GBA Internal Light Ready? 124
Dark Paladin writes "Looks like Portable Monopoly , the internal Gameboy Advance light, is finally ready to move beyond Vaporware and launch. The price for the kit? $35. Finally - me, a dark night, and my GBA. " Perhaps with this, we can revoke GBA's current title holder as "Worst Screen Ever". Still, Golden Sun is a great game.
How soon before... (Score:2)
Re:How soon before... (Score:4, Insightful)
How soon before Nintendo, who just dropped the gba price to $80, starts marketing a new model, with a light like this one, to re-sell to everyone who purchased one of the current crap-screen models, simultaneously revealing their plan to screw us, and rendering this great work a nice experiment but nothing more?
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
Re:How soon before... (Score:2, Insightful)
Nintendo is brain-damaged when it comes to providing lights. They could have sold millions of Gameboy Colors with a built-in light for $50 more than the base GC, but never did. Likewise, they could have made a killing selling a deluxe unit with better speakers and a larger screen, but nope.
Also, the PM guys may be trying to patent their lighting system just to discourage Nintendo from taking their design and selling it themselves. (Although I doubt PM would discourage a nice profitable licensing arrangement.)
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
The reason why Nintendo took so long to come out with a color unit was because of power drain. They aren't going to release a backlit unit anytime soon unless the drain on power is insignificant.
Incidentally, Nintendo has a history of refusing to use available technologies until they have matured to the point of transparency. Another example of this is disk technology. It was available in Japan for the Famicom (NES) and the N64. But Nintendo said that load times were too long for a worldwide release. (Gamecube games have similar load times to cartridges).
Re:How soon before... (Score:2)
Locally, two major retailers have the GBA at $69.99, and one of them is throwing in a free case on top of that too. GBA is already extremely successful, and the price is dropping so drastically so soon after launch? I've heard nothing officially about a new modified model, but something is getting me excited over the prospect of these babies coming out some time soon.
Personally, I'm very satisfied with my current GBAs...they have worked great under reasonable lighting conditions (someone else posted this: reading light is more than adequate), even with the older first-generation screen. I've heard rumors that the neweer GBAs come with Panasonic (not Sharp) LCDs, and are somewhat brighter, but I've never noticed any difference in screen quality between newer Japanese black/orange GBAs and my older models.
Still, on a totally unrelated note, Golden Sun is a great game. <snicker>
< tofuhead >
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
If it wasn't for a lack luster manufacturer warranty I wouldn't consider buying this aftermarket internal light. But since they only have 90 days of confidence in their product I might as well buy one and give it a whirl.
Re:How soon before... (Score:1)
Nintendo has previously lost lawsuits over that idea. They lost a lawsuit pertaining to Game Genie (CodeMasters) for the NES, for "unlicensed" games made by Tengen (a former division of Atari), and over cartridge "back up" units. Video game systems have been classified computers, as far as the US courts have are concerned, so a license to create software for it is not necessary (although you will not get the Seal of Approval, and it may void your warranty if you use unlicensed HARDWARE with it) and it is perfectly legal to make a backup (as fair use laws are still being upheld pertaining to video game systems) as long as it follows copyright laws (it's for your use only, and you own, or HAVE OWNED the game).
As an unrelated sidenote, it's fascinating that in the computer world, you don't even own the physical media the software came on, all you actually own is the license to use it, but in the video game world, you own the media, and there is no license. At least that's the legal precedence I have followed.
It wasn't that bad (Score:5, Funny)
It's not just a game, it's applied art!
How cool is that? (Score:1)
Still, it doesn't change that the GB(A|C) should never have been released with such a poor screen.
It's very cool (Score:2)
The existing screen isn't bad. It's fantastic in sunlight, better than a backlit screen would be.
The only thing that's bad about it is that everybody expects to use it in the dark or near-dark. People are using it in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, which is bad for your eyes anyway, like trying to read a fine-print book in the dark, only the words are in different colors and are moving around the page. With a front-mounted internal light, you get the best of both worlds, for reasons I stated in another post [slashdot.org].
< tofuhead >
FINALLY (Score:1)
Re:No. (Score:1)
Oh I wouldn't be so sure. If nothing else they could through in a head mounted display and integrate the game system into a more ergonomic controller. There're plenty of room for improvements. Luckily they have more imaginative staff than myself.
It doesn't matter! / EBAY (Score:2, Informative)
The GBA is backwards compatible and has more games out than any new comer. So I'd buy this... you can't go wrong.
And with the addition of this backlight, I'd ACTUALLY think about buying one of these (played it in Target (that's TAR-JAY! to you) and hated the screen... played Tony Hawk with my little cousin, and still hated the screen)
Now what *I* can't wait for is when people start buying GBA's in bulk, buying the Portable Monopoly backlight in bulk, put 'em together, and sell 'em on E-bay for a quick killing...
Re:FINALLY (Score:4, Insightful)
No. And if it were, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference - GBA's predecessors have seen off superior technology in the past without blinking. If you think MS has a monopoly on the OS market, it's nothing compared to what Nintendo has in handheld gaming. :)
About the only thing that could make a dent in that would be Sony and/or MS entering the handheld market, and that isn't going to happen for a while, if at all.
Re:FINALLY (Score:2)
Re:FINALLY (Score:2)
I predicted the early 2002 launch and $200 price of the PSOne LCD combo unit in a /. post last year, but I've come to realize that it's still not worth it for the price, especially if it's being compared to the GBA or Dreamcast. It's about 4x bulkier than a GBA without a battery (walkman-sized unit, screen w/speakers, controller(s), and power cable), it has problems with shock, and if you consider that the 5" screen costs $130 on its own, the PSOne in the combo is still $70 (which is $20 more than a superior Dreamcast base system).
Sony's marketing mantra of "wherever, whenever, forever" regarding the PSOne seems to be indication that Sony really wants the PSOne to remain a competitive platform, but IMO it's just a ploy to milk as much from this now obsolete platform as possible. (By "obsolete," I refer to the fact that PS2s are backwards-compatible, just as GBA is backwards-compatible with GBC, another "obsolete" platform.)
< tofuhead >
Sony already tried in Japan. (Score:2)
As far as I know, it realy hasn't set the world on fire.
If anyone else has more details, please post!
Jon Acheson
Re:Sony already tried in Japan. (Score:3, Informative)
The Wonderswan is along the name lines as the Neo-Geo Pocket...simply a GameBoy competitor. (Both of them were released before the GBA but never managed to gain enough market share to fend off the GBA's release frenzy.)
Both the Wonderswan and NGP have been beaten into the ground by the GBA for no other reason than that Nintendo's got the handheld market in the bag.
-Jayde
Re:Sony already tried in Japan. (Score:2)
He may also have been confused by the fact that the NeoGeo Pocket Color could also hook up to the Dreamcast (Capcom/SNK games, etc), similar to what the original poster had thought about the WSC and PSX.
< tofuhead >
Re:Sony already tried in Japan. (Score:1)
Re:Sony already tried in Japan. (Score:2, Informative)
The Wonderswan isn't made by sony but by BANDAI and it has nothing to do with a PSX
Re:FINALLY (Score:1)
Is the screen's darkness that bad that you would base your entire decision to purchase a Game Boy Advance solely on whether or not it can be hacked? Last I checked the screen brightness was an issue of hardware. And as every gamer knows, it's not the hardware, it's the software (games) that should drive your purchasing habits...
Re:FINALLY (Score:2)
Hold on. The games are great, fine, but many are saying that the screen was bad (I don't think so). That's a valid reason for some people not to buy one. I personally have several, because this issue, while valid for others, is irrelevant to me.
Will I be buying an add-on screen? Maybe, but I want to witness one in action first (and use other people's experiences as QA). Would I buy a new officially-released GBA with a switchable light already built-in? Yes, but not because I'm dissatisfied with my old units...I'd buy it for the additional ability to play in otherwise total darkness. If people want to wait until such mechanisms are standard before making their buying decision, that sounds sensible to me.
< tofuhead >
GP32 (Score:2)
Yes. [nintendoweb.com] But it might take more than a few months to get here.
Golden Sun (Score:1, Informative)
Parent links are broken; try this one instead (Score:4, Informative)
GameFAQs is referer protected. Following a link from another site to a GameFAQs URL that does not end in "/", ".html", or ".asp" produces a server error. Try this link instead [gamefaqs.com].
ObTopic: The light improves the Golden Sun experience tremendously.
Re:Parent links are broken; try this one instead (Score:1)
(OT)Referer: filtering (Score:1)
If you use a referrer filter (such as WebWasher), then the links work fine.
Perhaps on GameFAQs, right now, they might, but in the future, they might adopt the behavior I've seen on other sites such that it won't give you the page unless a Referer: header exists and is valid. Don't believe me? Try typing in the URL of a picture on an 8m.com member's web site [8m.com].
Viva La Revolution! (Score:5, Funny)
But seriously, I hope that this is very successfull and Nintendo take note of the the popularity and get's it sorted in the future, as the screen is great most of the time but there are always times when it could be JustThatLittleBitBetter(TM). Even so the GBA is an awesome toy
I just hope they start shipping soon, otherwise I am sure the Pocket Game Cube will be out =P
Re:Viva La Revolution! (Score:1)
boris hit the nail on the head why Gameboy is so popular and Nintendo has the handheld market cornered: chicks dig it.
i.e. Tetris, Super Mario DX, Pokemon. 'nuff said.
Hurray (Score:2, Funny)
Tired of GBA-bashing (Score:5, Informative)
Plenty of ambient light. Yes, the very same light one uses for proper book reading is more than adequate for GBA-playing. I've played it comfortably on airplanes, on my couch and yes, even on the can.
The small screen lends itself to problems, but that's what makes it portable. It's a trade-of at this point, until LCD screen technology imporves.
The bottom line: I spent $100 a while ago, and have enjoyed it plenty since.
Amen to that. (Score:1)
Re:Tired of GBA-bashing (Score:2)
Anyway, I can't wait for the internal light... it's been months since I've played Castlevania.
Who did the QA on the GBA? (Score:2, Insightful)
With this internal lighting now available, I might finally plunk down the $$$ for my own GBA.
Re:Who did the QA on the GBA? (Score:1)
Re:Who did the QA on the GBA? (Score:2)
You just answered your own question earlier:
"it isn't like there is huge competition for the handheld game market, and they already had a near perfect brand name to build on."
Competition is good, you see. They probably considered putting in their own backlight, but said "fsck it, they'll buy it anyway." So they get to say the GBA runs a ton of hours on a single battery charge, but in reality people have to use uncomfortable lighting situations or portable lights that drain the batteries much faster.
Re:Who did the QA on the GBA? (Score:1)
Nintendo actually considered the use of a some sort of lighting system, but decided against it as it would use the batteries too quickly and increase the price of the system.
See this link [nintendo.com] for more details.
Not the worst screen ever (Score:4, Insightful)
It's not the screen that's the problem: it's only with certain games (Castlevania, Circle of the Moon being the biggest offender).
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:1)
But no doubt...short memory.
The Game Gear would be the worst COLOR portable system screen...were it not for THE BACKLIGHT.
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:2, Insightful)
In any event, if I put Game boy color games in my game boy advance, they look just as if it they were in my game boy color, except that I have the option of stretching it (with the L and R buttons)
So, the game boy advance screen is strictly better that the game boy color screen.
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:1)
I was wondering why you were bringing up the game boy color if you didn't mean to suggest it's screen was inferior. (IMO, it is slightly easier to see in low or glaring light, therefore better)
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:1)
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:1)
Then again, I never got a Game Boy Light (Special GB released in Japan after GBP and before GBC)
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:2)
Re:Not the worst screen ever (Score:2)
It is the screen that's the problem. Games attempt to compensate for its deficiencies by brightening the sprites, but it's still abysmal for even the brightest of games in less-than-perfect light, and the angle of light falling on it has to be perfect.
If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:4, Informative)
For the uninitiated, the GameBoy Advance lacks the internal backlight present in the older non-advance GameBoys. This makes it very difficult for some people to play in some lighting conditions.
Such as, for instance, everyone, everywhere.
Visual Aid [penny-arcade.com]
--
Free the Pink Halfling!
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
It did come in cool case colors (silver & gold) though...
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
I believe there was only one Game Boy that had backlighting and it had a very limited run (might've only been in Japan actually - I believe it was called the "Light Boy" and had a backlight that could be toggled on and off).
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
Original GB didn't have a backlight (Score:3, Informative)
For the uninitiated, the GameBoy Advance lacks the internal backlight present in the older non-advance GameBoys.
The Game Boy didn't have a backlight. The colored-case Game Boys didn't have a backlight. The Game Boy Pocket didn't have a backlight. The Game Boy Color didn't have a backlight. The only backlit Game Boy systems were the Game Boy Light (released only in Japan, not in America or Europe) and the Super Game Boy (which required a Super NES and a TV and did not have a link port unless you got the rev.2 model, which again was sold only in Japan). You're confusing the Game Boy Color with the Sega Game Gear.
Now that the GBA is backlit, and Sonic the Hedgehog is appearing on GBA, does that make it a Game Gear Advance?
There is no backlit GBA (and that's a good thing). (Score:2)
There is no backlit GBA yet either, and I hope there never is one. Since the GBA screens are reflective they require an external (front) light source. The internal lights that portablemonopoly.com [portablemonopoly.com] and portablemonopoly.net [portablemonopoly.net] (different folks!) are talking about are front light sources, although for a while .NET and .COM were using different technologies (the .NET guy has since ended his plans of competing with the .COM guy...dumb story).
Basically, a GBA __with its current reflective screen__ and an internal switchable front light is the ideal portable gaming solution for many reasons, far better than a backlit system. Reflective screens fare better in sunlight than backlit screens, reflective LCD screens use less power than backlit LCDs and are inexpensive, and in the presence of ample lighting, you can turn the internal light off to conserve power (you can't turn the backlight in a backlit LCD off and really expect to be able to see anything). Nintendo perhaps should have done this from the beginning, but they made the trade-off in order to cut manufacturing, design, and support costs.
< tofuhead >
Nope. Re:He meant "frontlit" (Score:1)
yerricde's own Game Gear Advance joke implies otherwise. You did not read his post responsibly.
Please don't put words in intelligent people's mouths, especially incorrect ones, anonymously. From his posts, it seems that yerricde is largely familiar with the gaming business; however, the fact that there is no backlit GBA stands.
< tofuhead >
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
However, with the traditional gameboy, either because the res wasn't as good (not sure if this is true), or because it was only grayscale, a light wasn't necessary for most people.
However, with the new GBA, the "everyone, everywhere" thing definitely applies.
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:2)
Aside from the color, GBA screens are remarkably better than the original GB. Compare the contrast of an original GB to a GB Pocket. The color is better, the contrast is better, and the screen is actually shades of gray instead of yellow to green.
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
I think the best thing about this portablemonopoly jive is that the light isn't going to burn a hole in your retina, a la the Worm Light.
I'm still getting over the fact that I'm replaying 10 year old games on a brand new system that's designed to play them (which distinguishes it from, say, playing the 2600 on OS X).
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:2)
It was supposed to be a joke. Pointing out the irony in everyone's complaint that the GBA has no light, when NONE of the other Game Boys ever have, either.
I have a Game Boy Color and the screen is usable in the right conditions. I've toyed with getting the Advance and I can honestly say that in the right lighting it's not THAT much worse.
Still, seeing this Kit makes me want to get an Advance so I can install the Kit. It's got a certain geek charm... or at least it will until I run into some 10 year old who modded his GBA also...
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
With that knowledge under your belt, it should be easy to see where the confusion came from.
Re:If You've Never Used a GBA... (Score:1)
The problem is that it isn't easy to add a sarcastic overtone to plain text post (compared to just speaking out loud).
Another thing. Finding a joke funny or not is an opinion and changes from person to person. Yes the defining characteristic of a joke is that it is funny, but funny to who? Some times jokes are only funny to the person who tells them, or maybe a small group of people.
You mean . . . (Score:1, Funny)
. . . they have gay pr0n for the GBA now?!
~~~
Forgive me, I couldn't resist.
Try gbadev.org (Score:1)
they have gay pr0n for the GBA now?
The GBA has a JPEG viewer library. You're free to construct your own slide-show program and either burn it to a flash cartridge or send it over the link cable. See gbadev [gbadev.org] for more details.
I wonder... (Score:1)
Nice to see the released product is reasonably priced. It's a shame Nintendo didn't bother with it themselves. The GBA screen is a travesty.
Re:I wonder... (Score:2)
Hiya Lawrence,
You of all people should know that the screen isn't the problem (it uses little power, looks better in sunlight than a backlit screen would, etc.); it's the fact that Nintendo didn't include a switchable internal front light of their own. I'm fine with it, but I keep hearing about how the screen sucks, and it just doesn't IMO.
Unless, by "travesty," you mean, "travesty relative to other reflective LCD screens," I think there's a little bit of an oversight being made here. IMO, the PCE-GT/TurboExpress screen sucked (because individual pixels burned out easily and the backlit LCD drew lots of power), but I'm willing to bet that there are people here that would claim the opposite, just because they could play the thing in the dark. Same thing goes for the GameGear and Nomad, although I've never seen either with a dead pixel.
< tofuhead >
Wow. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wow. (Score:1)
Headline: Accidental soldering gun deaths spike. (Score:1, Funny)
How much does it affect Battery life? (Score:2, Interesting)
Any idea how long it a pack of batterys would last? I believe the GBA runs for around 15 hours without any backlight.
Re:How much does it affect Battery life? (Score:5, Informative)
One of the FAQ items was: How does this affect battery life?
and the answer was 30-40%. They have been seeing around 10 hours of life using the light all the time.
Re:How much does it affect Battery life? (Score:1)
But on the other hand, it will of course have an on-off switch.
Why in their glorious wisdom, Nintendo chose not to include it, with an on-off switch so that battery life would only be affected when the we, lowly GBA users, deemed fit, well...
I for one aim to support the portable monopoly project, whether a new GBA with internal lighting is launched or not.
ConSumAh PoWaHH!
..or something to the effect.
It won't make much real difference, but I'll positively feel the amount of Real Karma (TM), flowing towards me from the neverending universe.
Peace
Peace
Re:How much does it affect Battery life? (Score:1)
More GBA modding (Score:2, Informative)
and you will have the coolest GBA available.
http://www.lik-sang.com/catalog/product_info.ph
Anyone with an overclocking kit?
lasec (Score:2)
The Screen is OK (Score:4, Interesting)
I can see my GBA fine as long as there is a light on or I'm outside. I might get the backlight for playing in the dark, but I've had plenty of fun playing through several games with its screen as it is!
Re:50% of the cost of the whole unit? (Score:1)
Re:50% of the cost of the whole unit? (Score:1)
Just so you know... (Score:2, Insightful)
Need...so...bad... (Score:1)
"Portable Monopoly"?? Worst Reuse of a Name Ever! (Score:2)
C'mon guys read the press release (Score:4, Informative)
Of course, I'm buying one, but get the info straight. Maybe that should be the job of the slashdot editors: double check the accuracy of info before they front-page it...
This isn't that big of a deal... (Score:1)
Furthermore, it isn't exactly a wise idea to be playing games in the dark anyway. It's hard enough to focus on the small screen, and having it be the brightest thing in your field of vision will definitely screw up your eyes fast, regardless of how well-lit the screen may be (this I can say from experience; playing Mario's Picross on a GBC while running movie projectors for a year prompted the need for new glasses).
So, to recap what was said close to six months ago, don't play in the dark. Play outside, if you can, or by a window. A product like this, while admittedly nifty, is ultimately counterproductive.
Oh, and yes, I am aware of the cynic's truth that now Nintendo will probably release a backlit version, but the easiest way around that dilemma is to simply not buy the backlit version. That will either teach Nintendo to get it right on the first try, or us to stop complaining.
History and details of this project (Score:1)
To me, the screen looks eerily washed out (though this is always conviniently blamed on photographic technicalities, I'll believe it when i see it). Also, a slight portion of the right side of the screen is cut off to make room for the lightning strip. About 10 pixels or so are missing, which to me would be quite annoying, particularly with side scrollers.
It's also amazing to me that Adam (the portablemonopoly.com guy) is even TRYING to patent this... he is simply using a pre-existing lighting system developed for PDAs. A light guide sheet of plastic over the reflective screen guides a side light to light down at the screen.
Also, FYI, the www.portablemonopoly.net site is actually a rip off of a IGN Pocket Boards [ign.com] attempt at creating their own frontlight [ign.com] without having to wait for Adam to get his out.
IGN Pocket Boards is also where Adam's project got started. It was pretty much a group effort documented by Adam on his site till he decided to patent and cash in and took basically all the technical info off the site.
Another case of the US playing catch-up. (Score:1)
Ah yes, Golden Sun (Score:1)
Should i buy a Gameboy Advance? (Score:1)
Backlight - battery sucker (Score:1)
Re:Stuff that matters? (Score:1)
If you want 'stuff that matters' read the Reg [theregister.co.uk]
Stupid little backlights for kids toys don't really count for much in the scheme of things.
Register headlines at the time of this posting include:
Lover's Guide at a PC near you
Something saucy for Valentine's Day
14 February 2002 8:22am
Enjoy our Valentine's Day computer books love-in
Romantic opportunity Buy books and win chocolate
14 February 2002 9:15am
Am I annoying or not?
Chris Evans leads celebrity slapdown
11 February 2002 6:05pm
'BOFH II - Son of the Bastard' set to top Reg bestseller list
Devilish spawn indeed
28 January 2002 5:39pm
Salmon Days goes live in US
Episode One Upwardly Mobile
21 December 2001 10:44am
Core Java 2, Volume II - Reg Book of The Fortnight
And there's more... Four other titles with 20 per cent off
6 February 2002 12:45pm
All intensely important, gripping news to be sure.
Every news site has filler. Relax.
Re:portable monopoly ? (Score:2, Interesting)