Game Boy Micro vs. DS vs. PSP

[Paul Humbug]

Okay,

 

doesnt seem fair to compare those systems and thats not my intention.

 

I just need some advise.

 

I really want to continue handheld gaming again since the memories of Gameboy classic times are fading out by now.

 

I remember, despite having crappy hardware vs. Gamegear back then I went with the Gameboy [portability, battery life] and I got a lot of fun from it, even not being a Nintendo software fan per se.

 

And now I am just thinking of getting some hardware and again what attracts me most, hardware speaking, is the Gameboy Micro because I love the size and hence portability and battery life is his best asset.

 

Looking on the software side, well, I was hoping with the investment into any handheld console to avoid buying a regular system. I just dont want to sit in the living room when I can take a quick game in bed, on the balcony or elsewhere. I guess only the PSP can compete with regular systems software speaking and games like Testdrive Unlimited, GTA and any good sports and strategy games are high up on my list.

 

But, as you can guess being in this forum, I want also to relive old school gaming days and I was told there is quite a nice collection for GBA. Plus, if I could find really good games in the above mentioned categories [racing, sports, strategy] I guess I could live with not playing the hottest titles on a PSP.

 

The huge RPG market on GBA is rather not my cup of tea.

 

The enhanced media functions of PSP I dont need.

 

The GP2x is nice if compared directly with PSP but then again its a lot bigger than the Micro and why not buying the PSP then instead?

 

So, would anyone not recommend getting the Micro or am I more a DS type of player or is the PSP the best way to go?

 

 

Thanks a lot.

[Forrest]

My $.02 - there are a number of old school games that run on the GBA. Most of these old school remakes were released between 2001 and 2004 and you'll find them being sold on ebay and used at GameStop for $5-$20. I'm referring to Wolf3D, Boulder Dash, Snood, F-Zero. Some were released more recently such as the Activision Anthology (2600 Games), Namco Museum (Ms. PacMan, DigDug, Pole Position), Defender and Tetris Worlds. Price wise, it's hard to beat $50 for the GB Micro plus $5 to $20 for these old school games.

 

Nintendo DS/DS Lite and PSP costs about 3X the price and while the games look a lot more polished, they're also 2-3X the price.

 

One thing to keep in mind - if you have some old original GameBoy or GameBoy Color games, then you'll need to invest in a GBA SP. The GB Micro is only compatable with GBA games. All the games I mentioned above are GBA games.

 

I have a GB Micro - works great.

 

If you want to run Linux games, then check out the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. You'll find them at Buy.com or Amazon for $140 and it has a 252 MHz OMAP Processor, runs Linux, 800 x 480 4.1 inch touchscreen and built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b/g WiFi Nokia 770

[Gregory DG]

Despite the higher cost, I'd go with the DS just for the sheer volume of games.

[A Sprite]

I just dont want to sit in the living room when I can take a quick game in bed, on the balcony or elsewhere.

 

Avoid the PSP, unless you plan on setting aside some real time investment. Load times can reach several minutes, and there's no way of knowing unless you research a title in advance.

 

[racing, sports, strategy]

 

Racing wise, the GBA has got you covered, but you often pay a price -

 

Polygon model racers offer modern simulation handling at the cost of aesthetics. Low screen resolution makes the textures stutter from pixel to pixel instead of animating smoothly.

 

 

Arcade classics are available, as ports, not emulation. GBA Outrun has less room for mistakes than the arcade version, the dodging could pass for a shooter game.

 

Edited July 30, 2007 by A Sprite

[Paul Humbug]

Thanks to all for the input.

 

I just researched multicartridges for the GBA which are sold by an english site. Obviously they come from Asia and the content [4 to 5 GBA games plus 99 or more NES games ported or emulated] for less than 70 bucks. The collections are interesting enough to get some low cost fun. Any objections?

 

Are there Stella emulators for the GBA?

 

The big turndown with the GBA would be the local stores which carry more the Pokemon and Barby stuff together with RPG. I guess I would have to do mailorder.

 

How long can one enjoy playing on the tiny screen before eyes getting sore?

[Mingy Jongo]

Get a DS. It can play everything the Micro can, plus DS games.

[AtticGamer]

Buy a Nintendo DS, it can play GBA games and you will have a better chance at good emulators with it *looks at 256Kb RAM of GBA*.

And don't buy a GP2X! I have one and it's one of the most poorly built systems I've ever had, that is no Game Boy in durability. The stick is horrible for games (try crouching and defending in SFII) because of diagonals and quick reflexes and if you happen to play it much, you will risk yourself to have the stick broken in such a way that the center click (like mobile phones) is constantly being pressed even if you don't press it, that is annoying in emulators, videos and menu navigation. Plus the system freezes very often.

 

The PSP is a good system if you're interested in it's games but multimedia wise, it suffers from expensive memory sticks, precise directories for everything and, of course, battery life which happens to curse the GP2X as well.

 

The Game Boy Micro is good for someone which has or intends in having a good GBA collection. Remember, no classic GB and GBC games allowed. It makes a good mp3 player with the proper accessory though.

 

With a DS and M3 or R4, Moonshell and those sort of things you will have a competent emulator machine, video player and music player and you can play even Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

 

Wow, looking at this it all becomes clear to me, why the hell did I get a GP2X instead of a M3?

[Paul Humbug]

thanks folks,

 

i took a decision.

 

Being in the store I entertained the thought of getting a PSP. But its too big.

 

I had a closer look at the DS and its games - I really dont like the stylus thingy. Dont wanna play games PDA-like. Maybe its quite different from PDA but its already too different from old school.

 

I ended up with the Micro. I dont have any GB classic games anymore. I learned that sports is pretty good covered with the main franchises as well as some other highlights.

 

For now I took Namco Museum and Top spin 2 home.

 

Does anyone know about the Atari Anniversary cart? I saw it used without description. How does it play?

[A Sprite]

Atari Anniversary is a nostalgia soaked caramel apple, filled with glittering razor blades.

 

If all you want, are the memories, buy it now - all the games attempt to be as accurate as possible. Glitches are programmed in, the timing is perfect, Centipede can even be played sideways, in order to maintain the original aspect ratio.

 

But.

 

Super Breakout, Missile Command, Centipede, and Tempest were never intended to be played with a d-pad.

 

Battlezone arcade is famous for killing players.

 

High scores will not be saved.

 

Only you can decide whether the sweet taste is worth the pain.

[AtticGamer]

Buy Super Mario World and The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past, no GBA is complete without those ones.

[Paul Humbug]

thanks a sprite and atari kid for the input.

 

The funny thing is I never ever have been a huge fan of the Nintendo franchises but 2 times now in my life I decided to go with their hardware - not even for being the best in the market - to play only those couple of gems.

 

I am fully aware that GBA is soon to be discontinued, but I would say it has a lot potential for being interesting enough to convert into a great homebrew scene.

 

Maybe I have a look at Zelda, but I doubt that I will immerse. Super Mario certainly is a good bathroom game.

 

Anyone using the EFA II multicart with the GBA or Micro?

[Asaki]

I had a closer look at the DS and its games - I really dont like the stylus thingy. Dont wanna play games PDA-like. Maybe its quite different from PDA but its already too different from old school.

 

I know it's too late, as you've already made your purchase, but some great games don't even use the stylus (Mario Kart, Sonic Rush), some have the option between stylus or digital (Mario 64, Animal Crossing, Picross, Metroid Hunters), some use the stylus sparingly (New Super Mario Bros., Castlevania). The ones that I like that do force the stylus use it pretty well (Ouendan/Elite Beat Agents, Clubhouse Games, Mario vs. DK 2).

 

There's also some good oldschool games like Mr. Driller, Dig Dug, Impossible Mission, Bubble Bobble (though it's also for GBA), Bust-a-Move, and Konami collection.

 

Atari collection for DS isn't very good =/ You don't even zoom through the level in Tempest when you beat it.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Asaki

[Paul Humbug]

I had a closer look at the DS and its games - I really dont like the stylus thingy. Dont wanna play games PDA-like. Maybe its quite different from PDA but its already too different from old school.

 

I know it's too late, as you've already made your purchase, but some great games don't even use the stylus (Mario Kart, Sonic Rush), some have the option between stylus or digital (Mario 64, Animal Crossing, Picross, Metroid Hunters), some use the stylus sparingly (New Super Mario Bros., Castlevania). The ones that I like that do force the stylus use it pretty well (Ouendan/Elite Beat Agents, Clubhouse Games, Mario vs. DK 2).

 

There's also some good oldschool games like Mr. Driller, Dig Dug, Impossible Mission, Bubble Bobble (though it's also for GBA), Bust-a-Move, and Konami collection.

 

Atari collection for DS isn't very good =/ You don't even zoom through the level in Tempest when you beat it.

 

Hey, thanks for sharing ur view. Although I made my purchase I will follow the DS a little. Im sure, its a great little system, like almost everything from Nintendo.

 

Going for the GBA Micro was in first instance because of its phenomenal size. I cannot stress how important that is to me.

 

Now, that Im having it and digging into it, I find that it is a neat console with great games out in the wild.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

I would like to know how the Gameboy classic stacks up against the Gameboy color and pocket. What matters most to me is screen quality and how nice the d-pad is. I don't really care about color.

 

I like the controls on the gameboy classic, but the screen leaves something to be desired. There was a gameboy pocket at goodwill I had to pass up, becuase of how they miniaturized the d-pad kinda like on the gamecube controller. I hate the tiny d-pads. How is the controls and screen on a gameboy color?

[Paul Humbug]

I would like to know how the Gameboy classic stacks up against the Gameboy color and pocket. What matters most to me is screen quality and how nice the d-pad is. I don't really care about color.

 

I like the controls on the gameboy classic, but the screen leaves something to be desired. There was a gameboy pocket at goodwill I had to pass up, becuase of how they miniaturized the d-pad kinda like on the gamecube controller. I hate the tiny d-pads. How is the controls and screen on a gameboy color?

 

You maybe wanna check out a GB SP for backwards compatibility with original GB and Gameboy Color games.

 

The screen is said to be as good now as in the Micro and I can tell u from the Micro it is wonderful.

 

The controls I dont know but if the Micro is any reference, to me it looks and feels like the GB classic. D-Pad is big, response excellent.

[Asaki]

How is the controls and screen on a gameboy color?

 

I never really had a regular Gameboy growing up, but I think the controls on a Gameboy Color are fine. Your fingers kinda overlap on the back of it, but such is the bane of all vertical handhelds. The screen looks great in just about any light.

 

And yes, the Gameboy Advance does support older Gameboy games, but for some reason they display MUCH darker than on a Color. It's hardly noticable if you run non-Color games using the B&W palette, but any other palette, or Color games, will be uncomfortably dark, especially on a non-SP.

 

I don't remember how good Pockets were. I remember them being better than the old huge ones, but I don't remember to what scale. I remember them being smaller than GBCs, and more angular, so possibly less comfortable. I think they take AAA batteries, too, but I can't recall. I'd pick a Color over a Pocket, just for the exclusive games, like the Dragon Warrior remixes

Edited August 7, 2007 by Asaki

[fishsandwich]

I have a GBA SP, my roomie has a DS lite. I play the GBA far more. I bought a Micro a few months back, played it a few times, and then packed it away because I missed the larger GBA screen. The Micro is just too small for my hands and the screen is also quite small.

[128bytes]

thanks folks,

 

i took a decision.

 

Being in the store I entertained the thought of getting a PSP. But its too big.

 

I had a closer look at the DS and its games - I really dont like the stylus thingy. Dont wanna play games PDA-like. Maybe its quite different from PDA but its already too different from old school.

 

I ended up with the Micro. I dont have any GB classic games anymore. I learned that sports is pretty good covered with the main franchises as well as some other highlights.

 

For now I took Namco Museum and Top spin 2 home.

 

Does anyone know about the Atari Anniversary cart? I saw it used without description. How does it play?

 

Excellent choice! My Micro is my second-favorite system of all time behind my Atari 7800 with Cuttle Cart 2. It's that good. You sound like someone who would really like the WarioWare series on the GB Micro (I safely say that because I have yet to find a classic gamer who doesn't like WarioWare on the Game Boy) - check out WarioWare Mini Microgames or WarioWare Twisted.

[Paul Humbug]

thanks folks,

 

i took a decision.

 

Being in the store I entertained the thought of getting a PSP. But its too big.

 

I had a closer look at the DS and its games - I really dont like the stylus thingy. Dont wanna play games PDA-like. Maybe its quite different from PDA but its already too different from old school.

 

I ended up with the Micro. I dont have any GB classic games anymore. I learned that sports is pretty good covered with the main franchises as well as some other highlights.

 

For now I took Namco Museum and Top spin 2 home.

 

Does anyone know about the Atari Anniversary cart? I saw it used without description. How does it play?

 

Excellent choice! My Micro is my second-favorite system of all time behind my Atari 7800 with Cuttle Cart 2. It's that good. You sound like someone who would really like the WarioWare series on the GB Micro (I safely say that because I have yet to find a classic gamer who doesn't like WarioWare on the Game Boy) - check out WarioWare Mini Microgames or WarioWare Twisted.

 

 

Thanks for the hint. I will check them out.

[SINGLE TOOTH]

How is the controls and screen on a gameboy color?

 

I never really had a regular Gameboy growing up, but I think the controls on a Gameboy Color are fine. Your fingers kinda overlap on the back of it, but such is the bane of all vertical handhelds. The screen looks great in just about any light.

 

And yes, the Gameboy Advance does support older Gameboy games, but for some reason they display MUCH darker than on a Color. It's hardly noticable if you run non-Color games using the B&W palette, but any other palette, or Color games, will be uncomfortably dark, especially on a non-SP.

 

I don't remember how good Pockets were. I remember them being better than the old huge ones, but I don't remember to what scale. I remember them being smaller than GBCs, and more angular, so possibly less comfortable. I think they take AAA batteries, too, but I can't recall. I'd pick a Color over a Pocket, just for the exclusive games, like the Dragon Warrior remixes

 

Sounds like the Gameboy Color is the way to go. I hated the GBA screen.. So much glare, and yes, it is very dark. The GB Pocket is too damn small. I'm guessing the micro will be too, but I only want GB games, not advance. I had an SP, but it was pretty uncomftorble to hold, and the screen wasnt that impresive. The micro screen is awesome, but small. I may have to pick up a GB Color if I can find one for decent price.

 

Can you play game boy color games on a regular gameboy?

[128bytes]

How is the controls and screen on a gameboy color?

 

I never really had a regular Gameboy growing up, but I think the controls on a Gameboy Color are fine. Your fingers kinda overlap on the back of it, but such is the bane of all vertical handhelds. The screen looks great in just about any light.

 

And yes, the Gameboy Advance does support older Gameboy games, but for some reason they display MUCH darker than on a Color. It's hardly noticable if you run non-Color games using the B&W palette, but any other palette, or Color games, will be uncomfortably dark, especially on a non-SP.

 

I don't remember how good Pockets were. I remember them being better than the old huge ones, but I don't remember to what scale. I remember them being smaller than GBCs, and more angular, so possibly less comfortable. I think they take AAA batteries, too, but I can't recall. I'd pick a Color over a Pocket, just for the exclusive games, like the Dragon Warrior remixes

 

Sounds like the Gameboy Color is the way to go. I hated the GBA screen.. So much glare, and yes, it is very dark. The GB Pocket is too damn small. I'm guessing the micro will be too, but I only want GB games, not advance. I had an SP, but it was pretty uncomftorble to hold, and the screen wasnt that impresive. The micro screen is awesome, but small. I may have to pick up a GB Color if I can find one for decent price.

 

Can you play game boy color games on a regular gameboy?

 

Sounds like a Game Boy Color with a worm light is the best bet for you. You may want to check out the latest GBA SP (the one with "now with brighter screen" on the cover), usually called the GBA SP II in discussions. Awesome backlit screen, and fully backwards compatible all the way back to the original Game Boy, including all Game Boy Color games. If I could have only *one* portable system, I would take the GBA SP II in a heartbeat over the Micro, Color, or Pocket. I would rather have a Color than a standard GBA, though, because of the aforementioned color palette issues.

[Asaki]

Can you play game boy color games on a regular gameboy?

 

Some you can, some you can't. It'll say on the back of the box whether or not they're backwards compatible. I think it might say on the front, too...but assuming you're buying used (since new ones are a bit scarce), I suppose the next best thing would be to try some of the games in an emulator and see. Or maybe there's a fan compiled list somewhere, Idunno.

 

Oh, duh...if they ARE backwards compatible, they'll be in a regular shaped casing, but it'll be black. If they AREN'T backwards compatible, the case is different shaped, and clear black plastic. Lemme find some pics.

 

Okay, this is what the backwards compatible carts look like:

http://www.woodus.com/den/gallery/graphics...rt/dw1_2gbc.jpg

 

And here's a Color-only game:

http://www.woodus.com/den/gallery/graphics..._art/dw3gbc.jpg

 

Also, the Micro only plays Advance games, so that's prettymuch ruled out automatically.

 

Sounds like a Game Boy Color with a worm light is the best bet for you.

 

I would rather have a Color than a standard GBA, though, because of the aforementioned color palette issues.

 

I don't even think he'd need a worm light, I can play mine comfortably with just the regular overhead bedroom light. I guess the worm light would be handy for playing at night or something, in dark rooms, though.

 

Also, as far as I know, non-Advance games will be too dark on an SP, too, not just the regular GBAs. I guess the Colors just have the brightness turned up a lot higher than on a GBA, so that Advance games wouldn't look too washed out. I know there's a pot to adjust it inside of a Color, I wonder if GBA's have them too...I might have to crack mine open and take a look.