GBM first impressions.

Reaperman@home · Post by **Reaperman@home** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:14 pm

well, I took a bit of a drive to a less than local gamestop and scored a GBM. 'Nothing can actually prepare you for how small it is'--I didn't believe it when I read it at IGN either, but it's true, this is one tiny gameboy. So light, yet sturdy. Thanks to her low mass and protective faceplates, she feels as though she can take many drops. Small enough to go anywhere with you and tough enough to come back.

Being so small it's naturally going to take some getting used to holding it. Buttons are sturdy, but perhaps the L&R buttons could have been a tad longer...for bigger hands. Volume control and brightness are a real pain in the rear for about 30 seconds, but become painless afterwards (however still require some effort). I've also got to get used to hitting start and select with my right thumb instead of my left. Overall I prefer it to my attempts at holding the SP and can only guess that this is because the controls are farther apart on the GBM.

The screen is beyond beautiful. I've been playing through game after game just to see how they look on the new screen. I'd forgotten how much I gave up when I switched to afterburner frontlight. Text is crisp--and reading it is actually my favorite part of this new gameboy. Because the text is now so readable, I've started playing text adventures again--take that you...grues! Ebooks and RPGs, of course, share this boost.

A strange aspect of the screen is that it's smaller, but doesn't really feel smaller. I don't know the proper way to articulate it other than that those Nintendo engineers must have broken some scientific laws to do it.

The speaker is quieter and much easier to accidently cover than on my GBA. It's pretty clear, though as with all gameboy speakers, it is far from an Audiophile's dream. I'm not sure if it's a game error, but in Lego Drome Racers the amp seems to overdrive it--I'll check it against performance on the original GBA later.

Changing faceplates is a breeze with the included tool. Unfortunately for me the colors aren't simply painted inside the faceplate as I had believed...making my home made skins useless at the moment. Until somebody releases a clear plate.

also of note, there's a mystery potentiometer hidden under the faceplate, above the A button, and it's begging for me to fiddle with it. ...I wonder what she does...

I may come off as harsh on her low points, but it really is the ultimate GBA. Very close to perfection. I just wish that they had released GBA in this form to start with. Then more people could enjoy its quality.

perhaps mods for later:
clear faceplate/custom inserts
larger battery (given)
remove cart slot and hardwire supercard (so it sits flush)
docking cradle with joystick and video out (wait for GBM tv adapter)

edit: well it's the next day, I've noticed it gets quite a reaction out of everybody who sees it--few to none of which are prior GBA owners. Most are parents or aunt/uncle types--xmas is comming...

Lucretius · Post by **Lucretius** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:42 pm

Fantastic review!

I'm exsatic to hear that it's such a high quality product. I'd love to see it become popular...

GamingRev · Post by **GamingRev** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:48 pm

Its pretty stupid, its ripping off people everywhere, re-creating a system, that was already updated(nintendo ds). I just dont like it at all, I respect Reaperman@home for giving an awesome review though.

MilkMonster · Post by **MilkMonster** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:49 pm

as great as it sounds, im not going to buy it ot only plays gba games and my ds can do that.

GamingRev · Post by **GamingRev** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:52 pm

It is cool how its small, after throughly reading this review(after my last post it this topic) I kinda felt hypnotized on it coolness, but then I said "Wait what, waste of cash" So milkmonster your absoulotley right!

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 6:43 pm

man i actually would really like to buy one but like i have said many times before i just dont have the money anybody think there will be a price drop soon

xxxeagle · Post by **xxxeagle** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:18 pm

Nice review, you got the gbm for free? how? Anyways sounds like its a neat little toy buy I already have 4 things that play gba games so I probably wont get one. Play with that potentiometer see what it does if its exposed I doubt it will do anything bad.

Weebl · Post by **Weebl** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:22 pm

I might trade in my SP for it if I can get enough money for my SP. I have small hands so it should suit me just fine! Great review, good to hear about your experience.

wallydawg · Post by **wallydawg** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 9:21 pm

It's great for people without Gameboys too; My first Gameboy was the SP and I've been alive for all releases of nintendo's favorite portable.

kidw/32+systems · Post by **kidw/32+systems** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:18 am

its so small, thats what she said
i only buy gameboys when they are special colors like my lime green sp

Reaperman@home · Post by **Reaperman@home** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:41 am

further research on the speaker: The speaker doesn't produce the muffled sound of the last one, and it is considerably louder in the high end (a little too loud in some games)--that's what made me think it was overdriving. That specific game (Drome Racers) produces a muffled crackle on my other GBA, and even sounds bad in emus.

I also hadn't really noticed when I wrote above, but the NES emulation especially pops on that new screen. With its reduced size--and possibly other factors, the scaling looks better than I remember. Naturally it helps that the games now display in the proper colors. Previously I was more into b/w GB emulation for its high contrast and general lack of correct color anyway.

I think I'm going to stick with this final revision of GBA for quite a while--long after it stops getting the current volume of doubletakes. It'll tide me over until Evolution or the second revision of DS or PSP. I hope somebody comes out with a TV adapter soon. I also wonder if the wireless adapter will be compatable with DS...or wireless networks...

xxxeagle wrote:Nice review, you got the gbm for free? how?

I didn't score it for free. I scored it for $99...
I got the phone call from gamestop for the non-preorder gbm they were holding for me because of the incredible number of times I stopped in. As of last night they were still the only GBMs I've seen in the area, and have sold out at at least one of their stores.

kidw/32+systems · Post by **kidw/32+systems** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:42 pm

i just saw it in the wal-mart ad so they probaly have it now

gamer2 · Post by **gamer2** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:02 pm

I testeded one out and it WAS WAY TO SMALL FOR MY GARGANTUAN HANDS

Reaperman@home · Post by **Reaperman@home** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:12 pm

I agree.

I had trouble holding it too--especially the first day. I couldn't sit my fingers in the right spot on the L&R keys, no matter how I tried. I'm used to it now, but I still think they should have made those buttons 1/2" longer.

for the record I have little girl hands.

I also notice that I hold the unit much closer to my face than my old GBA--must be an automatic compensation for the screen size. Not a complaint, just an observation.

Joes2Silly · Post by **Joes2Silly** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:22 pm

I have no idea if its true , but I just got my newest issue of Gameinformer and it said that the gbm was going to be $99.99. Is this true