. The DS is not just a little brighter than the SP, it is like day and night. Games like Castlevania Circle of the Moon which is just about the darkest GBA game (even on the SP) are quite well lit and completely visable by the DS's backlit screen. The image is so much sharper in comparison to the 2 older model GBA devices.


Ok had to add as it wasn't addressed, the DS when in GBA mode does not allow usage of the additional 2 buttons as per GBA developers I have talked to on my IRC channel.

[Aylmer]

Man, I am so glad that gaddy has let this concept out of the closet.

I think VGR should have a separate category in handheld gaming for 'john-ability' since it is my experience that some games are good for john use, and some are definately not.

I've been doing it since I had a GBC. One positive benefit, for both my wife and I, is that if she needs to duck into the bathroom for a moment, she'll hold off opening the door if she hears game sounds. If it's urgent, she'll yell "Pinch a loaf!"...from outside the door :)

IMO, best game for the john is Bookworm. It's not listed here at VGR, but you can usually find it at Toys R Us for less than $10. It's a cross between slo-mo tetris and scrabble. I usually avoid action games on the john, because they interfere with the business at hand.

[Gadfly2317]

Man, I am so glad that gaddy has let this concept out of the closet.

I think VGR should have a separate category in handheld gaming for 'john-ability' since it is my experience that some games are good for john use, and some are definately not.

I've been doing it since I had a GBC. One positive benefit, for both my wife and I, is that if she needs to duck into the bathroom for a moment, she'll hold off opening the door if she hears game sounds. If it's urgent, she'll yell "Pinch a loaf!"...from outside the door :)

IMO, best game for the john is Bookworm. It's not listed here at VGR, but you can usually find it at Toys R Us for less than $10. It's a cross between slo-mo tetris and scrabble. I usually avoid action games on the john, because they interfere with the business at hand.

I prefer mini-games. . . I'm not some geezer, so its not like I'm in there long.
On the other hand, there've been a couple times when I was in the depth of my Advance Wars addiction that I'd slip off to the bathroom at work, not to use the bathroom, but to spend a half an hour finishing off an intense battle. No one's ever bothered to ask me where in hell I've been. I have no shame or embarrassment at all, I would have just proudly and loudly proclaimed I was constipated.

The DS is not the smallest portable system in the world, but it still fits ok in the front pocket of the type of slacks I like to wear at work (the Abercrombie and Fitch slacks have huge pockets.) I saw something on the internet recently about a line of pants made especially for gamers and gadget freaks, designed to hold lots of stuff without violating company dress code (they aren't cargo pants, since most professional enviroments ban those.)

[Aylmer]

Well, that's the cool thing about bookworm, you can play a minute or two and save with one button and run.

I would have reservations about carrying my DS around unprotected in a pocket. There is a company called Rhinoskin that makes awesome metal cases for PDAs, with rubber linings, and it'd be great if they made something like that for the DS.

I know lots of people that have trashed their Treos and PDAs by having them holstered on their belts, in cases, then sideswiped a desk or something as they walk by. In the case of a Treo, that's goodbye $700.

My SP fits nicely into my briefcase, and since it's so small with a metal case, I can squeeze it between papers for added protection. My briefcase is so packed that I'd really have to squeeze the DS to get it to fit, or remove some work-essential stuff.