RIP Game Boy Advance

[newt42]

As of April 5th, 2009, we are getting closer and closer to the end of classic 2D side scrollers...

[Mozgus]

Did something happen?

[newt42]

The new DSi was released. It does not have a slot 2 for GBA games like the previous DS's did. I checked on Gamefaqs, and there are no GBA games scheduled for release in any region. It is now a dead/retro console.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I thought everybody knew the GBA was dead when it died about a year and a half ago.

[Dakinggamer87]

The GBA is awesome..

[DCsegaDH]

I considered it dead when they started to release "Disney" and bargain bin games,you know the ones you see in stores that get marked down 2 or 3 times with orange stickers.It was a great system when they actually made awesome stuff for it,great 2d gaming on the go. Their isn't going to be any more new 2D systems besides the PS2 that's going to be made.

[Mozgus]

I thought everybody knew the GBA was dead when it died about a year and a half ago.

Indeed, its been dead for a long time. Still a vastly superior library compared to DS, though.

[onemanfilmcrew]

[quote="newt42"]As of April 5th, 2009, we are getting closer and closer to the end of classic 2D side scrollers...[/quote]

I disagree on the end of classic 2D side scrollers. With the digital distribution models now being employed by all three major consoles, there is a viable market emerging for more niche games (such as classic 2D side scrollers). It doesn't make sense for a company to create and produce 2D game with a limited market and a $50-$60 price tag, because they will be hard pressed to make that money back. However, if they can eliminate the cost on the production of the physical package and can charge say, $10, it makes it viable. Just look at the success of Mega Man 9. It proved that there is a demand for games like that, and it proved that the digital distribution model is a viable one. So while it is painful to see the demise of a platform that gave us so many great 2D side scrollers, there will still be a number of them to come in the future.

[Anapan]

I completely agree with onemanfilmcrew. They're just becoming more accessible on more powerfull hardware. What's missing is innovation. The 2D library is so large that it's easier and more cost effective to re-release old games than to make new ones. I'm eagerly awaiting the next unique platformer.

[MrPopo]

I'm pretty sure three Castlevania games on the DS is the opposite of the death of 2D platforming.