Gaming Hmm Not Sure...

[Icealote]

Hey guys!

I've already bought a couple of GBA games:

Final Fantasy V and VI
Golden Sun 1 and 2
Pokemon Emerald and Leaf Green

Thanks to this board I was able to make some decisions by reading those stickies for games (I'll go back to decide again which games I may want in the future).

Right now I have DSL. I've been reading some threads and you guys go all jizzy over the GBMs. I've also learnt about the GB SP ASG-101s as well.

Should I buy a GB SP ASG-101 to fully enjoy the GBA games that will arrive soon? Or should I stick to my DSL?

I do know about the flash carts for GBA. But I'm doing my best to avoid the Pirate Syndrome again lol So far all the games I buy my 3DS have been a good learning curve haha

Money isn't my issue. I am already leaning to buy a GB SP ASG-101... and if I was bored, then yes a GBM.

But my mind goes like this,

"Should you really buy this? Wait and test the games first on the DSL? Why a GBM? Your hands are massive enough..."

Since I live in Australia. I have never seen a SP around. It's so scarce on the eBay and to me its expensive for a decent one. Don't know if I should buy a refurbished one or a mint condition custom made. I don't shop on Amazon. I always seem to find things there much more expensive to eBay.

So I need some convincing... yay or nay? (I'd like to hear both sides for opinions).

And if you guys got nothing to say (which I'll be in disbelief) then reccommend me something that I'll be able to find and something that's worthwile owning for years to come.

Much appreciated guys!

 

[Depravo]

I have an SP, GBM and DSLite and I'd say that the GBM is by far the nicest way to play GBA games. It truly is a thing of minimalist beauty. The games look better - much sharper and the colours are less garish. Don't worry about the size either, I have shovel-like hands with sausage fingers and the thing has never been anything other than a joy to play.

The only downsides (if they can be called such) are it doesn't have the GB backwards compatibility of the SP or the stereo speakers of the DSLite but once you use one for the first time you'll forget all about those things.

 

[Veho]

Another downside is that the Micro has a battery life of 5 hours (3 hours in practice), compared to the 8-10 hours on the SP. And the screen is just a teeny tiny bit too small for my old man eyes. Not when I'm standing still, but when I'm on a bus or in a car, tiny letters shaking all over the place. Can't really follow.

On the other hand, the screen on the GBM is beautiful. It's bright, the colors are crisp, the contrast is perfect, it's great. And the whole device looks great, sleek, is extremely portable, but I still find it comfortable to play despite my also shovel-like hands (my fingers are thin, though ).

 

[Icealote]

Hmm very convincing. I feel sorry for Veho with the vision on his GBM hehe

So you guys don't get hand cramps with your SP or GBM? I remember when I had a Gameboy Colour.. damn my hands cramped like a ..... from Zelda (I can't remember why though lol)

I am struggling to find a new GBM as I like to have my consoles new. All the decent prices are only sold in USA Kinda the same with SP AGS 101s =/

 

[Presto99]

Not meaning to hijack your thread, but this is a question more for me since you said you wanted to avoid Pirate Syndrome.
What about that new knockoff GBA SP? It comes with games that you can delete or add to right? I know the price will probably be hefty, but I don't know when it's coming out or what it's even called. Halp?
Oh, and my dad thought I was crazy for wanting a GBM, but those seem nice too.

 

[Icealote]

Are you talking about those consoles with games pre installed on sale? Is there a link to it?

For me, in my opinion, is the same as just flashcarting games and just loses the whole appreciation for the game and the console itself. I just feel a new and different perspective and energy playing and buying the games lol I'm glad the 3DS and such aren't hacked yet.

Yeah I'm getting more drawn to the GBMs since I've read and watched reviews... I love clicky buttons and responsiveness even though there are comments on the shoulder buttons not fully registering when pressed.

I'm still on the fence for the SP AGS 101s and the GBMs. Hmm.. I've finally received my Pokemon games and it seems nice on the DSL. Not sure why people are not happy with that. I do understand (I think!) SPs and GBMS were phased out due to DS Phat coming out during that time. I'm still weighing options.

Would also help if people could post how they store their prized consoles and games. I like to keep my stuff tidy and new.

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

I've got pretty small hands, so I'm biased towards the GBM.

Depends on what you're most comfortable with I think. If you're going to be playing long hours, best to make sure the console you are holding is as comfortable in your hands as possible.

 

[Click This]

For me, I have a drawer that I use to store my (currently) unused consoles and laptops. Sometimes I worry the bottom of the drawer will give way, I have wayyy too many things and is wayyy too heavy.
For games, all my GBA games are in the process of migrating to DS boxes.

And yeah, go for the GBM.

 

[Hanafuda]

Most of the people who will steer you to the micro are comparing it to the original frontlit GBA-SP, which looks quite frankly like shit next to the AGS-101 backlit version that came out at the end. I HIGHLY recommend that you get the AGS-101 first, and then a micro if you just gotta have it. Why?

1. It's built tough to be a workhorse. You won't cry if the outer shell gets a scratch.

2. clamshell design protects the screen.

3. battery life is excellent, and replacement battery availability is very good. I could be wrong, but finding a replacement battery for a GBM could get to be a challenge in a few years.

4. action buttons and d-pad are of the low, flat, "clicky" type, like on a DS-Phat. This is a matter of personal preference of course, but I prefer these to the GBM/DSLite type.

5. The GBM screen is perhaps slightly more bright, slightly more vibrant ... but the AGS-101 screen is much larger. And it's still plenty bright, plenty vibrant ... better than the DSLite you're using now.

Just my opinion of course.

Edit: oh, and I'll add one more thing. On any Nintendo handheld with shoulder buttons, eventually they're going to become less responsive, or even give no response. The fix for this is fairly simply with the GBA-SP shell (any GBA-SP, old version or AGS-101). With a triwing screwdriver, remove the back half of the outer shell, then use "contact cleaner" on the tiny plunger microswitches that are operated by the shoulder buttons. Contact cleaner is sold at Radio Shack and similar electronic supply shops. You'll be nervous the first time you do it, but once you know what you're doing it's simple. I've gotten many GBA's and DS's back up and running doing this. I've never tried on a micro though. Anyway, point is, don't let that prevent you from getting a GBA.

 

[Sicklyboy]

Not meaning to hijack your thread, but this is a question more for me since you said you wanted to avoid Pirate Syndrome.
What about that new knockoff GBA SP? It comes with games that you can delete or add to right? I know the price will probably be hefty, but I don't know when it's coming out or what it's even called. Halp?
Oh, and my dad thought I was crazy for wanting a GBM, but those seem nice too.

Those things have been out for quite a while. Dealextreme has been selling them for a few years for like 80 bucks I think (let me find a link)
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/designer-3-3-lcd-portable-handheld-game-console-with-92-built-in-games-blue-25220

Here we go, half the cost of what I had thought.

 

[Icealote]

@ZAFDeltaForce - Yeah it's a minor worry for me but I haven't touched a SP or a GBM but oh well lol Guess I'll have to find out if I buy one. (So far its like 90% leaning to buy both).

@Click This - Yeah I've already cleared two drawers of mine. One for 3DS space and one I'm beginning to set up for the GBA games. I feel like a kid again haha Nostaglia...

@Hanafuda - Yep I'm following this for now. Still shopping for the SP AGS 101 first then GBM, which I have both lined up and now enquiring about. I hope I won't need to do the cleaning as I'll also buy the cases and such to keep it tidy and like my DSL and XL, are still good in their cases. For a moment I was thinking, a GBM has a clamshell design... then I realised you were convincing me why I should get a SP first lol

@plasma dragon007 - lol I hope that answers Presto99 question. I have no desire for this... it reminds me of those 99 games in 1 console with the tetris and racing blocks haha which was fun since I was underprivileged as child.

 

[Sicklyboy]

Yeah, ther is no way that the build quality of that would match that of an official GBA. And I would still just rather load things up onto a flash cart than have something unofficial like that.

Yet oddly, I still kinda want one ._.

 

[Presto99]

Plus, I don't think you can load your own games on that thing, or at least that specific item you linked, @plasma dragon007 .
I think I may also be leaning towards an AGS-101, since I have a few GBA games from a while ago.
@[member='Icealote'], you should tell us tell us when you make a final decision and what your thoughts are on it after receiving it!

 

[Icealote]

Plus, I don't think you can load your own games on that thing, or at least that specific item you linked, @plasma dragon007 .
I think I may also be leaning towards an AGS-101, since I have a few GBA games from a while ago.
@[member='Icealote'], you should tell us tell us when you make a final decision and what your thoughts are on it after receiving it!

ahahhaha yep yep.

Yeah... So I caved in and bought a custom built SP AGS-101. Bought a separate screen protector and searching for a case to store it.
I'm excited and probably will arrive next week or so.

I'm in the process of searching for a GBM. Found one who can ship to my area and the GBM is refurbished. I just hope he replies with more photos before I decide to buy that one too.
And yes also finding the screen protectors for that and another case for it too.

I dont think I'll buy anymore previous handhelds as I'm happy with that I'll try to take a photo of everything together and blog it later lol Sooo excited..!!

 

[Presto99]

Plus, I don't think you can load your own games on that thing, or at least that specific item you linked, @plasma dragon007 .
I think I may also be leaning towards an AGS-101, since I have a few GBA games from a while ago.
@[member='Icealote'], you should tell us tell us when you make a final decision and what your thoughts are on it after receiving it!

ahahhaha yep yep.

Yeah... So I caved in and bought a custom built SP AGS-101. Bought a separate screen protector and searching for a case to store it.
I'm excited and probably will arrive next week or so.

I'm in the process of searching for a GBM. Found one who can ship to my area and the GBM is refurbished. I just hope he replies with more photos before I decide to buy that one too.
And yes also finding the screen protectors for that and another case for it too.

I dont think I'll buy anymore previous handhelds as I'm happy with that I'll try to take a photo of everything together and blog it later lol Sooo excited..!!

"Custom built"?! What do you mean by that?
I wish I had the money to buy both...

 

[Icealote]

There's an eBay seller (you'll know what I mean when you find him) he customises SPs AGS 101s to different colours. I just decided to get the cheapest mint condition he had lol So mine would be black on top and red all over.
STILL searching for a cheap "new" GBM. Sigh I can buy those 200 ones but I'd rather not as that's like equivalent to getting another 3DS which I have been thinking about =/ hmm...
Don't worry you will if you still want to get a GBM when you're older and have a better pay like me rofl

 

[Veho]

5. The GBM screen is perhaps slightly more bright, slightly more vibrant ... but the AGS-101 screen is much larger. And it's still plenty bright, plenty vibrant ... better than the DSLite you're using now.

I haven't seen the ASG-101 so I couldn't recommend the SP over the Micro. But an SP with a Lite screen? Yes yes yesyesyes

Dammit now I want a 101

 

[Icealote]

BIG BIG BIG UPDATE GUYS !!!111!!1! (always wanted to do that rofl...)

So... I caved again and bought a brand new silver GBM. I feel proud. I think I'll stick with the pouch its going to be in the original box. I'll just get screen protectors and maybe that retro nintendo faceplate. I could have sworn I saw someone in one of the threads saying getting faceplates would be difficult. That was much easier to find compared to a Micro IMO.

So thanks again guys for helping me decide to buy some classic consoles (I think they are since I never had any big name ones as a kid, envied those who had it then). Now to save my money again to fill the void I've spent on it again lol Then look towards some GBA. Dont worry I haven't forgotten to come back again to give my 2 cents about what I just bought in the coming weeks

I seriously can't wait for it.

 

[Icealote]

March will be a big month for me.

I just got myself:

Summon Night Swordcraft 1 & 2
Tales of Phatansia
Final Fantasy Tactics
Breath of Fire 1 & 2 ( I wish 3 was on GBA or something )

That's it for GBA games for me. Now I have to wait for all of these games to arrive every week of this month haha

EDIT I LIED

Dragon Ball I & II, Buu's Fury, GT Transformation
Shaman King I & II,
Max Payne
Sword of Mana

Okay officially done. Just going to game on my Professor Lautrec in the meantime before everything comes together

 

[Click This]

No GBA collection is complete without Fire Emblem.