Definitive Gameboy Timeline.

I published a brief handheld gaming timeline quite a while ago but it does not begin to compare to the less inclusive but very slick timeline at Gizmodo. Check it out at the link. http://gizmodo.com/5222211/the-definitive-game-boy-timeline

Here is the less impressive, slightly updated, and more inclusive timeline from i am handheld.

1979
Milton Bradley releases the first cartridge-based handheld video game system MicroVision. Nothing much happens in portable gaming for the next 10 years.

1989
Nintendo releases the Game Boy system. It's boxy has a lousy screen and is ugly as hell but everyone loves it.
Tetris is arguably the most important handheld game ever. It is released for the Game boy which sells like crazy.
Atari Lynx is the first color handheld video game system but it does not have Tetris and eats batteries. System will hang around for years wishing it found Tetris first.

1990
Sega releases the Game Gear in Japan.
Turbo Express is released which plays TG 16 carts.

1991
Europe and US get Game Gear.
Japan gets Parodius on the Gameboy, while US gets boring old R-Type.

1992
Watura Supervision is released along with games like Recycle Design and, Untouchable which perfectly describe the game system.
25 million Gameboys have been sold.

1993
Mega Duck & Cougar Boy game systems are released in Europe. US suffers from never receiving these systems.
Zelda first appears on a handheld.

1994
94 is a slow year in handheld gaming due to "Grunge". Only game released is "Stop That Roach!" on the Gameboy.

1995
Nintendo releases Virtual Boy. It's totally 3D! Gamers develop a collective migraine.
Game Axe is released which is a pirate handheld Famicom player. Thanks to NES on a chip technology spawns many imitators.
Sega Nomad released. Genesis heads now have excuse to lug their Genesis cartridge collection around with them. System only fits in duffle bags.

1996
Neo Geo Pocket is released in awesome black and white!

1997
Tiger Electronics releases game.com. Someone better have gotten fired!
Sega stops supporting Game Gear format.

1998
Nintendo releases Game Boy Color.
Sony PocketStation is a mem card and a portable game!
Pokemon invade the Gameboy and millions of parents have no idea what the hell their children are talking about.
Games are still being released for the Lynx. Lynx users are like "In your face Nintendo!"

1999
SNK totally copies Nintendo and releases Neo-Geo Pocket Color. Metal slug now fits in your pocket as well as some awesome fighting games.

2000
Wonderswan is released. A couple nerds want it to come out in the US but nobody cares about their needs.
Majesco re-releases the Game Gear. It is called Game Gear Core System.
Neo Geo Pocket releases another Metal slug game then gives up when GBA appears on the horizon.

2001
Nintendo releases the Game Boy Advance handheld system.
Advance Wars, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, F-Zero, and others are released for GBA. GBA is looking good.
GP32 is released, only a few nerds care. Homebrewers rock.

2002
Wonderswan Crystal is even more beautiful than it’s predecessor. It has a great library of RPGs but all are in japanesse.
GBA gets Zelda and Metroid, bathes in the blood of defeated game systems.

2003
Nokia releases the N-Gage It’s a phone and a game system. Casual gamers don't care. Hardcore gamers care even less.
Puzzle Bobble VS is releases for N-Gage. This game should be impossible to do a bad version of but somehow manages to get an average score of 22%.
Tapwave releases the Zodiac, it's a PDA made for games.
Timetap releases Gameking, China throws a party.
Game Theory Admiral is released which plays famicom games. Nintendo does not seem to care.
Nintendo counters with GBA SP and all the other systems fail.

2004
N-Gage QD is released and still sucks, just not as badly, not nearly as bad as the Gizmondo which would have almost been ok if it was a cell phone and is released next year.
Leisure Suit Larry: Pocket Party is cancled. This is possibly the final nail in the failing N-Gage's coffin. The world breathes a sigh of relief as a game called "Pocket Party" will not be played in public.
Wonderswan stops getting games. Still none in English.
Nintendo releases the Nintendo DS, and Pokemon Mini. This duel strike knocks all other mo-fos out.

2005
Sony releases PSP and handhelds are finally legitimized.
Gizmondo is released, Sticky Balls makes gamers snicker, Colors is canceled and Erickson crashes his Enzo. The End!
EZ Mini is released.
Also released is the GP2X which makes the GP32 nerds screamgasm with delight.
Nintendo can't stop itself and releases a lite version of the GBA SP, and Gameboy micro.

2006
The Nintendo DS Lite ups the sex appeal of Nintendo. Handheld games have officially exploded. Girls, casual gamers, your parents, and jocks officially play video games and carry them around in their pockets.
OneStation brings probably illegal games to savy importers at low prices.

2007
PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite are released.
iPhone releases.

2008
Pandora is scheduled to release but does not.

2009
DSi is released, PSP Go is announced, Wiz and Dingoo are released, Pandora looks more like vaporware.

Super Mario 3 is Best when You Can Rewind.

This week sit back and enjoy a relaxing video blog, otherwise known as a "vlog". In it I ponder the age old question, "What portable platform is best for playing Super Mario 3?"

GBA SP Redux: AGS-101 and 10 GBA games you should play.

I tore into the Game Boy Advance SP a few weeks ago and received a bit of criticism of my review. Particularly some readers thought that I did not give enough props to the brighter model the AGS-101. The AGS-101 was released in 2005 and featured a brighter screen but is otherwise identical to the Original GBA SP. Since that time I picked up a GBA SP AGS-101 and I must admit that the system feels considerably different then the original despite the fact that the only difference is the screen (see comparison bellow). Sure it is totally unnecessary for a DS owner to pick up the AGS-101 however, if they plan on playing a lot of GBA it might be worth it for the slightly smaller size and the fact that the GBA SP fits GBA carts all the way inside the unit. This begs the question, are there really enough worthwhile games on the GBA SP to justify the purchase of a AGS-101. The answer is a resounding yes.

From casual games, to deep RPGs, to excellent old school side scrollers and even some simple 3D shooters and racers the GBA has an amazing library. I’ve tried to avoid games that have not aged so well such as the 3D racing or shooting games. The list bellow is more of a top 10 games you should play and that are just as fun today as anything the Nintendo DS or PSP have to offer.

10. Metroid Fusion

Yeah it’s a Metroid game. I’m trying to avoid the obvious on this list but damn it, Metroid games are so great. Fusion is no exception. It is difficult to go wrong with a Nintendo IP they make timeless classics that continue to be fun for years after other games become unbearably lame. I’m going to try to keep the Nintendo IP games you might already know and love off the list but I can’t promise anything.

9. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Almost as revered as Nintendo for their games is Square Soft. Final Fantasy Tactic Advance is the worst of the Final Fantasy Tactics series. With the recently released Final Fantasy Tactics game released on both the DS and PSP Tactics Advance may have lost some of it’s luster. It is however an excellent game despite an annoying judge system. The judge system involves a jackass who mediates each fight but only cares that the combatants do not breaks some stupid arbitrary rule. Anything else goes. It’ll be like, no pocket knives! People are hacking at each other with swords calling down Shiva to smite their enemies then the player forgets the stupid no pocketknives rule for a second… My characters spent more time in jail for breaking the stupid rules then they did adventuring. Fortunately every thing else about the game is flawless.

8. The Lost Vikings

Blizzard was recently touting some big news about a new game coming out and I was pulling for Lost Vikings. The Lost Vikings is a classic SNES game ported to the GBA. It is a puzzle game disguised as a platform game. The player has 3 Vikings which they must control individually in order to navigate maze like trap filled levels in order to get all 3 Vikings to the exit. The game is enjoyable because of it’s perfectly put together levels and silly but likeable characters.

7. Super Bust-A-Move

Super Bust-A-Move is a decent port of Puzzle Bobble or Bust-A-Move that originated in the arcades of the 90s. It is a puzzle game where the player shoots colored bubbles to make matching sets. It has many handheld iterations however it is the best version that is available on a current handheld. The DS version has a stylus based control scheme and uses both screens as a play area. The DS version is a totally different creature and does not feel right. Super Bust-A-Move however aces gameplay.

6. Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland or Kirby & The Amazing Mirror

I can’t keep the games straight. One of them has friends that can be called and the other does not. Beside Kirby Canvas Curse and the N64 Kirby game Kirby games are fairly interchangeable to me. Kirby games all feel basically the same primarily because Kirby is such a unique character. He is a small pink flying sphere shaped monster which in no way makes him unique as this describes several Pokemon. The uniqueness comes from the variation of gameplay and the way that the player can solve simple puzzles using a large range of abilities. By using a type of suck attack Kirby feasts upon the flesh of his enemies to steal their powers, much like the Wendigo of Algonquian myth. Describing a Kirby game in a paragraph does the games a disservice

5. Gunstar Super Heroes

Gunstar Super Heroes is a sequel to Gunstar Heroes which is one of the best games ever to grace the Sega Genesis. It is not quite as good a game as the original is but is still quite excellent. It is a side scrolling action platform shooter in the vein of Contra that features lots of enemies and large complicated bosses. The original is considerably easier outside of the boss battles and was balanced perfectly for a fun and action packed experience. Gunstar Super Heros mixes gameplay up while retaining the feel and humor of the original. This game is well worth tracking down.

4. Wario Ware, Inc.:Mega Microgame$ or Wario Ware Twisted

I’ve already ranted about Wario Ware. It is still awesome.

3. ChuChu Rocket

ChuChu Rocket is a puzzle action game that was originally released on the Dreamcast. It is one of the proverbial easy to learn but difficult to master games. There are several modes some of which are simple puzzle modes and some that have a very action puzzle feel. The object of the game is to guide robot mice (Chu being Japanese for mouse) around a board into rockets while avoiding, or feeding monster cats. The mice and cats all move in predictable paths always turning right when hitting a wall or by following corners unless turned by a player placed directional arrow. Each level manages to have it’s own unique feel despite the controls being placing a generally limited set of arrows.

2. Fire Emblem

Fire Emblem is quite similar to Final Fantasy Tactic Advance, it is also very similar to Ogre Battle, Advance Wars, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, Fire Emblem II, and any of several other turn based tactics games. The genre works so perfectly on the GBA so I had to include at least one more on the list. Fire Emblem does not bog the player down with tons of plot and keeps the action as the focus.

1. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

It was this or Mario, or Zelda or some other first party Nintendo game. Seriously the selection of first party games available of the GBA is awesome. The games on the system have a distinct classic feel but still hold up today and will probably hold up for years to come. Played on the AGS-101 they really do shine. You don’t have to play them on the AGS-101 but you should take the time to check them out.

Scores:

Screen: 9/10 The AGS-101 screen looks really nice with two levels of brightness and decent resolution. There are better systems but this is up there

Sound: 7/10 Has one speaker that sounds decent enough. System has no headphone jack and requires an adaptor to use headphones. I repeat, this is stoopid!

Controls: 8/10 Great controls but a little close together. The controller is classic Nintendo.

Availability: 8/10 Available new online or used at your local Pawnshop.

Price: 7/10 Anywhere between $35 used on Ebay and $160 new.

Library: 10/10 All the Gameboy, Gameboy Color and GBA games are playable. Awesome!

Overall: 9/10 The AGS-101 model of the GBA SP is a great system.

GBA SP: Official Member of the Special Player Club

I decided to get the review for the GBA SP out of the way this week. The GBA SP for the uninitiated is the flip screen version of the Gameboy Advance which has been featured here previously. The selection of units that can play GBA games is rather diverse which makes reviewing the unit a bit different. While many handheld games are only available on one or two systems, Nintendo games are frequently available on dozens of different systems. Therefore the system can’t be judged just by itself but needs to be compared to the other systems that play GBA games. I’ll be straight here: if the GBA SP was the only system to play GBA games on it would be aces. Bellow is a short list of boss games that were released on the GBA.

In alphabetical order, a handful of games you should play that were released for the GBA: Advance Wars, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Fire Emblem, Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, Gunstar Super Heroes, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror, The Lost Vikings, Metal Slug Advance, Metroid Fusion, Super Mario Advance 2, Super Mario Advance 4, TMNT, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$, and WarioWare: Twisted! You very well might already have a system to play these games, be it a Gamecube with adaptor, Nintendo DS, or any of the other GBA systems. If so, you are set; the GBA SP is not for you (unless you plan to purchase a Handy Famieight).

I just found out that the “SP” in GBA SP means “Special Player”. It reminds me for some reason of a scene from the 1995 cult classic “Welcome to the Dollhouse”. Dawn Weiner, an awkward 7^th grader, has a crush on the older attractive Steve Rodgers and invites him to become a member of the “Special People Club”. The following exchange happens.

Steve Rodgers: Special people?

Dawn Weiner: Yeah.

Steve Rodgers: Do you know what "special people" means?

Dawn Weiner: What?

Steve Rodgers: Special people equals retarded. Your club is for retards.

There are a few “special” features that are unique to the GBA SP. The first is the closely spaced buttons. This is not a huge deficit but the buttons are very close together and make playing with man-hands a bit cramping. Compared to all other GBA compatible systems the control layout is the weakest. I realize that with the size and otherwise excellent flip top design there is no real way around the button positioning but it’s still unfortunate.

The second negative is that there is no headphone jack. You have to use an adaptor that fits into the power jack to use headphones. Really Nintendo, there was not enough room to cram a headphone jack in there somewhere? This is again a rather small complaint but it reminds me of the following scene from “Welcome to the Dollhouse”. Dawn confronts a classmate about why she is disliked.

Dawn Weiner: Why do you hate me?

Lolita: Because you're ugly.

The otherwise excellent SP is simply the least attractive of the GBA family. It is a proto DS which was a proto DS Lite. It will never achieve the tacky loveableness of the earlier Nintendo handhelds or the i-cool of the DS Lite. Another strike is that the original GBA SP had a rather sub par front lit screen that when compared to the Nintendo DS Lite, Gameboy Micro, or even the original DS, is simply ugly. There is a version of the SP that was released later that has a much better screen that has a model number of AGS-101. If you want to save a few bucks and can find one in good condition you might consider an AGS-101. The weird thing is that if you can find the AGS-101 new it will most likely cost more then a new DS Lite.

Soon Nintendo will release a newer more portable slightly improved system that will play DS games and will likely drop GBA functionality which will force me to reconsider the place of the GBA SP. This is what Nintendo does: iterate on a system until it is about as good as it’s going to get. Until that day consider the scores below before purchase or check out the comments section for a second opinion.

Scores:

Screen: 7-9/10 The original SP has a front lit screen that can be turned on or off. It is useable in near dark with the light on or in bright light with the light off. It is hard not to compare the screen quality with the DS Lite or Gameboy Micro. Fortunately the AGS-101 model has back lighting. The original should be avoided unless it can be picked up cheap.

Sound: 7/10 Has one speaker that sounds decent enough. System has no headphone jack and requires an adaptor to use headphones. This is stoopid!

Controls: 8/10 Great controls but a little close together. Probably great for children and gnomes. The controller is classic Nintendo.

Availability: 8/10 Available new online or used at your local EB or Gamestop.

Price: 5/10 Anywhere between $50 used and $160 new. When you can get a DS Lite for $129 the SP begins to lose its luster. If you can snag an AGS-101 model in good condition for less then $50 and don’t want to own a DS, this is a good system.

Library: 10/10 All the Gameboy, Gameboy Color and GBA games. Fanfuckingtastic library!

Overall: 6-9/10 The AGS-101 model is a great system. The front lit unit is not so good especially since the DS Lite and Gameboy Micro are both better systems that can play GBA games.