Game Boy & GB Advance Appreciation Thread

[Ninja Doctor]

Nothing on headphones either. I think some voltage has failed to the audio amp. 

[Phantoon]

Try a shedload of IPA / contact cleaner into the volume wheel. Turn it up and down a lot. Allow it to dry, try it again.

[Ninja Doctor]

Managed to fix it. I was watching a YouTube on gba audio problems which led me to think it might be power related. 
 

First I disconnected the screen and boot audio came back. With that hint I stripped the power switch. The contacts were black! Cotton bud and IPA later they’re shinier than a shiny thing.
 

Put back together and I now have the backlit screen and audio once more. As an added bonus the switch no longer makes crackly noises when switching on. 

[Phantoon]

2 hours ago, Ninja Doctor said:

Managed to fix it. I was watching a YouTube on gba audio problems which led me to think it might be power related. 
 

First I disconnected the screen and boot audio came back. With that hint I stripped the power switch. The contacts were black! Cotton bud and IPA later they’re shinier than a shiny thing.
 

Put back together and I now have the backlit screen and audio once more. As an added bonus the switch no longer makes crackly noises when switching on. 

Good work fella. The power switch gets really dirty on the GBA, but for me it just flat out stopped it working.

[Ninja Doctor]

I had to desolder the shield and properly scrub the contacts. They were solid black. Works a treat now.  

[Protocol Penguin]

 

[electricmastro]

Croc 2: Wonderful little platformer adventure complimentary of its console counterpart

 

[Gotters]

what a great thread, I've just been trawling thru it a few pages at a time all morning jogging my memory and getting inspiration for the latest way to ensure I'll be buying an even bigger SD card for the steamdeck before xmas.

 

the GBA really does hold up well when you play the games as its kind of the peak of sprite based gaming before the 3d generation kicked off, and which the early games on say PS1 and the like look far more dated than older GBA games.

[Paulando]

23 hours ago, Gotters said:

the GBA really does hold up well when you play the games as its kind of the peak of sprite based gaming before the 3d generation kicked off, and which the early games on say PS1 and the like look far more dated than older GBA games.

Very true. I’ve said it before but the volume of stone cold classics released in the 3-or-so years it was the flagship handheld is pretty astounding.

 

Mario games, Zeldas, Metroid, Pokemon, Kirby, Sonic, Wario Ware, Advance Wars, loads of RPGs, some of the best ever puzzle games, and even the pseudo-3D stuff still feels magical to play on the hardware. Truly was the golden age of pixel art, and one of my favourite software libraries of all time.

 

Some people on here was lyrical about the NDS line up, but there aren’t many games I’d go back to. The 3D was rough, and I can’t think of a single sequel to a GBA game that was better than the GBA original.

[Vimster]

1 hour ago, Paulando said:

Very true. I’ve said it before but the volume of stone cold classics released in the 3-or-so years it was the flagship handheld is pretty astounding.

 

Mario games, Zeldas, Metroid, Pokemon, Kirby, Sonic, Wario Ware, Advance Wars, loads of RPGs, some of the best ever puzzle games, and even the pseudo-3D stuff still feels magical to play on the hardware. Truly was the golden age of pixel art, and one of my favourite software libraries of all time.

 

Some people on here was lyrical about the NDS line up, but there aren’t many games I’d go back to. The 3D was rough, and I can’t think of a single sequel to a GBA game that was better than the GBA original.

Whilst the GBA has it's fair share of shovelware there was indeed plenty of interesting games in all genres, not just from the big names either. It was a system that a lot of guys from the demoscene got into as an entry to game development and consequently you get some technically-impressive titles, even if some of them are a bit rough by today's standards. Top Gear Rally is a fantastic 3D driving game that handles brilliantly, obviously not to SEGA Rally standard with the digital controls but it's great fun. Shin''nen of The Touryst fame gained a lot of experience on the GBA. 

 

In some ways the GBA is similar to the PS2 in the depth of the library. 

[kiroquai]

So I’m currently piecing together a GBA collection so my little boy - when he’s a bit older - can play some of the games I did when I was a bit younger. Obviously retro gaming has gotten a bit expensive now and deals are hard to find (especially on eBay) but I’ve been piecing together something comprising the usual suspects - Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Golden Sun etc.

 

But. But! I found a total hidden diamond of a game that I got in a lot that I bought primarily for Mario Kart and Puzzle Fighter. Lilo and Stitch is the unlikely answer to what would happen if Disney got Ubisoft to use their IP for a Metal Slug game. It’s ace. Pretty cheap too - can be had for about a fiver if you haggle with people a bit.

 

Highly recommended!

 

 

[Phantoon]

I'll have to give that a try!

[kiroquai]

So, got myself a lovely little DMG style faceplate for my Micro on Aliexpress. Really surprised just how good quality the plastic and printing are - it looks great!

 

 

Bit gutted though as I bought some maroon A and B buttons to complete the look, but a couple of the cross-head screws deep inside the thing are stripped so I'm not going to be able to get to the buttons to replace them. Ah well - c'est la vie!

(EDIT: it looks a bit off-centre compared to the screen in the above picture; it's just the angle I took the picture at - it sits nicely squared).

[merrychan]

Does anyone know of a place that does high quality GB/Color/Pocket refurbs that you can configure and buy with improved screens/shells and a usb rechargeable battery core?

My wife loves the Tetris but would want a 'new' one and it's between this kind of solution or an Analogue Pocket

[Paulando]

22 minutes ago, merrychan said:

Does anyone know of a place that does high quality GB/Color/Pocket refurbs that you can configure and buy with improved screens/shells and a usb rechargeable battery core?

My wife loves the Tetris but would want a 'new' one and it's between this kind of solution or an Analogue Pocket

Honestly, I’d definitely consider a retro handheld. The Analogue Pocket is obviously the Rolls Royce for GB stuff, but there are plenty available that are either approaching or exceed the quality and feel of original hardware, and the displays are generally much better. A proper standby mode is also a huge bonus too (though I’m not sure the Analogue Pocket has that for original cartridges?).

[merrychan]

9 minutes ago, Paulando said:

Honestly, I’d definitely consider a retro handheld. The Analogue Pocket is obviously the Rolls Royce for GB stuff, but there are plenty available that are either approaching or exceed the quality and feel of original hardware, and the displays are generally much better. A proper standby mode is also a huge bonus too (though I’m not sure the Analogue Pocket has that for original cartridges?).

Thanks and yeah the form factor would have to be GB / Pocket like and don't laugh but Tetris would most likely be the only thing they'd play on it and I'd like to do link up tetris too so I'd most likely get the same solution

[Ninja Doctor]

7 hours ago, merrychan said:

Does anyone know of a place that does high quality GB/Color/Pocket refurbs that you can configure and buy with improved screens/shells and a usb rechargeable battery core?

My wife loves the Tetris but would want a 'new' one and it's between this kind of solution or an Analogue Pocket

Retrosix do. They are at the top end of prices though. 

[kiroquai]

All I’d add is that if it’s just for Tetris (and no harm in that at all, because Tetris is ace!) then the Analogue Pocket might be a touch overkill, as lovely as it is. Plus you’re looking at a many-month waiting list for one right now.

 

Problem with the refurb Gameboy scene is the prices are a bit mad. Some companies or sellers will try and rinse you for approaching (and sometimes exceeding) £200 for something pre-assembled. My only tip would be to look for eBay sellers who have a really good feedback rating, accept returns and have sold plenty of Gameboy stuff over the years. This seller seems a promising one, for example.

 

My only other comment is that I know you said you want the DMG/Color/Pocket form factor, but… at least consider the original shape Gameboy Advance, too. A refurbished one of those with an IPS screen and lithium battery added is pretty much peak Gameboy. You’ll never need anything else. Nice big screen, comfortable to hold, doesn’t have the reliability niggles of the SP and it’ll play all DMG/Color/Advance games you can throw at it. Plus they tend to cost not a huge amount more than similarly refurbed Colors, so they don’t break the bank either.

 

If it were me, I’d be loathe to pay more than about £120 for an IPS v2 modded Color and £140 for an IPS v2 modded GBA. You should be able to find a bunch that falls well within those prices.

 

Just thought I’d throw all that in there, but yeah - have a poke around and you’ll likely find yourself some really good, sensibly-priced options

[merrychan]

6 hours ago, kiroquai said:

All I’d add is that if it’s just for Tetris (and no harm in that at all, because Tetris is ace!) then the Analogue Pocket might be a touch overkill, as lovely as it is. Plus you’re looking at a many-month waiting list for one right now.

 

Problem with the refurb Gameboy scene is the prices are a bit mad. Some companies or sellers will try and rinse you for approaching (and sometimes exceeding) £200 for something pre-assembled. My only tip would be to look for eBay sellers who have a really good feedback rating, accept returns and have sold plenty of Gameboy stuff over the years. This seller seems a promising one, for example.

 

My only other comment is that I know you said you want the DMG/Color/Pocket form factor, but… at least consider the original shape Gameboy Advance, too. A refurbished one of those with an IPS screen and lithium battery added is pretty much peak Gameboy. You’ll never need anything else. Nice big screen, comfortable to hold, doesn’t have the reliability niggles of the SP and it’ll play all DMG/Color/Advance games you can throw at it. Plus they tend to cost not a huge amount more than similarly refurbed Colors, so they don’t break the bank either.

 

If it were me, I’d be loathe to pay more than about £120 for an IPS v2 modded Color and £140 for an IPS v2 modded GBA. You should be able to find a bunch that falls well within those prices.

 

Just thought I’d throw all that in there, but yeah - have a poke around and you’ll likely find yourself some really good, sensibly-priced options

Thanks for taking the time to post that and yeah I'd completely forgot about the original GBA as an option

[Colonel Panic]

Original GBA makes for a poor Tetris machine IMO. GB games don’t use the full screen and stick out the top. 

[Gorf]

I’ve got multiple modded original, Color and game boy advance consoles
 

For Tetris an IPS v2 modded Color would be my choice with Tetris DX (that itself modded with the original music)

 

The USB rechargeable battery packs aren’t great value in my opinion, not nowadays when rechargeable AAs are so cheap and widely available 

 

 

 

 

[merrychan]

Thanks all I really appreciate this

[Zio]

I have no idea what the prices are like now, but back in the mid-2000s I bought my dad a second-hand GBA SP from Gamestation to be his Tetris machine and he still uses it daily to this day. Not even an exaggeration - the man is addicted. And only to Tetris - he may as well glue the cartridge into the slot.

 

Anyway, this is my long-winded way of saying a completely bog standard GBA SP will probably be fine if Tetris is literally the only thing you're going to play on it. Or one of those little retro emulation handhelds if they can be bought cheaper.

[kiroquai]

2 hours ago, Colonel Panic said:

Original GBA makes for a poor Tetris machine IMO. GB games don’t use the full screen and stick out the top. 

 

Yup, a fair point .

[merrychan]

30 minutes ago, Zio said:

I have no idea what the prices are like now, but back in the mid-2000s I bought my dad a second-hand GBA SP from Gamestation to be his Tetris machine and he still uses it daily to this day. Not even an exaggeration - the man is addicted. And only to Tetris - he may as well glue the cartridge into the slot.

 

Anyway, this is my long-winded way of saying a completely bog standard GBA SP will probably be fine if Tetris is literally the only thing you're going to play on it. Or one of those little retro emulation handhelds if they can be bought cheaper.

I can completely believe this, the only game my other half plays is Tetris99 at the moment and absolutely adores it, but is interested in the idea of GB to GB link cable play 1 vs 1 matches

[Ninja Doctor]

Nintendo really need to pull their fingers out and do a proper gameboy classic mini. 

[Paulando]

1 hour ago, Ninja Doctor said:

Nintendo really need to pull their fingers out and do a proper gameboy classic mini. 

Yeah, totally this. It surely wouldn’t be too expensive to produce either.

[dataDave]

21 minutes ago, Paulando said:

Yeah, totally this. It surely wouldn’t be too expensive to produce either.

 

I would have thought the opposite, but then they went and made those two Game+Watch things.

 

A small-form backlit DMG-01 with 30 ROMs would fly off the shelves faster than anything.

[kiroquai]

Thought it would be rude not to etc etc:

 

 

Lovely little thing, this. The IPS screen really brings out a load of the colours/detail I'd not even really noticed all those years ago on the old AGS-001 unlit screen.

[Protocol Penguin]

Stunt Race FX demake, anyone?