Last night, at a modest but focused press conference in Los Angeles, Nintendo showed off something pretty cool - the new Game Boy Micro.
It’s not a new platform, it’s not a next-gen platform, it’s not anything other than what it looks like: a very, very small Game Boy Advance. An old hand in the handheld business, Nintendo likes nothing better than refining the concept it all but owns. With the Game Boy Advance SP, Nintendo took a product which was already successful by any measure, and through a few improvements and a re-design, created a more desirable console that simply appealed to more people.
The idea with the Micro is simply to do that again, to open up the GBA market to a slightly larger demographic. This machine really is tiny (the dimensions according to DSgaming.co.uk are 10cmX5cmX1.8cm). Just look at how much of the bottom edge is taken up by the standard GBA cartridge. There is no pocket it won’t fit in. It also boasts the brightest screen Nintendo has ever made, which when you consider how more than adequate the DS and GBA SP screens already are, must be pretty bright. The device will feature detachable covers so that you can customise yours, too.
Best of all though, it’s pure Nintendo. Look at its darling little face, those sweet little lower case letters on the buttons. Awww, we’re in love.
It’s not a new platform, it’s not a next-gen platform, it’s not anything other than what it looks like: a very, very small Game Boy Advance. An old hand in the handheld business, Nintendo likes nothing better than refining the concept it all but owns. With the Game Boy Advance SP, Nintendo took a product which was already successful by any measure, and through a few improvements and a re-design, created a more desirable console that simply appealed to more people.
The idea with the Micro is simply to do that again, to open up the GBA market to a slightly larger demographic. This machine really is tiny (the dimensions according to DSgaming.co.uk are 10cmX5cmX1.8cm). Just look at how much of the bottom edge is taken up by the standard GBA cartridge. There is no pocket it won’t fit in. It also boasts the brightest screen Nintendo has ever made, which when you consider how more than adequate the DS and GBA SP screens already are, must be pretty bright. The device will feature detachable covers so that you can customise yours, too.
Best of all though, it’s pure Nintendo. Look at its darling little face, those sweet little lower case letters on the buttons. Awww, we’re in love.
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Comments
Greg2k 18 May 2005 10:09
1/15
I have 2 GBAs, a GBA SP, a GB Player and 2 DSs at home. And I'm buying the GB Micro when it ships. I don't care how poweful the PSP is, it just doesn't beat the GBA's catalogue of games, and isn't half as sexy as this piece of kit.
If ONLY it had an SD card slot and MP3 playback...
If ONLY it had an SD card slot and MP3 playback...
rudo3 18 May 2005 10:23
2/15
i have SP, and I can't wait to get this one too
and play ADVANC WARS, FIRE EMBLEMS, etc on it
SIZE DOES MATTER...what a useless brick PSP is
and play ADVANC WARS, FIRE EMBLEMS, etc on it
SIZE DOES MATTER...what a useless brick PSP is
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Ditto 18 May 2005 10:53
3/15
I love it already. I was going to buy an SP, but the Micro.. Ummm... Lovely.
Warzone 18 May 2005 11:13
4/15
A bit of a perspective from someone who isn't a blind Nintendo fanatic: it's the NES gamepad with a screen. A fine piece of work, if it was 1988.
Nice to know there's still a reservoir of Nintendo fanatics somewhere. Might make a fascinating case study, but not for me - I'm done with this site. There's only so much laughter I can give to people with more brand affection than sense.
*erases account info*
Nice to know there's still a reservoir of Nintendo fanatics somewhere. Might make a fascinating case study, but not for me - I'm done with this site. There's only so much laughter I can give to people with more brand affection than sense.
*erases account info*
acidviper 18 May 2005 11:42
5/15
It needs to have a micro price like $50 US. If it went to $40 this would destroy PSP. 5-6 GBA micros for the price of a PSP.
Ditto 18 May 2005 11:44
6/15
Warzone wrote:
A bit of a perspective from someone who isn't a blind Nintendo fanatic: it's the NES gamepad with a screen. A fine piece of work, if it was 1988.
It's a tiny and attractive unit that will play GBA games BETTER than the old-style GBA.
If it was crap I would say so. As it is I was going to upgrade to an SP anyway for the backlight, however the Micro would be a lot more suitable.
Some people actually buy consoles for functional reasons, you know.
Nice to know there's still a reservoir of Nintendo fanatics somewhere. Might make a fascinating case study, but not for me - I'm done with this site. There's only so much laughter I can give to people with more brand affection than sense.
*erases account info*
*erases account info*
*Waves*
kid_77 18 May 2005 11:54
7/15
Warzone wrote:
A bit of a perspective from someone who isn't a blind Nintendo fanatic: it's the NES gamepad with a screen. A fine piece of work, if it was 1988.
If the GB Micro was released in '88 it would be the technical marvel of the century - being vastly more powerful than any console of the time, all fitted into a shell the size of the media format of choice at the time: an audio cassette.
Warzone wrote:
There's only so much laughter I can give to people with more brand affection than sense.
Give? Surely you mean take? Having said that, these Nintendoids may well be "ROFLing" at you.
Pilot13 18 May 2005 12:10
8/15
Why is he saying it's bad because it resembles the NES controller. That is quite possibly the best thing ever.
I won't be getting it though seeing as my DS plays gba games, and thus take up less space.
I won't be getting it though seeing as my DS plays gba games, and thus take up less space.
Bluelinebruiser 18 May 2005 14:20
9/15
This new Game Boy does nothing for me. The only thing they did is make it smaller. Thats it. I dont care how bright the screen is. They need to make something new. And stop beating the horse...
UKduffs 18 May 2005 14:57
10/15
I thought that the psp was the best looking bit of kit going until i saw this. Sure, it might not have amazing graphics, but its coolness makes up for than more than double. I want it now!
TwoADay 18 May 2005 15:44
11/15
It looks nice, but how big is the screen? Is Nintendo going so small it ends up like Zoolander's cell phone?
It certainly looks nice, but I hope the screen is large enough that we can see what's going on without squinting...
It certainly looks nice, but I hope the screen is large enough that we can see what's going on without squinting...
NiktheGreek 18 May 2005 16:49
12/15
Pilot13 wrote:
Why is he saying it's bad because it resembles the NES controller. That is quite possibly the best thing ever.
If you like gaming with a device with all the ergonomics of your average brick.
Pilot13 18 May 2005 21:36
13/15
If you like gaming with a device with all the ergonomics of your average brick.
f**k yeah!
fluffstardx 20 May 2005 11:54
14/15
Wow. That actually is really clever.
Buy a PSP for £180, or a GBA with thousands of titles for, what, around £40? If the original GBA is retailing for as little as £50 brand new they've got to charge less for this.
Wow, a GBA AND 5 games for around the same price. Clever move.
Buy a PSP for £180, or a GBA with thousands of titles for, what, around £40? If the original GBA is retailing for as little as £50 brand new they've got to charge less for this.
Wow, a GBA AND 5 games for around the same price. Clever move.
Joji 20 May 2005 17:59
15/15
I think it looks great and I'm not just saying that because I like Nintendo. I never bought a GBASP so for me this would be asweet option for me to stick in my pocket when I need something lighter.
I'm still purchasing a DS also because of the difference in the games available for that.
I think the Micro is supposed to play mp3s too. Nintendo are aiming at the cheaper flash player market that has no means of gaming which is a very clever move,, especially for those who can afford or don't want a PSP. Sure I already have an mp3 player but I'd bag this as an extra to my collection. We'll find out in a few months.
I'm still purchasing a DS also because of the difference in the games available for that.
I think the Micro is supposed to play mp3s too. Nintendo are aiming at the cheaper flash player market that has no means of gaming which is a very clever move,, especially for those who can afford or don't want a PSP. Sure I already have an mp3 player but I'd bag this as an extra to my collection. We'll find out in a few months.