Game Boy Advance Catch All

Hey All,

So I recently got a GB Micro on ebay and I am kind of in love. I did a couple of things to it, got a new face-plate because the original one was super beat up, and put in a new battery pack. I have been playing a ton of Mario Golf Advance Tour, and am planning on Tactics Ogre or Final Fantasy Tactics next.

Show me your beautiful Game Boys and and lemme know whatya playin' or recommendations!

Also if you know of a place with GB Micro body or button replacement kits let me know

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/T72uVn8.jpg)

I'll just use a stock photo, since my GBA SP is unremarkable otherwise:

IMAGE(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Game-Boy-Advance-SP-Mk1-Blue.jpg/250px-Game-Boy-Advance-SP-Mk1-Blue.jpg)

My wife built a RetroPi NES and SNES emulator for me a few months ago, and playing Super Metroid and Link to the Past has me going back to play Metroid Fusion (GBA) and Link's Awakening (GB, compatible in GBA) again.

IMAGE(http://gomi321.com/wp-content/gallery/gameboy-advance/metroid-fusion.jpg)

IMAGE(https://www.zeldadungeon.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/th.jpg)

Both are very excellent entries in their respective series. I'd go so far as to say if you enjoy Legend of Zelda games, you're heavily missing out if you haven't played Link's Awakening. World / level design is superb and interesting all the way through.

Yeah a friend of mine had already put Metroid Fusion on my short list, and I had heard good stuff about Awakening. That same friend also recommended The Minish Cap; would you say its worth checking out as well?

I've been meaning to pick up a GBA recently, since I stupidly gave mine away a decade ago and now totally regret it. That micro looks great.

I've got a Micro tucked away in a drawer, tip top shape, I may post a pic.

But what I really, really, really, really, really... want... is one of those AGS-101 backlit SP jobs.

My old SP was probably my favourite handheld, however there never really was a proper 101 release over here. Every few months I'll have a look on eBay, but in the UK or EU there are only ever a handful available and they're always a stupid amount of money to purchase, even the properly shabby examples.

Looking worldwide they're half the cost in the US for example and tempting to buy one and ship it over, still significantly cheaper even with the added £20-£40 delivery cost...

... One day!

Grrr... Bagelmage, your thread has me looking again!

Veloxi wrote:

I've been meaning to pick up a GBA recently, since I stupidly gave mine away a decade ago and now totally regret it. That micro looks great.

Thank you And yeah I had one of those Purpleish clear GBA way back when, no idea where it ended up. Probably tossed out when I moved out ages ago haha

Bubblefuzz wrote:

I've got a Micro tucked away in a drawer, tip top shape, I may post a pic.

...

Grrr... Bagelmage, your thread has me looking again!

Do post a pic! And if I were to buy any of the consoles regardless of size it would probably be the SP or the original and put in a backlight. I went with the micro just because I can keep it in my pocket at work and use it on short breaks for a few rounds of golf haha

But there are lots of places that have cool aftermarket cases and replacement parts for the SP and original GBA that give me envy. The market for the Micro must be small, heh, because there are only a few places to get replacement face-plates, screens, and battery covers. So far no luck with a full body or button replacement sets.

My top 10 would be:

Tactics Ogre: The Knight Of Lodis. Careful where you get this one. The game had a really small print run so most copies on ebay are bootlegs with bad batteries that you can't finish.

Final Fantasy Tactic Advanced. Some people hate that game but I still think it's a solid game with above average story

Final Fantasy V and VI. As I think those are probably the best versions of those games though I think VI loses some epicness on a small screen

Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow. I like this more than Symphony Of The Night.

Megaman Battle Network 3: White Version. You have to get through the very kid oriented plot line but the gameplay is fun and unique so I would put at least one of the Network games on the must own list and 3 is considered the best

Super Mario Advanced Whichever One Is Super Mario Bros 3. This or the All Stars version is the best version for my money by virtue of not being limited by NES hardware.

The two Fire Emblem games. Remember when Fire Emblem games weren't kinda bad? Good times and good games.

I'm gonna cheat here and say both Golden Sun game. They aren't great but are good and have some fun puzzles. It is a bit of a cheat in that the two games are basically one game (with a third one on DS that kinda came and went that I haven't played) that are actually somewhat reminiscent of the Quest For Glory games in how they mix genre conventions and connect to each other via a password system. Fair warning though these games have a lot of story and it ain't great but it represents it's era well.

Wow thanks man, that's a good run down! My list has been updated

Don't have a GBA currently, although I've been thinking of picking one up again.

Favorite games are:

Tactics Ogre
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Pokemon Pinball
Yoshi's Island
Super Mario Bros. 3
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
Advance Wars
Advance Wars 2

In my opinion Nintendo has never topped the GBA SP. I loved that system so much.

I would also like to own a GBA SP AGS-101 to upgrade my weathered beat up front lit model. As Bubblefuzz, has said, they're expensive in the UK.

DSGamer wrote:

In my opinion Nintendo has never topped the GBA SP.

I would agree with you if the DS also didn't have such an amazing library.

Library, yes, but that SP form factor... Thinking about how easy it was to pocket the SP make some want to get one and start playing some old school Fire Emblem on the bus one handed like the early 2000s.

DSGamer wrote:

Library, yes, but that SP form factor...

Aye that's my thinking. Being sensible, how much do I need an SP? I have kept hold of my old DS lite workhorse, so library wise can dip into both GBA and DS titles on that... it's the form factor for sure. I just can't bring myself to pick up a frontlit model, when i know the backlit is out there for me somewhere…......

There's a store in my neighborhood that has them. I think they're ~79 - 99 USD. Not too bad considering.

Ah! The credits rolled on Mario Golf Advance. Order placed for Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced

In doing more research, I think I'll get a DS Lite. Best of both worlds.

Veloxi wrote:

In doing more research, I think I'll get a DS Lite. Best of both worlds.

Most used handheld, my DS Lite... Have handed on down to the next gen, my 6yr old. Really need to get a nice replacement for myself.

Edit. Scratch that, what i should do is use my New 3DS for DS games and pick up a backlit SP for Advance and the original GB and Colour games... All of their handheld history covered by two consoles.

(Ignore me just talking myself into a purchase!)

You guys are making me want to dig out my DS Lite from my storage bins.. best handheld ever.

RnRClown wrote:

I would also like to own a GBA SP AGS-101 to upgrade my weathered beat up front lit model. As Bubblefuzz, has said, they're expensive in the UK.

Hey RnR, with the image they're using how likely do you think that Cex are guilty of false advertising on these VERY cheap Pink SPs?

I'm guessing they've just used the wrong pic... but I've emailed juuuuust to check on the off chance.

Bubblefuzz wrote:

(Ignore me just talking myself into a purchase!)

I do this, too.

My SP was for GB and GBC. My DS Lite for GBA and DS.

Then the 3DS happened. A 2DS now compliments those two workhorses.

I still have a few GB titles I'd like to get around to. Donkey Kong Land sits atop that list.

Bubblefuzz wrote:
RnRClown wrote:

I would also like to own a GBA SP AGS-101 to upgrade my weathered beat up front lit model. As Bubblefuzz, has said, they're expensive in the UK.

Hey RnR, with the image they're using how likely do you think that Cex are guilty of false advertising on these VERY cheap Pink SPs?

I'm guessing they've just used the wrong pic... but I've emailed juuuuust to check on the off chance.

That would be excellent. I hope it leads to a lovely backlit screen model for you.

I was in a local retro store today and saw two SP's that got my hopes up. Both frontlit. For a second I was excited.

I primarily only care about ds and gba games, ds lite it is! One device, all the best games!

Veloxi wrote:

I primarily only care about ds and gba games, ds lite it is! One device, all the best games!

And it's still a good size. The DS Lite is my really pocketable, especially when placed against a 3DS XL.

Veloxi wrote:

I primarily only care about ds and gba games, ds lite it is! One device, all the best games!

Good choice. Mine's still going 10 years on and that's with the last year or so in the mitts of a young un.

I must be the only one that liked the DS library a lot better. Played the crap out of my GBA SP of course but that thing gave me major hand cramping. DS was ergonomically a lot better.

If I had to pick some GBA games, I'd go Fire Emblem 1&2 and maybe the first Advance Wars. And Dragonball Z The Legacy Of Goku 2 was an underrated action RPG, probably because of the license.

Last year I bought a modded GBA off eBay - it's the original design with a backlit screen. This is the best of both worlds IMO, because the original form factor is so good and comfy. The system is basically what a SNES 2 would have been, that's why it is so loved.

Outside of the usuals (AW, SMB, Castlevania, etc.), there are tons of games that still hold up. I really like the Wario games. Warioland 4 is a great platformer and Wario Ware is one of the best games ever made IMO. Astro Boy Omega Factor is a top notch action game. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a top notch sequel of sorts to DK 94.

I'm hunting down a copy of Boktai...

So this thread may have inspired me to dig out my GBA.

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/LrEGGZL.jpg)

Also I may or may not be 12 hours into Tactics Ogre

Is that a 101?

Nope, it's a 001. With state of the art front-lit technology (my eyes hurt, but better than no light at all). I'm pretty sure I traded in my GBA for it before the 101 was even out.

The battery seems to be lasting for roughly an hour, and to be honest I'm kind of amazed the thing works at all.

Also Tactics Ogre is still great. Haven't played a tactics style game in a long time and I'm really enjoying it.

After searching for a long time, on and off for a 101 in uk where rare, scouring the full sp listings for those elusive examples that may not be described as such because the seller doesn't know what they have... Or scammers trying to pass off a 001 for a 101... Have gotten used to spotting one from tother by looking at powered off screen...

Top tip that most may already know... But can tell Renjis SP is defo 001 because of the lighter grey tone of the screen compared to the black surround. A 101 the screen would be near black, almost indistinguishable from that surround.

I have spotted a couple examples of cheap 101s in this way, but one i got beat in a bidding war at last minute someone else must have spotted too. The other was a buy it now, by a charity and gave them a heads up if the sticker confirmed it.

I may cross post this in the silly purchase thread, but having got a bit bored with the hunt and as my son has pretty much taken official ownership of my old DS... I've picked up a nice looking custom job Lite, haggled down 30% on best offer, but still cost a little more than a regular. Yet to arrive, fingers crossed condition as good as looks in the pics. Silly maybe because do i reeeeally need it?