Why Isn't There a More Prominent Game Boy Scene?

[Nintendork666]

I've got a regular model GBA but with the screen swapped for an AGS-101 screen. (Also known as the perfect Game Boy.)

Are you sure about that?

[Gunstar Green]

That is brilliant, though it doesn't play Game Boy or GBC games so it loses.

[ninjainspandex]

oh god that looks awful, I also have an original style GBA with the backlit 101 screen (actually bought two when someone was selling them for $69 shipped, in hindsight I should of bought 1 or two more as a backup). Really the best way to play.

but how do you play GBA games using the lower screen? or does that mod just take the top screen and put it in the bottom?

[Gunstar Green]

oh god that looks awful, I also have an original style GBA with the backlit 101 screen (actually bought two when someone was selling them for $69 shipped, in hindsight I should of bought 1 or two more as a backup). Really the best way to play.

but how do you play GBA games using the lower screen? or does that mod just take the top screen and put it in the bottom?

In your DS settings you can choose which screen you want to play GBA games on.

[Exhuminator]

I love the Game Boy. I had one in 1989 and have stayed active with Nintendo's portables all the way up to the 3DS.

The handheld scene isn't as revered as the console scene because many many gamers think handhelds are inferior. While they are inferior from a graphics point of view, from a game design and fun factor aspect handhelds hold their own. A lot of people care about graphics first and screen size second, so it doesn't matter if handheld games are fun. Average Joe wants his super pretty pixels on his super huge HDTV, if the console game being played is actually fun that's a distant concern.

Seriously some of my best game experiences have been on portables. The DS and PSP especially are just overflowing with amazing games.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I think a lot of the problem flat out comes from few people knowing about the depth of the console library, or what was available. Even among very heavy gamers, I don't know many who know very much in the way of Gameboy games outside of very well known stuff. Pokemon, Advance Wars, the Harvest Moons on Gameboy, Fire Emblem, Castlevania, etc.

I know I haven't dug into it much personally. I have the GB player for my Gamecube, and my SP still, but I don't do much gaming on the go, and I don't have room to have my Gamecube set up currently, so I haven't really gotten a chance to dig into it.

[irixith]

I've got a regular model GBA but with the screen swapped for an AGS-101 screen. (Also known as the perfect Game Boy.)

Are you sure about that?

Positive.

No GB/GBC carts because the DS does not include the Z80 in its hardware (or the voltage switching cartridge slot, no doubt). I know you can emulate them, but it's not a great experience, especially if you're really familiar with the original carts. No link cable port, so no GC link or GBA link. To be fair, that's not exactly a strong criticism considering the dearth of titles that take advantage of those features, but still. The bottom half torn off a DS is just ugly...the DS lite is more aesthetically pleasing than the original for sure...but neither option has that rounded body where your fingers fall just so, and that perfect weight balance in the back with the batteries in...and that place where your middle fingers rest on the battery bulge. Mmmmmmm.

The only "advantage" those franken-DS's have is in physical size...but I personally don't see that as an advantage. The original GBA form factor is perfection...the clamshell of the SP was great for size/screen protection, but it's too cramped to play for any reasonable length of time. The micro...ah, the micro. Beautiful screen, amongst the top of all handhelds for button/d-pad quality...but...just...too...small. The franken-DS is just...too...big. That's right, the original GBA is the Goldilocks GBA.

[Nintendork666]

EDIT: I love the AGS 101. Clam-shell for life, I even gots me a headphone adapter.

[Gunstar Green]

I do agree with irixith that the original GBA is a great design as far as ergonomics go and the D-Pad and shoulder buttons are superb. The SP really cramps up my hand in a very short period of time.

If I get the chance to grab a modded original GBA I'll have to jump on it.

[noiseredux]

EDIT: I love the AGS 101. Clam-shell for life, I even gots me a headphone adapter.

I think i sold you my headphone adapter right joe?