Edoropolis Emporium

If you also read my GTA topic I just put up, then you'd be aware of the packages I've been getting today at work.  One other such package (aside from a few more NGC releases) was an interesting box marked for immediate shelf release with hardware in it (usually hardware and some hit software have a street release date, making us hold it for non sale untill the date).

To my amazement, I was treated to what look like a perfume style cosmetics box.  I thought Nintendo had just made some stupid cologne or something.  Sure enough, the odly different package (which looks like it should be in the Sears Cosmetics counter) was the Game Boy Micro, and boy is it small indeed.

Despite the Oct. 15 (or so) release, I was wondering about the orders, so I kept it hidden after checking pre order informantion, nope, preorder ends on the 14 of Oct for release the next day.  I even spied the nearby EB games, there wern't selling it.

After a customer inquired, I check the computer preorder status once again, the date changed for release "yesterday"   :huh:

I asked management iis what everyone else thought, mid October release, but after an email to head office, we got the news:

Begin the sales of the Game Boy Advance Micro and prematurely end all preordering.

Of course, this was a headache for me, two hours to close and I had to rearrange the area behind the counter to fit them up.  Oddly enough, the packaging so matches the PSP packaging, almost as if they we're meant to sit side by side the shelves.  Maybe they'll get married and have GBA micro 'micros'.  All with my store's Nintendog personal demo running nearby it, of which, I'm the official 'master'.

It was nice of Nintendo to order the higher ups to let my play with Nintendogs in order for 'product training' to better serve our customers  :D

Too bad the tiny size has some of us getting headaches.  Man, the screen is soooo TINY, parents are actually afraid to buy it, fearing the small size could hurt childrens eyes.

So far we had NO presells for it, and no reatail sales at all (which is understandable for the first 2 hours of a surprise release).

gameboy micro = waste of money.

i'll stick with my DS thank you.

Yeah, it doesn't make any sense to take a step backward

   GBA ->          SP ->         DS ->          GBA-Micro,         
no backlight,  backlight,  2 backlights,  tiny freaking backlight.

wtf Nintendo?

More like:

  GBA ->     SP ->           DS ->            GBA-Micro,         
no light,  frontlight,     2 backlights,    brightest (though smaller) backlight.

Technically speaking, that's not a step back.

The whole GB Micro concept is definitely in tune with the "3 Pillars" strategy Nintendo keeps mentioning. (Home console, Gameboy line, and DS)
It seems as though they're trying to target the GB Mirco to the same audience that will snatch up the iPod Nano; where everyone has a Flat Screen Plasma HDTV and a cell phone with a camera in it.
Not the more serious and/or younger gaming market where the DS and SP are aimed.

Maybe nintendo's get rich quick scheme is that they make the gba micro so small, that kids lose them very easily, forcing them to buy new ones, it's Brilliant!

I can see some people buying one because its "cute" in some oppinions. me, I'm skipping GBAs altogether and goin strait for DS...eventually

Anyone got an idea if the new GB is gonna be GB Advance compatible? For example, will you be able to use it just as a standart GBA as a controller with Legend of Zelda: Four Swords adventures?

I think I’m gonna buy it, cause I love Gameboy/Gameboy color/ GBA and hate the DS.

There is a Sonic game for it?

I'm pretty sure theres a few sonic games for it.

And have you guys seen the commercials for the Micro? Disturbing...

The GB Micro's whole purpose is just to play GBA games, rather than be it's own brand new system line.
But, unlike the GBA/SP, it won't play your older GB Color or black and white GB games. I've also heard that the GBM doesn't use the same connector ports as the GBA/SP, so if you want to connect it to a GameCube, you'll need to buy a conversion cable.

Blackcat, I really wish you could decide on why you hate the DS so much.  :-\
Unlike the GBA, it's not flooded with overpriced re-releases of 10+ year old NES and SNES games, and the touch screen has introduced new and innovative game genres.
Plus it's got a new Sonic, Mario & Luigi 2, and point and click adventure games. All things you said you wanted.

i'll probably buy one, for the sake of collecting.

I don't like the touch screen. It seems like more and more, Nintendo has to rely on gimmickery to move their product. And whenever someone tries to quetsion this, they hide behind the great shield of "innovation". I dunno, I've always seen the DS and the Virtual Boy like that, and it's looking like the Revolution might shape up into the same sort of situation.

Oh yes, I definitely shared this concern for the first few months of the systems life, but recently, more talented developers have been able to take the touchscreen concept, and use it to make not just unique, but excellent games, that simply aren't playable on any other platform. Meteos (http://ds.ign.com/articles/629/629012p1.html) and Kirby (http://ds.ign.com/articles/624/624427p1.html) are good examples of such, but just the tip of the iceberg. And let's not forget the great control setup for first-person shooters the touchscreen provides, which current consoles cannot match.

And then there's still the awesome games which make little to no use of the touchscreen, like Advance Wars, and the upcoming Castlevania and Mario Kart.

Because it's actually getting good games, (and doesn't induce immediate severe eyesight damage) the Virtual Boy this is not. :P

With the DS's stellar future lineup of traditional games in addition to the new quirky ones, I've drawn the conclusion that Nintendo isn't trying to shift the gaming populous to "innovation", they're simply trying to expand the market using it.

If the Rev follows suit with the same good mix of high-quality traditional and unique games, I'll be a happy camper.  :)

man i cant wait till Animal Crossing DS its gonna rock. and its online!

apparently they really don't take care of thier ds at all. I've had mine for about 2 months now, and the screen is still scratchless. It's just taking care of the system, and it's really not that hard.

uhh yea mine gets scratched not to much tho, but i just wipe it off with a cloth and its fine again. there is a protective layer on the touch screen so it doesnt get damaged and the scratches dont stay.

the only way you could damage it is if your DS doesnt have that layer or you stab at your touch screen and press REALLY hard. remeber all you have to do is tap the screen slightly, its very responsive.


play Advance Wars: Dual Strike and Kirby: Canvas Curse and still say you hate the DS


you wont.

But the GB Micro doesn't play Game Boy and Game Boy color games...

Do you mean the SP? :/

I finally got my GBA emulator for PSP run so this is fine for me... I hope get a DS in this year but I'm doing well with y PSP... To tell ther truth I haven't touched my PS2 since I got the PSP anmd I have several games for play in the big one... (Fatal Frame 1, 2 and 3, Simpsons Game. Devil May Cry)... I know, I suck... But after work in front of the computer all the day I just want get under my sheets, turn on the PSP and play without sit...

I have a DS, A Wii, A Gamecube, A Dreamcast, a Nintendo 64 and a... new PSP? Yeah I got the 2007 model, hacked and everything... But I dont like the PSP much, i just got it because well...a few PSP games are cool...

a PSP, even the new model, just fells like... a huge powered up GBA!

After not having to worry about damaging the screen because the portables where like a shell (GBA SP and Nintendo DS) here I have to worry again about that.  Plus, the PSP wastes the battery even after you turned it off...

So, where is your list of "must get" PSP games? I got stars wars bla bla bla, because it came with the PSP, but Im going to sell it...

The battery life isn't a big deal... I just back up the UMD's in the memory card and this saves a lot of battery... It can last 9-10 hoursd with the lowest level of brightness and a middle volume level (I won't play 10 hours outside so this is fine for me) As far I've played Silent Hill Origins, Castlevania Dracula X chronicle (That is 3 games in 1), Metal Gear Portable OPS, Megaman Powered Up, Megaman MAverick Hunter X (The bonus animation is cool but the voices are crap), Patapon and Locoroco... The games are nice although all of them need more work (Except Castlevania)... Anyway I have  lot of emulators thre so I've played several games that I was lazy of play in my computer (Castlevania 3 for NES, Clock Tower for SNES, Rockman Shi... I mean Zero for GBA, Resident Evil Gaiden fo GBC. Sonic the Hedgehog for SG, Tomb Raider for PSX, etc) and I also I've been reading Naruto manga and watching my new Downloaded SPC episodes with the PSP without use  the television (My girlfriend really appreciates this cause usually she is watching her TV shows).

I've seen gameplay of the Prince of Persia for PSP and looks really good, anyway I hate play games without play the fist releases in the sagas; my bro has all the PSX Final Fantasys but I have't played it cause I still stucked in Final Fantasy 1 for NES!!! I still having 2 for NES and 3 for SNES before jump to the "Popular" Games... I personally think that is grat can play all your favorite games without be in front of a TV, to b sitted is a s*** for me... Manhunt 2 also looks interesting (Although I'm not fan of bloody games) and the censure looks better than the Wii version... Anyway somebody said that could get an uncesnsored version for PSP and PS2

I hope PSP start realize better games but as far I'm satisfied (Not fully) with the games I've played, the emulation is better than my PC and watch SPC while I wait for my turn with the doctor is great!!! Hmm... My PSP has fell to the floor several times as far and is intact...Anyway I have to get a protection for it; I won't be lucky forever...

A lot of people complains about the PSP being the same than the GBA but more potent... What's the bad side with that??? Other people complains about PSP being the same that PS2 but portable... Well, Game Boy was a NES portable and several games for this console were HORRIBLE; other GB games are beautiful, TLOZ Link's Awakening is one of my 3 favorite Zeldas... Game Boy Advance is a potable SuperNes, just the games have more extra features that make them funnier...

I'm not a console fanboy but I always i've hated how Nintendo makes stuff just for take ur money... Remember the bazooka dor SNES? Here that thing had a price thing and NIntendo just released 2 games for this... How is possible that you had to buy 4 Game Boy Advances and 4 catridges for can play Zelda Four Swords?? They didn't incluided a single player game mode so the people that bought the game had to play A link to the Past!!! I hope the DS games get more creative if I buy the console... Some people (Not me) is saying that the games are starting to get repetitive... Also is annoying that you have to buy another control for can play the SNES games that you buy at the virtual console... I don't think the wii last long so much facing the X360 and PS3 hardware, Nintendo will make another console in 2 years and the Wii games will be finished (They always do that)

I expect buy the DS in the end of this year but the PS3 has lowered its price here so I need to think about this... I have a question anyway; is the touch screen easy to spoil or can I poke it all that I want??? I really want to play Zelda PH, Ninja Gaiden DS (Nintendo and his stupid mania of name a game after the console) and New SUper Mario Bros (Finally a REAL Mario game)...

OK. is the only issue that I had... Kirby looks awesome!!