Gameboy Micro vs. Gameboy SP: Which is better?

bokmeow

Ned's Ninja Academy Dropout
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11,314
Note: Chimpmeister need not chime in with his opinion because I've already read it millions of times.

OK, so like, there's a Sam Goody closing near me. I went to check in on the iPod shuffle, they only have the 512 mb, but it's at 40% off and it's on display, so I'm like, fook, it is going to disappear before I can come around for the 50% off, so as I'm about to buy it, I see the Gameboy Micro on the shelf as well, retails $99.99, now $59.99. I stop in my tracks. Is that not a good deal? But it doesn't have GB/GBC backward compatibility... and I already have a Gameboy SP. Yet, it does look so sexay, it's like having a little keychain that plays games... Play-Yan was never released in the states though, so it won't watch movie, just an expensive status symbol that I won't really enjoy having to play, only to show off....

What to do? If you were in my shoes. And also, how does the Gameboy Micro's screen compared to the 2nd gen of brighter Gameboy SP?
 

dark penguin

Mai's Tabloid Photographer
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Nov 11, 2004
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I'm not sure why you wouldn't enjoy having it to play, but I love my micro. Definitely worth the purchase, and it's the only version of the GBA I use anymore.
Also, I can easily hide it in my hands at work when I'm sitting down and no one has any idea I'm playing video games :D

The display quality is crisp as hell. It just looks and plays beautifully. You really must try it out sometime.
 

Gameoz

Crossed Swords Knight
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bokmeow said:
Note: Chimpmeister need not chime in with his opinion because I've already read it millions of times.

OK, so like, there's a Sam Goody closing near me. I went to check in on the iPod shuffle, they only have the 512 mb, but it's at 40% off and it's on display, so I'm like, fook, it is going to disappear before I can come around for the 50% off, so as I'm about to buy it, I see the Gameboy Micro on the shelf as well, retails $99.99, now $59.99. I stop in my tracks. Is that not a good deal? But it doesn't have GB/GBC backward compatibility... and I already have a Gameboy SP. Yet, it does look so sexay, it's like having a little keychain that plays games... Play-Yan was never released in the states though, so it won't watch movie, just an expensive status symbol that I won't really enjoy having to play, only to show off....

What to do? If you were in my shoes. And also, how does the Gameboy Micro's screen compared to the 2nd gen of brighter Gameboy SP?

The Micro is a steal at that price. Some Toys R Us stores closed as well and they had dropped to $50 before running out of them.

Anyway...I use my Micro every day, it is such an easy system to carry around and the games look fantastic on it. I also like how the face plates function as the screen, so you really don't have to worry about damaging them.
 

BIG

sony fanboy
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Jan 3, 2003
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7,205
Personally,I prefer the GBM over GBA SP+.

It's sleek and compact...yet functional.

Oh yeah,and it looks cool.

B-
 

dakingofzumunda

Robert Garcia's Butler
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Oct 28, 2003
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1,288
Can't go wrong with either. The GBA SP+ does have a slight advantage because it can play the old school Gameboy games. Only if your into the classic GB stuff.
 

Shito

King of Typists,
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DSL ownz any GBA badly under any point of view...
 

rarehero

Rotterdam Nation Resident,
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i like the micro.
the novelty of it being so small is cool.
i wish i had a couple of them dammit.
i have the special edition one so i don't like
taking it out, but if i get another i will.
neat systems.
dslite will be cool too i guess.
too much spending money on things i already have.
 

Average Joe

Calmer than you are.
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rarehero said:
i like the micro.
the novelty of it being so small is cool.
i wish i had a couple of them dammit.
i have the special edition one so i don't like
taking it out, but if i get another i will.
neat systems.
dslite will be cool too i guess.
too much spending money on things i already have.

I take my Micro (standard Silver version) with me wherever I go.

I love the little thing.

It's kind of weird to use at first, since it's so small, but once you have it for a while your hands get very used to it (playing GBA games on anything else doesn't feel quite as right now.)

The SP's are nice too, but after playing with a Micro for so long now, I don't even realize that they exist.

It's nice to have the thing in your pocket and not even realize it's there and then just pull it out for a quick session when you're on the go--it's easily the most "portable" portable to date.
 
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RocketLawnChair

Dyslexic Mods FWT!, , got me 2 scalps, ,
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SP for me. More comfortable for my hands (still not too comfortable, but I'm used to it now ;)), screen's larger, folds to protect the screen, cheaper, compatible with classic GB games. I will admit that the micro looks pretty cool though.
 
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I say, wait for DSL. Its gonna own the portable planet, and makes me wonder how the future of the classic GBA SP2 will bode.

Any GBMicro users here report hand cramping and long-term discomfort when playing such a small device?
 

PlayerOne

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I think I'd go for the GBA Micro too. Heck, I'd probably get a second one at that price even though I'm broke.
 

Diggerman

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Electroman said:
I say, wait for DSL. Its gonna own the portable planet, and makes me wonder how the future of the classic GBA SP2 will bode.

Any GBMicro users here report hand cramping and long-term discomfort when playing such a small device?

I agree. The Lite is better than any GBA. Plays all your GBA games and all the yummy Ds games. But good luck actually buying one for a fair price.

Besides my Ds and PSP, I have a GBA2 with the bright screen, and it's really good. The screen is vivid and blindingly bright. I never went for the Micro because I hate small screens - 2 inches is just too tiny for me. But YMMV depending on eyesight, hand size etc. The only bad aspect of the SP2 screen is it blurs a little, but it's not nearly as bad as what the PSP does.

But honestly, with the DS Lite now in the ring, I don't see much point in an SP2 or a Micro. But that's just my opinion of course. I should sell my SP2 soon in fact...
 
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Diggerman said:
But honestly, with the DS Lite now in the ring, I don't see much point in an SP2 or a Micro. But that's just my opinion of course. I should sell my SP2 soon in fact...

My advice is for all people who love their SP2 NOT to ever sell it. Not only the best and likely final revision of the SP hardware, but arguably the finest, portable way to play GB and GBC games.

Besides, trade in value on all SPs in stores are $30 flat, and likely to drop once DSL's come out. Again i'd say for everyone to hold onto their GBA SP2s.
 

PlayerOne

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Why do people keep recommending the DS Lite? No-one in this thread has actually touched one, right? And it isn't even in the original question. And price isn't a factor at all? "I'd say go for the Ferrari, it's much better than the Fiat Punto."
 
H

hermegildo

Guest
PlayerOne said:
No-one in this thread has actually touched one, right?
That's a pretty stupid assumption.

BIG has one and hanafudaX might too.

And then you have all the import heavy members of the site.

I would suggest going with the DS Lite as well.

You get actual DS support on top of all GBA games and it isn't so small that it's uncomfortable as the Micro. The screens are supposedly better than the Micro's as well and it's not that big a price difference for what you're getting.

In short, I'd save those 60 bucks and get a DS Lite instead.
 

hanafuda

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I got a DS Lite last night, but as it wasn't what was being asked I didn't recommend it.

Depends what you are after, but now I own a DS Lite and a GBA Micro, and there is no way I would take the DS Lite out over the Micro if my only intention was to play GBA games.

If you only want to purchase one machine, and also want to play DS games, then there is no question: get a DS Lite. It rocks.
 

DIY

Loyal Neo-Disciple
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Aug 30, 2000
Posts
1,231
I love my micro, however, after having it for less then three months(bought it Dec. 28) the R button became less responsive. It's not too bad in most games, except for Drill Doser. Which sucks cause Drill Doser is fucking awesome.

Luckly, I called up Nintendo today and they said the GBM has a 1 year warranty so I'm getting it replaced.

Overall, I'm sure my unit's problem isn't typical, but I do use it everyday. The tiny thing is perfect on the train and when I'm waiting in between classes. It's really an ideal portable.



Nintendo's on hold music is F-Zero :buttrock:
 
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