Game Boy Advanced; Should I Buy?

peachvampiress · Post by **peachvampiress** » Thu May 20, 2004 5:32 pm

I was recently thinking of buying a used Game Boy Advanced, but I was wondering if anyone knows if there will be an improved version coming out or a new system? I don't want to spend money on something that's being improved

Also can you play the really old Game Boy games on it, and what is the retail price? (preferably in Canadian dollars)

Thanks ~_^

Dinozore · Post by **Dinozore** » Thu May 20, 2004 6:11 pm

GBAs can play old Game Boy and Game Boy Color games (mine came bundled with Pokemon Crystal, and I've played most of my old Pokemon games, the only GB games I have, on it since then.)

-_- Though they're already phasing the GBA out in favor of the GBA SP. Might have done it already, for that matter.

¬.¬ And I can't find one of those link cables that can link GBAs to older GBs (an old green GB Pocket, in my case). I wanted to finally be able to trade Pokemon between all my old games...

I can't help you on the price, as I don't know how much things are in Canada.

Jumbled Thoughts · Post by **MarioKnight** » Thu May 20, 2004 6:22 pm

As Dinozore said, GBAs can play all older generation GB and GBC games, so no need to worry about keeping your current one if you want to use that to help lower the cost of a GBA. I kept mine regardless, but you don't have to feel a need to like I do. There is a GBA SP which is the same as a GBA but smaller, a flipout screen, and a sidelight. I'd recommend the SP over the original just because of that light, makes the screen much more visible and you can play at night with it.

As for the link you mentioned Dinozore, any GBC link will fit in the GBA just fine, no new cables are needed for GB/C games on the GBA. You mention a GBP though where there was a cool universal cable that links a GBC to either a GB or GBC. If you already have that cable, you're good to go. If not, good luck finding that.

peachvampiress · Post by **peachvampiress** » Thu May 20, 2004 6:31 pm

MarioKnight

There is a GBA SP which is the same as a GBA but smaller, a flipout screen, and a sidelight. I'd recommend the SP over the original just because of that light, makes the screen much more visible and you can play at night with it.

0_o Just a flip out screen and new do hickeys. I had heard about these and thought that they were a new system or something. If it's just a bunch of added stuff, I'll just buy the old GBA, thanks though ^_^. The reason I ask is because I'm going to Japan in August and need something to entertain me (I'll have to ride the bullet train for 14 hours at some point during the trip 0____o).

If no one knows the Canadian price then could someone please tell me the U.S. price? Again, thanks ^_^

Jumbled Thoughts · Post by **MarioKnight** » Thu May 20, 2004 7:10 pm

peachvampiress wrote:(I'll have to ride the bullet train for 14 hours at some point during the trip 0____o)

Heh, sounds like my trip to and from TX in a week and a half (so close yet so far away). I'll be taking the train both ways, so I'm looking to buy batteries in bulk for the trip. ^^;;;

And original GBAs go for about $60 - $70 new, as low as ~$40 used if you look in the right places (US currency).

yoshmaster5 · Post by **yoshmaster5** » Thu May 20, 2004 8:24 pm

If you really want to, go with a regular GBA. Nintendo has revealed another Hand-held console, Nintendo DS... but no one not working at Nintendo has any kind of clue of when it comes out.

Simply buy a regular GBA. SP is useful, but with another Nintendo console coming out sometime, see above paragraph.

*info* Make sure the GBA works when you buy a used one. same thing for the battery slot to be working. Both GBA's I've had *one was stolen* had both broken, you I had to use tape to secure it.

As Marioknight and Dinozore have said, you CAN play all GB games created on it. It takes a bit to get used to the fit of the console.

Post by **AnimeGuru0** » Thu May 20, 2004 10:30 pm

Seriously, buy an SP or wait for the Nintendo DS.

The reason I say this is because the SP or the DS will eventually pay for itself in money spent on batteries. The regular GBA uses batteries, while the SP and the DS use Lithium batteries that are rechargeable (all you gotta do is plug the system into a wall outlet). Plus the SP's light is so convienent, and reduces neck and finger cramping due to trying to get the perfect angle for light.

The SP is infinately times better than the GBA, totally worth the extra money. Trust me on this.

Usagi04 · Post by **Usagi04** » Fri May 21, 2004 7:39 pm

AnimeGuru0 wrote: The SP is infinately times better than the GBA, totally worth the extra money. Trust me on this.

I agree 100%. I have a GBA SP, it's a lot better than the regular GBA system. I paid around $100 dollars for mine, but that's because I got it when it was brand new.

peachvampiress · Post by **peachvampiress** » Sat May 22, 2004 6:53 pm

So the retail price of a normal GBA is 100.00 Canadain and I just went to a store that is selling a used one for $40.00. I have it on hold until tommorrow because I wanted to see if I can find a game for GBA that I like. They had those two Link games, "Oracle of ages or something", the red one and the blue one. They're was something special about the two that I can't seem to remember @_@. Anyway, I'm deciding if it'll be worth buying. If I can find I game that I really want, then I might buy the used one. Any suggestions on games?

Usagi04 · Post by **Usagi04** » Sat May 22, 2004 8:20 pm

Any Mario game is fun, so I can suggest Mario. ^_^

Lady of the Light · Post by **Lady of the Light** » Sat May 22, 2004 9:02 pm

Final Fantasy Tactics rocks big time. And I can vouch for it's time consuming abilities, I played it almost non-stop on the plane ride from Toronto to Cancun. And I agree with Bob, SP is better than the regular Advance, smaller, easier to fit, and better in the dark. The best part is the no-batteries thing, but make sure the place you have has the right kind of plugs for the charger. O.o

Sailor Wind · Post by **Sailor Wind** » Sun May 23, 2004 7:28 pm

i would suggest maybe one of the mario or sonic games to since they are really fun games to play with, hardly any working out is needed e.g. puzzles and the games are just simple to complete just get from left to right in a matter of time.

peachvampiress · Post by **peachvampiress** » Sun May 30, 2004 12:14 am

Oops, can't believe I forgot to responded, gomen.

Well, I bought it at $40, pretty kick ass ^_^. I also bought two special adapters and The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons and a Tetris game. Pretty sweeeet.

Now all I have to do is find Castlevania Aria of Sorrow and I'll be set.

Sorry though, the SP just didn't look that interesting, plus a used one was still one dollars -_-. Oh well, a normal GBA isn't that bad.