Game Boy & GB Advance Appreciation Thread

[jamboe]

Too much glare on the screen. It's an original OLED Vita so while it's lovely to look at it doesn't get very bright. The SP just gets better and better with daylight though.

Ah I see! Probably wouldn't be much of a problem for me, I'm mostly in the shade wherever I go. I utterly hate being out in direct sunlight for too long. (does that make me sound strange?) Or at least in the summertime, like now.

It's not an arcade game, no. You're probably thinking about Head-On or something.

http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/speccy/runbabyrun/

The Spectrum! Cool site - amazing guide too: http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/speccy/runbabyrun/guide/

It's all very indepth! I did something similar with the maps for Sonic Advance 2 special stage maps, or rather, I downloaded the maps and then did the arrows over them myself to help me complete them. (Special Stage 7 utter nightmare! Did it though!) You mention Gregory Horror Show on the PS2 on your site, great game!

I kinda regret not really sticking with the GBA more at the time.

I bought the launch model in 2001, and I bought games such as F-Zero and Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, so you can imagine how well I got on with the screen. I only really played Mario Kart SC, which I didn't like much even then, as the graphics were colourful enough to see what was going on. Didn't have much money for games as I was in full-time education at the time, and the only alternative to paying highstreet prices in Game and EB was to buy via mail order, which meant the packaging got chewed to bits in the postal system. Nothing something you want to happen to an item you've paid thirty quid for. Oh, and bootlegs were everywhere, on eBay, on forum trading folders, in indie games shops, which further put me off really spending time with the GBA software library. Think I owned 4 games at the most, not a lot for a big Nintendo fan.

When I got hold of a DS, I started playing and buying more GBA games as I had a device with a backlit screen at last. However, GBA software had already started to disappear from retail, certainly the earlier games, and the bootleg issue was at least as bad. Should've bitten the bullet and bought a GBA SP at some point, wasn't really an extravagant expense even as a student, and bought more of the games when I had a chance to experience the bundle of fun at its peak.

It's never too late!

[Qazimod]

Too much glare on the screen. It's an original OLED Vita so while it's lovely to look at it doesn't get very bright.

You can tweak the screen brightness in the settings which sometimes helps, but having tried it during sunnier days myself I agree that it's not always great...

[Paulando]

Guru Logic Champ is the best puzzler on the system

I love the GBA. Really, really love it. It was the best and last sprite-based console, that you can also take anywhere, there are no PAL/NTSC issues, and all the games still hold a save because they used flash memory (apart from a couple which used a battery too). Makes for a perfect retro system.

One thing I really love about it is while proper 3D games are out of its scope, It was powerful enough that with a little witchcraft could be made to do amazing things. V-Rally 3 had full polygon graphics and played incredibly smoothly - and even playing it now feels pretty exhilarating knowing how difficult that would have been.

[jamboe]

Guru Logic Champ is the best puzzler on the system

I love the GBA. Really, really love it. It was the best and last sprite-based console, that you can also take anywhere, a) there are no PAL/NTSC issues, and all the games still hold a save because they used flash memory (apart from a couple which used a battery too). Makes for a perfect retro system.

One thing I really love about it is while proper 3D games are out of its scope, It was powerful enough that with a little witchcraft could be made to do amazing things. b) V-Rally 3 had full polygon graphics and played incredibly smoothly - and even playing it now feels pretty exhilarating knowing how difficult that would have been.

a) That's right! I remember getting a USA version of Wario Ware GBA, not sure if intentionally or not (probably not), and was obviously surprised/pleased that I could play it on my PAL GBA!

b) I remember seeing videos of V-Rally 3 GBA on IGN around the time of the GBA launch, was very impressed! Just looking at this video below, definitely 3d with the landscape. Interested in finally playing this now that you've mentioned it! Some good prices on the Amazon Marketplace... I am about halfway through Sonic Rush DS at the moment though! Not sure if I prefer Sonic on DS, or Sonic on GBA...I think they both have their own pros/cons. Can be a bit dizzying trying to focus on both screens, except on bosses where it's just the one screen. Though it is quite innovative how the two screens are utilised in the DS games. As a sidenote, you don't use the stylus whatsoever in the main game (of the DS Sonic games), only in the special stage. So the DS Sonic games are actually quite similar to the GBA ones...which is good! I don't know what it is about 'Special Stage 7' in these games, but they're all adamant in being completely rock hard!

[fat flatulent git]

V-Rally 3 was one of the games I bought last month. The in-car view is absolutely great. The windscreen even gets damaged. You can see the cockpit view here.

It's a bit scary that you don't have any arms, though.

[jamboe]

Looks amazing in cockpit view mode. Definitely gonna try and get this game! Haha just noticed the arms! (or lack of) Definitely contender for best graphics on the GBA I think. Along with Golden Sun, Zelda Minish Cap I've gathered from research I've done just now... V-Rally 3 GBA was released in June 2002 too! Just 1 year after GBA PAL launch, impressive!

[fat flatulent git]

It really is brilliant for a GBA game. Definitely the best racer on the system, I think.

[jamboe]

I think I've only really played Mario Kart Super Circuit in regards to racing games on the GBA...which is definitely a game I'd recommend, it's more colourful, because it's obviously more 'cartoony', less realistic than V-Rally 3 or any similar game, but fun to play.

Here's a Top 5 GBA Racing Games video below ↓, V-Rally 3's number 1 here! Definitely think Mario Kart Super Circuit should be in there somewhere...especially as Konami Krazy Racers looks very similar. Konami Krazy Racers was released a few months before Super Circuit, in June 2001! Other notable GBA racing games, F-Zero, Crash Nitro Kart...

5.Street Racing Syndicate (0.00-1.39)
4.Konami's Krazy Racers (1.39-2.48)
3.GT Advance 3 - Pro Concept Racing (2.48-4.13)
2.Top Gear Rally (4.13-5.38)
1.V-Rally 3 (5.38-6.48)

There's a game called Racing Gear Advance which looks quite an interesting racing game also, with isometric viewpoint! ↓ Must surely be utilising the same kind of engine as the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater GBA games, with the 3D cars/skaters and the 2d isometric view, for 3d effect.

[fat flatulent git]

I see the guy in that first video was no better at controlling the cars in GT Advance than I was.

I have Racing Gears. It's one of those games where I can see the quality in it, but for some reason I can't get into it, which is a pity, because I loved the game it seems to have been inspired by - RC Pro Am.

Over the last year or so I've been building up quite a collection of retro racing games, especially on the Gameboy Color and Advance.

Sega Rally Advance is very disappointing.

Thanks for posting that video. I had never heard of Street Racing Syndicate.

[jamboe]

Haha at 3.22 in the first video re: at being good at controls in GT Advance 3!

Yes Racing Gears Advance looks quite similar to RC Pro Am doesn't it!

Quite impressive graphics Street Racing Syndicate has also doesn't it! Someone in the comments to that video was saying that it could've been a kind of pre-release promo video for a DS game, that footage of it...it's just sort of the framerate that's a bit slow, V-Rally 3 does seem more accomplished in that regard, but still looks pretty impressive.

Checked out Sega Rally Advance, does seem to be a bit like a 'poorer V-Rally 3' at first glance. Also...how big are the spectators in that game (Sega Rally Advance)?! I screengrabbed the below! They're all giants!

And I have done some research which may help in your search for racing games on GBC and GBA! and for everybody else too I guess, looking for a racing game on those systems..a reminder that this is (I think) every single racing game released on both GBC and GBA! So quite a lot!

GBC Racing Games:

Antz Racing
Armada FX Racers
Carmageddon
Championship Motocross 2001
Chase H.Q.
Cruis'n Exotica
Cubix Robots for Everyone Race N Robots
Days of Thunder
Dead Heat Scramble
Disney Magical Racing Tour
Driver
Evel Knievel
F-1 Race
F-1 World Grand Prix II
Fastest Lap
Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge
Formula One 2000
Harley Davidson Race Across America
Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver
International Rally
Jeep Jamboree
Jeff Gordon XS Racing
Jeremy McGrath SuperCross 2000
LEGO Racers
LEGO Stunt Rally
Lamborghini American Challenge
Lock n Chase
Looney Tunes Racing

MTV Sports Pure Ride
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
Matchbox Caterpillar Construction Zone
Matchbox Emergency Patrol
Mega Race 3
Mickey's Racing Adventure
Mickey's Speedway
Micro Machines
Micro Machines I and II Twin Turbo
Micro Machines V3
Monster Truck Wars
Motocross Maniacs
Motocross Maniacs 2
NASCAR 2000
NASCAR Challenge
NASCAR Heat
NASCAR Racers
Nicktoons Racing
Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing
Out of Gas
Polaris SnoCross
Power Racer
Race Days
Race Drivin
Racin Ratz
Road Rash
Roadsters
San Francisco Rush 2049
Sea-Doo Hydrocross
Star Wars Episode I Racer
Street Racer
Super Chase HQ
Super Off Road
Super R.C. Pro-Am
TOCA Touring Car Championship
Test Drive 2001
Test Drive 6
Test Drive Cycles
Test Drive Le Mans
Test Drive Off-Road 3
The Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home
Tonka Raceway
Top Gear Pocket
Top Gear Pocket 2
Toy Story Racer
V-Rally 99
VR Powerboat Racing
Vigilante 8
Wacky Racers
Wave Race
Woody Woodpecker Racing
World Circuit Series
Xtreme Wheels

GBA Racing Games:

ATV Quad Power Racing
Antz Extreme Racing
Barbie Horse Adventures Blue Ribbon Race
Big Mutha Truckers
Bonx Racers
Car Battler Joe
Cars
Cars Mater-National Championship
Cartoon Network Speedway
Colin McRae Rally 2.0
Corvette
Crash Nitro Kart
Crazy Chase
Crazy Taxi Catch a Ride
Cross Town Heroes
Cruis'n Velocity
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3
Digimon Racing
Disney Sports Motocross
Driv3r Driver 3
Driven
Driver 2 Advance
Drome Racers
Excitebike NES Series
F-Zero GP Legend
F-Zero Maximum Velocity
F1 2002
Ford Racing 3
GT Advance 2 Rally Racing
GT Advance 3 Pro Concept Racing
GT Advance Championship Racing
Gadget Racers
Herbie Fully Loaded
Hot Wheels All Out
Hot Wheels Burnin Rubber
Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge
Hot Wheels Velocity X
Hot Wheels World Race
Karnaaj Rally
King of Fighters EX2 Howling Blood
Krazy Racers
MX 200
Mario Kart Super Circuit
Matchbox Missions Air Land & Sea Rescue/Emergency Response
Midnight Club Street Racing
Monster Jam Maximum Destruction
Monster Trucks
Monster Trucks Mayhem
Moto GP
Moto Racer Advance
NASCAR Heat 2002
Need for Speed Carbon Own the City
Need for Speed Porsche Unleashed
Need for Speed Underground
Need for Speed Underground 2
Nicktoons Racing
Portal Runner
Quad Desert Fury
Racing Gears Advance
Road Rash Jailbreak
Road Trip Shifting Gears
Rock 'n Roll Racing
Sega Rally Championship
Shrek Smash and Crash Racing
Shrek Swamp Kart Speedway
Smashing Drive
Smuggler's Run
Spy Hunter
Spy Hunter/Super Sprint
Street Racing Syndicate
The Simpsons Road Rage
Tokyo Xtreme Racer
Top Gear GT Championship
Top Gear Rally
V-Rally 3
XS Moto

[Paulando]

I'm a bit obsessed with racing games on the GBA. Mainly because, as I mentioned, the hardware is just underpowered enough to make playing a decent racing game feel like magic.

Top Gear Rally has a full 3D car model I believe, which has a nice weight to it too, and Lego Racers 2 is 3D and is ridiculously smooth. The only thing that lets V-Rally 3 down is that it's really easy

[Oh Danny Boy]

how does this not incur the wrath of Nintendo?

http://www.funstock.co.uk/retrospex-32-gba-handheld-console

Maybe an option for those who dislike the tiny Micro screen and the dark GBA and SP screens.

[fat flatulent git]

Thanks for those lists - that'll be useful.

So far I have:

F1 Race, F1 2000, RC Pro Am, V-Rally, Top Gear Pocket, Test Drive Le Mans, two NASCAR games, Wave Race and Woody Woodpecker Racing on GB/ GBC.

Mario Kart, V-Rally 3, Sega Rally, Moto GP, GT Advance 1,2 and 3, the F- Zero games and Racing Gears Advance on GBA

I'm not looking for a complete collection - just a selection that look fun to play.

[Nathan Wind]

I find GT Advance anything but fun to play.

[fat flatulent git]

I actually quite like them, but they take a lot of getting used to.

I'd never noticed the huge spectators in Sega Rally - I always had my eyes fixed on where I was going.

It's funny that the DS was so poor for racing games. Think there's only Mario Kart and Create and Race worth having. But I suppose racing game fans were spoiled rotten by the brilliant racers on the PSP.

[Not Thread Owner]

how does this not incur the wrath of Nintendo?

http://www.funstock.co.uk/retrospex-32-gba-handheld-console

Maybe an option for those who dislike the tiny Micro screen and the dark GBA and SP screens.

Hilariously, the Megadrive version is officially licenced by Sega.

[gone fishin]

I actually quite like them, but they take a lot of getting used to.

I'd never noticed the huge spectators in Sega Rally - I always had my eyes fixed on where I was going.

It's funny that the DS was so poor for racing games. Think there's only Mario Kart and Create and Race worth having. But I suppose racing game fans were spoiled rotten by the brilliant racers on the PSP.

The problem for the DS was Beetle Adventure Racing was never ported over from the N64.... Diddy Kong Racing was good, Ridge Racer was fun and Trackmania was enjoyable. But yeah, it was lacking in arcade racers overall.

[fat flatulent git]

I forgot Trackmania - that was OK. Haven't played Diddy Kong.

Ridge Racer was dreadful, I thought. A completely embarrassment next to the awesome PSP one.

[Protocol Penguin]

I bought Ridge Racer DS for 99p in Curry's back in 2008. Seemed a reasonable price for what it was.

[Oracle]

Ridge racer was good fun in multiplayer

[Not Thread Owner]

I forgot Trackmania - that was OK. Haven't played Diddy Kong.

Track mania was good, but broken. There's a part of one of the later tracks that you clip through, rendering the game impossible to complete.

[Not Thread Owner]

Keep forgetting to post these:

[Not Thread Owner]

Oh hai.

[Xevious]

The GBA had loads of amazing games. I look down the list below - the ones I own - and there are hardly any rubbish carts at all.

EDIT: I can see some games not on the list. Pinball of the Dead, GTA Advance ... I need to update my list.

Advance Wars
Advance Wars 2
Alien Hominid
Astro Boy Omega Factor
Bomberman Tournament
Chu Chu Rocket!
Doom
Drill Dozer
Fire Emblem
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Game & Watch Gallery Advance
Go! Go! Beckham!
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
Jet Grind Radio
Kuru Kuru Kururin
Kururin Paradise
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario Golf Advance Tour
Mario Kart Super Circuit
Mario vs Donkey Kong
Metal Slug Advance
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Zero Mission
Mr Driller 2
Namco Museum
Pac-Man Collection
Phantasy Star Collection
Pocket Music
Pokémon LeafGreen
Pokémon Sapphire
Puyo Pop
Rebelstar Tactical Command
Sonic Advance
Sonic Advance 2
Super Monkey Ball Jr
Super Puzzle Fighter II
Super Street Fighter IIX Revival
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Virtua Tennis
V-Rally 3
WarioWare: Twisted
Yoshi's Island

[decider]

I didn't spot anyone mentioning Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper. It's probably my favourite GBA fighter, and has all the characters from the Playstation version as well as an additional 3, albeit at the cost of some backgrounds and sounds. You just can't go wrong if you need to punch someone on the go.

It's just a shame that the port essentially killed Crawfish Interactive.

[fat flatulent git]

I acquired Crazy Taxi on GBA. It's a great technical achievement, but it isn't much fun to play.

[Nathan Wind]

Stealth title change a few days ago in anticipation of my new toy......

A custom back lit original Game Boy. It's a lovely thing. It has a bright blue back light and bivert chip to increase the contrast and some people reckon it reduces screen blur too. I would concur with that from memory although I don't have a stock one to hand for comparison. It's also had the pro sound mod done for cleaner sound through headphones and to use as line-out for making chip tune music which I'm not really bothered about, but I may tinker with at some point because chip tunes are ace. I bought an Everdrive GB to go with it and downloaded a GB romset to pick through. I've got a bunch of games on there at the moment ranging from old favourites like Double Dragon and Robocop to ones I never even knew about at the time like Cosmo Tank and Crayon Shin Chan 4. The Turbo Everdrive was my first taste of one of these things and I'm a convert. The GB one is just as good and takes even less setting up.

As usual with these things, photos and videos absolutely do not do it justice, making it look overly bright and washed out - more like a front light. In reality, the light is a deep blue colour and the screen is perfectly clear.

[dr_manhattan^]

That's amazing, where did you get that from?

I've recently started playing Advance Wars again, my god it's fantastic!

[Nathan Wind]

I got in touch with Game Boy Mods UK originally but the dude there took ages to get back to me and I'd already picked that one up from an ebay seller who does the same thing in the meantime.

He can make them to order if there are any particular colour combinations you want. Pleasant chap too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/dave0035?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2754

[KriessG]

That looks amazing. Can you get a light though that matches the original green screen colour?