GBA Micro, first look.

[Atari]

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"   

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 

[Marurun]

I saw GBA micro last year during E3. Cute little things they are with their many skins and tiny size. I like how the screen has EXTREME clarity

[Atari]

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).

[Marurun]

I can't see why it would hurt your eyes. The screen is the same size as the Brick Boy(old gameboy) but in color and smaller pixels making it better looking than the regular GBA screen. Hehe, I guess everyone has gotten used to having bigger screens that are easier on the eyes ^^;

[SCerviche]

gameboy micro = waste of money.

i'll stick with my DS thank you.

[Marurun]

gameboy micro = waste of money.

i'll stick with my DS thank you.

I prefer to call it a "novelty"

[Valkyrie]

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?

[D-Mac]

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.

[Valkyrie]

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!

[Guido64380]

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

[Oscar86]

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?

[Methid Man]

I'm happy enough with my GBA-SP. The only other portable system I want right now is the PSP (once I get enough money to buy one ).

-- Sam the Methid Man

[Marurun]

I'm happy enough with my GBA-SP. The only other portable system I want right now is the PSP (once I get enough money to buy one ).

-- Sam the Methid Man

Yeah, and if you get a flash cart for it you can use emulators that run perfectly on it, the PSP that is.

[Blackcat]

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?

[Guido64380]

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

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

[D-Mac]

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.

[ApacheMan2K]

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

[Marurun]

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

Yep, same here

[Supersonic]

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 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.

[D-Mac]

I don't like the touch screen. It seems like more and more, Nintendo has to rely on gimmickery to move their product.

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 and Kirby 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.

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.