GB Color games with extra GBA features

[Betagam7]

Today I picked up a copy of the Wayforward GBC game, Wendy: Every Witch Way after reading about it on the hidden gems article.

I noticed that there is a GBA mode locked off in the menu and read that this is the same game with additional levels playable only if you plug the game into a GBA.

Are there any other GBC games that do this and is there a technical reason for it or was it just a way of trying to get people to buy the GBA?

If it's the latter then I actually find it annoying as I don't like playing GBC games on my SP and much prefer them on my GB Boy or the original GBC.

[Tanooki]

The technical reason is that if you can find a way to squeeze a little better performance or colors out of the game if it detects a GBA using the title, you do it so it still can kind of stand out. Games that did this were post-GBA releases, usually delayed, such as the case was with Shantae that did it and Dragon Warrior III. Both those titles added extra colors to the screen (not a lot, but a few more which was nice.)

It wasn't anything new, Links Awakening DX on the GBC had an entire added stage and gear to get but since it was color based, it was locked out if you only played it on GB/GBPocket.

[Betagam7]

The technical reason is that if you can find a way to squeeze a little better performance or colors out of the game if it detects a GBA using the title, you do it so it still can kind of stand out. Games that did this were post-GBA releases, usually delayed, such as the case was with Shantae that did it and Dragon Warrior III. Both those titles added extra colors to the screen (not a lot, but a few more which was nice.)

It wasn't anything new, Links Awakening DX on the GBC had an entire added stage and gear to get but since it was color based, it was locked out if you only played it on GB/GBPocket.

I imagine that the thinking behind Link's Awakening was to give people who had already played the game a reason to buy the new version (beyond colorization) and making a colour based dungeon was a good way of saying "we can't do this on the old format".

However, I'm not sure if Wendy actually does anything that couldn't have been done on the GBC (indeed people seem to say that the stages run fine with passwords on a GBC emulator) or whether it's extra levels are just a gimmick to say "you're missing out by not having an SP"...in which case it seems a very obscure game to do that with.

Anyway, I'm still interested in compiling a full list of games that did this so thanks for the two you've noted. Anyone know any others?

[lisalover1]

Shantae, another WayForward game, added a new shop to the game if played on a GBA. Both of the Zelda "Oracle" games did the same thing.

[casterofdreams]

Shantae, another WayForward game, added a new shop to the game if played on a GBA. Both of the Zelda "Oracle" games did the same thing.

Beat me to it. The Zelda games added the Advance Shop. I don't remember all of the items save for one item called the Advance Ring that did nothing at all. Oh well.

[Betagam7]

Shantae, another WayForward game, added a new shop to the game if played on a GBA. Both of the Zelda "Oracle" games did the same thing.

Beat me to it. The Zelda games added the Advance Shop. I don't remember all of the items save for one item called the Advance Ring that did nothing at all. Oh well.

How did this work exactly?

Was it just a case that if you plugged your game into the GBA the shops/items appeared or did it require you to actually play the whole file on a GBA?

I really don't like playing the games on GBA as I don't like the way the screen looks, the way the cart sticks out or the washed out display from my front lit SP. I intend to get the Oracle games for my GB Boy but would rather play them on that system while still being able to 100% them if possible with the use of an SP.

[alienjesus]

Shantae, another WayForward game, added a new shop to the game if played on a GBA. Both of the Zelda "Oracle" games did the same thing.

Beat me to it. The Zelda games added the Advance Shop. I don't remember all of the items save for one item called the Advance Ring that did nothing at all. Oh well.

How did this work exactly?

Was it just a case that if you plugged your game into the GBA the shops/items appeared or did it require you to actually play the whole file on a GBA?

I really don't like playing the games on GBA as I don't like the way the screen looks, the way the cart sticks out or the washed out display from my front lit SP. I intend to get the Oracle games for my GB Boy but would rather play them on that system while still being able to 100% them if possible with the use of an SP.

Te door only appeared on a GBA, but you could playmost of the game on GBC jus fine.

[Sload Soap]

I never knew any of this!

Can I assume the same effect will be had playing on the Gamecube with the GB Player?

[Betagam7]

:shock: I never knew any of this!

Can I assume the same effect will be had playing on the Gamecube with the GB Player?

Now that is a more attractive proposition. I would assume that, since Kirby's Tilt'n'tumble can be played by physically moving aorund your GBP, then the games will be tricked into thinking that you are playing them on an advance.

[Tanooki]

I can just see it now, people with longer access to the cables pulling their Gamecube out by the handle so the GBA cart is in the up position and swinging it around to do Kirby Tilt n Tumble, Yoshi Topsy Turvy and Wario Ware Twisted. Hell given the size, momentum involved and a little bit of weight it could be an interesting exercise routine.