Don't Bother None

Nintendo have breathed life into an old dog but can it cope with all the gimmicks and new developments in the handheld field? Can our humble GBA compete with the dual screen, touchpad pretender? Can it be sexier than a PSP and do all the tricks it states?

This weekend I went and traded in my old GBA and in its stead I got myself a silver GBA Micro. Probably a crazy thing to do but the Micro for me just seemed perfect and simply irresistible. In looks alone it makes the PSP look like it's been hit with the ugly stick.

I got home and I endured a wait for it to fully charge, pouring over the literature in the box and the various additional things the shop gave me. The wait was well worthwhile, I was in for something sublime.

By the time it was ready it was dark out and I hadn't turned on any lights. I turned the Micro on anyway and I was blown away. The screen was clear and bright, it seemed as though Nintendo had finally produced a portable system. I had been playing Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga on my old GBA and was slightly worried about the text being squashed or small. If anything it's easier to read now without having to catch the light correctly. I went through quite a few games and I noted that all seemed to work perfectly, if anything they were enhanced by the screen, despite it being smaller it was clearer.

The controls are great now too. The d-pad and buttons are slightly soft, but it's not a problem as it's more of a feel issue and personally I've gotten used to it and don't even pay mind to it now. The way the shoulder buttons are set are also a great consideration. The buttons are set to be activated by pushing nearer the middle of the console, as opposed to being easier to push from the outside. This makes it a lot more comfortable when playing as more of your hand is supporting the console and your fingers are not set at odd angles.

The main thing about a handheld should be portability. How easy is it to take around and play on the go. It's all fine a company releasing a handheld but not many have seen me take it out and about. I've not taken my old Gameboys out much in the past just due to the size of them (and issues with lighting). Unless I was carrying a bag it wasn't always so easy to store in a pocket and well I rarely carry a bag. The DS and PSP fall into this category, although I'm not sure I'd really take a PSP with me at all.

With the Micro though, it's a true handheld. I can take it anywhere and not worry about the lighting or if I've got a bag or not. This fits easily into any pocket already reserved for something else. If that wasn't enough the neckstrap works a wonder also, or the keyring pouch. It is amazing, it's the first console that is portable and that you can take with you anywhere, even if it is only for a 5-10 minute blast, you are able. With the UMDs on the PSP I've found by the time you've fired it up and got a game loaded, it's time to shut down as you've reached your stop. The GBA SP was probably the closest thing to a portable console but it didn't find favour with me as it was such an odd shape and didn't give the comfort needed, plus the lack of in-built headphone socket soured me.

Basically what I am trying to say is that the GBA Micro, over any other handheld in the past, is truly a portable device. It'll fit anywhere and play anywhere, with the bonus that you can stick in any headphones you like without needing attachments. It's extraordinary and definitely something that'll win you over in an instant of seeing one. If anything my love has grown for it owning one over just playing with one in a shop or at a friend's place. Not only that, it has gotten me lots of attention whenever I've played on it in public. Seems my statement at the start regarding the PSP being ugly is shared by quite a lot of others.

Now onto step two. Bolster my GBA collection and look into some gimmicks. Namely, I intend to see if the Micro can out PSP a PSP with the Play Yan attachment.