What is the single best method of playing GBA games, or your favorite?

Internal__Jet_Tune · Feb 2, 2023

Is it some specific DS version, or maybe some custom GBA, or maybe even a 3rd party android handheld?

For me battery life is the most important factor, but i could see 2x internal resolution being more worth it.

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metroid maniac · Feb 2, 2023

I like using the ordinary AGS-101.

I like the clamshell form factor.
It's compact and portable.
The screen is backlit and has good colours.
It does not have the frame pacing problems of DS consoles.
It has less input lag than emulators or some screen mods.

slaphappygamer · Feb 3, 2023

I use this to play Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls 1+2

I’m addicted to the first one.

godreborn · Feb 3, 2023

Gba sp with backlight. I own a majora's mask one with an everdrive phat.

slaphappygamer · Feb 3, 2023

Oh good call. I failed to mention my cart. It’s the EZFlash Omega Definitive Edition.

wolffangalchemist · Feb 3, 2023

gameboy player ( with gameboy interface instead of the disc ) over a gc hdmi adapter.

Ducolamia · Feb 3, 2023

Other than original hardware (that's cheating guys come on LOL), I'll say a DS and basically anything not a tablet. Retro Handhelds like the Miyoo Mini and Android devices like the Ayn Odin play almost all older games well. You truly can't go wrong!
I love playing GBA games on the go. As long as the console I'm playing has buttons, it feels more authentic that way, you know?

Not a fan of how the DS Lite has GBA game cartridges jut out compared to the smoother insertion of the OG DS model. It's THICC but it feels more comfortable in the hand.

BlazeMasterBM · Feb 3, 2023

flashcart in a gba sp with backlight

koffieleut · Feb 3, 2023

Personally I love my GB Micro with an EZ flash 4. Second best option would be my AGB with an 101 screen.

slaphappygamer · Feb 3, 2023

I tried the Micro. It was cute, but I can’t see the screen. It’s too small for me to play regularly. Very crisp, though. The normal headphone jack was nice too. I also have large hands, so that was an issue for me.

My AGB isn’t that original. Aside from the shell, I have an IPSv2 screen and an audio mod. Got rid of that hum at low volumes. A lipo battery would be fun, but I don’t see the point if I already have rechargeable AAs.

koffieleut · Feb 3, 2023

I build my own rechargeable battery with an micro USB, but like you said, you can run for hours on end on just two rechargeables.

Hanafuda · Feb 3, 2023

wolffangalchemist said:
gameboy player ( with gameboy interface instead of the disc ) over a gc hdmi adapter.

I use this option ... real GBA consoles are alll a little small for my hands and (because I'm old) I need reading glasses to see the screens. I do still like playing on an AGS-101 sometimes though.

Temptation for one of the "consolizer" options is strong, but it's pretty expensive.

Kwyjor · Feb 3, 2023

Some people seem to insist that a thoroughly-modded AGB-101 is the only way to go, and also that it makes the best controller when using a Game Boy Player. I'd buy a Hori Gamecube controller if they weren't so horrendously expensive. (Why did no one ever make a knockoff version? There seems to be adequate demand.) Even the various adapters sold by https://www.raphnet-tech.com/ are pretty expensive.

Sonic Angel Knight · Feb 3, 2023

I just use mGBA on whatever it's supported for. But if we talking on official licensed hardware "play by the rules", Wii U virtual console works well for me. Mostly cause I can use controllers to play on. The only issues you may suffer is the darker color palette and no interger scale. So the picture may look bad even if your Wii u is set to 1080P. Of course without hacking your system, you're only limited to the games on virtual console... which will be dead by April.

But the DS Lite I think is the best choice. The backlight setting is good, much better than both GBA SP or GBA micro in my opinion. Also you can choose which of the two screens to use for playing GBA. If Nintendo had did more with GBA on 3DS, it would have been a lot better due to the IPS screens they have on them compared to the DS lite. Again, just like wii u, very limited selection of games without hacking. But also the audio on it is how I described it as "Crunchy" Some type of low pass filter, resample or interpolation would help I guess.

Though they have videos on youtube that shows off console mods. One mod transforms the GBA into a console so play games on HDTV with controllers like SNES. Another basically removes the top screen on the DS to just have the bottom functional one. And probably the most common is just changing the screen on the original AGB-001 to much better one and adding recharagble batteries with USB C cable support.

Or maybe this video may help the discussion

AngryCinnabon · Feb 3, 2023

This is gonna sound weird as fuck but I like using my PS Vita with Adrenaline to use a PSP GBA emulator. The OLED screen is so pretty and the form factor is just like a GBA! Played through Pokémon Glazed this way and had a lot of fun.

Kwyjor · Feb 3, 2023

Sonic Angel Knight said:
Or maybe this video may help the discussion

I don't see the Visteon Dockable Entertainment in that image, but that would just be flexing, probably.

slaphappygamer · Feb 3, 2023

AngryCinnabon said:
This is gonna sound weird as fuck but I like using my PS Vita with Adrenaline to use a PSP GBA emulator. The OLED screen is so pretty and the form factor is just like a GBA! Played through Pokémon Glazed this way and had a lot of fun.

A legit option! The Vita has a great sized screen that is beautiful to look at. Also has a nice Dpad. Great for larger hands. Battery life is very nice too!

Jacobh · Feb 3, 2023

If we’re ignoring an actual GBA, then a DS Lite for me. Great battery life, good ergonomics, and I don’t mind the cart sticking out. I prefer the d-pad on my phat, but everything else on the light. I still have an old EZ flash 3in1 or original carts.

I probably use my 3DS XL the most since it’s convenient to have the entire Nintendo portable library on one system and my eyes are not what they used to be.

SaberLilly · Feb 3, 2023

well, I use a few different methods, one is my 2DSXL for if i want to do it while im on the go, them console injects are so nice. The second option is just doing it on my PC with a flash drive, also personally i would take original hardware with a flashcart any day of the week.
As for my favorite, it has to be my 2DS.

zerofalcon · Feb 3, 2023

An original AGS-001 NES Classic shell with AGS-101 circuitry and original brighter backlit screen + GBA flashcard is my prefered choice but lately I play GBA games on Nintendo Switch with mGBA.

What is the single best method of playing GBA games, or your favorite?

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