Aylmer
12-12-2005, 08:39 PM
There's no listing for it in the GBA area, so here's a review of the Gameboy Micro...
Notice that the official name for this machine is the Gameboy Micro, and not the Gameboy Advance Micro. And that's actually pretty accurate, because other than the fact that they play the same games and are both made by Nintendo, the two machines have very little in common.
First, some numbers. The original GBA-SP, with a cart, weighs about six ounces. I do not know what the new backlit GBA-SPs weigh. The GBM with a cart is four ounces. The folded GBA-SP is almost twice as thick as the GBM. It is almost twice as tall. The GBM is about an inch and a half wider than the GBA-SP.
The GBM screen is about 35-40% smaller than the GBA-SPs, and is backlit. But despite it's smaller size, it has the same pixel resolution. This means that you cannot see the individual pixels on the GBM screen. In terms of brightness and clarity, it rivals the PSP display. The brightness is adjustable, using the volume control slider on the right side in conjunction with the left shoulder button.
It has been mentioned in the gaming press that the GBMs ship with changeable "skins", but some clarification is needed. The term "skins" for many people conjures up an image of a decorative covering, but in the case of the Micro, it's actually the front faceplate that is changeable. The GBM ships with a special tool to change them out. Extreme care must be taken when doing so, because the faceplate also has a clear acrylic window that goes over the display. So, when you are changing the skins, the bare LCD is exposed.
The battery charger is specific to the GBM and is not interchangeable with the GBA. Furthermore, much like the DS, most GBA accessories will not work with the GBM. These include the e-reader, link cable, and more. Also, older Game Boy and Game Boy Color games will not work on this device. It does have a speaker and a normal 1/8th inch headphone jack, so that standard earbuds will work with it.
The GBM is a class act. It is not a machine for children. I know from experience that a dropped GBA-SP will be ok, but the Micro has a more delicate feel, like the PSP. And, it's made differently. For instance, the shoulder buttons are shiny metal. There are no separate LEDs for charging and low power warning. Instead, the letters (really tiny letters) in the Start and Select buttons are actually lights, and change color to remind you of the machine's status. And, even with the faceplate, you have to be careful not to smudge the display. It looks expensive, with a MSRP of $99. I got mine for $89 at Best Buy.
The GBM comes with a pouch, and I intend to get a hard case for it.
The thing is very cool. You can put it in your shirt pocket and not know it's there. It's easier to play than a SP because the shoulder buttons are farther apart, and it's 1/3 lighter. The display is awesome.
I don' t think Nintendo is seriously marketing the GBM here in the US, but the machine is definitely aimed at mature gamers. It's a neat little machine that's fun to play, and is very cool looking. It is very executive-like, if that makes any sense. In other words, someone who may be embarrassed to be seen playing a handheld gaming machine in public would perhaps not be embarrassed with this device.
Notice that the official name for this machine is the Gameboy Micro, and not the Gameboy Advance Micro. And that's actually pretty accurate, because other than the fact that they play the same games and are both made by Nintendo, the two machines have very little in common.
First, some numbers. The original GBA-SP, with a cart, weighs about six ounces. I do not know what the new backlit GBA-SPs weigh. The GBM with a cart is four ounces. The folded GBA-SP is almost twice as thick as the GBM. It is almost twice as tall. The GBM is about an inch and a half wider than the GBA-SP.
The GBM screen is about 35-40% smaller than the GBA-SPs, and is backlit. But despite it's smaller size, it has the same pixel resolution. This means that you cannot see the individual pixels on the GBM screen. In terms of brightness and clarity, it rivals the PSP display. The brightness is adjustable, using the volume control slider on the right side in conjunction with the left shoulder button.
It has been mentioned in the gaming press that the GBMs ship with changeable "skins", but some clarification is needed. The term "skins" for many people conjures up an image of a decorative covering, but in the case of the Micro, it's actually the front faceplate that is changeable. The GBM ships with a special tool to change them out. Extreme care must be taken when doing so, because the faceplate also has a clear acrylic window that goes over the display. So, when you are changing the skins, the bare LCD is exposed.
The battery charger is specific to the GBM and is not interchangeable with the GBA. Furthermore, much like the DS, most GBA accessories will not work with the GBM. These include the e-reader, link cable, and more. Also, older Game Boy and Game Boy Color games will not work on this device. It does have a speaker and a normal 1/8th inch headphone jack, so that standard earbuds will work with it.
The GBM is a class act. It is not a machine for children. I know from experience that a dropped GBA-SP will be ok, but the Micro has a more delicate feel, like the PSP. And, it's made differently. For instance, the shoulder buttons are shiny metal. There are no separate LEDs for charging and low power warning. Instead, the letters (really tiny letters) in the Start and Select buttons are actually lights, and change color to remind you of the machine's status. And, even with the faceplate, you have to be careful not to smudge the display. It looks expensive, with a MSRP of $99. I got mine for $89 at Best Buy.
The GBM comes with a pouch, and I intend to get a hard case for it.
The thing is very cool. You can put it in your shirt pocket and not know it's there. It's easier to play than a SP because the shoulder buttons are farther apart, and it's 1/3 lighter. The display is awesome.
I don' t think Nintendo is seriously marketing the GBM here in the US, but the machine is definitely aimed at mature gamers. It's a neat little machine that's fun to play, and is very cool looking. It is very executive-like, if that makes any sense. In other words, someone who may be embarrassed to be seen playing a handheld gaming machine in public would perhaps not be embarrassed with this device.