#148 - sckoobs - Fri Jan 03, 2003 11:40 pm
Does anyone happen to know when the new Game Boy Advance will be out? - The one with the backlit screen and extra processing and memory capabilities?
Also, what does this mean for us GBADev'ers? Will we have to buy new flash carts in order to take advantage of the new hardware? I wouldn't have though so but is there anything that will change much?
#151 - Costis - Sat Jan 04, 2003 12:27 am
Hi,
From what I've read, this is completely a rumor. I have heard that Nintendo will replace the old GBA LCD screens with brighter, more clear ones manufactured by Kodak sometime, though. Even if this is true, it wouldn't affect any of software development aspects.
Costis
#164 - Splam - Sat Jan 04, 2003 3:20 am
Yeah, supposed to be just a rumour, just get a gp32 instead then that lovely little handheld will get a bigger userbase and maybe some games :P
#220 - marschild - Sun Jan 05, 2003 5:47 am
I think this rumor came from the fact that peoples screens looked slightly different than their friends, and that the gba screens were being manufactured by different companies. They say that the newer ones have slightly brighter screens, and they called them different revisions. Then people got confused and started the gba2 rumor.
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#398 - Lanza - Tue Jan 07, 2003 11:00 am
#399 - luna_s - Tue Jan 07, 2003 11:37 am
#400 - Lord Graga - Tue Jan 07, 2003 11:45 am
That is such of a silly design...
#413 - Burre - Tue Jan 07, 2003 4:25 pm
Let's just say that IF they were to make a new GBA it most certainly woldn't look like that :). And speaking of rumors, the only thing I've heard about a (supposedly) new GBA is that there "might" be a new one out when the next stationary console will be released. There is not a chance, or at least I think so, that a new handheld from Nintendo will be released any time soon. There are two good reasons for that:
1. GBA is selling very well, and while the customers are satisfied there is no reason at all to try and market something new. The GB concept have lasted almost 15 years or so by now and evolves much slower than the stationary consoles.
2. Since GBA is getting a respectable userbase right now (over 20 000 000 units or so) the developers must have a chance of profiting on that and in return big N will profit from licence money flowing straight into the company. Secondly, marketing another unit right now will put Nintendo in an unpleasent situation where they would have to compete with them selves. GBA against "GBA 2". That would force them to advertise against their own product, wich of course is pure stupidity.
Because of that I don't think that we will se another handheld until the next stationary hardware. And I don't think that they will only add two more front face buttons, add backlight, CPU power and such. I think that they will evolve the GBA<-->GC connection more. Perhaps with functions that allows the gamer to play online using the "GC 2" console as gateway or something similar.
What about that theory, does it sound resonable? :/
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#416 - Touchstone - Tue Jan 07, 2003 4:40 pm
While you have valid points there Burre I think you better realize that the picture is official from Nintendo. :) No performance increase or added buttons, just backlit and with a rechargable battery Therefore they rightfully don't consider it being a new system and I don't think anyone else should either. Yes, the new GBA SP is here!
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#419 - Burre - Tue Jan 07, 2003 5:00 pm
| Touchstone wrote: |
| While you have valid points there Burre I think you better realize that the picture is official from Nintendo. :) No performance increase or added buttons, just backlit and with a rechargable battery Therefore they rightfully don't consider it being a new system and I don't think anyone else should either. Yes, the new GBA SP is here! |
Ok, that I didn't know. Since when have it been official?
Anyway, if you ask me, it has more in common with the Game boy player than the GBA :P. People complained about ergonomy issues with the old model, then what about this one?
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#424 - snug - Tue Jan 07, 2003 5:22 pm
It certainly looks nice :), although I don't know how comfortable it will be to use.
#429 - Touchstone - Tue Jan 07, 2003 5:53 pm
I don't know when it became official but I'm sure the article give you a pretty good clue. Apparently Nintendo will demonstrate the unit on some upcoming event soon.
I agree, it doesn't look that ergonomic and I didn't cared much for the GBC either. This thing must be so small if the display has the same sie as the gba, which it probably has. It'll be fun to see it when it's out.
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#430 - sgeos - Tue Jan 07, 2003 5:57 pm
I think I'll want to get one. My little sister like how you hold a GBC and not a GBA/Gamegear. I don't think that is important, but I suppose more people like her might be around...
-Brendan
#431 - luna_s - Tue Jan 07, 2003 5:58 pm
size comparison
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doesnt look quite as nice in this shot
reminds me a little of game and watch ;p
#432 - Burre - Tue Jan 07, 2003 6:02 pm
Is the screen bigger or is it just me?
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#433 - Touchstone - Tue Jan 07, 2003 6:04 pm
The screen does look bigger. I wonder if the screen is closer to the covering plastic now than what it is on the old gba. Now with the protective clamshell design this would be possible. That would be really nice!
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#434 - sgeos - Tue Jan 07, 2003 6:04 pm
Yeah, it looks bigger, but that's probably just a perspective difference. (The new one is closer to the camera.)
-Brendan
#446 - I.C.E - Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:48 pm
#447 - sgeos - Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:55 pm
It looks like my US version e-Reader won't fit in the new unit, seeing as the link port is no longer by the cart slot.
-Brendan
#449 - pulstar_3 - Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:58 pm
Check out this article http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techreviews/games/2003-01-06-game-boy_x.htm.
It comes out on 23 March in the US and it does have a bigger screen and a backlight, as well as a built in battery pack.
Pulstar.
#480 - ampz - Wed Jan 08, 2003 1:46 am
The article says that the screen will be 40.8mm x 61.2mm. That's the exact size of the current GBA screen.
Sorry folks.
#499 - nbsp - Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:01 am
Hey, this is ubercool. Wonder what this means for the dev scene?
1) Will coders be able to tell if their rom is on an SP machine?
2) Will coders be able to change the brightness level (ie, for explosions and the like, just for a cool effect)?
#501 - Touchstone - Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:11 am
There are probably no changes made to the firmware hence I don't think you can check if the lights are on or off and you cannot alter the light intensity.
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#502 - subbie - Wed Jan 08, 2003 5:20 am
"1) Will coders be able to tell if their rom is on an SP machine?"
From what I have heard no. You can not tell. It has me a bit worried since some palette might look horible with the light since some palettes are extreamly saturated to look decent on the gba.
"2) Will coders be able to change the brightness level (ie, for explosions and the like, just for a cool effect)?"
No, I don't think that would be posible. It is more then likly fixed light level.
#521 - ampz - Wed Jan 08, 2003 10:33 am
Zelda has options to set the in-game brightness. A very useful feature for ppl with afterburners, and even more for the "GBA2" I guess..
Demo ppl might have to learn how to include such features. :)
#599 - luigifumero - Wed Jan 08, 2003 10:39 pm
will flash cart still work on the new hardware?
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#618 - Badut - Thu Jan 09, 2003 12:39 am
Hi All :)
To fill in the blanks that some of you didn't know.
The GBA SP was announced on 7th January. So it's not surprising that a few of you didn't know about it.
The only differences are: the shape, a built in L-Ion battery and a light. All other specs (screensize, CPU, memory etc...) are the same.
Personal opinion: It was a pretty cheap shot by Nintendo to keep this announcement secret until two weeks after Christmas where millions of GBA's were sold.
*sigh* in fact, the release of this system has dampened my enthusiasm to write software for the GBA. I keep thinking: "What's the point, the GBA will be obselete in a couple of years anyway".
#625 - Burre - Thu Jan 09, 2003 1:16 am
| Badut wrote: |
| The GBA SP was announced on 7th January. So it's not surprising that a few of you didn't know about it. |
I know that now, and it definately explains why I didn't know.
| Quote: |
| Personal opinion: It was a pretty cheap shot by Nintendo to keep this announcement secret until two weeks after Christmas where millions of GBA's were sold. |
True, with the GBA selling as well as it does, and with the Gameboy player in sight, it's even hard for me to believe that they even made the effort to produce another hardware. Especially since their position is far from thretened.
| Quote: |
*sigh* in fact, the release of this system has dampened my enthusiasm to write software for the GBA. I keep thinking: "What's the point, the GBA will be obselete in a couple of years anyway". |
I don't agree. With the respectable userbase the system has, it is far from dead and will surely be alive and kicking for years to come. Add to that, that the handheld market doesn't evolve at the same pace as the stationary market.
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#640 - lordmetroid - Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:13 am
And also the Nintendo handheld opinion is that every new generation should have backward compatibility, so I guess if you write for GBA you will be able to play your games on a *GB* for a pretty long time...
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#644 - MrMr[iCE] - Thu Jan 09, 2003 10:26 am
I *really* hope they have a redesign for the E-reader as well. Looks like they
relocated the ext port away from the cartridge slot, so that basically made
my E-reader useless with the new GBA. I could always chop off the ext port
that plugs in the gba, but still...thats a bit inconsiderate dont you think?
<sarcasm>
Great work nintendo, always thinking ahead.
</sarcasm>
No thanks. Ill stick with a modded GBA.
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#671 - Psyk - Thu Jan 09, 2003 5:32 pm
To be honest i prefer the original design of the GBA. Much more comfortable and more attractive. But some people might prefer the new design. And who says Nintendo will stop selling the old design? Maybe it just gives you a choice and you can pick the one you are more comfortable with, a bit like the original Xbox controllers and the new smaller ones. You have to remember its the same console just with a new look and a backlight.
#730 - Badut - Fri Jan 10, 2003 12:25 am
In fact, that's exactly right. The GBA SP is not a replacement for the GBA. The GBA will sell alongside the GBA SP.
While I'm here, does anyone know if Lik Sang still sells Flash Advance linker ROMS. I can't seem to find it on their website. I've emailed them and they're a bit slow to reply.
Anyone know another reliable site to order the FA linker set. I live in Australia so I need one that delivers to here. Thanks
#734 - squeakytoy - Fri Jan 10, 2003 1:11 am
| Quote: |
While I'm here, does anyone know if Lik Sang still sells Flash Advance linker ROMS. I can't seem to find it on their website. I've emailed them and they're a bit slow to reply.
Anyone know another reliable site to order the FA linker set. I live in Australia so I need one that delivers to here. Thanks |
Lik Sang don't sell that stuff anymore, since Nintendo (and MS and Sony) sued them.
You can order Linker gear from www.burn.com.au, a Queensland based video game importer. It's a bit expensive, but at least they're local. I had to pay ~$80 GST/Customs Fees on top of shipping for 2 Flash Linkers from Hong Kong!
#743 - Badut - Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:17 am
Thanks Squeakytoy. But I've seen the FA Linker 2 for $80US which translates to about $150AUD. The site for this was ps2modchip.com.
The only question is reliability.
#745 - squeakytoy - Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:55 am
Yep, that's lots cheaper - just make sure you don't order enough gear to attract customs attention and GST!
#2760 - Neouni - Wed Feb 12, 2003 11:01 am
http://www.dcslinks.com/
http://www.lan-kwei.com/
http://www.goldenshop.com.hk/
http://www.cdworld.co.uk
just pops up in my head maybe i'll add more later
for all you people that think the E-reader will be useless on the SP,
you haven't checked the inside of it yet, it's just a pass thru adapter
The GBA handles the communication the e-reader just wires it to the other side of itself
#2762 - peebrain - Wed Feb 12, 2003 11:21 am
The only real advantage I can see using the SP is that the screen is protected while you have it stored away... All the other features aren't that big of a deal... I really don't know why Nintendo wasted their time with this one.
~Sean
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#2763 - ampz - Wed Feb 12, 2003 11:34 am
It's smaller.. Might fit better in the pocket.
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