The Azure Heights Forum: Nintendo DS vs. Game Boy Micro

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Topic: Nintendo DS vs. Game Boy Micro

Lark84
My skeleton is made of creamy nougat.
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posted 10-10-2005 01:25 PM $Profile for Lark84$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

All right Nintendo fanboys, which console should I get?

I have the 1st-gen GBA (without backlight) and thought it could be time to upgrade, as I got this urge to start playing games again.

As it seems, the combined GBA/GB games library should be enough for me - I like 2D platformers and puzzle games, things you can pick up, have a blast with for 15-30 minutes, then put them down and resume later. No long stories about good versus evil for me, thanks.

However, the DS has awesome capabilities for entertaining gameplay - touch screen, stylus input - but are there any truly innovative titles out for the DS? The DS does not play old school gameboy games, right?

How is the Game Boy Micro? Is it painfully small? Is the screen smaller than on a regular GBA? I disliked the SP somewhat, because the shoulder buttons were smaller and kinda awkward to press.

Your input is welcome.

[edit] So the Micro does not play old school GB games. Bummer. Good thing the only ones I have are Pokémon RBYGSC, which play fine on the GBC.

[ 10-10-2005, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: Lark84 ]

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MewtwoSama
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posted 10-10-2005 01:51 PM $Profile for MewtwoSama$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email MewtwoSama$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

I saw the Micro. While it is freakin sweet, it only plays GBA games.

The DS just had a price drop.
Get a flash cart and you're set. I think you can run GB/GBC games on a flash cart via emulation.

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Hade ni ikuze!

From: Abyss of Evil | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

MK
is somewhat large.
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posted 10-10-2005 06:28 PM $Profile for MK$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

Get the DS, the DS can do ALMOST everything the GBA Micro can.

Without hacking, the only things the DS can't do: Play non-GBA games, hook up to the GC w/ the GC-GBA link cable, link with another GBA with a GBA-GBA link cable.

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starCaliber
is evil and also MewtwoSama
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posted 10-10-2005 07:56 PM $Profile for starCaliber$ $Email starCaliber$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

once I found out that you couldnt play GBA(SP) games linked against someone with a DS i pretty much swore off Nintendo portables forever.

honestly, guys. the dark-as-fuck unplayable GBA was a pretty goddam bad kick in the pants, and then when the GBA that should have launched in the first place hit market couldn't accept headphones out of the package, it was time to start looking at the competition.

this DS bullshit is just flagrant. they can choke on a dick.

From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

CHaRiZaRd
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posted 10-12-2005 11:56 AM $Profile for CHaRiZaRd$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email CHaRiZaRd$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

Innovative DS titles...

I mean I can't name any that are by definition 'ground breaking,' but I can recommend some that make good use of the two screen deal, and that are good games in general:

Advance Wars: Dual Strike
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Wario Ware: Touched (IMO better than the GBA counterpart 'Twisted')
Kirby Canvas Curse
Super Mario 64 DS (awesome port but assloads of new stuff)

Right now I'm borrowing Trace Memory from someone. Good little puzzle game. Probably the best implementation of the stylus/touch screen options, not to mention the dual screens. Game plays like a point and click type of deal, with a decently captivating story. Not too difficult, and a little slow moving at first, but the puzzles are pretty clever, graphics are nice, and you'll appreciate the implementation of all of the DS's features.

As for upgrading from the first gen GBA, I'd say go with the DS. With the wireless campaign launching in November, the impending releases of Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS, and Pokemon Pearl and Diamond, DS is looking to be a great purchase. Handheld owner's dream come true, if you ask me.

Oh, and Picto-Chat is pretty fun.

While Micro does look cool, it's pretty much like how the iPod Nano is to the iPod Mini. Cool and sleek, but not entirely necessary.

DS.

EDIT: I've heard decent things about the Lunar game, Nintendogs, as well as Lost in Blue. Read up and ask around if you're serious about investing in a DS.

[ 10-12-2005, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: CHaRiZaRd ]

From: NJ or DC | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Zerot
I pay schoolgirls to verbally abuse me.
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posted 10-14-2005 08:59 PM $Profile for Zerot$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Zerot$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

METEOS.

Get a DS.

From: Speedway, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

JohtoMaster
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posted 10-14-2005 09:06 PM $Profile for JohtoMaster$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email JohtoMaster$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

Games I currently play for DS:
*Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
*Nintendogs: Dauschund and Friends

Games I have played on systems other than DS in the past month:
*None

GET A DS

From: Valparaiso, IN, USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Mr. K
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posted 10-15-2005 01:39 AM $Profile for Mr. K$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Mr. K$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

So how does the dog thing work?

Is it just a fancy Tomagotchi?

From: Cinnabar Island | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

CHaRiZaRd
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posted 10-15-2005 04:06 AM $Profile for CHaRiZaRd$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email CHaRiZaRd$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

pretty much, though the amount of effort, depth, and realism that went into nintendogs warrants a more deserving name than just a 'fancy' tomagotchi. I myself have not played the game, as I can't fork over the time, but a friend of mine does have it and said that it plays very well.

Only problem I see, and my friend agreed, was that if you're not up for investing time into Nintendogs, it might not be for you. But if you're a gamer who doesn't mind forking over some money regardless of how much time you may or may not spend playing a game, I think anyone can appreciate Nintendogs on some level.

game emphasizes heavy touch screen usage (i.e. making slash motions on the touch screen to throw a dog's toy, or to pet the dog, etc.), not to mention the mere inclusion of a second screen unclutters things and allows for more things to be presented to players. dog apparently recognizes simple voice commands as well, albeit with training from my understanding.

overall an excellently presented pet sim based solely on what I've read and heard. pretty captivating as is, what with the young dogs staring at you and begging you to play with 'em.

From: NJ or DC | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Lark84
My skeleton is made of creamy nougat.
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posted 10-15-2005 06:10 PM $Profile for Lark84$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

pretty captivating as is, what with the young girls staring at you and begging you to play with 'em.

Now when will that game come out? [Wink]

Anyway, I think I'll get a DS. The Micro's screen is *really* small, and why miss out on potential great future DS releases? The longer the console hangs around, the better the chances that someone finds a killer app for the dual/touch screen feature.

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CHaRiZaRd
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posted 10-15-2005 08:02 PM $Profile for CHaRiZaRd$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email CHaRiZaRd$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

quote:
Originally posted by Lark84:
pretty captivating as is, what with the young girls staring at you and begging you to play with 'em.

Now when will that game come out?

it's called college, my friend.

college.

From: NJ or DC | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Zerot
I pay schoolgirls to verbally abuse me.
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posted 10-16-2005 12:22 AM $Profile for Zerot$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Zerot$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

quote:
Originally posted by Lark84:
The longer the console hangs around, the better the chances that someone finds a killer app for the dual/touch screen feature.

METEOS

From: Speedway, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

Crimzonite
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posted 10-16-2005 03:51 AM $Profile for Crimzonite$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

quote:
Originally posted by CHaRiZaRd:

quote:
Originally posted by Lark84:
pretty captivating as is, what with the young girls staring at you and begging you to play with 'em.

Now when will that game come out?
it's called college, my friend.

college.

Yeah. When does it come out?

Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Lark84
My skeleton is made of creamy nougat.
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posted 10-16-2005 12:13 PM $Profile for Lark84$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

quote:
Originally posted by Zerot:
METEOS

Got it. I'll check it out.

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Cloggerdude
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posted 10-19-2005 12:11 AM $Profile for Cloggerdude$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Cloggerdude$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, the new SP with a backlight screen is freaking amazing.

The Nintendo rep came by the Circuit City I work at and replaced our old SP with one of the new ones and it really blew me away. Even with the backlight turned off it looks brighter than the old SP.

I'd suggest finding a store with one of them on display before making your choice, especially if you're leaning towards the Micro. I think the general concensus so far has been to get a DS though.

From: USA, TN | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

MewtwoSama
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posted 10-19-2005 01:08 AM $Profile for MewtwoSama$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email MewtwoSama$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

There's a second SP?

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Hade ni ikuze!

From: Abyss of Evil | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Rolken
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posted 10-19-2005 09:48 AM $Profile for Rolken$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Rolken$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

They just changed the backlight to the new brighter Micro one. Maybe I'll eat my words once I see one, but the DS backlight (same as the old SP one) seems plenty bright to me.

From: Provo, UT | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Porygone
The Goatse Man
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posted 10-19-2005 12:22 PM $Profile for Porygone$ $Email Porygone$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

Article.

It also has pics for comparison.

Also note that the new SP's light was done half-assedly:

the refresh rate is a tad slower than the classic GBA SP and Game Boy Micro screen, so there's an ever so subtle "blur" when objects move or the screen scrolls. The color saturation is also a little stronger -- reds are particularly more powerful on this screen than in GBA past.

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YOU'RE WINNER!

From: Celadon City Gym | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Lark84
My skeleton is made of creamy nougat.
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posted 10-19-2005 03:05 PM $Profile for Lark84$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

I remember how they totally screwed over GBC games with the original GBA - they looked like total shit on that screen.

That new SP screen looks mighty fine, though. I'm gonna have to re-think this a bit...

On a totally different but related note, how many of the SNES Mario games have been re-released for the GBA, and under what names? I never had a SNES [Frown]

How does the DS handle the GBA games BTW? Well?

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Rolken
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posted 10-19-2005 04:59 PM $Profile for Rolken$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Rolken$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

Oh, so the DS backlight wasn't the same.

What was the deal with GBC games being darker on GBA anyway? The Zelda GBC games had some sort of method of compensating (palette shifting?), so it wasn't like it was some unresolvable hardware problem.

From: Provo, UT | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Ferquin
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posted 10-20-2005 11:07 PM $Profile for Ferquin$ $Author's Homepage$ $Email Ferquin$ $Send New Private Message$ $Edit/Delete Post$ $Reply With Quote$

New SP is totally worth it. I've checked it out with GBC games and pretty much all my GameBoy games, even the black-and-white ones. It looks totally kick ass. It's like playing on a little LCD TV. The screen is better than the Micro, the DS, and the old SP.

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Ferquin N.C. Root
The Ferquinarium

From: Renton, WA, USA | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

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