The third incarnation of Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance line, Game Boy Micro, just might be the quintessential pocket game device.
Internally, Micro is basically the same as the bi-folding Game Boy Advance SP, itself an update of the original Game Boy Advance. Hence, Micro plays all GBA/GBASP games – it is a GBA, just modestly miniaturized, cosmetically sexier and easily the best of the three.
Now roughly the size and shape of a modern cellphone or an iPod Mini, Game Boy Micro has mass appeal: no folds, nice lines, faux chrome accents, headphones-ready, pocket- or purse-friendly. It also has changeable face-plates, with three available out of the box; they also work as disposable screen protectors.
While the display screen is just 2 inches (diagonal), it’s also the clearest, with SP resolution, but packed in tighter and brighter. More important, it’s backlit.
Ironically, Nintendo also has just rereleased the Game Boy Advance SP, quietly, almost covertly, also with a new and properly backlit screen for hugely improved visual clarity, at $79.99.
The Micro retails for $99.99. But though you pay more and get less face with the Micro, it’s still the better buy for anyone other than the ardent gamer.
What’s more, there are more than 800 titles available in North America in the Game Boy Advance format. Granted, the majority of them are shamelessly derivative, side-scrolling, platform-hopping, berry-picking games, but any are good for a quick gaming fix and most likely available cheap in the pre-played bargain bin.
That also leaves scores of great GBA games to choose from: “Mario,” “Metroid,” “Zelda” and the whole catalog of Classic-NES-for-GBA games.
Screen size being what it is, you will get eyestrain if you play on Micro for too long – that’s where the DS, SP and Sony PSP are better to best, respectively – and it is so small that it will make large-thumbed people feel a bit oafish.
It doesn’t play old Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, though the GBA SP does. However, it’s still the quintessential, way-stylin’ player that fits in your pocket or purse and leaves room for anything else you might want to hide there, like your propeller cap.
Game Boy Micro. Nintendo; $99
Shaun Conlin is a freelance games reviewer for Cox News Service. E-mail him at shaunconlin@evergeek.com.
