Game Boy fixes flaw, extends battery life

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This article was published 27/03/2003 (8486 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

INNOVATION is a major staple of video gaming. Just like other consumer electronics products, new devices are updated and improved on a regular basis to improve company profits and make the games we play better from a graphic and a gameplay standpoint.

That being said, is Nintendo’s new hand-held Game Boy Advance SP worth the $149.99 plus taxes? Allow me to weigh in…

Game Boy Advance SP

Nintendo, $149.99

Rating, E for Everyone

Score, B plus

One of the biggest issues gamers had with the previous version of this hand-held was the difficulty in seeing the games on the small screen in some lighting conditions, even with a peripheral lighting device. Nintendo definitely has addressed that issue here, giving the SP its own flip-up, backlit screen.

Another advancement gamers will notice in a hurry is the increased battery life: A new long-life, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that lasts between 10 to 18 hours of gameplay if the front light screen is turned off.

However, the lithium-ion battery will need to be replaced in about three years.

The GBA SP is half the size and half as thick as the GBA and, for some, will be a little harder to get your hands around if you have big hands or chubby fingers, like me.

The SP has the same number of buttons as the GBA, but they are more recessed on the top of the unit and the shoulder buttons are much smaller.

The new unit also doesn’t come with a headphone jack for the speaker, but Nintendo will offer an adapter, sold separately.

The new unit is backward compatible and will play all previously released Game Boy and Game Boy Advance and current software releases.

So, returning to the original question. Is it worth it?

Well, as I said earlier, you won’t need to purchase $20 to $25 in peripheral lighting, and you will save money on batteries. I like the new unit — Nintendo is clearly poised, once again, to dominate hand-held gaming for years to come.

Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire

Game Boy Advance, Nintendo, $55

Rating, E for Everyone

Score, B plus

Pokemon fanatics will be happy with the enhancements Nintendo has added to Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire.

The two-on-two battles are well done and the sprint manoeuver also is a great addition.

The graphics are improved and the colours are more vibrant. The monsters also are a little bit more detailed and move quicker across the screen than they did in previous versions.

One of the things I noticed about these two new titles is the lack of innovation for gamers who have played all of the previous Pokemon games.

That being said, these games are fun and should keep gamers busy for months.

Golden Sun: The Lost Age

Game Boy Advance, Nintendo, $55

Rating, E for Everyone

Score, B plus

The Lost Age starts where Gold Sun finished off, with Jenna and Isaac at the final battle to stop the Venus lighthouse from being lit.

Felix is the main hero of this game, not Isaac, and the adventure moves pretty quickly.

I like the fact that you get into the action quickly. But for new gamers, it’s difficult to figure out which direction they should head in or what they should do next.

In terms of improvements to the previous Golden Sun, there aren’t any to speak of. The game’s engine is the same and Camelot, the developer, chose to add harder puzzles, the new story and Psynergy powers.

You can use Psynergy powers to get past the game’s myriad puzzles and you can use it to read the thoughts of people you come across.

One of the problems from the previous game that, thankfully, was remedied is the combat frequency. No more two or three steps and fighting countless unnecessary battles for hours.

The first game was a critical success and sold very well, so the lack of new enhancements isn’t really an issue.

It’s a decent RPG for the GBA.