It’s the Gameboy advance! And even though it has gone through four (by my count) reincarnations, the system has remained the same for years. Nintendo has no signs of slowing down with this bad boy and here’s hoping they don’t.
Why you want a Gameboy Advance:
The largest library of video games imaginable, yes there is literally thousands of Gameboy titles out there, and more are being produced every day. With the exception of the PC, there will probably be no rival that comes close to matching the sheer volume of games you can play on the GBA.
It is very affordable with some stores running sales this holiday season with a price point of $59.99 for the Gameboy Advance SP. Even cheaper systems can be found online.
The simplicity of the GBA is an excellent choice for the first time or young gamer. With only two buttons and two triggers most games won’t even use all four and this can be highly appealing to young players who are just learning how to effectively utilize hand/eye coordination.
Some of the games on the GBA are among the highest rated and most popular titles of all time. You can play the original Super Mario Bros (and its sucessors). There are even several RPGs that were made famous by the Super NES that have made appearances on the GBA.
Why you may not want a Gameboy Advance:
The graphics have reached their limits. You expect nothing new or revolutionary to come out on the GBA as far as visuals are concerned. The power contained within the GBA has been tapped.
For just a little bit more, you can upgrade to the DS and still be able to play GBA games. This was a brilliant stroke by Nintendo to get people to purchase what they are hoping is the premiere handheld system for the coming years. Spend $79.99 on a GBA micro or spend $129.99 on a DS, not too big of a difference for what amounts to a huge upgrade.
