New GameBoy = Gameboy Micro

[HGwells]

[17/05/05 18:59]
Ninty reveals its latest handheld to the world but insists it's 'not new technology'


We're live from Nintendo's pre-E3 conference, where the company has just announced Game Boy Micro, a new super-small handheld that plays Game Boy Advance games.

The device is four inches wide, two inches tall and 0.7 inches deep and weighs 2.8 ounces (about two-thirds the weight of an iPod Mini).

It features a control system comprising a D-pad and A and B buttons on the front of the machine, with smaller Start and Select buttons on the underside along with the usual shoulder buttons.

Despite its diminutive size, the device should bring a fresh look to GBA games, as Game Boy Micro boasts the brightest screen on a Nintendo handheld to date, not to mention some pleasant Xbox 360-esque interchangeable faceplates.

But Ninty does stress that this is not a successor to GBA or DS, stating that Game Boy Micro is "not new technology but a new look" for GBA.

George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, says, "Game Boy Micro is for image-conscious folks who love videogames, the ones who want the look of their system to be as cool as the games they play on it."

Game Boy Micro will be released this autumn, although a price has yet to be announced.

The E3 show proper starts tomorrow, so expect loads more Nintendo news soon.

Source (http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/news/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=35862&subsectio nid=1588)

http://the-magicbox.com/0505/gbmicro.jpg
Image from the-magicbox.com

[Charlie]

Atleast this time it has a headphone port.

[n1n9tean]

George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, says, "Game Boy Micro is for image-conscious folks who love videogames, the ones who want the look of their system to be as cool as the games they play on it."

I thought they were talking about the great George Harrison of the Beatles for a minute. :lol:

[Fooly Cooly]

I was hoping for a new psp like gameboy but o'll well

[Charlie]

They'll have one next E3, I'm sure of it. I do have to say it looks pretty slick. I might actually get one if its under $50.

[nesman]

George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, says, "Game Boy Micro is for image-conscious folks who love videogames, the ones who want the look of their system to be as cool as the games they play on it."

I thought they were talking about the great George Harrison of the Beatles for a minute. :lol:

Same here :lol:

[rev>thanu]

my question is WHY? WHY? WHY?, is there a need for this?. NINTENDO DS is already backwards compatible with the previous GBA games. Nintendo already has GBA, GBA sp, NDS and now this GBM and not including GBA2. i think this is an unnessesary product. I think they feel insecure about sony bringing the psp out to the handheld market. do they really believe that by having over 4 handhelds will give them a better chance at winning. They 're killing their own product with the DS already. They are doing too much of the Sega thing but on the handheld industry. wow in their conference they mentioned that it's the brightest LCD they have ever incorporated into one of their handhelds but that things is so small i feel sorry for people with eye sight problems and people who have 20 20 vision. You will need a magnifying glass to actually play that thing.

[The_One]

Okay... We already have the GBA SP, which is a remake of the GBA. We don't NEED another re-remake damnit! Show us something new Big N!

[*G*spot]

Okay..... Show us something new Big N!

:lol: Yeah, that's a laugh. :lol: Now you know that's not N's style. They love the "milking" concept, since it's acceptable and always has been by a large # of consumers, obviously. :roll: :twisted: It makes ya sick doesn't it. :x

[n1n9tean]

If that thing costs more than $30-$45 it doesn't make sense at all. :idea: :?:

[*G*spot]

That's exactly my point. When it comes to N', the Fanboys/people keep comin' back for the same product basically in a different wrapper. N' knows this "sick" fact, and keeps exploiting it, time and time again with the GB. :twisted:

[HGwells]

More doubts are cast regarding the practicality of the GBA Micro.


Yes, it looks cute. But can you actually play games on it?


Take a look at these brand new photos of Game Boy Micro (which was first announced by Nintendo on Tuesday) and try telling us that there's any sensible way to actually play games on it.

Unless you're a particularly small child, we just don't see how you can negotiate the D-pad and buttons without being made to feel like an enormous clod with shovels for hands.

As for the screen, Engadget reports that it's "squint-inducing" and "definitely pushing the limits of how small a screen on a portable game console can get and still be useable". Hmmm.

Meanwhile, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata has confirmed that the company has "no plans to discontinue Game Boy Advance SP. We think the two will be compatible."

http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/media/gamesradar/GBMicro_2.jpg
http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/media/gamesradar/GBMicro_3.jpg

Source (http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/news/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=35970&subsectio nid=1588)


It's a shame that one of the most memorable E3s turned out to be Nintendo's worst outing.

[Brandon]

That thing is so small, I feel like I'd accidentally breathe it in or something. What's the point of that?

[stuffedsquirrel222]

George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications, says, "Game Boy Micro is for image-conscious folks who love videogames, the ones who want the look of their system to be as cool as the games they play on it."


If the folks are so image-concious they wouldn't buy a crappy Gameboy Advance. They'd get a chic PSP. What the hell kinda image-concious person would walk around with a tiny little gameboy three inches from their face, since they wouldn't be able to see it any further away?

PSP = Chic

[nesman]

That thing is too small. :?

[Rizon]

Well i can see the headlines already:

Week After Gameboy Micro Launched 3 Kids Dead After Choking On It

[Mordecaii]

Guys, I have to ask a serious question... How am I supposed to see anything on the screen without holding it 2 inches away from my face? Wouldn't that pretty much throw "cool" right out the window, which is what this GB is trying to portray? I can see it now... Also, it looks uncomfortable to play for any length of time.

[nemesis121]

Well i can see the headlines already:

Week After Gameboy Micro Launched 3 Kids Dead After Choking On It

So true kids will swallow it.

[*G*spot]

With that tiny size, it's just not practical for enjoy gaming of any type. :roll:

[n1n9tean]

Well, you enjoy your N-Gage right *G*spot? :wink: I think it might be OK if it's very inexpensive. But I'm talkin' like $30 inexpensive. :lol:

[Fats]

God, I really can't see the point in this at all. Like you said n1n9tean, it'd have to be fairly inexpensive in order to warrant a purchase.

[*G*spot]

Well, you enjoy your N-Gage right *G*spot? :wink: True...good point n1ntean, but the N-Gage isn't that small. You should also keep in mind, I get a lot more out of my cell phone. :D I have tons of mp3s as well as several movies on it at all times, and the fm radio for times when the power is low. So it serves many other great purposes. :wink:

I think it might be OK if it's very inexpensive. But I'm talkin' like $30 inexpensive. :lol: I actually agree with you,if it goes for $30 or under, it may be worth the purchase. :wink:

[n1n9tean]

On a side note...check THIS (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000650043915/) out (here's a shot of the hidden keyboard (http://www.mobile-review.com/forum2/attachment.php?attachmentid=4508)). It's a concept for nokia's next versions of N-Gage. They say Theyre going to just include N-Gage in their smart phones from now on. Good idea and I like how it's looking. 8) It's even got better graphics. Look like better graphics than PSP actually. Check out this demonstration video (http://www.nokia-americaspress.com/uploads/videos.asp?P=VID&ID=22) for it. I would definately get one of those if the price isn't just STUPID high and they have good DEV support.

[Shadow CRX]

Why would they make such a stupid move to remake an already remade GBA? Why? Why wont they use that time , energy and money to bring out a new design to the DS? [compared to PSP, it looks like a sculpted brick] Or at least a few new colours of designs? This is a waste, its only worth it if its $40 and under.

[rev>thanu]

it's not even worth it if it's 40 bucks and under. that's a new game right there for psp or the DS it self. Also n1n9tean the question is will this N-gage have enough developer support. support of the type of games we all like, i really don't see that happening. i also doubt it beats psp graphics.

Metal Gear ACid 2
http://pspmedia.ign.com/psp/image/article/615/615533/e3-2005-metal-gear-acid-2-screens-20050517062245771.jpg

Daxter
http://pspmedia.ign.com/psp/image/article/615/615155/daxter-20050517111743118.jpg
also check out Gran Turismo Mobile

[n1n9tean]

I know PSP has nice graphics....I had one (will get another when I see some more features like PS3 connectivity, headset, web browsing etc.....maybe just get one before I go on vacation pretty soon I dont know.) I also know that it will ultimately come down to DEV support. (I mentioned that in my other post) Sony is the king of DEV support so I dont see the next N-Gage or any other portable phasing them in that area. But it could be ALOT better for Nokia than it was this time around with the potential for more DEVs to join in, enhanced graphics, widescreen and such. (may or may not be better than PSP I'd have to see more of what it can do.)

Also I just noticed something. Is that some kind of dual analogs on that N-Gage concept I posted??? If so that would be a killer feature. 8)

[rev>thanu]

PSP keyboard:
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/images/sony_psp_keyboard1.jpg

PSP Phone.
http://www.portagame.com/sony_psp.php/2004/05/19/p117

PSP Camera
http://www.gadgetmadness.com/archives/20040517-photos_of_the_psp_camera_accessory.php

Does that N- Gage play movies and MP3s?.

A second analog does sound nice for FPS games.
How are you going to save games on that thing?.
Does it have WI FI?
How much is it?

[Fats]

I remember seeing the Keyboard a while back thinking how nice it looked, but it actually just looks awkward now. I'm assuming that a stylus would be provided with it? (Ironic! :lol: )

[*G*spot]

....Does that N- Gage play movies and MP3s?....

Why yes it does. The MP3 player is built in, as is the FM radio. :D There's also a voice recorder available on the "classic" N-Gage :wink: Nokia had removed these features from the present QD model. If you want them you must dl 3rd party apps(crappy quality). :( But, now nokia has claimed that they will include these features once again with the next N-Gage, I guess they realized their mistake(s) with the removal of those items.

[Viper]

I played the micro at E3 and it has a very nastalgic feel being relatively the same size as the original NES controller. Despite it's small size, it's quite playable.


As for the why? That's simple. Video games are one of the few markets that don't have multiple models of similar or same products. Nintendo is simply changing that.

People got excited for the PStwo and even traded in their regular PS2 models for one. No different here.

[Ibanez32]

Fair point i bought a ps2 but i didn't trade in may old one that lives in the attic with my ps1, megadrive,snes,amiga,comadore 64.

But i do still agree that unless they put a low price tag on it (which i'm sure it will do) i can't see many people buying it.